Interchangable Body Panels?

[Scarlett]

I'm planning to build an 818 at some point in the next couple of years. I really want to have it for a DD, so waiting for a coupe or targa makes sense for now. I really like the look of the 818r rear panel with the vents in it. Just because. It seems that these panels and others should be interchangeable betweent the 818s and 818r. Maybe not all of them, but many. Has anyone explored the idea with FFR or Dave himself? Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to do at first thought, but I'm sure it would add complications that FFR may not want to deal with.

Same basic idea with the colored body panels. IS FFR planning to allow me to get a white hood with all other body panels red? Or other variations? Anybody know? Or will there end up being a body panel color swap forum develop here? As in "I'll trade you my red hood for your white one..."

Steve

[NicksPapaw]

I would think that as many body panels that could be interchangable would cut their manufacturing costs and also reduce inventory on hand. I also don't see an issue with ordering different body panel colors with your build. Of course, I am not running the show so my post is only my opinion which in and of itself is useless. :) I do hope you are correct on both points though.

[Don DePontee]

From what I remember from seeing both the cars at SEMA I would say that the panels are definitely interchangeable. A quick call to Jim at FFR would be the best idea though.
Don

[Scarlett]

Yeah, I was gonna call then when I get the chance to next week, but I figured I would see if there was any early word on these ideas. In theory, both the color switching and the R vs S panel switching shouldn't be hard to do, but it would add a fair amount of complexity to FFR's packaging of each order. One of the things that Dave seemed to have worked on a few years ago was streamlining this exactly this kind of thing. Remember when you could no longer order just the leather steering wheel? You had to get the wood wheel and if you wanted the leather wheel, you paid extra and got both. (I think that is still true.) One enemy of all retail operations is the number of SKUs that you have to deal with. The 818 adds a lot of SKUs to FFR's operation, far more than the other kits. The 10 (I think 10) different body panels involved add a lot of SKUs. Then if you figure 4 or 5 color variation for each, the number of individual pieces add up. Then, you have to figure on different nose pieces, tail ends, and deck lids, (at least) for the R and S versions- each with 4 or 5 different colors. All of the sudden, there are a lot of boxes to check on the order form, and a lot more individual bins to pull from when the shipping department is readying a customer's order.

Add to all of that, the R nose and tail piece need additional mesh pieces and/or fasteners for them, and suddenly, you have a lot of variations.

It is just like the old 7th grade math problem: If I can order 3 types of shirts, 5 types of pants, and 4 kinds of shoes, then how many different combination of different outfits coudl I make? (Answer: 3x5x7=105) For all of the other FFR kits, the answer to this question is 1.

Their inventory on hand has to increase (Dramatically?) due to these considerations. Maybe I shouldn't have opened up these question for fear of scaring Dave off and having him say no to the whole idea??

Sometimes, what seems like a simple little request opens up a whole new world...

Steve

[Torqueroll]

I like the idea of having the R look and the S look without having to buy 2 cars :)

[Scarlett]

I don't think swapping most body panels would be as easy as just snapping your fingers, nor do I expect that it would be a frequent thing for very many of us. I don't want to change panels each week to have a different look on the car, I see it as a one time thing. I don't want to buy 2 hoods or 2 sets of anything. If the no paint theme holds up, I just want to have a white hood the easy way. Others may want to go further with the idea.

[C.Plavan]

It would make sense just to make all the 818R's one color. Kinda like how all Porsche Cup cars come in white. Then you can paint or wrap them in vinyl.

Just my .02 cents

[flynntuna]

It depends on how they decide to inventory the bodies. If they sell and inventory the bodies as a set, then breaking up those sets would make for an inventory nightmare. On the other hand, if they inventory the panels separately and have a provision on the order form to chose the color for each panel, then they will have to keep a larger backstock of each color which would add to the cost for warehousing. So I think to hold down costs, the bodies will be sold as a set, and if some one wants a different color panel they would have to buy an extra "replacement" panel. Or just paint /wrap the panel .

[Racebrewer]

Yes, but,,,,,,,,

With the thermoplastic panels, there would be no inventory on hand other than pallets of plastic sheets. (At least in a perfect world). You'd place your order for blue with a white hood, the parts would be formed and come together with the chassis when it was completed.

Now the reality may be something different.................

[mrvwcastner]

We are now a collective community. If the panels are interchangeble, then find another member of the community who wants to change their look as well & swap.

[Oppenheimer]

I would think there would be a number of ways to handle this. The standard order could be all panels same color, same style (818S or 818R). Then if you wanted to mix n' match, there could be a 'handling' fee for creating a special order. If they could get this sophisticated enough to then build and ship your order as requested, that would be great. Otherwsie maybe they just don't ship your hood and unvented rear panels now, you get those later when they get the inventory. Not a big deal, by the time your build progresses to the point you need those, you should have them.

Then if you didn't want to pay the handling fee, you could do the swap my white hood for your blue one thing here on the forum.

[Turboguy]

My first thought on reading the thread title was "The Fiero lives!!"

[C.Plavan]

All I know is that some 818R racers are going to need a few noses...... There does not seem to be a lot of "Meat" on the front body work. :)

[Xusia]

My first thought on reading the thread title was "The Fiero lives!!"

The Fiero was a poor sports car by most measures. BUT, you can't argue with it's flexibility as a platform!

[RM1SepEx]

Based on where Factory 5 is with this project your desires are what they need to hear...

so Dave, some customers want to mix and match body panel colors and pieces from the 818R and 818S, please take that into consideration while working on this project.

Same approach as many 818S buyers would like a bar like on the 818R on the 818S to allow using a 5 point harness vs the stock seat belts (We want to chose)
I'm sure that these items are already on their lists... you want to just highlight how important it is to you....

[rjh2pd]

The Fiero was a poor sports car by most measures. BUT, you can't argue with it's flexibility as a platform!
It was originally an economy car. But back on topic, if the r and s panels are interchangeable then I don't see why ffr wouldn't offer the option of ordering a different panel for a small fee of course. They could also have it where you have to wait an extra week or whatever they wanted so that they could make the panel you wanted. Win Win for everyone

[Scarlett]

Well, regardless of if the complete body had its onw SKU number, each color of panel would need its own number. And sepoerate numbers for the R vs S panels if they are different. I'm not thinking that FFR will have their own Thermo-molding machinery (At least at first) so it would be a matter of stocking a lot of individual parts. If they ordered body as complete single color sets that came pre-packed and ready to ship, it would simplify their lives and really complicate custom orders. So, I guess RM1 is right, feedback to FFR is important on these issues.

And yeah, I had thought of 5 point belts vs stock Subary ones. I want 5 points.

Steve

[Highway Star]

What are the components gating the rate of production? Is it the body panels, chassis, or something else? If it is the body panels, then mix-n-match would be more of a problem. If the chassis production rate is significantly slower, then there may be time to do the panels on a JIT basis.

I have a suspicion that Dave has already worked through this with his Pert chart.

[Scarlett]

Well, I started this and I said I would call FFR, so I did today. I couldn't get to Jim Schenck, but I had a good conversation with one of the tech guys. I let him know the basics of my question (Can I mix and match colors and/or R and S panels?) and added in the request for 5 point harness mounts. HE seemed a bit perplexed at forst, but then seemed to get it. He didn't have answers, but said he would to take the questions up to Jim. I don't know if we can expect answers at this point in their process, but an awareness of the issue/request may help FFR work them into their thinking. We'll see.

Good Point Highway Star.

Steve
Steve