Future availability of Wescott fiberglass?

[Karl Wescott]

I have with much trepidation decided to put the word out that the end is approaching for me to continue making fiberglass fenders, components, and bodies. Besides my being tired and my wife wanting me for retirement the property and buildings the business is using will soon be sold to new owners. Will this be 3 months? Possibly. Will this be a year? Probably. Will this be two years. Maybe. There is no one in the Wescott family who has the skills or inclination to keep the fiberglass manufacturing going.


If Wescott fiberglass is to continue someone with passion for keeping parts for old Fords available will need to step up. This is going to take space. I use five 40’ containers to store just the fender molds, At least that space is needed for all the body molds. If you know someone who is interested pass the word.


Meanwhile, we are still building fiberglass parts on a limited basis and keeping up with orders.


The non fiberglass parts we make should continue to be available for a few more years, I believe I will be able to continue as a part time garage business, or again if someone wants to step up I will be happy to “transfer the torch” (my wife will be happier!) The resale parts portion of this business will likely slowly go away (unless someone steps up as an adjunct to the fiberglass or other parts manufacturing).


I expect to continue to share my (limited) technical knowledge to the community, and continue to keep the frame diagrams available.


Karl Wescott

[Y-Blockhead]

Thank you sir and best of luck to you and your wife in retirement. This year will mark my 25th year of retirement.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

... This year will mark my 25th year of retirement.

You must have retired when you were 30 years old.

[ronn]

interesting.....I had no idea fiberglass A parts were still being made.


I have seen a tremendous shift in the last 10 yrs to steel parts.

[Oldbluoval]

By far, Karl makes the best fiberglass parts. Also, the other parts he makes are of high quality. He strives to make things to the highest standards.
His inching toward retirement is indicative of the hobby…a subject belabored on FB.
Whenever and whatever he decides he is and has been an asset to the hobby.
Thanks Karl
Bill U

[Joe K]

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When I started assembling parts to do a 28-29 RPU, I had a choice of three makers of manufacturers of fiberglass components. One cheap, one middle, one more expensive. Westcott was the more expensive. The cheap was something from JC Whitney.

But word on the street was "If you choose Westcott, you'll rap on the fenders with your knuckles and you'll barely be able to tell the difference from painted steel."

I have seen the plastic fenders "cracked" over the fender braces on the lesser quality.

So I bit the bullet and bought the better quality.

They're nice. They even have the "ovals" imprinted where the bolt holes appear on original fenders. SOMEBODY put a lot of time and effort to "coordinate" the curves against the attachment points.

It's too bad, but understandable about bowing out. Life IS short and one has "think" about their best use of their time remaining.

Joe K

[Keith True]

I have a pair of rears on my 30 pickup.I think I bought them around 05.I also put a set of rears on a 28 pickup that I sold many years ago.I like them.I was at an ice cream stand having lunch one day and a seniors bus pulled in.10 or 12 people piled out of it,and one old guy started to carry on about the two A's parked there.He was telling everybody how those were real cars,not junk like the modern stuff.He knocked on my rear fender,saying,real steel,no plastic crap here! My friend looked at me and asked if I was going to pee in his wheaties.I said no,he's having fun,he really doesn't have to know he's knocking on a plastic fender.

[ThirstyThirty]

WESTCOTT'S: A true and dedicated icon of the industry! "Thank you for all you have done over the years."

I have some appreciation of fiberglass work. not as a craftsman or tradesman but more so as an observer. and user. a very good friend of mine, now gone, was heavy into fiberglass work and repairs for certain types of automobiles. had a large shop. I had a car, 70's, modified all over... and we made a fiberglass front bumper to reduce weight in front end. both bumpers painted body color. no one ever knew front was 'glass... unless i told them. really? sure, 'nuff! tap it! feel it here on back side...

just went to their site and took a look at all their fine work!

.http://www.wescottsauto.com/Bodies/Bodies.html

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by CarlG

You must have retired when you were 30 years old.

Haha, Good one Carl. I wish it was 30, but actually closer to 55. And my math SUX too. Should have read "This year will mark my 20th year of retirement."

[Herb Concord Ca]

When I did my P/U, I needed new front fenders. I read the threads on the repro steel fenders that don't quite fit, and seeing as I don't have metal working skills, I bought Westcott fiberglass front fenders, best decision I made! That was 10 years ago and the still look great.

[midgetracer]

Karl Wescott is a true gentleman and a scholar who shares his extensive knowledge freely.
The 34 fenders i purchased have lasted and are a tribute to fine workmanship. You will be missed Karl. Much joy in retirement.