Thread: Pros and Cons of glass?

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What are some good things and what are some bad things about a fiber glass body? Are there different kinds or different kinds of bodies that are made with different processes? I don't know much at all about them and any info would help a lot.
Also what are some good places that sell them for a 32 Ford roadster or coupe?

Thanks.

FMX, from what I have read and experienced with glass, the main issue I have seen is alot of the companies out there do not make the car as a whole, they "cookie cut" (for lack of a better term" the cars and alot of the parts don't line up properly. I know someone is going to say the same about steel, but working with steel in my opinion is a hell of a lot easier than glass. Lining up body panels that are steel is easier than glass at least with me.
But thats what I have found and heard from others, someone with a newer glass car may tell you different, my experience is from the late 80's, so its pretty old info and they have gotten better glass cars today I think

If I wen't with steel then who makes a kit "complete" for a 32 roadster or 3 window coupe and how much would it be around?
Thanks for the info so far guy's.

This is mostly the body style I am aiming for here with the steel or glass... I would like to have steel better but I am sure it's over 10,000 for every peice and all...

FMX, I hate saying this as I am a steel fan, but for that car glass is probably your only option and the better one, as a reasonably priced steel body is still over priced for the condition its in if you want an original steel body, a refab'd steel body last I seen was around 10k for the body as a glass was 6k.
Here is one I just found on a search
http://www.americanstreetrod.com/32_roadster.shtml
http://www.bebops-glassworks.com/fordcoupe.html
http://www.wescottsauto.com/32-ford-...roadster-1.htm
http://www.rjays.com/Bodies/32-roadster-01.htm

Being a Corvette fan, I like glass.....besides, every time I make a mistak, just cut it away and re-glass it......simple...but that glass itches like hell if ya don't wear right protection.

Don't forget Redneck and Outlaw. Spend a few bucks on the latest copy of Street Rodder magazine and scan the ads. That won't tell you who's best, but it will tell you who the players are.

Not that I know anymore than anyone else...but I would ask "what you are wanting in the end?" to tell you my choice of glass or steel. One common overlooked fact by many "project starters" is the differences between 2 finished cars usually ends up only being the same differences which set them apart to begin with. Engines, chassis components, paint, and interior can all cost about the same no matter what car you choose to start with. So the main difference in what you end up with is what you start with. The same argument could be made between glass and steel. Make sense???

In other words, two different buddies could start building their dream cars. One starts with a 32 _________(insert your favorite non-Ford name here) and the other with a 32 Ford. The Ford probably costs $3-5K more than the alternative. They both install small block engines, trannys, chrome chassis, rear ends, aluminum wheels, paint, and interior. In the end, both cars look great, could run down the street equally fast, get about the same gas mileage, and make both the owners smile. Even though the two cars cost the same to build (excluding the initial body/frame choice), one car is more desireable than the other to the mainstream public. And thus is worth more $. So which builder is the smarter one? Depends on who you are. I like them all so its no matter to me. But others build for other reasons.

If you are building a keeper, ask yourself if you would be proud to say to someone..."yeah, its a glass car!". If so, save yourself the added expense and call Wescott, Redneck, or Outlaw (They all build really good products. I might suggest buying from whoever is closest to you). But if this is a potential problem, spend the money now as you wont regret it later.

If you are building it to sell, the steel cars tend to bring more end the end than the cost difference of their fiberglass alternatives. But ther are more buyers at the lower price range, so its a trade off.

Either way, your on the right track with the pictures you posted. I happen to think that black highboy is one of the best looking 32s ever built.

One thing is for sure, you'll never know unless you get started...so out to the garage!

troy-cryer --------------that is probally the best reply i have read on this website , i agree with you comments .
some like glass , others steel , its a trade off on price , cheaper to work glass ( for the most part straight ) , in 9 out of 10 cases steel will bring a higher $ in the end . in these days i firmly believe a " quality " car will bring big money , glass or steel .
for a starter builder , i recomend glass 100% .

Thanks for the replies guy's. I don't care for kit cars, I like original bodies MUCH better and I am not a big fan of 32's... Well I love the style they have but there are TONS of people with 32's and you go to a show and the only difference between them is the interior, paint and engine, other than that they are all the same. Reason I am asking all these questions is because a guy at my church has just the frame and that's it and I offered to trade a dirtbike for it... Well I talked to his wife, he wasn't home but she said that he might do it because he is looking for one and talked to me about one. So in the next week or two I should find out and if he trades then I will have me a frame but not front or rear end or ANYTHING to it. He said he priced everything needed to complete it and has it all written down and would show me it all later. He said to put a Corvette rear end (not sure if he meant a straight axle or ind.) and then I don't know what front end. If he does the trade then I will have the frame here (already PCed black) and it will sit for a while until I get the money to add the front and rear end on and all. It will be a slow process but that's the fun part is finding the parts I want and all. I will let you guy's know what I decide to do and all and see if the guy accept's the deal.
Anymore reply's are still helpful. I am not going to say anymore because who know's, this can end up just like everything else I have looked at where I never ended up getting it but this time my dad actually likes the damn thing where as all the other ones he didn't like the fact of all the rust, etc so I am not getting my hopes up yet just looking around to see what I would do to it and plus I am learning a few things while doing this too so that's cool with me.

Thanks again!

Oh also, about the street rodder mag, I have about 2 or 3 of those lying around here somewhere and I brought one to school so I will check around the ad's in those and get some prices and do some searching about the bodies. I am thinking that if all did go through that I might as well wait an extra while of time and go with a steel body. What would be bad about the steel body though besides dents and the noises?
I am still trying to decide if I would wan't a roadster or 3 window coupe and I would like one that you don't see as much but you see both kinds all over the place.

Ok one more question here and I am done for a while... I am looking around and see quite a few companies for steel bodies, but if I am looking for something similar like the picture I posted above in steel then what would be the best place? I would prefer answers from someone who has used a few different companies bodies but if not then it's ok too.

Thanks again.

Kit Car?...

Guess you still have not gotten glued in yet!!!

Dave Brisco

Originally posted by dangeroustoy
Kit Car?...

Guess you still have not gotten glued in yet!!!

Dave Brisco

That's really not what I mean't, I mean something that isn't the original body, frame, etc. I guess that wasn't the right word but what can you expect, I am a dumbass and still learning.

Thanks for the info man. Yeah I hear people talking about your truck there saying it's fake and crappy because it's glass but if it were me I wouldn't give a damn because it would be my damn car and I am building a hot rod and having fun and that's all that counts so who cares what other's think of your car or truck. If someone else doesn't like it then I wouldn't care, as long as I like it.
What about painting glass bodies? Will the glass suck or absorb the paint up a lot where you will have to use more or how would that work?

Hah, I am sure they would but that won't bother me any because it's still BUILDING a rod either way I go even though I do like metal better but either way is nice. I don't know what will go on yet so just waiting for the guy to let me know what he will do and go from there... one step at a time is how I will take it. I would like to just go with metal but then I was second guessing and it is a lot more than glass so not too sure yet.