Personal introduction and initial thoughts

MonteCarbo · #1 17th July 2016, 21:04

Greetings to all on this forum! I've been lurking around these parts for a little bit now as I have begun the search to add something a little special to my next car. Tribute looks perfect for me as I'm not looking for a "from-scratch" build, but more of a classic restyling for a modern z3 which would presumably require far less mechanical know-how. I'm living in the US as a student and have always loved cars far more than the average Ford Focus owner that frequents...seemingly everywhere here.

That being said, I'm in a position where I will have time on my hands for a project like this and I am definitely willing to put in the hours necessary, being fine with the fact that it may be a lot. My dad shares my enthusiasm for classics, but neither of us are in the mechanic profession which makes the thought of this endeavor exciting and scary as it is a good sized investment for where I'm at even though my responsibilities are few; so encouragement/advice/woes are appreciated in that regard.

I know it's an open ended question, so feel free to answer it as you please, but will this turn out the way I hope? It doesn't seem incredibly hard in that with research and diligence the odds are in my favor, but am I misguided in my thinking?

Based on the articles I've been lurking through, the quality of the people that show up on this particular Tribute page seems to be above average for the internet and I look forward to meeting some of you. Any and all initial pointers, lessons, and advice will be valuable and greatly appreciated. I'm a humble kid with a lot to learn and a heart to receive if given guidance. I look forward to a reply.

Many thanks in advance,
Monte

Roadster · #2 17th July 2016, 21:23

Welcome to the forum.
Which model are you tempted by?

Z300s and kobra are very simple.
Unbolt bumpers, bonnet, boot and wings and bolt on the new clamshells.

250swb's require a little more, door skins add to the list of tinkering as does the roll bar if its a coupe.

MonteCarbo · #3 18th July 2016, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster

Which model are you tempted by?

I was really eyeing the Z300S kit. It's beautiful even though I'm a little confused as to what exactly it's supposed to be mimicking in it's style haha. Maserati?

gas guzzler · #4 18th July 2016, 07:13

I have a Z300s and yes does give a nod towards a Maserati, but when I first saw WCA's I saw it from a distance and thought it was a Jag, and in fact most people who have commented on mine think it's a Jag or Aston (but the latter guess is because of the badge I have on it).
Reasonably easy to build, it's my first kit car, I'd say getting the body work right is the hardest part. A lot of rubbing down and filling required so you need patience, which I don't have so it's still in primer and I drive it like that.

Andy

WorldClassAccident · #5 18th July 2016, 08:24

HI - I designed the Z300S whilst stuck in bed for 6 months after a slight accident. It was deliberately designed not to mimic anything specific but to look like a car from that period. Always good for causing debate at the car shows and with fellow petrol heads. I also have the choice of two bonnets and it takes about 10 minutes for me and a friend to swap them over. That is about how long it will take you to fit your new bonnet but you may want to allow some time for wiring in the lights and rubbing down before paint...

It has been positively identified as a Jaguar, Aston, TVR, Ginnetta, MG and a few others.

I keep a printed description in the car which I leave in the windscreen at shows for people to read.

Z300S Barchatta

This, the original Z300S Barchetta, was the vision of one man. He wanted the grace and the lines of the stunning sports cars from the late ‘50s and ‘60s but also wanted modern reliability, function and pace. The styling was developed over a 3 month period and blends hints of the Maserati 300S, Ferrari 166 Barchetta with a myriad of other subtle touches to create a unique and beautiful car that carefully avoids being a replica of anything.

Once this design had been refined to the creator’s satisfaction he searched for a company capable of turning the numerous sketches, doodles and details into reality. For the body work Tribute Automotive were selected as they had experience of creating period looking vehicles and Chris Welch was renowned for his design flair and ability to create effortlessly beautiful lines. The creation and fitting of the bodywork was performed ‘in house’ at Tributes workshop before displayed as the official factory show car at numerous car shows with photos appearing in magazines.

The interior has been successfully re-trimmed by another set of specialist craftsmen at KLF Automotive headed up by Ken Fernando himself. The use of subtle black and tan leather avoids the garish red that appears the default on other models. The quality and attention to detail on the interior is clear to see with new surprised and delight each time another detail is spotted. The floor carpets are edged with the same leather as the door cards, the little zip fitted beneath the hand brake gator to allow adjustment, the leather hoop door pulls and perhaps the nicest touch is the ‘James Bond’ style secret panel that pulls down to reveal all of the original modern switch gear carefully repositioned. With its heated seats, air conditioning, electric windows and roof this car is as luxurious as it is elegant.

The exterior is glorious in the deep and lustrous black with good panel alignment as you would expect from a car out of the Tribute workshop. The wheels are the preferable 42mm hub wires originally from a 1950’s Aston Martin. This ensures they have the thicker spokes so necessary to cope with the power and torque from the lusty 2.8 litre straight six engine. This is the creamy smooth BMW engine that has been lightly ‘breathed’ upon with a Cold Air Intake (CAI) kit and optimised air inlet system fitted. This allows you to flow down the road on a wave of torque or chase the rev limiter as you flick from apex to apex. The twin stainless steel exhausts exiting from the rear give a deep and tuneful sound track to your chosen driving style.

This car, a bespoke creation and not a kit, gives you the style and ambiance of the 1950’s with the convenience of a modern sports car. The wire wheels with their relatively high profile tyres transform the driving experience from the modern stiff experience to a far more period appropriate softer and more comfortable experience. They also give you the ability to use the throttle to adjust your cornering attitude at far more acceptable speeds that the modern ‘stuck to the tarmac’ sports cars.

IanA · #6 18th July 2016, 09:15

Sold !!! I want one !!!

Oh, I already have- see here.

Welcome, Monte- where are you in USA?

landmannnn · #7 18th July 2016, 11:10

Your biggest challenge will be getting a kit across that stretch of water without incurring too much cost.

MonteCarbo · #8 18th July 2016, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

HI - I designed the Z300S whilst stuck in bed for 6 months after a slight accident. It was deliberately designed not to mimic anything specific but to look like a car from that period. Always good for causing debate at the car shows and with fellow petrol heads. I also have the choice of two bonnets and it takes about 10 minutes for me and a friend to swap them over.

Thanks for the help. It's super neat to talk to the designer himself as you more than anyone else can accurately tell me what I'm looking at. It's a great looking body; thank you also for designing it.

On the Tribute website there are a couple of different cars being featured: black, red, and whitish. Do the kits differ a little from car to car, or is it my imagination, the lighting, the angle, etc? All of the cars look great, but the black one is what I'm hoping for (which makes sense to me because it's the show car). The paint job looks superb on it. Is that the key?

Again, thank you very much for the info. It's greatly appreciated.

MonteCarbo · #9 18th July 2016, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanA

Welcome, Monte- where are you in USA?

The middle of Oregon on the west coast. I know Tribute is based in Europe, but perhaps there are a few of these cars roaming around the states? I'd love to see one in person sometime, and if it was built here it would also be good to get some advise on what Landmannn said might be a problem.

molleur · #10 18th July 2016, 17:13

Shipping is easy but expensive. You'll have to freight transfer from the East coast. More $$. Upon arriving in the USA port for customs, you will also need an agricultural inspection for the crate, more $$.

After talking with a friend in US Customs, it seems that DHL is the best all around. They will crate the kit with pre-approved lumber and deliver it to your door, or you can pick it up at any USA port of entry. Not inexpensive but a lot less hassle. I am unaware of any in the USA right now.

I'm in Florida.

MonteCarbo · #11 18th July 2016, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by molleur

Not inexpensive but a lot less hassle.

The people on this forum are great! Thank you for the help and info. I figured that it'd be a pretty penny, but this gives me a great place to start my research and figure out exactly that will look like. The plan is to raise funds, prepare for the project, and really decide if I want to take the plunge throughout the next couple of seasons. The buying of the kit will be down the line a ways. Thank you again!

molleur · #12 18th July 2016, 20:28

to be clear, England is not in Europe..

Roadster · #13 18th July 2016, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by molleur

to be clear, England is not in Europe..

I agree with you Molleur
However we were secretly added and Europe has been dictating 6 out of every 7 laws passed in the UK.
After a recent vote by the people we now wait for our government to get us out of Europe but it may take upto 2 years.

molleur · #14 18th July 2016, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster

I agree with you Molleur
However we were secretly added and Europe has been dictating 6 out of every 7 laws passed in the UK.
After a recent vote by the people we now wait for our government to get us out of Europe but it may take upto 2 years.

Be very aware of Article 50. Tell 'em to pack sand!

landmannnn · #15 18th July 2016, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by molleur

to be clear, England is not in Europe..

Geographically England is in Europe, as you say, politically we have decided not to be....

molleur · #16 18th July 2016, 22:12

Lucky@LeMans · #17 18th July 2016, 22:26

Several European countries aren't in Europe , most of them are doing ok or better. Time will tell but I think we will be OK too.

No reason at all why you can't have a kit shipped out to the USA . Just check the costs and the local rules where you plan to register the finished car. I assume there are plenty of Z3's over there. Sell on the parts you don't need and that will pay for shipping and tax I would think.

Good luck , just do it !!

molleur · #18 18th July 2016, 23:10

There are no real hurdles for exporting a kit from England to the USA, just the cost. Z-3's are abundant here, albeit a little more expensive. Still deals to be found. In most states except California, registration is much easier than in the U.K.

MonteCarbo · #19 19th July 2016, 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by molleur

to be clear, England is not in Europe..

Continental Europe is what I was thinking haha. Fair though. I'm actually touring through Europe right now, sitting in Italy as of the moment.

WorldClassAccident · #20 19th July 2016, 08:52

different cars being featured: black, red, and whitish.

The black one and the red one are the same car, the red one was early on and there are various revisions such as brake vents either side of the front grill and sills being covered below the doors.

The biggest differences though are the paint job and the fact the black car photo was taken by a professional car photographer.

The white car is IanA's replica of my original ;-)

The photo of the kit parts show what you actually get before you start personalising it.

The differences I can spot between the kit and the finished cars:

-- No brake vents by the grille

-- No slashes in the front winglets behind the front wheel

-- No slashes behind the rear wheels

-- The rear lights on the black car are frenched in (surface mounted on red and white cars)

I am sure if you ask Chris nicely he will do any modifications you like.

If you are ever near Southampton on you European tour feel free to pop in for a look at mine.