250 coupe contemporary
 

Hi, i am new to the forum. I had an ng tf a good few years ago, but the flat screen, 36 inch seating width an numerous other discomforts meant that it never got used as much as i had planned. Now, looking at retirement, and balking at a small box on wheels, started thinking about interesting cars that i could keep forever.

i'll be honest, a minari appeals, but they are few, and the alfa donor/parts have largely been snaffled up. Not having bought a kit car mag for a decade, the april version i bought featured nubodi. Wow, there could be life in the market apart fro cobras and 7s.

the z3 base is a brilliant start, and the tribute range very interesting. As i want an every day car with a bit of oomph, the coupe on a 2.2 or 2.8 donor with low mileage appeals for the long term. I love the styling of the swb 250 coupe, but am not concerned with replicating the 60s experience. Done that. Has anyone finished, started, planned a contemorary finish on the beatiful shape?

I know this will be heresy to some of you, but i want what i want. This could be the last car i ever buy or own.

advice, pointers? Help.

Come up to Stoneleigh on Sunday or Monday this weekend and see some cars for real. They are great. You can compare the different models and see which suits you best

Would have loved it. However, moving out of our house friday, dog sitting at our son's the weekend. Coming to the show would be a dream breaker.

The car is a timeless shape, it has a modern interior already, put a set of modern wheels and a modern colour and off you go.

How about gunmetal alloys and a white pearl paint job along with modern LED lights?

Interesting. How would you replace the bright work?

Hi Barber. Although I'm a dyed in the wool classic styling fan and usually hate 'modern' style updates on classic designs, I have to admit that Tribute's 250SWB design actually does lend itself very well to a more contemporary look.

With no badges, standard Z3 interior, big alloys with rubber band tyres and a pearl paint job you'd tick all the boxes for the contemporary look without it looking like a seventeen year old Tesco car park racer got to tick the spec sheet.

Here's a starting point for reference -

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psptnmgm3h.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3uusjbds.jpg

Good luck finding what you want.

Oh, and I just love that car park shot, it's got so much atmosphere. :)

I think that the right colour and wheel choice and it will look right

How about deep candy red and gunmetal wheels

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...pspizwhw5u.jpg

I can never resist a photoshopping opportunity!:icon_razz:

Shame we cant fit the hard top as yet..bet Richard can find a way though!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...a/Hardtop2.jpg

Yep, I'm sure if someone wants it we could fit one!


Sorry Barber your email went to spam, I have replied now.

Thanks all, it is really good to get the views with a more up to date perspective. Can the brightwork be had with brushed stainless steel or aluminium finish?

I am content that the alloys, paint finish etc fit with what I am after. If I can resolve the chrome fitting issue, I am sorely tempted, but will have to talk some more with Richard.

My retirement deadline is 18 months away, and I plan to have something that I could pretty much use straight away, even if not in final spec. (currently driving a Saab 93 on 192k miles, and coaxing it to get me past the line. My wife is wondering why I am so attached to it.) The original plan was to get an on the road Minari and gradually refurbish it myself.

If I take this route, I'd rather get the fitting of panels, paint job etc done by a professional, and work around on the other bits that I can do in my own time.

I really like the alloys on the black car, the hard top on the Ferrari red car, but the candy red is looking attractive, esp with pear finish. This is really fun!

Can the donor windows be retained in a coupe?

I like that ! I think I can see a Z4 under that body ! Any chance Chris ?

Maybe a jag xkr

In a word, no.

The shape of the coupe roof line means that you need to use the sliding windows supplied in the kit.

This is the list of parts that come with the kit:

250 SWB HARD TOP
1x rear body section including roof and windscreen pillar covers
1x boot lid (double skinned)
1x front body section
1x bonnet (double skinned)
2x door skins
2x sill panels
1x set of internal fitting panels
1x shell brace (roll cage)
2x side window frames with toughened glass sliding windows
1x front grille outer lip (GRP) and alloy inner slats (alloy)
1x fitting kit, inc. bolts, screws, rivets, brackets, adhesive

So the only "brightwork" that Tribute supply are the window frames and inner grille.

Hope that helps, Paul. :)

Paul,

Thanks. So effectively, all the chromed parts I can buy as brushed chrome or aluminium etc and only have to deal with the window frames and grille if i don't want it shiny?

Too bad about the windows, I have read on other threads that the sliding windows can leak if left out overnight. Is there a known fix? As my car will be for every day, I can't ensure it will be covered.

Buy the convertible, uses the original windows.

Like the red one with a hard top shown above?

Could a Z3 one be utilised?

yes the bmw will fit but they are not cheap

Not sure which chrome / alloy parts you are referring to. If you want to fit bumpers , you will have to have them made as a special one off set ( see the thread by Smash ). Its easy to get the brushed look on stainless or alloy.

If you build the car well you shouldn't have water getting in. Just make sure all the seals fit correctly etc etc. Just takes time and a little skill to get right. Don't assume windows will simply leak , its all down to the quality of your build !

I have been checking 2.8 with lower mileage, looks like around 350-500 premium on a ragtop? Iv'e seen them advertised for 600-700.

ps my employer isn't getting full value for money atm.