Ofcourse everyone can and must do as he like with a kitcar..........
But i thought the purpose of this SWB kit was to mimic the real thing.
With al the pictures which were posted from original SWB's i did'nt notice comments as"It will look better with steel wheels,scrap them Borrani's"and"get rid of that dash,a digital would't be better"
Sure it is a matter of funds,but i think in our hearts we all like to come as close to the real thing as possible,i am sure i do............if i can raise enough money!
So think about this and have a deep look into yourself before shouting things you actually don't want............
Have a good sleep..........René.

With all due respect, people should make a car that they will be happy with, whatever that may be. My own opinion is that the kit is awesome but its never going to fool anybody into believing that it is an original so if a period interior, Borranis etc is what you want then great but do it because that is what you want, not because you want it to be a 100% scale replica as this will never be achieved. Remember that it is a Tribute, not a replica!

A 2002tii yes. Send me a pic of your Sammio and I will whiten the wheels if you want.

Heres the final rendition of the SWB with smaller wheels in a toned down silver and the rear is now a banded one from that Z3 image (front not rear!)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...forza/SWB5.jpg

PIcture this...... In 2016 we will have a Tribute meeting with all those individuel colourfull different personal kitcars, based on a SWB model , from almost original to complete different , classic, modern etc., ........in my opinion that would be great !!!!

I suggested this to the wife as a His and Her's combo:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...d6be_hh_03.jpg

Her reaction was "I'd rather have a Z3" I think I might file for divorce!

My wife says that my Z300S is beautiful but still isn't really sure why I changed the Z3 as it is basically the same thing.

Women, can't live with them but can't bury them under the patio

Wheels
 

Attachment 2104Here are some rarely seen bmw wheels; 15'' E36; finished in matt silver.

so next time she comes back with a skirt thats nearly the same as another or another pair of shoes in the same colour as all the others throw the same quote at her and she'll have the answer to her own question...lol

Shouldn't this listing be under another thread page like ?

Italian Replica builds and chat .
Lamborghini, Ferrari, Lancia, any Italian replica car build and chat

:peep: :peep:

Only kidding :laugh:

Hmm, I posted pics of my 'Lancia' D24 Spyder on the Italian replica page and got a very stiff reception. It would appear that particular thread is reserved for people who're trying to get a Lambo-alike to work.

Never really been keen on Lambos myself, even real ones (except the Muira, of course). Much prefer what I've already got -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps69b701a5.jpg

Can't wait to add a big bro' SWB to the stable though...

Damn, I was going to buy that...
 

Bargain plate from DVLA, shame I missed it -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/30240056

:faint:

Mind you, 500 FER at £3k really did look like a bargain.

Out sourced main roll hoops have arrived, My pipe bender couldn't produce the radius needed on the 45mm diameter pipe, so a 3rd party has produced them. I will be adding the rest of the bracing in 32mm tube.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psglp0ysjp.jpg

My shiny red "buck" Z3 suffered quiet badly at the hands of the company producing the moulds (main front and rear sections only, all smaller panels moulds proced in-house):

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psebol8lrj.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2jtvrpca.jpg


All of the SWB body panels have now been removed and it is looking better for a moment wearing Hurnleft's panels. See Bob's SWB "Kebab" build here:
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...?t=5232&page=3

Chris, I know you once said you wanted to build a rat look version, but ............... :shock:

I know I am new to all this fibreglass stuff...

But I thought you were supposed to using releasing wax to help remove the mould, not a crow bar! :eek:

Jokes aside, does this mean you now need to keep a set of new panels "safe" in case the moulds get damaged?

At least the kit looks great, even in just the "raw" panel form. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

A mate of mine is a specialist panel maker - double curve english wheel stuff - this is exactly the sort of thing why he won't outsource and ends up working all the hours god sends - much like you do I'd guess. They did mash the buck up didn't they!

Looking at the kebab thread there's a definite difference in the surface quality of finish on your in house smaller panels vs the outsourced front and rear sections - much more shine and reflection on the in house panels. Doesn't matter as they'll all be painted at the end of the day just thought it was interesting. Looking great even in midnight blue gelcoat!

"!y cymro

It shouldn't be that much. Don't forget that the Kobra is a different type of replacement body which promises an easy to fit bolt on kit using the original BMW mounting points. The extra work needed to manufacture this is reflected in the price.

On the other hand, the Swb will be like the mx5 gto kit which requires much more work to fit and blend in. The mx5 kit is around £1900 so the Swb should be around that price." just found this old post ...interesting that the thought process was that it was going to be more work to fit like the mx5 kit but chris and dan have made a beautifully fitting kit that doesnt require as much work ...:hail:
now i have the money for a 250swb the mrs has decided the house needs a new porch,a wall rebuilt and external wall insulation ...bugger! lol

:amen:

I think they saw how shiny the buck was and went for the "one wax should do it" approach. To be fair most of the body was going to be replaced anyway. Moulds are fine thankfully, and want to keep a set of panels on a car for myself so will always have a back up.

Progress on rollcage/shell brace today:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psd7drpskw.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psn8vywio6.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...pson0re8z0.jpg

The frame incorporates the mounting points for the boot hinges, which are MX5 units with the spring mounts trimmed off:

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

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psl26q17xt.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psyviczz7f.jpg

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

Masterful !!!

Chris are those hinges fixed or adjustable?
About the frame for the sliding windows,is this welded into the doors or bolted?.........is there a mounting rail or something in the door opening for a rubber seal or do you have to figure something out yourself?
René

The hinges have the same degree of adjustment as the standard MX5 units, i.e. the bolt holes are oversize to allow rise and fall, plus forward and back movement.

Finalised side window frames will be show in the next few days. They are bolted to the Z3 doors and will include double channel rubber seals, Land Rover latches and toughened glass.

Thanks Ian, we try our best.

Thanks for the explanation Chris.
René

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psn46kdykw.jpghttp://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psj9ixe5ho.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...pstjuymln1.jpg

Nice. Very nice.

Whilst I would prefer the lazy boy option of windup windows, that is coming along nicely.
To state the bleeding obvious, and assuming it's the driver's side door shown in the photos, its worth pointing out that the forward glass should be fitted on the outside or we'll have wet arms even with a seal fitted.
Also, if both windows were about the same length rather than large and small as presently, then the maximum opening available will be larger when a window is opened. Or is the amount of window opening limited by the frame shape so it can only be small?
Good job though.

Window
 

Is it possible to use the old Z3 Window? On the new bodywork? Or do you have to install the new frame with the sliding window?

I had asked Chris some time ago about using the original windows.
The roof shape is now all wrong and the only option would have been to use a BMW hardtop (or moulding of).
Then combine the window area and front of the hard top with a much modified 250 rear roof. All possible but probably a major compromise on the appearance of a 250 and a lot of work.
I decided the sliding windows would be fine.

Cheers, Bob.

Increasing the angle at the front edge of the rearmost window would allow it to open further.

Looking at the layout of those side windows, I'd say that the rear section is fixed and only the front slides.

That would also explain why the front section is shorter - it can be opened further for being short at the top as the limiting factor is the radius at the back of the top rail (a SWB signature feature so essential imho) stopping it from sliding any further back than about 2/3 of total window length.

I appreciate that some people can't imagine living with a car that doesn't have all the convenience features that we've come to expect of a modern car, but in reality, the main reasons you need to open the side windows are for ventilation and to collect car park entry slips/pay motorway tolls.

I'm going to pick a donor with a/c to tackle the first bit and you have to get out of a RHD car to pay European road tolls if you're on your own anyway, so I don't see having to get out occasionally when entering car parks or at the Dartford tunnel as that much of a problem. The people you're holding up behind you can huff, puff and toot all they like, they'll just be jealous and at least they'll have a view of one of the best looking rear ends in the whole history of automotive design. :)

How do you put those windows into the frame?
I see 2 half frames with the rubber and windows snapped together and when they are a complete frame with windows mounted into the door or what?
Is there also a kind of knob on one of the windows to make it open easy?

Err...you might find it a bit more of a problem that you think at the Dartford tunnel Towed! You can't pay at the barrier any more although they don't seem to have bothered to publicise the fact much outside the immediate area
See https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge for details. :noidea:

WTF! What the hell are you supposed to do if you don't know you can't pay at the gate/get lost/are a foreign visitor to this sceptered isle/etc., and show up at the crossing without pre-paying?

That's bloody stupid imho. :doh:

Okay, just read the link properly - you have until midnight the next day to pay the crossing fee. I guess they've taken down the barriers to ease the congestion and have ANPR cameras to record your registration as you cross. At least that means Polish truckers won't have to pay any more...

Have only been through once, on my way back from Lydden Hill race track, late one Sunday night after a brilliant weekend. I wasn't expecting the tunnel, I thought I was going clockwise, then up the M40... Hey ho!

My Merc is left hand drive and I can live with that as a daily driver despite the car park swipe at the customer site I mostly visit

Taking a closer look at Chris' photos I can see there are holes for a catch only in the front window so it's seems like only that one will open. A quick Google shows this is how they tended to be on racing Ferraris in period.
Good enough for Enzo, good enough for me.

Correct Steve. The picture is of a passenger side window and there will be a seal between the 2 sections of glass.

Reference your question about wheel size/offset I am starting a new tread on that subject and will add some definitive measurements next week when we have a kit properly fitted.

Inner front section panels prior to bonding:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psadrwu6ot.jpg

Excellent, I look forward to that. I'll bring down a 9x17" et10 bad boy with me on the way to Goodwood next week with a dish big enough to serve a meal on.