Synthetic Body

Last week an auto with a plastic body was rolled out in Costa Mesa, Calif, by the Glasspar Co., which has been making laminated glass boats. Mounted on a Willys chassis, the 185-lb. body required no heat or pressure to mold, was made by laying successive layers of polyester resin, Owens-Corning Fiberglas matting and Fiberglas cloth (see above) on a form. Glasspar, which plans to retail the bodies for about $625, sold the first one to U.S. Rubber, which manufactures the resin and hopes to get automakers interested in plastic bodies. They are stronger than metal ones, said U.S. Rubber, and will not rust, squeak or dent. If fractured in an accident, they can be easily and cheaply repaired. An 8-in. rip in a fender has been repaired in half an hour with 50-c- worth of materials.

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