In my opinion this is a very nice example of a GTM Coupe. I am wondering who the owner is as there a few questions I would like to ask and to see if there are some pics of the car..

That was John's, he is on here and it is the all GRP i.e chassis as well coupe.


Username gtmdriver

Neil

I didn't realize they made an all GRP Coupe. Must have been a late one?

It was a one-off built by John Dickens, the person who bought it off John has some photos of it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/35867857@N03/page6/

I'm not sure where the original build thread is if there is one.

I have lots of build photos.

What, specifically, are you interested in?

I am interested in how the front end was reenforced and how the latching mechanism was set up, and any pics of the Gas tank filler access.. Also the rear engine cover/trunk cover and how that was done. the car is absolutely stunning..

In order

1. The bonnet was reinforced by laminating grp strengthening ribs over 'D'section paper rope. The inner wings were fabricated from flat grp sheet.





The underside of the bonnet and boot lid were eventually finished in black stone chip paint.

2. The bonnet catches were standard Aerocatches. No photos I'm afraid.

3. The filler flap was made in stages. A mould was taken from the relevant bonnet area, the hole was cut out



a recessed flange was made and glued on,



and a new filler flap was mouded from the mould taken earlier.



4. The rear engine cover was pretty much standard apart from a small lip which I made by taking a mould from the original bonnet bulge.



The mesh is stainless steel.

Below the vent holes I made grp baffles which allowed hot air to exit but directed rain water away from the engine.





To lock the rear section of the engine cover I used a Mini Van rear door lock.



This pushed two stainless steel rods out sideways to lock into catch plates at each side of the car.



Ultimately I also fitted a third tongue to the lock handle. This locked at the rear of the aperture too.

Excellent, thanks so much. These are great shots! ... for the front end what is 'D'section paper rope... Is that something you can buy at a GRP shop? Did that remove the flexing of the front end when opening and closing and when driving, as mine seems to move around a lot on the road with the wind. I was thinking of the mini van door mechanism as well, was it just glasses to the backside of the lid? How was the third arm added? Thanks again.. Mike

'D' section paper rope is available from grp shops.

I never noticed any front end flexing while I was driving.

The Mini van lock sits on a plinth with 4 captiv bolts to secure it.

The third locking arm was attached to the protruding 1/4" square spindle of the operating handle and moved in an arc like a conventional lock striker.

Thanks!

Not a one off, as I bought one off ebay several years ago, currently being rebuilt be the current owner I sold it on to when it became apparent I was never going to get it going again and needed the space for the next project.

It certainly was a one off.

I made the entire grp chassis myself.

It may not be the only one in existence but it's definitely a one off.

looks like someone else also did it, the one I had appeared to be an exact copy of the steel, just in fibreglass! it was 'Y' reg and had been on the road but not for many years.

How heavy are these all GRP coupes?

David