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Date:         Thu, 22 Mar 2007 14:57:15 -0400
Reply-To:     Sudhir Desai <sudhir.desai@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sudhir Desai <sudhir.desai@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Projekzwo Lower Grille Fog Lights - Kit Update
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@charter.net>
In-Reply-To:  <4602CF64.4060105@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I'd love a set if and when they become available. Sudhir

On 3/22/07, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote: > Last year I undertook the task of trying to get replacements for these > grilles since they went out of production. I was over taken by a bunch > of health issues and the project got put on the back burner. Initially > the plan was that I would build molds and run these on my vacuum forming > machine. I cannot do that now because of the effects of eye surgery on > my retinas. Simply can't see well enough to do that kind of work. > > SO! I took the two pieces I have been loaned to a company who does such > things and they had a look. After a bit of study, they came up with an > R&D cost of about $2000 to build the mold. After that front end cost, > the grille pieces - 1 right and 1 left - could be produced for between > $30 and $50 a pair, depending on how many pieces were made in a > production run. No hardware cost - ie, lights, bulbs, screws, brackets, > wire, connectors, etc - are included in those figures. From my own mold > making experience, the mold cost is pretty much right on, as half of > that cost is the mold-making material itself - a huge block of > polyurethane rubber, and a big wad of epoxy. There is roughly $500 in a > special jig for CNC trimming after each piece is made, and there is > approximately $500 in labor. > > We would need a bunch of folks that wanted these in order to get the > per-unit cost down. If we have enough, we can get the lower price of $30 > per pair, and we can spread the cost of the mold over how many pairs are > bought. Like if 40 people bought in, that would be $50 per person for > mold cost, plus $30 for the Grille pair - total $80 for the bare set. > Hardware would have to be a separate issue. I don't know what these > things cost initially from factory but it may be possible to get them > way below that factory price, including hardware. Finding the right > hardware source will take the effort of everyone. > > Please thrash this out, and speak your mind on this thread. It will come > to a vote of yea or nay in the near future. > > BTW, there is nothing in this for me. I'm just doing it for funzzies!! > > Thanks, > > Regards, > > John Rodgers > 88 GL Driver >


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