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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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  #81  
Old 20th April 2016, 19:42
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I visited Tribute last week
Chris was busy more kits had sold on ebay .

The Escort was untouched since my last visit.
My "mutant" build is slow but at least it doesn't tease me out the corner of my eye every day im at work.

But Chris puts customer builds in front of his own project.
I hope he puts the stripes on the finished car.

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  #82  
Old 14th May 2016, 11:19
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In life, you never know in which street or field you are likely to stumble over a bit of class. However, on this forum.......
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  #83  
Old 15th May 2016, 19:27
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Having made no progress on this project since buying the donor MX5 back in March I decided that a different tack was needed. So I have put some road tax on the MX5 and will be nailing the Escort panels on whilst using it as a daily driver, what could possibly go wrong?

First job involved an hours stripping useless crap/unwanted items from the MX5, whilst keeping it drivable and legal (I'm sure Mr Towed will point out the fog light is missing....). The donor was in really great nick apart from the front wings, which had obviously been replaced at some time and not treated on the inside as they had both rotted where they join the front bumper. Rear and some interior stripped so far:









I had forgotten what a hoot an MX5 can be. With a lightened rear end, LSD, hard old tyres, 2nd gear roundabout drift fun is great (private race track obviously).
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  #84  
Old 15th May 2016, 21:36
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Kerb weight of a mk1 Escort is 851kg.

Kerb weight of a mk1 MX5 is 970kg.

It will be interesting to see if I can lose 119kg from my donor. Removing the AC pump/rad should help. No interior, check. Cut the inner and outer skins from the doors....
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  #85  
Old 19th May 2016, 20:25
306craig 306craig is offline
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I soooooooo want to see this finished!!! I would seriously consider one of these. Good work Chris.

BTW I am so jealous of you guys on the mainland. Decent MX5's seem to be 10 a penny, over here in Northern Ireland you pay 1500 quid for a Mk1 with 150,000 miles on it, rotten arches, rotten sills and been boy raced by every wide boy in the country!!!!
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  #86  
Old 19th May 2016, 21:13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribute Automotive View Post
Kerb weight of a mk1 Escort is 851kg.
Kerb weight of a mk1 MX5 is 970kg....
So you'll be adding a bit of lightness then.

Would be good to have a source of classic-looking bucket seats without headrests at a reasonable price available in a choice of colours. I looked at Intatrim at Stoneleigh but even their style is a bit too modern.
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  #87  
Old 19th May 2016, 21:17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribute Automotive View Post
Having made no progress on this project since buying the donor MX5 back in March I decided that a different tack was needed. So I have put some road tax on the MX5 and will be nailing the Escort panels on whilst using it as a daily driver, what could possibly go wrong?

First job involved an hours stripping useless crap/unwanted items from the MX5, whilst keeping it drivable and legal (I'm sure Mr Towed will point out the fog light is missing....). The donor was in really great nick apart from the front wings, which had obviously been replaced at some time and not treated on the inside as they had both rotted where they join the front bumper. Rear and some interior stripped so far:









I had forgotten what a hoot an MX5 can be. With a lightened rear end, LSD, hard old tyres, 2nd gear roundabout drift fun is great (private race track obviously).


Chris, the small mudflaps on the bumper often go for decent money. You will probably get more for the mudflaps than the bumper!
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  #88  
Old 20th May 2016, 19:28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IanA View Post
So you'll be adding a bit of lightness then.

Would be good to have a source of classic-looking bucket seats without headrests at a reasonable price available in a choice of colours. I looked at Intatrim at Stoneleigh but even their style is a bit too modern.
I did find these which must be quite a bit lighter than the standard recliners.
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  #89  
Old 24th June 2016, 22:41
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Not much to report.

Wheels and temporary arches fitted to road test the set up at stock height. All good.





These 3 didn't agree with my choice of modifications....



Ride at stock height was ok but worn out shocks were causing some wheel rebound on rough roads, so new coilovers were fitted and wound down a bit





I'm surprised at how well it now rides despite the reduced ground clearance. Could go a touch lower yet.
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  #90  
Old 25th June 2016, 21:17
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Why on earth were you stopped? (If that's what happened).
It looks OK to me. Were they just curious?
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  #91  
Old 26th June 2016, 07:41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribute Automotive View Post
These 3 didn't agree with my choice of modifications....

Come on Chris, you can't leave us hanging like that.

Did you get a ticket/warning/cheery wave goodbye?

Good luck, Paul.
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  #92  
Old 26th June 2016, 10:10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribute Automotive View Post

These 3 didn't agree with my choice of modifications....

Excuse me sir, would you pimp our car?
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  #93  
Old 26th June 2016, 10:20
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I think they can prosecute if there are any sharp edges exposed. Other than that I can't see a problem. Probably just a tug as it looks a bit of a shed (not meant as a nasty comment) and they wanted to check driver/insurance/tax etc.

I was standing next to my MOT tester a few months ago and a rather dirty and unloved looking car pulled up, he just commented before the driver had got out "thats a fail". Asked him why and he said anyone who looks after a car and keeps in in that state won't be looking after it, it failed on a long list.
I now always make sure any car is washed and vacuumed before taking it for an MOT.

Anyway, it's Chris's own fault, he should have been hard at work finishing the 275, not out enjoying himself.
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  #94  
Old 26th June 2016, 14:14
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Probably, as mentioned, exposed edges.....an a bit of a nose...!
Look at the last of Chris' pics, he's replaced the plastic bumper bar.
I was surprised how well the escort bubble arches suit the MX5...!
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  #95  
Old 26th June 2016, 21:53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul L View Post
Come on Chris, you can't leave us hanging like that.

Did you get a ticket/warning/cheery wave goodbye?

Good luck, Paul.
All of the above Paul. I have to hold my hands up to the speeding ticket and warning about the missing rear bumper, but as there weren't any sharp edges to the front of the car a "cheery wave goodbye" was in order. Sharp edges inside the car due to missing door cards and dash weren't considered an issue as the fact the passenger seat was removed, meaning I would only hurt myself....
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  #96  
Old 26th June 2016, 21:56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ollie View Post
Probably, as mentioned, exposed edges.....an a bit of a nose...!
Look at the last of Chris' pics, he's replaced the plastic bumper bar.
I was surprised how well the escort bubble arches suit the MX5...!
Rear bumper put back on for recent MOT test, a few small issues to sort for retest, but only advisories on edges as not "due to damage or corrosion".
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  #97  
Old 26th June 2016, 22:06
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaguartvr View Post
I think they can prosecute if there are any sharp edges exposed. Other than that I can't see a problem. Probably just a tug as it looks a bit of a shed (not meant as a nasty comment) and they wanted to check driver/insurance/tax etc.

I was standing next to my MOT tester a few months ago and a rather dirty and unloved looking car pulled up, he just commented before the driver had got out "thats a fail". Asked him why and he said anyone who looks after a car and keeps in in that state won't be looking after it, it failed on a long list.
I now always make sure any car is washed and vacuumed before taking it for an MOT.

Anyway, it's Chris's own fault, he should have been hard at work finishing the 275, not out enjoying himself.

If you think my mx is a shed you should see my W reg Ranger pickup, not washed since I bought it in November last year, dented and scratched, very dirty interior due to work clothes, yet it flew through its MOT last month, new tyres and zero rust helped : ) I personally never look after my daily drivers, they are expendable and usually get driven onto the scrapyard weigh bridge. I am going to start work on a car that I care about soon, the parts required are coming together....
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  #98  
Old 26th June 2016, 22:21
Mitchelkitman Mitchelkitman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribute Automotive View Post
If you think my mx is a shed you should see my W reg Ranger pickup, not washed since I bought it in November last year,
I've had my Rickman Ranger 8 years and I've never washed it!
Any one beat that?
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  #99  
Old 27th June 2016, 10:48
WorldClassAccident WorldClassAccident is offline
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I am going to start work on a car that I care about soon


Now that was a little teaser comment. Next person down at Tribute keep an eye out for a special pile of parts stashed away somewhere...
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  #100  
Old 27th June 2016, 13:27
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I reckon (hope) theres gonna be a bit more time spent on the MXico
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