The Final Proof — Engineering Plastic Body Panels

The paper discusses the development and thinking behind the construction of the T.R.X. sports car which features external body panels in engineering thermoplastics.

The advantages of injection moulding as a high quality mass production process ensuring perfect reproducibility and close tolerance fits are stressed. High weight reductions are possible against conventional materials and many examples are given. High speed, high quality production at a rate commensurate with modern car build is possible with technology currently available and in place today. Finally, alternative construction concepts are discussed to meet a wide range of industry requirements for automotive body components.