C3 fiberglass?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Oakland CA
C3 fiberglass?
Hey guys,
I am interested in the changes in fiberglass as it was used in 'vettes over the years...its relatively easy to find info on the original GRP used in the early days and the SMC used in the C5...I'm curious about the stuff in between...how does the glass on a C3 compare to the earlier GRP? Any tidbits on the history of Corvette fiberglass in general is much appreciated.
Also, I'd love to hear any flak you guys have gotten for driving a fiberglass machine.
thanks a lot!
Nick
I am interested in the changes in fiberglass as it was used in 'vettes over the years...its relatively easy to find info on the original GRP used in the early days and the SMC used in the C5...I'm curious about the stuff in between...how does the glass on a C3 compare to the earlier GRP? Any tidbits on the history of Corvette fiberglass in general is much appreciated.
Also, I'd love to hear any flak you guys have gotten for driving a fiberglass machine.
thanks a lot!
Nick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
Re: C3 fiberglass? (Dwayne 76)
Two different construction techniques have been used to manufacture Corvette body panels over the years. When the Vette made its debut, the new “FRP” body was a major inovation. “Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic” was a construction method that could be used to make lightweight panels with curves and design features that could not be easily duplicated in stamped steel. The body was basically built just like a fiberglass swimming pool or a boat hull: A “chopgun” was used to blow fiberglass strands and resin into a mold that was first coated with resin to produce a smooth surface finish on the body parts. This technique was used through the 1981 model year.
1982 was a unique transition year in many respects. Fuel injection was added to the ‘Vette, and a computer was installed to manage all major engine functions. ’82 also saw the advent of a revised body panel construction. “Structural Matted Components,” or SMC panels, were thinner and lighter due to a laminate construction using more plastic and less ‘glass. This panel type is used on all of our C4 & C5 Vettes, and partially on the groundbreaking 82.
Hope this helped :cheers:
Paul
1982 was a unique transition year in many respects. Fuel injection was added to the ‘Vette, and a computer was installed to manage all major engine functions. ’82 also saw the advent of a revised body panel construction. “Structural Matted Components,” or SMC panels, were thinner and lighter due to a laminate construction using more plastic and less ‘glass. This panel type is used on all of our C4 & C5 Vettes, and partially on the groundbreaking 82.
Hope this helped :cheers:
Paul
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Oakland CA
Re: C3 fiberglass? (inferno-vette)
Thanks Paul,
One question, though. I was under the impression that "SMC" stood for "Sheet Molded Composite" and was a new material introduced with the C5. Is the "SMC" you reference in your post unique to the C4, or do the C4 and C5 share the same body material?
thanks again,
Nick
One question, though. I was under the impression that "SMC" stood for "Sheet Molded Composite" and was a new material introduced with the C5. Is the "SMC" you reference in your post unique to the C4, or do the C4 and C5 share the same body material?
thanks again,
Nick
