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Tribute Automotive Builds Discuss your Tribute kit build |
19th June 2019, 15:26
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
Posts: 51
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Another 250 SWB build
Hi all,
This is the start of my 250 SWB build-thread, a project being undertaken by the very able folks at Classic Coachworks...with some help (hindrance!) from myself at various points and as my time allows!
I very seriously considered buying a semi-built 250 SWB elsewhere, but decided against it on the basis that i'd rather start with a good solid donor car that had been looked after and with service history, rather than something I knew nothing about.
So after a good hunt I found and bought this....
IMG_0725.jpg
2.8 litre wide body, with service history and 77k miles. Wheels not to my taste at all, but a nice sound start-point....
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19th June 2019, 15:29
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
Posts: 51
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Build started today at Classic Coachworks, where Ian and I jointly set about dismantling the donor and removing the various panels, etc...
IMG_0754.jpg
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19th June 2019, 15:33
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
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Loosely offered up the rear 'clam' (more to get it out of the way than anything else at this stage!) and resulted in an immediate improvement on Munich's original offering....
IMG_0750.jpg
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19th June 2019, 15:35
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
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Then set about the front end strip-down too....
IMG_0752.jpg
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19th June 2019, 15:42
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
Posts: 51
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Not bad for a first morning's work (if I do say so myself!)
I'm going a little off-piste with some of the spec but Ian has been very amenable to my ideas and is obviously a man who enjoys a challenge or two!
I'm planning on fitting the Grassbank rear window conversion, plus a fuel filler on the rear deck with the boot-lid re-shaped accordingly as some other's have previously done of course (notably Ace's 250 recently!) - I personally think the rear wings look so much cleaner without the filler protruding on the haunches!
More to follow as the build progresses, but meantime a big shout-out to Ian and Belle at Classic - highly recommended to all considering a build!
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19th June 2019, 16:01
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Reading, Berkshire
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Welcome to the group and good luck with the build. I’m not far so may come look see at some stage (with dirty clothes on just in case).
Dave
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19th June 2019, 19:09
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Camberley
Posts: 972
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Great to see another new buil thread. Good luck
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19th June 2019, 19:26
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barber
Great to see another new buil thread. Good luck
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Thanks Barber! Local to one another I see! I'm Ascot area!
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19th June 2019, 19:31
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 32
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I'm hoping to get Image wheels to make me a set of their 16 inch "DBW" cast bolt on wheel that looks like a wire wheel. Advantage is you don't have to mess around with different hubs just bolt them on as normal and you can get a decent offset on them to get the wheels inside the arches. Pricey though.....
http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/dbw-alloy-wheel/
Last edited by Simon E; 19th June 2019 at 19:40..
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19th June 2019, 19:44
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon E
I'm hoping to get Image wheels to make me a set of their 16 inch "DBW" cast bolt on wheel that looks like a wire wheel. Advantage is you don't have to mess around with different hubs just bolt them on as normal and you can get a decent offset on them to get the wheels inside the arches. Pricey though.....
http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/dbw-alloy-wheel/
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They look an interesting option! Wheels for me will be a decision to be taken later on though...plenty of other decisions to be taken in the meantime!
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22nd June 2019, 05:44
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Camberley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryR
Thanks Barber! Local to one another I see! I'm Ascot area!
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Take Jagtvr up on his offer. I have been to see his cars a few times, and nothing beats seeing the modifications "in the flesh".
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22nd June 2019, 17:17
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My Kobra needed a bit of fettling. Especially after I transported the bonnet badly. Some magic with sandpaper and filler (and a bloody good body shop) and I’m very happy with the results.
My next tribute will be either another Kobra ( I want a Matt black one that looks as ratty as my earlier attempt ) or even a Z*gato if they are produced in Cali form. I have driven the 250 SWB coupe and felt a bit restricted. It’s all about the roof down for me.
Oh and I’m lazy and don’t want to deal with door skins
I didn’t even fit a filler cap ...
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22nd June 2019, 20:09
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveP
I didn’t even fit a filler cap ...
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Only drove it until you emptied the tank then??? That’s a design flaw methinks!
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19th June 2019, 21:31
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 36
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That is Very good progress for just one day in!
Car is going to look great with the rear window and bootlid conversion.
Oh, and welcome
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20th June 2019, 07:51
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Egham, Surrey
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If you are fitting the Grassbanks rear window, have a look at some of his other parts. Does a nice gear lever, front splash shields for the front and GRP wheel arches that close off the front and rear arches. He is also producing a Veglia dash insert to get rid of the original BMW dials, will look much nicer, will be perfect for Barbers dash.
He also sells the stainless steel electric side windows, these transform the look of the car but are £3.5k......ouch, but if you are going for a top quality build then I think they would be worth it.
If you need any help or advice, I'm just down the road in Egham.
One thing that I would suggest is that you ask CC to ensure that you get a tight gap around the bonnet. So many cars have a gap that you can get your fingers in down to the knuckles. It is a simple job to do and sets the build off.
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20th June 2019, 07:59
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Join Date: May 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaguartvr
If you are fitting the Grassbanks rear window, have a look at some of his other parts. Does a nice gear lever, front splash shields for the front and GRP wheel arches that close off the front and rear arches. He is also producing a Veglia dash insert to get rid of the original BMW dials, will look much nicer, will be perfect for Barbers dash.
He also sells the stainless steel electric side windows, these transform the look of the car but are £3.5k......ouch, but if you are going for a top quality build then I think they would be worth it.
If you need any help or advice, I'm just down the road in Egham.
One thing that I would suggest is that you ask CC to ensure that you get a tight gap around the bonnet. So many cars have a gap that you can get your fingers in down to the knuckles. It is a simple job to do and sets the build off.
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Thanks for your pointers! Indeed, there’s a few other items from the Grassbank catalogue that I’ve included in the spec having spoken with them at Stoneleigh and looked at their fantastic demo car in detail there. I’d love their electric windows but they’re too rich for my budget initially. I’ve a little of my own experience in developing an electric window system for a car designed without them so may have a go myself, but in all likelihood will probably stick with the standard slider for the foreseeable future!
Noted on panel gaps too - I have great confidence in Classic’s abilities in that area! Their own Coupe demo car is shaping up very nicely now!
Thanks again for the input! Appreciated!
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21st June 2019, 11:05
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Swindon, UK
Posts: 150
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Welcome Gary. Good progress so far. The 250 SWB mould is certainly better quality than the Kobra mould. Looking at your panels, there is a lot less prep to do. I am looking at getting this kit next, so will follow this thread closely. Great work and good luck.
Chris of Swindon
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21st June 2019, 14:47
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Egham, Surrey
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I think you will find the body of the kobra needs a lot less work than the 250. The 250 needs a lot of work to get the gaps right and the bonnet sitting correctly.
Then you have the mx250, I was tempted but the amount of bodywork needed put me off, I could see me giving up halfway through the build.
You then have the RS200, God help you, and finally, you have the Sammio. Apparently, it comes with its own noose so you can hang yourself in the garage!
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21st June 2019, 15:33
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Swindon, UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaguartvr
I think you will find the body of the kobra needs a lot less work than the 250. The 250 needs a lot of work to get the gaps right and the bonnet sitting correctly.
Then you have the mx250, I was tempted but the amount of bodywork needed put me off, I could see me giving up halfway through the build.
You then have the RS200, God help you, and finally, you have the Sammio. Apparently, it comes with its own noose so you can hang yourself in the garage!
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I meant the condition of the received GRP. Apparently this is because the 250 mould is better, newer, and there have been many more pulls from the Kobra mould comared to the 250.
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21st June 2019, 19:14
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ascot, Berks
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I'm sorry and I really don't want to ruffle feathers being a newbie here, but I can't help feeling you guys are maligning Tribute a little unjustly.
I had a good look at a Kobra kit at Classic Coachworks the other day as well as my own SWB, plus I've quite some experience with glass fibre in my past and I think the kits are fantastic quality for the money.
OK so some fettling is required to a greater or lesser degree, but what are they? Sub £6k for a full SWB kit or £3k for the Kobra? C'mon guys!
Latest photo, taken yesterday with the front end's first trial fit....
IMG_0656.jpg
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