Melbourne’s Motor Show was the launch pad for the FR-1 concept vehicle, which is being  constructed in Melbourne to showcase the talents of Australia’s manufacturing industry. To this end Marand Precision Engineering was asked to construct the prototype chassis, the floor pan and other aluminium mounting blocks for the display held at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show.

Melbourne’s Motor Show was the launch pad for the FR-1 concept vehicle, which is being constructed in Melbourne to showcase the talents of Australia’s manufacturing industry.

To this end Marand Precision Engineering was asked to construct the prototype chassis, the floor pan and other aluminium mounting blocks for the display held at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show.

“We were asked to join the list of companies who would work on the project,” said Rohan Stocker CEO Marand Precision Engineering. “It was a very impressive list and we were proud to be asked to be part of such a creative project.”

Marand was chosen since the company had extensive automotive experience as well as the machine capabilities to complete the tasks.

While the car is some way off being completed to a driveable state, the concept vehicle and models of various parts of its design were displayed at the Motor Show, receiving considerable and worthy attention.

Marand was first approached in early August 2008 however; it was six weeks before the show that the final design parameters were complete for the aluminium one-piece floor pan and the monocoque chassis, which in its final build will be a cured carbon-fibre construction.

“There was considerable interaction between Marand’s designers and the designers of the car to make the best use of materials and processes to complete the job,” said Mr Stocker.

Cutting started in mid January with the project completed start-to-finish in 375 hours and delivered on February 10, 2009.

“We had experienced pattern makers on staff and had completed similar project work before but not using the same materials as on the chassis prototype (polystyrene) so we had to decide on the best method and cutting tools,” said Mr Stocker.

Once completed at the end of 2009, the FR-1 will have a whirlwind national and international schedule of trade and motor shows. These will be used as a platform to demonstrate the talents of Australian companies such as Marand.

The vehicle will later be auctioned with the proceeds divided among charities.

Media Enquiries

Alex Lyon
+61 417 384 223
alex_lyon@marand.com.au