Firstly I was wondering how difficult it would be to make a balsa wood fender, hood and other parts, paint it and make it look like it's part of the car (not some weird add-on). Secondly I wanted to know what would be the lighest weight material you could use on a car, fibre glass, carbon fibre, plastic, aluminum, or balsa wood. Also looking for other suggestions for replacement parts.

 

balsa wood? I take it you have no intention of driving the car, and don't need it to have any function other than looking good for pictures...

Lightest material would be dry weave carbon fiber.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TunerN00b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">balsa wood? I take it you have no intention of driving the car, and don't need it to have any function other than looking good for pictures...

Lightest material would be dry weave carbon fiber.</TD></TR></TABLE>I read that they've designed HMMWV vehicles with balsa wood on the non necessary parts and saved 900lbs in weight.

 

A balsa wood fender wouldn't last long, because the material is so weak. Honestly, you wouldn't save much (if anything) over say a fiberglass fender. Even then, your best bet for longevity, is probably carbon fiber. Pre-pregnated dry carbon would yield the best results (for weight loss), but you're talking a TON of money to get dry carbon parts made.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by imzjustplayin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I read that they've designed HMMWV vehicles with balsa wood on the non necessary parts and saved 900lbs in weight.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Its bad enough having to buy a new headlight when the redneck in the lifted Chevy truck without mud flaps in front of you throws up a rock. Imagine having to buy a new fender and/or hood under the same circumstances...