Geoff's 250 SWB Replica Build

[WorldClassAccident]

How long before Chris buys some sheet aluminium and an English Wheel...

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

How long before Chris buys some sheet aluminium and an English Wheel...

Now that's something I'd like to see

[zagmad]

er. I think I prefer fibreglass. doesn't rust. will be fun to see the cars dimensions in person as cars back then were quite narrow and long.

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by zagmad

er. I think I prefer fibreglass. doesn't rust. will be fun to see the cars dimensions in person as cars back then were quite narrow and long.

You'll note that WCA wrote about aluminium, which to state the bleeding obvious, doesn't rust (no pedantic arguments about corrosion accepted)

[Tribute Automotive]

Having bought the very rotten 250 SWB wooden buck that was on ebay recently, I finally had a chance to take a proper look at it this week and all the parts that had fallen off it!

This is the front panel section that we found in the grass where the buck had been stored for many years:



The craftsmanship involved in making this originally is outstanding:





Trying to figure out which rotten bit went where was like an episode of Time Team:



But got there in the end. Plaster was used to fill the gaps:



Now needs a coat of resin to stabilise it and then a skim of filler before a mould is pulled.

The rear of the buck is in much better shape:



We made a start on filling between the profiles with foam prior to a thin layer of GRP and then filling:

[Rudycob1]

This is a very interesting project.
Once you take a mould do you plan to develop this as a complete kit?
What are the plans for a chassis, engine, donor parts, etc.?
Can you share your development thoughts with us.
This is a fantastic replica and there is nothing like this currently on the market.
I know of one that is still under development running on a space framed chassis with BMW donor parts, etc.
Really looking forward to following this and how it develops with great interest.

[y cymro]

This is very exciting. Well done Chris, I'm looking forward to watching it progress.

[Mister Towed]

I know your particular expertise is in modern donorship projects, but please, please please build this on a classic chassis too. Herald/Vitesse/Spitfire whichever it'll fit. Simple mechanicals, loads of engine/tuning options and no road tax, plus that period feel you just won't get from a modern car because they're just too , erm modern.

[Scottie22]

I tend to agree with Mr T.

Built with a modern donar, you get looks and possibly performance, but for myself and Mr T, it would be devoid of any heritage, history or pedigree, and be some losing something because of that.
If a "period 50's car" is built on an older donar, it somehow adds something special to the finished car for some people.

It would seem that certain people do not feel that " something special", and I feel that is a shame, as they are really missing out.

I do not intend to offend here, just to try to explain why certain fellas like older donars, as for them it adds an awful lot to the whole experience.

[casamolino]

Originally Posted by Scottie22

I tend to agree with Mr T.

Built with a modern donar, you get looks and possibly performance, but for myself and Mr T, it would be devoid of any heritage, history or pedigree, and be some losing something because of that.
If a "period 50's car" is built on an older donar, it somehow adds something special to the finished car for some people.

It would seem that certain people do not feel that " something special", and I feel that is a shame, as they are really missing out.

I do not intend to offend here, just to try to explain why certain fellas like older donars, as for them it adds an awful lot to the whole experience.

Morning i think this could be one of those discussion`s where each (side) would have already decided the best way forward , certainly i have , being old enough to have owned a Herald and a Spitfire when they were cheap secondhand cars , i dont recall a great deal of heritage , history or pedigree , then that is probaly more down to me being a Escort rally man . There will be a number of people on here with the car building skills that i can only dream about (you know who you are) so if i can get a usable replica by going down the Z3 route so be it , Geoff .

[WorldClassAccident]

Strange things happen when you stick the old body one another car, ld or modern.

I bet Mr Towed drives his Sammio differently to how he would drive a standard Herald. I know that I drive my Z300S much differently to the old Z3.

The Z3 felt sluggish and a bit embarrassing when people stared.

The Z300S feels great with the skinny tyres spinning up happily on demand and people staring with their thumbs up or camera phones out.

I think the differences are mainly in the head, not the build.

[Scottie22]

I'm sure you've summed it up there correctly WCA, it is in the head, and if its not, then it never will be! :-)
Each to his own.

[Mister Towed]

Actually, for me part of it is down to not wanting to be too profligate with the old green and folding. A cheap donor (sub £1,000), free road tax, fix/service it yourself simplicity and comprehensive insurance at £93 a year are big bonuses for a hobby car to have imho.

[Scottie22]

I'm not going there anymore........... :-)

[WorldClassAccident]

Actually, for me part of it is down to not wanting to be too profligate with the old green and folding

Me too. I know my mechanical competence and don't want to have to pay people to correct my fixes on an old car that (potentially) needs more maintenance

[Mister Towed]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

Actually, for me part of it is down to not wanting to be too profligate with the old green and folding

Me too. I know my mechanical competence and don't want to have to pay people to correct my fixes on an old car that (potentially) needs more maintenance

Ah, understood. Thing is, I have the skills, I have the tools, but modern cars are now built using so many specialist fasteners and mysterious black boxes full of magic moonbeams that the competent home mechanic can't work on them.

[Scottie22]

The manufacturers do this on purpose to maintain control, they want the £150 per hour thank you very much sir, oh, that's plus VAT sir!
They certainly don't want anyone to be able to do anything, on any car built today.

That's why we like the older cars isn't it Mr T?

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by Scottie22

I tend to agree with Mr T. If a "period 50's car" is built on an older donar, it somehow adds something special to the finished car for some people.

Absolutely. And the skill and concentration needed to drive an older car is special, and the satisfaction received from getting that string of corners "just so" is such a great reward.

This is going better than Geoff (and I - albeit a couple of weeks behind him) started off on this SWB tribute journey.

Anyone want to buy a 2.8 Z3 with M3 mods and 245bhp?

[Mister Towed]

Originally Posted by y cymro

I'm now torn between a Z3 conversion and a Cobra chassised, LSx engined, Jag XK40 suspended, genuine bodied 250SWB replica.

Or, I wonder if the body could be modified to fit a 2CV chassis?

[y cymro]

Haha, a much more sensible idea
Back to the Becks!!