Just became the owner of the only Spyder in Australia.


She now has to go through an engineering certification process before road registration. One of the requirements is certification of structural fibreglass as follows.

"All fibreglass used in structural components must comply with and be tested in accordance with the requirements of British Standard 2782 Part III, methods 320E and 335A. The test panels must reach minimum acceptance levels of 85 MPa in tension and 152 MPa in flexure. The Barcol hardness value must be greater than 25 and the fibre to weight ratio must be at least 0.29.
Fibreglass panels presented for testing should be laid up under supervision in order to verify the consistency of lay up when referenced to the vehicle components being constructed. These test panels should measure approximately 600mm x 600mm and be free of gel coat. Flat (planar) test panels are required to comply with test procedures."

There are four ways I can see to get this done:
1. Cut a test sample from the floor of the car (shock horror).
2. Cut a sample from a damaged panel or tub from a Libra or Spyder. Would need photos to verify the source of the sample. Size is 600 x 600 or smaller pieces adding to same total area.
3. A certificate of compliance from a person familiar with GTM build standards of the time (2005)
4. A sample prepared to the original standard and certified as such.
5. Results from testing previously performed - anyone aware of any testing of Libra/Spyder fibreglass?

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Of course I am happy to pay for a suitable sample, freight etc etc.

Hi

There is another Australian owner of a Libra. Kel Kearns. Do you know him?

Failing that you could try contacting Westfield to see if they have anything. If you need a sample then Dudley at Talon may be able to help. http://www.talonsportscars.com/

Dudley worked at GTM when the Libra/Spyder were still in production so he may be a good contact.

replies seem to be working at the mo

oh and welcome to the forum

I think the only way to get samples would be to see if the resin and glass used can be identified then make up new samples.
Resin will be Polyester and unlikely to be any more sophisticated than that.
Reinforcement is woven roving with pronounced weave.
Photos of the car could be sent to suppliers for a similar fabric
Very small amounts of CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) and no stitched type fabric.
I do not think vacuum was used just hand lamination

I would make up samples and submit them as wanted without gel coat

Pete

Hi Folks. Thanks for the replies. Would have replied sooner but had some technical issues.

Thanks for the welcome West.

Pete, I don't think it would be sufficient to merely use the same mat and resin. Strength, hardness and glass ratio will vary with layup technique. Making acceptable new samples would require an accompanying statement that the samples were made to the same standard as the original tub.

Roger, I don't know Kel Kearns. I believe there are five Libras in Australia - all imported and assembled by the guy who sold me the Spyder. He has contacted Westfield on my behalf - still waiting to see if they can help. Meanwhile I wanted to check for other avenues. I will contact Dudley - thanks for that.

Anyone out there with a damaged Libra/Spyder panel? (Happy to pay.)
Anyone know of a car in a salvage yard?

All I would say is 'how would they know?'
600 x 600 is a big bit of glass
Even if you cut out the floor it will have gel coat and not sure it is 600 wide
If however that is the answer then replacing with new is not difficult
You will be able to see the layup thickness on the edge.
Give them what they want a representative sample but keep it for enough time to smell right
Too early and it will smell of Styrene

- They would want to "know" ie they would require proof that the sample is equivalent to or from an actual Libra/Spider.
- 600 x 600 is the suggested sample size. The actual testing is performed using much smaller pieces (20mm x 150mm) so multiple smaller pieces would suffice. (The pieces cut from your Libra would have been fine)
- Gel-coated sections are fine. The gel coat would have to be removed during preparation of the specimens.