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Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Tribute Automotive Builds

Tribute Automotive Builds Discuss your Tribute kit build

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  #1  
Old 13th June 2020, 10:34
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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Default Z3GTc New Build

I collected my Z3GTc part kit last week from Chris at Tribute. Its a part kit as I've only got the front end and the sills so far, the rear end should follow in a few weeks time.
My donor is the blue 2.2 that I've owned for nearly 4 years now so its was ripe for conversion. The strip down was pretty standard stuff and all the unwanted parts were sold on ebay. Got some good prices too given the current climate and it all sold quickly.
The front end and sills were bolted up and the alignment of the panels was pretty good right from the start. I'm making a few subtle changes along the way to put my own stamp on it and to give it more of a period look. These plans include;

Addition of an oil cooler vent under the main grill.
Addition of brake cooling ducts each side of the oil cooler vent.
Delete the bonnet scoop and make it into a bonnet hump
Oval side vents and trim to conceal the joint between the bonnet and wing
Smaller period style front indicators
Modified grill with honey combe style mesh
At the rear I'll fit a pair of Aston style filler caps sunk into the upper part of the rear wings.

I bought a set of 8"- 17" spoked alloys which are really deep dish with a 20mm ET. I thought they might be too wide but there is plenty of room under the arch. In fact I'm might try some 15mm wheel spacers to get them to fill the arch better. Tyres are currently 235/45 - 17 which look slightly small in diameter. I could fit 50 series tyres which work out about an inch bigger diameter.
Photos to follow !

Last edited by Lucky@LeMans; 13th June 2020 at 10:38..
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  #2  
Old 13th June 2020, 12:36
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Jaguartvr Jaguartvr is offline
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The classic triple bulge would look good, especially if it were incorporated with a separate Bonett as in the 250swb.
Add the Bonnett and lose the coupe rear window and I think it will transform the look of it.
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  #3  
Old 13th June 2020, 12:51
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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The triple bonnet bulge does look good but it would be a lot of work as would a separate opening bonnet. The open scoop is ok but some cars of this style had large single bulge which is my plan, I think it will work well.
I'm doing the soft top version so there's no rear window to worry about, although saying that I'm getting a new plastic window for the hood as the old one is split !
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  #4  
Old 13th June 2020, 22:09
WorldClassAccident WorldClassAccident is offline
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Must add pictures - lots!
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  #5  
Old 14th June 2020, 19:46
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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Made a start on the front end, cut the slots for the front oil cooler and brake ducts. I've made a couple of moulds and glassed up the ducting and offered them up.
I'll move onto the side vents in the week along with the bonnet bulge modification.
I had some honey combe grill left over from my last project so I've offered that up to Mondeo grill surround, I think that will work quite well and tone down the otherwise blingy stock grill !
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  #6  
Old 14th June 2020, 19:50
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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Photos …..
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File Type: jpg IMG_4308.jpg (87.7 KB, 506 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4310.jpg (96.8 KB, 169 views)
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  #7  
Old 14th June 2020, 23:23
Weecharlie Weecharlie is offline
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Looking really good bud
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  #8  
Old 15th June 2020, 16:49
molleur molleur is offline
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Awesome!
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  #9  
Old 15th June 2020, 21:00
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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I moulded up some smaller indicator surrounds tonight and glassed them in place. These will take the small clear lense, L594 type indicator units with amber bulbs, same as on my 275.
I'll have a look at the side vents tomorrow and see what will work best. I think there is plenty of room behind the existing moulding to make them partly functional.

Last edited by Lucky@LeMans; 15th June 2020 at 21:19..
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  #10  
Old 17th June 2020, 20:14
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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I made a mould and glassed up a pair of side vents. These are oval in shape and will be split into two length ways. I'll glass them into position , top half in the bonnet, the lower half in the upper side of the wing. I need to get some 13mm half round section aluminium to make the trim which will hide the bonnet to wing joint and extend across the vent.

My 15mm wheel spacers turned up and I've fitted those on the front. The wheels fit in the arch really well now. I need new tyres anyway so I'm going to go up a size to 235/50 - 17". I might wait until I've got the rear end in place just to see how the proportions look before I commit to buying.
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  #11  
Old 18th June 2020, 02:19
Munky Munky is offline
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Pictures or it didn’t happen!!!
You are riding the crest of a wave here and keeping us all in suspense!
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  #12  
Old 18th June 2020, 06:39
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Paul L Paul L is offline
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Lucky – Great to see your build has started.



What did you use to make the duct moulds?

Not sure if you saw my AM photos from Goodwood Revival 2019?

But one of the cars featured has those ducts.

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&postcount=425

Good luck, Paul.
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  #13  
Old 18th June 2020, 10:10
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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There are lots of versions of the early Aston cars that feature various front grill and vent variations. The front of the Z3GT has some styling ques that I've added to. I like the smaller indicators which I've now fitted and blended in. The moulds are simply made from scrap aluminium sheet.
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  #14  
Old 19th June 2020, 17:22
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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Started on the side vents, a bit of filling required to finish then I'll make an aluminium trim to go over the joint.

Front indicator recess's need a bit more filling and rubbing down.
Attached Images
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File Type: jpg IMG_4323.jpg (89.3 KB, 126 views)
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  #15  
Old 19th June 2020, 18:53
Munky Munky is offline
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It’s going to be a stunner Mr LeMans!
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  #16  
Old 19th June 2020, 20:36
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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……...]

Last edited by Lucky@LeMans; 19th June 2020 at 21:26..
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  #17  
Old 19th June 2020, 23:13
DaveP DaveP is offline
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Looking good so far chappie.

The smaller indicators look very cool. Nice colour gel coat in this model. Was it std or did you negotiate colour when ordering from Chris.

‘asking for a friend’
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  #18  
Old 19th June 2020, 23:43
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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I think the smaller indicators are more in proportion, nothing wrong with the larger options if that's what you choose to go with.
The gel coat colour wasn't specified when I ordered the kit, midnight blue all over would look really smart but I'm going with a very dark shade of green.
I think Chris will use any of the standard off the shelf colours, just ask when you order. To be honest you will want to paint the car anyway, the Z3 doors will always stand out if you don't !
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  #19  
Old 20th June 2020, 14:59
molleur molleur is offline
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The best color in very dark green seems to be BMW 307 Dunkle Grun.
Standard on earlier Z3's. 1998-2003
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  #20  
Old 23rd June 2020, 17:59
Lucky@LeMans Lucky@LeMans is offline
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The front end work is just about done. I'm waiting on the head light covers and trims then it will be case of rubbing down ready for paint. I watched some youtube footage yesterday with various car colour options. I'm in two minds whether to go with dark racing green, gun metal grey or midnight blue !
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