Wide body front fender info for those who asked.

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » February 3rd, 2006, 12:43 pm

Actually in this case it have nothing to do with a non-disclosure agreement this time. For those that don't know I've been designing parts for the MX-3 (323 and Escort) since the summer of about 1995 mostly out of personal need. Via of my friends I have developed a lot of contacts in the automotive aftermarket industry over the years. What Barry is talking about is that I did some design, prototype and a lot of T & E work for some of these companies up until the summer of 2000. The reason most of these products never when to market is because of the MX-3 community itself. Everybody wanted the parts but no one would put there name and physical address on a list to prove there was a market to the product development managers I was working with. They personally knew as well as I that there was a growing MX-3 market, back then but without some sort of proof that there was a market there was no way the bean counters would ever launch a new part into production with only 5 or 6 names. Another problem was that there were several MX-3er that left a bad taste in the mouths of several of the mainstream aftermarket companies when these guy thought a parts wasn't being marketed fast enough and contacted the companies directly and made a lot of uncalled for and abrasive personal "comments" to the various person they were speaking to. Basically that ended MX-3 aftermarket support as far as the mainstream companies are concerned. I pulled the plug on several other parts myself because certain companies were trying to negotiate exclusive sales deals for these parts with the manufactures without my knowledge. This infomation was back channeled to me so I held onto drawing and in some cases the prototype for additional development which is where these parts still stand today. I'm was sitting on a lot of production jigs and prototypes up until a year ago when there were sold for scrap metal because I forgot to remove my personal projects from the building when the company shut down production in Canada and the machine shop liquidated. I still make parts for my cars either as a exercise in engineering and fabrication that is different from what I do everyday or because it is a maintenance item I need and have the resources to improve on the original item. The only thing now I don't have to consider product liability or mass production techniques in my designs anymore now that they are for myself. From time to time over the years has well I was asked to take an existing product for the BG to test fit it on a MX-3 and evaluate as well but the parts were taking out of production before the cross over was made

With the fenders it had nothing to do with there was a need for them. I was watching "Rides", "Overhauling" and the "Biker Build-off" on TV with a friend. She made a comment about it looks hard to fab sheetmetal like that. I told her it wasn't and proceeded to make a small chopper gas tank, a tin apple and some other useless decorative items. Then someone was talking about hot rods and that was how the MX-3 fenders came about as a way to prove a point. As for having them reproduces there are several GRP shops in the MTL area that I could deal with if I were so inclined but at the moment there are no plans to even use these fender on a car let alone reproduce them. This is the reason I don't usually mention that I made this part or that part. Once I mentioned that I have the resources to cast urethane suspension bushings and motor mounts to the BG guys and I got flooded with emails asking for them. Neither our shop or my friends plastics shop have the additional capacity to produce these bushing. And I mention something about my sub frame connectors on the MX-3 mailing list which generated inquiries as well. Right now I am involve with a lot of other people projects that I haven't really work on or even driven the MX-3 in the past 3 years.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » February 3rd, 2006, 1:42 pm

Thanks for that Vaughn. Whatever items you do or do not have control over, I'm sure if you think it would be a worthwhile venture to be re-produced/mass-produced than I'm sure you have the contacts to make that happen. If it's a situation that it would be "a good idea", but you simply can't afford the time necessary to see it through, I'm sure there may be individuals / members here aptly suited to carry this out. Like I mentioned before, it's always nice to have a small injection of some newness from time to time and relying on the mainstream manufacturers for that is just not going to happen. If we (the membership), have the power and ability to take care of our own, than why not. If I had the talent and skills like some other members here, there's probably nothing more gratifying than seeing the collective clamouring for a piece of my creation. Even better, to see that creation taken to a newer or different level couldn't be more pleasing. But that's my take on it. I'm sure Vaughn, being an MX owner almost as long as myself can appreciate my sincerety and interest in promoting a healthy and thriving MX3 community.
Thanks Vaughn!!

Aston Wards · Post by **Aston Wards** » February 5th, 2006, 11:13 pm

Some pretty interesting stuff here...., over the time i've been on this BB i've notice ALOT of attempts at GB's fail...., from both sides, everyone wants good stuff for stuff all, i can see why Vaughn and the companies he deals with, can't be assed producing stuff for the MX3.
A widebody kit would be AWESOME, but heck, who's gonna front up with the $$$$? Not many...., if any! (KiwiMX3 will get that!)

Just adding my 2cents

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » February 6th, 2006, 1:51 am

Aston Wards wrote:Some pretty interesting stuff here...., over the time i've been on this BB i've notice ALOT of attempts at GB's fail...., from both sides, everyone wants good stuff for stuff all, i can see why Vaughn and the companies he deals with, can't be assed producing stuff for the MX3.
A widebody kit would be AWESOME, but heck, who's gonna front up with the $$$$? Not many...., if any! (KiwiMX3 will get that!)
Just adding my 2cents

So true!! Many enthusiasts here on the BB, but when it comes to down payments and the like the majority back off or say it's too expensive. Most are more concerned with $$ then they are with the product quality or value. First words normally spoken are - "I want the cheapest ......" and it's not often one hears - I want the best or a good .......". I believe it is directly related to the average age of the MX owner who can't afford to look to quality first and price second. Therein lies some of the problems that you and Vaughn have eluded to that have plagued this cars after-market potential. Can't really see that changing in the near future.
Aston can you elude to Matt's front money or is that a sore subject?

Aston Wards · Post by **Aston Wards** » February 6th, 2006, 3:13 am

Oops!

Heck no....... the line 'not many..., if any' is from a VERY popular NZ song (too popular!)
Matt sounds like a very trustworthy chap!

Sorry KiwiMX3!

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » February 8th, 2006, 10:51 pm

Hell with wanting it cheap, MX-3er and Mazda people in general know they can't generate the sales numbers of Honda parts but expect to pay the same or less than the identical part for a Mazda. Believe it or not I found that some times even free isn't cheap enough. In the past I offered to give away spare parts in exchange for a small donation to a local charity in that persons home town only to have the person b---- about the shipping costs. This became more of a headache that it was worth, now it is easier just to throw the part out if I can use to myself. Less B.S this way

Also asking other people to test and evaluate parts doesn't work either. Usually that is the last you see of a prototype as in a few cases the person has disapeared as soon as they get the part in there hands. When I did the T & E for Eibach there were a lot of guys wanting to test fit a set of free springs. But as soon as I hear I want my own mechanic to install them, you know you will never see those spring again in the time frame necessary to send a report to the manufactures if at all.

BTW the wide body parts being made of sheetmetal does not readily lend itself to being reproduced in GRP. Basically you would almost need to start over again to make a plug for the mold with the thinkness of the GRP in mind for the final product. You can't directly reproduce in GRP the same as something that was design to be made in 18-20ga sheetmetal. You have a lot of clearance vs strength issues.

jschrauwen wrote:
Aston Wards wrote:Some pretty interesting stuff here...., over the time i've been on this BB i've notice ALOT of attempts at GB's fail...., from both sides, everyone wants good stuff for stuff all, i can see why Vaughn and the companies he deals with, can't be assed producing stuff for the MX3.
A widebody kit would be AWESOME, but heck, who's gonna front up with the $$$$? Not many...., if any! (KiwiMX3 will get that!)
Just adding my 2cents
So true!! Many enthusiasts here on the BB, but when it comes to down payments and the like the majority back off or say it's too expensive. Most are more concerned with $$ then they are with the product quality or value. First words normally spoken are - "I want the cheapest ......" and it's not often one hears - I want the best or a good .......". I believe it is directly related to the average age of the MX owner who can't afford to look to quality first and price second. Therein lies some of the problems that you and Vaughn have eluded to that have plagued this cars after-market potential. Can't really see that changing in the near future.
Aston can you elude to Matt's front money or is that a sore subject?