SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: the Renown R230 Sidewinder
12-19-2012, 09:59 AM
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the Renown R230 Sidewinder
Hi everyone,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ray and I've been involved in the auto aftermarket industry for about 13years now. I set up and used to run the US branch of prominent high end Japanese aero company but have now launched my own business.
I have predominately been focused on Lamborghini but was pulled into a project that has taken way too long (vendors w/ excuses!), but after a year of development, I'm proud to show off what I've toiled over.
I call it the Renown R230 Sidewinder and it is 1" wider than the Murcielago and 10" wider than the SL Black. Two cars have been built, one has been completed and the other is about to be prepped for paint. Now that the car is done, I'd love to share it. If you notice the front fender curves inward. It's the deepest out there, with the exception of the black. The wheels are Renown 3 piece concave wheel. 10.5" width on the front and 13" width in the rear.
-Ray
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ray and I've been involved in the auto aftermarket industry for about 13years now. I set up and used to run the US branch of prominent high end Japanese aero company but have now launched my own business.
I have predominately been focused on Lamborghini but was pulled into a project that has taken way too long (vendors w/ excuses!), but after a year of development, I'm proud to show off what I've toiled over.
I call it the Renown R230 Sidewinder and it is 1" wider than the Murcielago and 10" wider than the SL Black. Two cars have been built, one has been completed and the other is about to be prepped for paint. Now that the car is done, I'd love to share it. If you notice the front fender curves inward. It's the deepest out there, with the exception of the black. The wheels are Renown 3 piece concave wheel. 10.5" width on the front and 13" width in the rear.
-Ray
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12-22-2012, 09:03 AM
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sorry, i have been running around the last couple of days. We've built up an '06. Not sure what year this white one was, i know its a early year SL55. I haven't decided if I should put it into production. This project has been a year of frustration and only temporary molds were used. I would have to invest in proper tooling and I am not sure there would be enough demand. There are 20+ parts that were made for the car.
I'm still not 100% satisfied and I think I would improve somethings, but then again, I might never be satisfied!
This includes not just the exterior parts of the car, but fender well liners, a new water tank, trunk pieces that broaden up the trunk shoulders and not to mention the carbon pieces (white car didn't have that.) With my lamorghini product line, all the carbon I make is pre-preg autoclave cured carbon fiber and I would take the same approach with this kit. The kit would be made of vacuum bagged FRP cloth with epoxy resins.
I know the other companies make stuff in China, Mexico or other cheap labor markets and use cheaper methods of lay up using chop strand mat with polyester or polyvinyl resins (shrinks!) and the quality depends on the skill level of whoever happens to be laying up that day. Those methods are inconsistent and it doesn't satisfy me to know one part could end up being thicker or heavier from one piece to the next.
The package would include the wheels and would have been priced at about $20k including the carbon and OEM mercedes LED lights and $16k including wheels without the carbon package.
I'm still not 100% satisfied and I think I would improve somethings, but then again, I might never be satisfied!
This includes not just the exterior parts of the car, but fender well liners, a new water tank, trunk pieces that broaden up the trunk shoulders and not to mention the carbon pieces (white car didn't have that.) With my lamorghini product line, all the carbon I make is pre-preg autoclave cured carbon fiber and I would take the same approach with this kit. The kit would be made of vacuum bagged FRP cloth with epoxy resins.
I know the other companies make stuff in China, Mexico or other cheap labor markets and use cheaper methods of lay up using chop strand mat with polyester or polyvinyl resins (shrinks!) and the quality depends on the skill level of whoever happens to be laying up that day. Those methods are inconsistent and it doesn't satisfy me to know one part could end up being thicker or heavier from one piece to the next.
The package would include the wheels and would have been priced at about $20k including the carbon and OEM mercedes LED lights and $16k including wheels without the carbon package.
Last edited by Swifty949; 12-22-2012 at 11:03 AM.
12-22-2012, 09:48 AM
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Here is a photo of the wheel on this car
This wheel is going on the other car we are building. That car is fitted with a 21x13.5 wheel with a 375 tire.
This wheel is going on the other car we are building. That car is fitted with a 21x13.5 wheel with a 375 tire.
Last edited by Swifty949; 12-22-2012 at 09:52 AM.
12-22-2012, 01:41 PM
#10
not too bad of a price considering wheels and headlights included. but in my opinion it looks like a black series with a few little things added. it does look totally sick, but on ebay you can find the bs kits for $5k. i think to really pull the price your asking it would need to differ a little more and include that brand of wheel or just a wheel allotment , not the exact wheel for each buyer.
i do really like it, kind of a cross of misha and the bs.
i do really like it, kind of a cross of misha and the bs.
12-22-2012, 02:41 PM
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Headlights actually are not included. I'm not trying to compete with EBAY. There is a difference in their open mold wet lay up techniques with cheap Chop Strand Mat and Polyester resin that are cheaper to make than the process I use. The amount of labor involved as well as raw material are cost prohibitive for me to offer any lower. I have a full line up of wheels that I offer. People can choose from any of my designs. I wanted something that looked like could be from factory.
I'd say it takes about one week to properly make a part. This is after vacuuming it, compressing the plys, rebagging, etc and letting the part properly cure in the mold to prevent warping. Now multiply those parts by the 40 + molds to make one kit and you can get an idea of whats involved to make one kit.
the ebay stuff is literally stick in fiberglass, apply the resin by brush and wait for it to dry then pull it out of the mold, trim and ship. The problem is that its heavier, not as strong and more prone to warping from the resin system as well as being inconsistent thickness in areas, especially the corners and hard to reach crevices. Polyester is cheap but it shrinks.
I'd say it takes about one week to properly make a part. This is after vacuuming it, compressing the plys, rebagging, etc and letting the part properly cure in the mold to prevent warping. Now multiply those parts by the 40 + molds to make one kit and you can get an idea of whats involved to make one kit.
the ebay stuff is literally stick in fiberglass, apply the resin by brush and wait for it to dry then pull it out of the mold, trim and ship. The problem is that its heavier, not as strong and more prone to warping from the resin system as well as being inconsistent thickness in areas, especially the corners and hard to reach crevices. Polyester is cheap but it shrinks.
Last edited by Swifty949; 12-22-2012 at 02:44 PM.
12-22-2012, 04:19 PM
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W124 E500 (RIP), W211 E350 (Sold), R230 SL55 (Current)
Ah okay nevermind, the reason I asked was because the regular sl65 black series hood was interchangeable with the non-widebody front end.
12-22-2012, 04:47 PM
#15
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Hi everyone,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ray and I've been involved in the auto aftermarket industry for about 13years now. I set up and used to run the US branch of prominent high end Japanese aero company but have now launched my own business.
I have predominately been focused on Lamborghini but was pulled into a project that has taken way too long (vendors w/ excuses!), but after a year of development, I'm proud to show off what I've toiled over.
I call it the Renown R230 Sidewinder and it is 1" wider than the Murcielago and 10" wider than the SL Black. Two cars have been built, one has been completed and the other is about to be prepped for paint. Now that the car is done, I'd love to share it. If you notice the front fender curves inward. It's the deepest out there, with the exception of the black. The wheels are Renown 3 piece concave wheel. 10.5" width on the front and 13" width in the rear.
-Ray
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ray and I've been involved in the auto aftermarket industry for about 13years now. I set up and used to run the US branch of prominent high end Japanese aero company but have now launched my own business.
I have predominately been focused on Lamborghini but was pulled into a project that has taken way too long (vendors w/ excuses!), but after a year of development, I'm proud to show off what I've toiled over.
I call it the Renown R230 Sidewinder and it is 1" wider than the Murcielago and 10" wider than the SL Black. Two cars have been built, one has been completed and the other is about to be prepped for paint. Now that the car is done, I'd love to share it. If you notice the front fender curves inward. It's the deepest out there, with the exception of the black. The wheels are Renown 3 piece concave wheel. 10.5" width on the front and 13" width in the rear.
-Ray
The car looks really good... fantastic!!! I can see you have spend a lot of time with the fitment also..... al lines is also clean and perfect!!!
Regarding thos wheels.... how much would they cost? I'm looking wheels to my Widebody car.... and those looks great....
Juha
