Reproduction Malibu Wagon Interior Parts Interest

Status
Not open for further replies.

Firetruck1

Greasemonkey
Nov 1, 2017
193
300
63
I have a very close friend who has the ability to reproduce plastic parts. These will be primarily geared towards the wagon community but some will work in 4 door cars as well and many of the non Chevrolet variants. He has already made the part that goes at the very bottom of the door jam for the rear doors where you transition around the seat hinge (bottom corner of the C pillar). The parts are made or UV resistant and paintable ABS with an accurate texture. To the best of our knowledge, no one makes these parts or currently markets them. My question here is what would the interest for these parts be to the general G-Body world?

He has plans to make molds and run copies for the following parts;

A pillar Covers
Upper front door panels
Lower front door panels
B pillar covers (long side)
B pillar lower section
Upper rear door panel
Lower rear door panel
Rear door handle inserts
Tailgate covers
Tailgate cover insert
D pillar cover
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7 users

Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
4,865
6,892
113
Wellston, OK
Tailgate panel is a biggie, either sun-baked or gouged to hell, or both.

I do question why repros use abs rather than one of the TPO/TEO families as original?

People also seem to ask for the rear seat handle pretty often. And of course, the infamous air deflector caps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Tuffregal83

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2016
639
1,149
93
Lockport, Il
Rear speaker grills for a wagon ?😁
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
792
1,220
93
Wisconsin
4 door interchangeability helps locate some of those parts but I’d say the B pillars are hardest to find in good shape, A pillars too plus any wagon specific rear panels.

The large rear panels might be too big for him to do I’m guessing?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
5,543
6,662
113
Permanent Temporary
ABS is not a good candidate for the gate panel. It cracks too easily. The first load on it will end it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Firetruck1

Greasemonkey
Nov 1, 2017
193
300
63
At this point, the size of the part is not a obstacle. It is a matter of gauging interest. We cant invest the time to develop and refine a mold only to make a limited number of parts. Careful selection of plastic materials will come into account depending on the complexity of the part, its intended use and the total overall size.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
5,543
6,662
113
Permanent Temporary
I would be I interested to know what a minimum run of parts is. I imagine it's a function of how difficult is creating the mold?
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
792
1,220
93
Wisconsin
I’d be curious too as too how many people are seriously interested. I’m new to the wagons but it seems to be an underserved area, but I also notice many wagon guys are interested in going fast primarily, not really caring about the restoration end of things such as this, maybe I’m wrong though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
5,543
6,662
113
Permanent Temporary
Catch 22. Price is a factor. What they cost to make vs. what people will pay is the problem. Thermoset ABS is cost-effective, but is often too brittle for the long-term.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
4,865
6,892
113
Wellston, OK
Hopefully whatever is made, and the material used, are better than the repro coin trays for MCSS consoles and package tray ends for Malibu. I was pretty disappointed, especially with the package tray ends....were not even close to the OE part.

Probably a pipedream that G bodies will ever get injection molded trim parts of OE design and material.....but we can dream!
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 2 users
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor