Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 17:34:44 -0700
Reply-To: Steven Dodson <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steven Dodson <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
Subject: Re: Rubber Floor Mats
In-Reply-To: <200208132033.MEW00432@vmms5.verisignmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Chris,
I've never seen one of these wraparound mats but that is what I'd be
shooting for. Is there a site where I can see one?
To all,
I've searched around a bit looking at available mats and considering what I
could offer comparatively. I figure if I do it, it's got to be done right.
Form fitting with good tread, raised edges and drainage to the step, extra
wear area (though not really needed), top quality materials, etc. I've
measured out my van to get an idea on the amount of materials that would be
used. Conservatively guestimating, I think I'd have to sell the mats between
$85-90 to make material cost and modest labor.
Compare these to generics and their expensive, but these may just outlast
your van. My trouble is I would cast these parts from expensive, high
quality urethane resins, not crappy sheet formed goods or cheap molded
resins. Anyway, VW sells a custom contoured mat for the New Bug and Passat
for $112. Sorry if I've burst some of your bubbles, but it takes money to
make things well.
If I can get interest for 24 units over the next month, I'll do it. That
will cover materials and about half my tooling cost, no labor, just love.
-Steven Dodson
Kneeland, CA
"Inga" the 87 Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: 80 Westy Pokey [mailto:pokey@vanagon.org]
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 1:34 PM
To: Vanagon man; steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Rubber Floor Mats
Agreed keep the logos and trade names off of it. I don't
personally think you can beat the panel van front rubber
mats. It is essentially a completely form fitted single piece
of rubber mat that stretches from the footwells all the way
back to the back of the seats (with cutouts for pedals and
shifter). The one piece design means absolutley no water gets
under. If you could reproduse these there would probably be
market on the list. I have only seen them hit the Vanagon
list twice in two years and they got snapped up fast.
I already have a front mat, but I would like a square
matching one for the westy passenger area for full protection
from dirty feet in the camper.
Thanks,
Chris
---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 15:54:14 -0400
>From: Vanagon man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
>Subject: Re: Rubber Floor Mats
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>Sounds great, but cover your butt. Do not use vw or
vanagon, or any of
>their trademarks....they will get you.............ever hear
the story about
>the fellow that made clocks out of old vw hubcaps.........he
had to cease
>and desist and they tried to get money out of him for
unauthorized use of
>their trademarks............
>
>Adam P
>81 Westy "The Brick "
>70 Single Cab "Whitey"
>74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
>73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
>1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
>75 Campmobile "for sale'
>Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steven Dodson" <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 3:46 PM
>Subject: Rubber Floor Mats
>
>
>> Guys,
>> Do to the difficult nature of finding decent rubber floor
mats for
>> Vanagons, I have thought about producing my own. I make a
living
>> engineering and prototyping products for other people so
stuff like this
>is
>> a slam dunk for me. However there are still costs
involved. Is anyone else
>> interested in mats?
>>
>> The mats would be in black or really any color industrial
urethane (tough
>> as nails), lasting far longer than factory and aftermarket
mats. I was
>> thinking of just a big VW logo or possibly "Vanagon"
embossed on them.
>> Subtle, functional, very cool.
>>
>> If I could get a dozen or so people interested, it would
at least buffer
>> the costs involved. What is the going rate for good mats
these days?
>> I still need to factor the material cost but I think I
could be
>competitive.
>>
>> Any interest, input?
>>
>> I guess this could apply to any hard to find parts, if I
have a sample I
>> can reproduce them in small qtys.
>>
>> -Steven
>>
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