Great Moments In $2000 Challenge History: Fiberglass MR2

Staff
By Staff Writer
Aug 24, 2018 | $2000 Challenge, Toyota | Posted in News and Notes | From the Aug. 2015 issue | Never miss an article


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Photo by Anthony Neste

Does this Toyota MR2 look smooth or what? Its secret? Most of the body panels are formed in fiberglass–all done by entrants Dennis Gundersdorff and Scott Bennewitz.

“We had just enough knowledge to get us in trouble,” Scott told us. In addition to the custom front bumper, the duo fabbed the front trunk lid, rear bumper, sunroof fill panel, interior door panels, and one-piece engine cover/rear trunk lid. The supplies only cost them $135, and they figure it knocked some 500 pounds off the car’s curb weight.

“The thing about this is we didn’t do anything that anyone else couldn’t do,” Scott said. “It’s something truly grassroots; you just have to have a covered [work] area.”

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Comments
Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
8/24/18 9:47 a.m.

Five Hundred Pounds!?!

That is awesome. and I'm taking notes.

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
8/24/18 9:50 a.m.
accordionfolder
accordionfolder Dork
8/24/18 10:57 a.m.

Are there any pictures from the front?  

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
8/24/18 11:46 a.m.

In reply to accordionfolder :

I would be interested in some more info too. 

kb58
kb58 SuperDork
8/24/18 11:48 a.m.
 

 

They're being waaaaay too modest. That's like saying, there's only $473 worth of metal in this Ferrari. Yeah, well that's not where the work is. Raw materials are about 1% of the effort, and anyone who's made a mold understand there are 100's of hours in getting it just right. ONCE you have a good mold, yeah, it's pretty easy to punch out parts, but all the work happens before the first one can be made.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/24/18 11:57 a.m.
accordionfolder said:

Are there any pictures from the front?  

I can post one. Give me a sec. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/24/18 12:05 p.m.

By the way, these photos are from the $2003 Challenge. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/24/18 12:06 p.m.

And some details:

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/24/18 12:07 p.m.

accordionfolder
accordionfolder Dork
8/24/18 12:32 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Thanks David!

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