When it comes to saving money on your pride and joy, one area you can really short-change yourself is on fiberglass body parts. There are two methods used to manufacture fiberglass parts. One is for mass production using a "chopper gun", while the other is the time-consuming "hand laid" process. The big mail order outfits use the big profit method which is to make the stuff as quickly as possible by using the chopper gun. In this process, fiberglass is sprayed through a gun similar to a paint sprayer and is an extremely fast way of mass producing parts. The drawback to this method is that chopped glass is not as strong as hand laid glass and it is next to impossible to achieve any consistency in the thickness of the material.

There are always imperfections in fiberglass, but the most important part of the whole process is the quality of the mold itself. We have seen bonnets and hoods that are so lumpy and wavy that we wondered if the mold was taken from a wrecked vehicle. It should be obvious to a manufacturer that if the mold was made quickly and cheaply and the part was laid up using a chopper gun, you don't have much time or money invested in the part and you can sell it at a bargain price. But, as a buyer, what are you bargaining away? If you don't mind spending hours in your shop, Bondo and sandpaper at the ready, reinforcing the areas that are too thin and filling and block sanding until the piece is ready to paint, then mass produced parts are for you.

The best way to produce quality fiberglass parts (The Speedwell way) is to start with the best available molds and lay up the glass by hand. When done with skill, a hand laid part is not only lighter than a chopped glass part, it is also much stronger. On a hand laid part, the pieces of fiberglass are cut from patterns designed to fit together and reinforce each other, then laid onto the mold one at a time. Very time-consuming, but much more consistent. Once again, you get what you pay for: a high quality piece that is ready for final sanding and paint.

We have considered using chopped glass on our parts to reduce cost, but decided against it because we are very proud of our hard-earned reputation for quality and we are not about to compromise it to save a couple of bucks. We believe our Speedwell fiberglass parts are the best available.

Speedwell Monza Bonnet
The world famous Speedwell Monza bonnet is available from Speedwell Engineering. We made a mold from Speedwell chassis #SPC59-6 (Speedwell Performance Tuning, model year 1959, chassis #6). Designed by Frank Costin (who later achieved some small measure of success as half of Marcos), the gorgeous Monza bonnet was used on the Speedwell Streamliner which, driven by future world champion Graham Hill, achieved a top speed of 132.206 mph with a 948cc A-series engine. Makes a Sprite prettier than an E-type! Includes mounting hardware and alloy air ducting.
Y3802 $1495.00

Speedwell Bugeye Bonnet
Unquestionably the best made Bugeye bonnet ever made, except for the original steel unit. Our kit comes with all the hardware you need to make your bonnet forward-tilting. We can also supply just the bonnet, if you don't need the hardware.
Y3806 $1250.00

Walker Bonnet
This is what the Bugeye would look like if the headlights were mounted outboard on the fenders. Very aerodynamic and good looking.
Y3810 $1250.00
Headlamp covers for Walker Bonnet Y3811 $199.95/pr

"Spridget" Front End
The mold for this complete, one-piece front end was taken from a really choice Mk4 Sprite. Takes about 50lbs off the front of your car! Let us know if you need mounting hardware.
Y3808 $1250.00