Agreed, they really look the part and will keep people guessing about the origin of the car. Will look even better with the spinners fitted. :)

Thanks for your comments guys.
They do look very similar to VW T5 steels but are genuine BMW wheels, usually sold as winter wheels.

Cheers, Bob.

Bit of a spoiler for the real thing but had to be done.
Spot on!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...a/9kqstpvs.jpg

With Spinners
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../9kqstpvs2.jpg

Thanks Andy, I've started on the towers for the spinners this morning.

Cheers, Bob.

A propper classic car...

I was just looking at your truck, so i can see why this is coming out so well...

Thanks garyh,

Like all my projects, I need a lot of help from good mechanics/painter etc. I have the ideas but not always the ability. It's nice to be able to use this one whilst it's progressing.

Cheers, Bob.

Hi all,

Just a little note to say that I'm pleased with the lower suspension but after a very short distance one of the rear s/abs top mounts, which looked fine at the time, has failed. I've had both sides replaced to be on the safe side and would suggest you consider this yourself if lowering.

cheers, Bob.

Do you think the mounts have broken because your new suspension is firmer than standard, or is it so low that it's bottoming out and transferring the load to the shell?

It's not been bottoming out so i assume it's a combination of firmer suspension and being pulled about when things were changed.
It's had genuine BMW replacement mounts fitted so hopefully it won't happen again.

I saw this and thought it might be of interest for you SWB guys

http://www.classicandperformancecar....illa-erba-sale

That looks amazing in yellow.

Having just looked at the yellow one, and also appreciating its authenticity, Bob's car looks meaner, lower and more purposeful from where I am standing!! This looks like an improvement on the original lines!
Any one else agree?

I think that Dan and Chris have done a wonderful job, and as very good as it is, I can't see how it could look better than the original due to the constraints enforced by the Z3 such as position of windscreen, it's size, and angle, and those damn strut towers.
The 250GT Berlinetta has been voted by many for over 50 years as the prettiest car ever, and looking at 1953GT one can see why. That the Tribute SWB is as good as it is, is praise indeed to Chris and Dan's excellent work.
Tribute must have the best catalogue of pretty Italian cars of anyone apart from Pininfarina, and the fact that they continue to make new models that even Enzo didn't do, is fantastic.

I agree

A bit late to help you after the event, but a quick Google shows this is a common failure after fitting updated dampers, and that E46 M3 mounts are used as a reasonable cost upgrade.
Powerflex sell an upgraded polybush replacement, though they're £85 a pair
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-seri...%29-603/1.html

Bimmerworld does a far more reasonable alternative pair with a lifetime guarantee for under 26 quid
http://store.bimmerworld.com/lifetim...-set-p397.aspx

Eurocarparts has M3 mounts advertised at £35/pair
http://www.eurocarparts.com/suspension-mounting

I'm progressing with the wheels.

I've cut down the spinner towers and sleeved them inside and out to regain the strength. On the outside with a piece of alloy tube from a scrap light fitting and on the inside with guttering downpipe, and fixed with body panel glue.
The 5 large holes were opened out and will surround the wheel nuts but not interfere with them
The 5 smaller holes were drilled to line up with the small holes in the wheel. Short studs will be welded into the holes in the wheels and the towers will be held on with acorn nuts.
A bit of adjusting and some better paint and hopefully they'll look ok.
Cheers, Bob.

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=436
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=437

If anyone else wants towers to play about with. I should be able to get them for a reasonable price.

wheel fitment
 

Good looking wheels.
How are the spinner holders fixed and will you cover the wheel bolts ?
A wheel fits to the hub quite precisely, but how important is this interference fit ?
Nice steering wheel, please let us know the model and who makes it and the hub.

Hi Egdik,

The towers will be fixed by 5 small studs welded in the small holes originally in the wheels which line up with the 5 small holes I have drilled in the towers, these will have acorn nuts fitted.

The larger holes in the towers are there already but I have opened them out so they do not touch the fitting surface of the wheel nuts. I may put caps over the wheel nuts depending how it looks when finished.

Not quite sure what you are asking in the 3rd line but hopefully this answers it.-
The wheels are standard BMW 17" steels so locate properly on the lip of the suspension hub.
With the large holes in the tower opened up, they drop over the wheel nut mounting cones in the wheel and sit flat on the wheel face.
The exact fit of the mounting face of the tower against the surface of the wheel was then either through hours of careful planning or by good luck!

The details of the steering wheel are shown here.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...ead.php?t=5429

The wood rim will do for now but I'll eventually get one that's a bit bigger as it obscures the indicator lights in the dash and because it's a bit too shiny for my taste.
It will do for now though as it meant I could get the air bag and sensor removed as shown by WCA here
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...ead.php?t=4917

Cheers, Bob.

While the reflectors are fine as they are for now, I don't like them so spent a little while today making some new ones that will be fitted in with the rear light space, extended slightly, not decided how yet, I'll offer them up when the glue has dried.
They are odd bits of old car reflector cut down to fit in Jaguar window winder surrounds. As I sell auto jumble for a living I get to keep all sorts of bits that look like they could be useful one day.

Cheers, Bob.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=438
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=439