Thanks Molleur/LLM.

These were the replicas I had seen on Ebay, but due to me being over here they are going to set me back at least $2000NZD without rubber wrapped around them, so a bit on the high side at this early part of the build. Struggling to get the "steel look wheels" out here also which may give me an option of self manufacturing a set with spinners on. At this moment just canvassing to see if any options out there lurking in the garden sheds but still a way off for final decision. But if something trucks along at the right price then that is always the time to buy it! Cheers.

I presume you've looked at these?
https://m.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Alcar-st...oAAOSwrIlau-KV

Hi Peterux, thanks for finding these! Yup had seen the same on eBay uk, but looks to be slightly better price on au site. Will hang fire on making a decision on homemade until the kit arrives and I have an idea of what the arch line/offset may need to be. Kinda assumed the Dunlop remodels already available would fit the bill. First choice would be wire wheels which may mean a budget blowout! Cheers.

Smash got his Dayton chrome knock-off wire wheels from Dayton Austrailia. Got to be cheaper shipping to you.

Chrome wire wheels really are the finishing touch, it's what your credit card is for.

Thanks Jag, I also have a custom wire wheel maker in Christchurch that I am talking to as well. Just been trawling the Dayton site amongst others and yes, the credit card is under starters orders!
My gut says it has to be wires to be happy so looks like I will need to make it so! I hang until I have the body on the car so at least I get all the measurements I need to “one shot it”.

They look nice in the pictures but they're ET47 so are likely to look very tucked in for a 60's Ferrari.

Once you've taken some measurements to see how much width within the arches you have to play with, I'd be looking for wheels with an ET of around 18 to 20 to give a far more period 'dished' look.

These were BMW 5 Series 6.5x15 steels with an ET of 20 that I drilled and painted to look like Dunlop alloys (although I was going to put Campagnolo stickers on them just to cause a little confusion and throw people off the replica scent) -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pst1whs1gr.jpg

I paid £78 for the set of four, which included delivery from Germany. It took two days to give them a clean and drill all the holes and I spent roughly another £20 on three cans of Smoothrite to give them the aluminium look finish, so the total was about £25 per wheel.

They're now fitted to Casamolino's very nice 250 SWB Coupe and you can decide for yourself whether it's the look you're going for -

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...9/DSCF1718.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...9/DSCF1720.jpg

Good luck with your project, I'm really looking forward to see it progress.

Thanks Mr Towed.
 

Thanks Mr T, those look a very good option.

Thanks for explaining the offsets and considerations as well, without a shell and the actual sizes it is pretty confronting trying to work out what may look good or would be a complete failure. The experiences of others though certainly helps. Cheers, really appreciated and as far as the build goes I really am looking to do this car as much justice as I can. I am an aircraft engineer by trade, so got some skills to work with but it will be slow and steady for this build! Thanks again....

No problem WK. BTW, I'm a qualified aeronautical engineer too, but military trained and an armaments specialist.

We (armourers) had access to a comprehensive tool kit containing mostly precision hammers in all sizes from XL to 4XL. Having said that, we also used needle files and the like when servicing, repairing and modifying small-arms.

I spent my second career just pushing bits of paper and people around (police officer) and now work part time in Education, so picking up some hand-tools and creating something fulfils a primeval need in me.

Now what are you doing sitting here reading this? There must be something you could be doing on your car...

I hope your precision hammers were looked after the same way a surgeon looks after his scalpels! Very interesting career sir, I can see where the hobbyist comes out in you and the practical side shines through. If I need a “Bond-esque ” ejection seat for SWMBO and I can’t work it out myself i’ll Give you a nudge! It is 6am over here on a weekend. Sleep is not something that comes easy at the moment with my mind churning over my plans and until the donor comes off the road in about 6weeks the only real work I can do is minimal. Just waiting for that kit to ship and everything starts a bit more in earnest! Cheers

More work progressing
 

Hi guys, just spoke to Chris and progress going really well. Should be finished and packed now for middle of next week and on its way to me. Really looking forward to that feeling. The detail work is going on so soon we should have pictures of the finished piece.

Here's the work that has been going on with front bumpers and headlight surrounds/buckets/covers - You can really see the vintage face forming now.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/968/4...fa716c33_z.jpgFront bumpers and headlight buckets

That looks really good.

Even better than really good I think!!!!

Nice!

Are those light covers still the TVR ones like Kidges or a more up to date / improved version on the same theme ? The proportions on the front end look a little better some how. Is the lower valance still a separate item as per Kidges car ?

Hi LLM, Yup still TVR Griffith headlight covers. Only change has been new buckets for the headlights to fit into, slight change in proportions etc. The front is one piece, as the bumpers are fibreglass not huge weight to lift. Only a 4” trim to each end of front bumper alloy assy to allow the clam to lift over it.

Other than that front end is from same original mould. Side indicator positions are being done on monday, I have spec’d them frenched in and in a revised position to how Kidge had them. Cheers.

This does seem to get better and better with every photo. :cool:

Cheers Paul, same sentiments from me. Heavily biased of course from my side but feel it is forming up really well.

Very close now
 

Hi guys,

Hope all of you lucky blighters that got to go to Stoneleigh enjoyed it and got to spend all your hard earned cash on improvements or new projects!

As for my project we are close to finalised production. The guys are working on Side indicators, final brackets for the rear bumper and finishing bits. Will speak to Chris later but expecting all on plan to finish in the next two days. Here's whats going on:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/969/4...53caee05_z.jpgrear bumper splash moulds and position

Rear bumper in position - Splash moulds being taken for bracket profiles. (A very sexy rear end!)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/979/4...b0d714b9_z.jpgside indicator position 1

Side indicator position for frenching in - Can't see indicators as they are with me!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/4...3dfa7df0_z.jpgside indicator position

Very well done!

The guys have done me proud!
 

Well guys, we got there, the kit is finished and being packed up/shipped today.
I can only say that I am incredibly happy at this point with what the photos show. I think it is stunning and testament to the blood, sweat and likely tears/beers that have had to go into this from Chris and Dan. I now have transported back 40 years to my early childhood and cannot wait to unwrap what Santa is going to bring me. 1st stage job very well done - Now the scary bit - I get my hands on it.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/905/2...e291b521_z.jpgDressed front pre-delivery

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/964/4...57373a47_z.jpgDressed rear - Pre delivery

Have also started a detail conversation with the LVV certification guy over here, a few trip ups that I hadn't captured that may revolve around the roof support and airbag removal, but shouldn't be anything that can't be sorted.
(Motorsport type regs as well as new seatbelts required, i'll keep you updated) More photos soon.

That looks fantastic, it should also make your mind up about fitting wire wheels, they really are the finishing touch.
Shame it didn't make it to Stoneleigh, I'm sure it would have been a success and generated some orders.

Cheers Jag, yes the wires are really looking the part on this, that Chris just keeps giving me surprises! Thanks for the comments, I am sure Chris and Dan must be very happy with what they have achieved. Let's hope others get a chance if the guys are happy to supply kits from this and Kidges project. As you told me a while back, deposits mean a lot! :wof:

That does look rather pretty ....well done Chris and Dan ...

very nice!!

After Kidges build, wasn't there only talk of a roadster version? Maybe Kidge doesn't want more of his 275 coupes running around? One on another continent isn't going to offend anyone's sensibilities though.

With the upcoming Z3gato, I was happy just to get the chance of a car that I wanted and could afford. I was well content for Chris to mitigate some of the development cost in return for the opportunity to mould for more sales. It was never going to happen in my lifetime otherwise.

As Jagtvr has said, and WelshKiwi re-iterated, cash on the table helps things along nicely. Tribute are a small outfit, and project delays are always going to happen as they have to keep the cash flowing in, but dealing with Chris and Dan is always a pleasure, and I know I am going to get excellent value for money, same as WelshKiwi.

There was talk of a convertible but for some reason Chris and Dan didn't take it on despite enquires from people with deposits. I know Nubodi wanted to order 3 units together but that still wasn't enough to get the ball rolling.

I guess things must have changed then. Hopefully the 275 will pick up again. It is a nice looking car.

Hi all, thanks for the great comments.
Watch this space on the 275 as I am sure once the guys have taken a breath on this one some movement will occur. The dealings I have had with Chris/Dan I think show clearly their passion to achieve bits with whatever they develop/produce but there are clear time and not enough hrs in the day pressures that they face. They have been incredibly busy over a period of time that when it includes production, manufacture, customer contact, marketing, invoice and financials, VAT , materials supply etc, I think it has been challenging for them to develop further some of the great work that has been going on in the background.
Dan still needs to really push into the “Old No 7” identity as well. As we get older time is the most important commodity we lose, my reflection would be the guys have suffered with this over the last 12-18 months or so I have been following them and in contact.
I think the 275 will likely be an option going forward but only serious requests/money will of course make that a reality. Cheers.

More pictures
 

Hi guys, hot off the press from the "tinternet" delivery system. - Likely to be the last pictures for a while. Crate left as planned so is now expected on a vessel on Monday and somewhere around 45 days later will arrive at Auckland port. So probably best part of 8-9 weeks before I get my fingers on it.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/4...6d0de767_z.jpgfront-pre delivery

One bit i like about this shot (other than the curves and lines) is that once polished up it looks like the alloy crash bar that remains behind the clam will compliment the view through the grille well. Won't be a "polluted view" with tubes/hoses and misc stuff on show.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/4...a8b23605_z.jpgrear - pre delivery

Hi all, update straight from Chris.
The 275 hardtop is available and will be exclusive through Old No7 production. The convertible/California version is planned and will be available when time allows the development of the backend.
Start saving for your deposits! Suggest you send an e-mail with interest as required. Thought you might appreciate the good news! Cheers.

It does look stunning, I do think it needs lowering slightly but this is obviously just on the mule.
Judging by the pallets in the background, Chris & Dan are expecting an overseas sales boom!

WelshKiwi - Hope all goes well with your shipping.

Are you going to paint the bumpers body colour, or do something else?

Good luck, Paul. :)

It has to be chrome, paint, wrap or a set of Vietnamese stainless steel bumpers.
You can't spend all that time and money on it and ruin it by being a tightwad!

Hi Paul, Terry from Evolution (who has shipped many kits before) set it all up so I am sure it is in good hands!

Bumpers are planned to be chrome wrapped. That way if I pick up any damage etc I can get them tidied up easily. Probably be one of the first things I do when the kit arrives so I can work out how it looks. Realise it will mean more maintenance every few years etc where they may need redoing, but I am not too convinced that chrome paint on plastic/gel coat will last too long anyway. So i’ll Start with wrapping.
Everything is planned for the vintage look, so chrome door handles/stainless mirrors/chrome or stainless trim where possible. Cheers!

This view of the headlights reminded me of a school ditty.

It could be the way the the sun lies, or maybe my eyesight's defective?
Is the east t*t the least bit the best of the west t*t?
Or is it a trick of perspective?

That is a bl@@dy atractive motor.

Well done to all. Looking forward to that build a lot.

Watch out for speed bumps though :)

Dave

2 weeks and counting
 

6 or 7 to go. Have you got a tracking device?

Hey, WelshKiwi, did Chris not give you the live shipping link?
You can track your container live


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpX1xYbyNog&t=81s


Would I lie to you?

Hi Barber, no details yet unfortunately. It didn’t make the ship last week so got on one Tuesday this week. Once I know the vessel then I should know a bit more but estimate 7weeks from this point. Not a major as still trying to get the build space ready, the NZ weather is crapola and I have been an ill old dog for the last week! Sun is out tho this morning so building will continue! Cheers.

Most definitely you would Jag, but I never would take it personally! Great vid, those bloody sailors have it hard at times don’t they? It is very close to home actually, one of those ships is the Rena, which due to Greek captain and his shortcut, grounded itself on the Astrolabe reef out from Tauranga, NZ. It is still there as a partial artificial reef. As a boatie myself who enjoys a small belt of rum every once in a while (honest!) I am now hoping the vessel my shipment is on has no Greek Captains and no rum onboard! I will keep sweating! 😅

Evening Mark is your kit insured?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-a...ew-south-wales

Geoff .