Tribute Automotive MX5 based body conversion
 

I have started this new tread to replace the one I started in the General Chat section. For those who don't know about this project here's what I have been working on:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ideviewunf.jpg

It's a 250 GTO kit originally designed for the Datsun 240Z that has been modified to fit the Mk1 Mazda MX5. Here's how it should look when finished:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/rearMX60.jpg

I am currently working the side window surrounds and also modifying and improving the boot and rear window area before re-moulding:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../mxwindow3.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ve/mxboot2.jpg

I am planning to have finished body panel kits available by mid-April, which will be priced around the £1500-£1800 mark. There will be some finishing items, headlight covers etc, that will be available shortly after.

My website, www.tributeautomotive.com , will be live soon.

Good progress today. Roof/rear window/boot area finished off and mould making started:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0761.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0766.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0767.jpg

A couple more layers of GRP and the mould will be ready for the first set of panels to be made.

SHAPING UP QUITE NICELY NOW CHRIS .....

REAR SCREEN / BOOT WORK LOOKING GOOD ....Pain in the proverbials making small changes but well worth it in the end....

Thanks Gary. I need to get this right first time, to save time later for us in the workshop and for the customers building their cars. It will all be worth it in the end.

Took the mould off the roof/boot area today, one of my favourite tasks, there is something very satisfying about it when it all goes well:
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0779.jpg

Space is becoming an issue at the workshop!!
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0777.jpg

Looking great - this one is going to catch lots of peoples imagination.

Cheap base cars and a great looking practical coupe - the order books should fill up as soon as it makes its first show appearance.

I agree this is looking very nice indeed. It looks like you have also given consideration to a heated rear screen. Is it a fiesta rear screen but mounted upside down?

Thank you for the praise.

The rear window is from the Mk2 Renault 5, still fairly easy to get as so many of the cars were broken for spares.

Working on the revised boot lid today. The old original was all out of shape and is now in the bin! I just happened to have the roof skin from my Lotus Elite laying around and found that it had exactly the right curve, so out with the jigsaw and hey presto:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ve/newboot.jpg

Once totally finished I added a flange ready for moulding to take place:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bootbuck.jpg

Dan laid up the 1st rear section today, the mould is not completely production ready, but we have a customer who just can't wait for the finished kit and is going to modify it himself:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...mouldlayup.jpg

I also made a start on modifying the rear wheel arches to better match the MX5 ones they are to be bonded over. Taller/wider wheel and tyre combo will fill the arches when finished:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...wheelarch1.jpg

MX250 - Out of the mould!
 

Although not a fully finished set of panels, I am still pleased to be at this stage with only 7 weeks to go before Stoneleigh, just need to build a demo car now!

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0795.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0797.jpg

This set panels is for a customer who wants to do the modifications to fit the panels to the MX5 himself, the bonnet and front wing will need shortening and there is some work to do around the rear of the door/rear wing area. When the fully finished kit is available it will come complete with mounting panels that will be fitted to the base car before the outer panels are dropped over the top.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0794.jpg

SHAPING UP NICELY NOW...LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE RESULTS AT STONELEIGH....

The rear end and roof section are looking the part now.....I think this is going to create some interest alongside the other MX5 offerings !!

Thanks Gary. Still plenty of time really, only took 2 weeks to get the GT coupe from a standard car to the driving demo for last years show. What form will the Cordite be going to Stoneleigh in?

PROBABLY A ROLLING , PAINTED , FITTED UP SHELL....Looking finished on the outside........

Hi Chris when can we expect some updates about the progress you made?

regards theo

What do you do when you don't have enough hours in the day to finish your Mk1 MX5 based car? That's right, you go an buy a very cheap Mk2!!! Having had a lot of enquires about fitting the kit to a Mk2, I thought I had better try it myself. I will let you know how it goes......

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0806.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0805.jpg

Full set of panels are a very tight fit in the back of a Renault Traffic!

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0804.jpg

Hope thats not a sign written van Chris ....otherwise they won't let you in the local Tip .... !! :biggrin1: :biggrin1:

Thats a little harsh - all of our projects have looked like this at one time.
:becky:
Im hoping the builder keeps us informed of his progress on the forum.



Chris will you be joining us at the Sammio gathering ? - yours will be finished by then

Gary, I tried to put in the bin outside your unit, but it was full to the brim with empty filler tins ...:biggrin1:

Roadster, I will be doing a drive by at Stoneleigh, and our demo car is unlikely to be finished.

Guess the grille
 

Can anyone guess the origins of the grille surround I am going to be using?

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/MXGRILLE.jpg

Small amount of progress on Saturday with rear arch one side finished and flanged up ready for a remoulding.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...NEARLYARCH.jpg

Hi chris
Grill surround off a ford?

grtz mx5teo

More progress
 

Dan has just purchased the base car for our Stoneleigh demo car, a slightly tatty but virtually rust free Mk1 Eunos

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...dansmxrear.jpg

Have now fitted some larger wheels which really transform the car

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../mx250side.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...mx250front.jpg

Now that all the external moulding is finished on the rear of the body we were able to "crack" the buck off the car to mould the return which fits into the top of the screen frame.
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../rearnotop.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...rontflange.jpg

Some progress on the rear of the front wings and the revised scuttle area
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...frontnotop.jpg