I better factor in front nose rings and studs then! :rockon::rockon:

WelshKiwi - Looks like your project is coming together nicely. :cool:

Whilst the buck constructions is impressive, I love the way the moulds are constructed.

As, personally, I really struggle with the whole thinking in reverse / mirror image side of things.

Good luck, Paul. :)

Thanks Paul, you and me both in the appreciation of how all this comes together. Once the kit arrives I am buzzing to get going, it is also giving me some enthusiasm to do a bit of moulding myself. Have a few ideas to use some original eq that will need some custom mounts made etc, so a bit of glassing skills to be learned! Cheers.

Fuel filler - Final location
 

Hi guys, more from Tribute/Old No7

Here's the fuel filler I am using, recess and location picked on the car for final panel production. Moving on nicely.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/818/4...09e6957b_z.jpgFuel filler and recess by Mark Blyth, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/913/4...6ee20774_z.jpgFiller final location by Mark Blyth, on Flickr

Final panels are moving along
 

Hi guys,

Final panel production is moving along, not far away to completion now! Rear panel is fresh out of mould, being trimmed and roll cage construction in work. Front panel is still in mould getting final layup/construction of inner skin etc.

You can see final colour choice now for the gelcoat, purpose to be as close to final metallic colour for stonechips as well as dark to show any imperfections during final prep for painting. - Progressing.....

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/951/4...8477a8b3_z.jpgRear panel - final pre trim

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/3...acd0a33a_z.jpgBootlid final pre trim

Looking very nice, should go together easily.

Got me wondering....
What if you had made a flat toughened glass

Hi there, not sure what exactly you mean, but if referring to the rear window, we have designed/Moulded around the mgbgt rear screen. Already procured and has been fittted during the buck stages. Looks really smart.

I suppose though with the large area available for builders quite a few OEM screens could be used with a bit of adjustment. As for the other comment, I certainly hope it goes together nice and easy! Cheers.

Sorry, hit the button prematurely.
I was thinking new glass cut to pattern for the 275 shape fitted to the Z3 window risers.

Ahh got you! Suppose it could be possible. There is a touch of curve thou in the standard z3 window profile, which then gets you into high cost if trying to replicate in glass. Z3m coupe window is always a possibility as it matches very similar to the shape we are trying to replicate. For me going to use standard windows and see how they fair with me. Once the car is back on the road and being used if I really struggle with what I have got I may need to change tack, but at the moment happy with what we have conceptualised and how it has shaped up. Individual look which is not a bad thing as it reflects away from an out and out replica. Cheers.

It looks okay now, try it as you said. May work out perfectly.
Body color insert would be my choice.

Agree Molleur. Body colour inset has been the plan and see how it all looks once “road stance” has been achieved. I can see how some will see this as a wrong window or shape difference to the original, what I want to do is tho is nod to the original whilst keeping some original donor bits.

Who knows where it will end up but certainly happy with where we are at this point before I get to put hands on it! Cheers.

Exactly, and a grand nod it is already.

Progress keeps going
 

Thanks Molleur!

Progress keeps coming, panels are being trimmed and roll cage/roof support has been worked out. Fuel filler can fit where planned with a small touch of fettling on the donor so should be all good there. Recess being worked on, front panel in work with mountings etc for bumpers. Next week is planned completion now so should see final pictures and packages ready for unwrapping in a few months. I know you love piccies so here we go!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/970/4...4cdf321b_z.jpgRoll cage roof support

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/830/4...7c90698b_z.jpgRear panel trimmed

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/975/4...acf74c2f_z.jpgRear panel tray (1)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/966/4...6f7ac704_z.jpgInside roof

Excellent, it is really coming together, and you can make definite plans for putting your car together. For obvious reasons, I am interested in the roofline and roll cage bits.

Looking excellent, keep the pics coming!

More photos - Very excited now!
 

Thanks guys, here's more from today.
Anyone that doubts that magic dust and Dorset sweat doesn't go together is delusional.
I am a very happy bunny! :eusa_dance:

Not sure whether Chris realises but the wheels fitted to this are very similar to the ones I have currently on the donor. Taken me by surprise and I quite like the look! We'll see......

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/868/4...1b2f40b2_z.jpgFinal front panel trial

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/823/4...5779d13b_z.jpgFinal Filler

Amazing! Loving it..

It must be great seeing these photos from the other side of the world and knowing they will be heading your way soon.

Good luck, Paul. :)

Thanks Paul. Should ship in about a week.

Thanks Paul, a bit surreal really spending all this money and not being able to talk face to face or touch/feel, but I will say to anyone who is watching this and wants to “delve in” it has been a really easy process to work with Chris/Dan. From what I can tell from the pictures the output will be of a high standard.
I learnt heavily from you previous builders and threads from the Tribute clan and saw that worrying about the process from this far away was something I didn’t need to do. Tribute/Old No7 have helped me every step along the way to make it easy. One thing I do miss tho when finished is the camaraderie of the enthusiasts and builders via the shows/get togethers. The kit scene is reasonably small in NZ and monstered by the hot rod and muscle car scenes.
A few car shows tho I can get the car to so will enjoy those!
Looking forward to more photos this week prior to completion and packing!

When I picked my kit up, everything was present and correct. It was all hung from their donor so I could see how everything went together and it was all explained.
A refreshing change, I get sick of things that are incomplete or missing and it seems to be the norm rather than the exception.

You will find genuine Hot Rodders and not just scene-sters will appreciate your car for what it is and the style it represents ...you will be made welcome I am sure ...

Very true Lancelot. I enjoy the car shows whatever the theme but just miss the stoneleigh, true kitcar shows and definitely miss the auto jumble scene when you need parts etc. You are right tho I am sure the car will be well received, being one of a kind over these parts will turn a few heads! Cheers.

Bang on Jag, I am hearing you. People tend not to have as much pride in their work or service/respect for the other party at times these days. What I will say tho is Chris/Dan break the mould and have those old school values in how they treat people and have so much passion in what they do it is almost like they are building it for themselves. Going big is great, but when you lose the passion and churn out for the sake of it does it mean better? I tend to think not.... Cheers.

More Bling arrived!
 

Hi guys - here's the mirrors I am fitting to the Italia 275.
(Labelled as Tex Automotive Classic - Torpedo/Bullet Racing mirrors)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/904/4...17da3f0b_z.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/868/4...f3c57d4a_z.jpg

They look great but I would suggest bolting them to the car and trying them first. Most of these type of mirrors give an awful rear view. Try and get some convex mirrors rather than flat.
With the mirrors it is I'm afraid a case of style over practicability. I discarded 2 sets before ending up with my current set.
Another problem is the chrome, it can rust before your eyes, it just doesn't have the quality of old chrome, stainless is better but I have had 3 sets of headlight rims rust already and they were sold to me as stainless steel.

Yup understand. I have seen the feedback on other posts in regard to the rear views, but as you say visuals/style are 90% of why these are fitted! They are stainless so hopefully last the distance, we’ll see.....I paid enough for these so i’ll stick with the flat surface and see how I go. Cheers.

New chrome isn't as good that's for sure. There is stainless steel and stainless steel, the lower grades do rust. You need to go for 316 or high chrome content material but you wont always know at point of purchase. I work in the oil and gas supply chain, customers specify the highest grades stainless steel but we are sometimes let down by suppliers and get fobbed off with the wrong grades!
For car bits the best way to keep parts shiny for longer is to spray them with WD40 and just polish them up when you go to shows etc!

And the car will look like it has been driven long and hard to boot.

If you are susceptible to coveting - Look away now!
 

Hi guys,

More from the production - (Just so you know the first pic has been photo-shopped lowered to see what it looked like). You may be able to see my smile from the UK! Some more work going on in the background on headlight buckets and rear parcel shelf as well as front indicator positions. More pics soon.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/981/4...76f29dfd_z.jpgFinal Panels - Lowered

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/2...9becf003_z.jpgFinal Light recesses

Looking fantastic!

Is this a one off or will it be available as a kit???

It’s looking very nice indeed.

I even like the Beemer wheels on it when it’s dropped like that

Dave

Hi RRB, only Chris @ Tribute and Dan @ Old No 7 can tell you that. They have put a lot of time and effort into this one so it would be a shame if not available. As for me being in NZ whilst I would like to get mine on the road first, very unlikely I will bump into another one in the short term! Give Chris a ring and see what he/Dan says. Cheers.

Thanks Dave, same here I like fact that my donor wheels will work in the short term if they fit under the arches. Long term I am still looking at either 72 spoke wires or Dunlop racing wheels for the vintage look, but great start tho. Anyone got a set of Dunlop wheels they want to get rid of? (I have seen the ones on eBay, trying to get a slightly better price point /nz dollar exchange as with shipping they will cost me a fair bit!) cheers.

Someone on Ebay ( UK ) was doing Dunlop look wheels to fit the Z3. Don't know if they are still listed or not.

here you go..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-ra...0AAOSwxu5ZKrjA

They are being sold by Justin at Grassbank. He provides the non mgb rear glass for the 250 SWB. I have been told he has one of the best examples around although not seen it. Even in pictures.

Those Dunlop’s look very good. What has been done by other members is pretty damn good though.

Dave

Dave, have a look here..

http://www.grassbank.co.uk/