Nubodi Automotive - Reading - Page 7

smash · #**121** 8th December 2015, 17:39

Cool - was worried. Almost worth parting the plate out for the cheapest 1 owner donor ever!

I should've let you find my donor....

Tribute Automotive · #**122** 8th December 2015, 19:47

Hi Smash and Richard,

Your SWB convertible kit will be ready for collection on Monday.

smash · #**123** 8th December 2015, 23:02

Excited!!

Triumph Special · #**124** 9th December 2015, 10:54

Each to their own, of course, but to me being able to use the donor interior untouched is a major part of the appeal in the Kalifornia and Kobra. So many kits are let down by their trim and having something with modern ergonomics and functionality is a real bonus.

IanA · #**125** 10th December 2015, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triumph Special

...So many kits are let down by their trim and having something with modern ergonomics and functionality is a real bonus.

+1 from me. The only things I'm contemplating doing to my Z300S are dyeing the leather seats a darker shade of brown and fitting a wood rim steering wheel.

Lucky@LeMans · #**126** 10th December 2015, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triumph Special

Each to their own, of course, but to me being able to use the donor interior untouched is a major part of the appeal in the Kalifornia and Kobra. So many kits are let down by their trim and having something with modern ergonomics and functionality is a real bonus.

+1 for me too . There are some good options with the Z3 . The all black interior with the early plain leather seats is probably one of the better choices.
Change of steering wheel , a few selected chrome bits and removal of the BMW logo's. Job done !

WorldClassAccident · #**127** 10th December 2015, 18:23

My interior has new door panels and a centre console. A bit of leather glued to the dash top. That's about it really.

Still looks significantly different and I think it looks age appropriate. Original leather seats and dash don't bring it down to much I think

Nubodi Automotive · #**128** 10th December 2015, 18:27

Got two more 250 swb build commissions today.We now have enough work around till next March.

Cut out and resin bonded in the filler cap recess into a Coupe shell earlier.

And on the other coupe build we straightened up the wonkey roof scoop.

Mister Towed · #**129** 10th December 2015, 20:16

-ve 1 from me. Stock BMW Z3 interior is Horrid with a capital huh.

Each to their own though, I suppose. Sniff.

IanA · #**130** 10th December 2015, 20:52

For an Hamerican car with a capital huh, it's not that bad- could have been a lot worse.

Danny_HUFC · #**131** 10th December 2015, 22:15

I must admid that I hate the interior of my kobra! Its spoils the look of the whole car

smash · #**132** 10th December 2015, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubodi Automotive

Got two more 250 swb build commissions today.We now have enough work around till next March.

Not surprised the demo car is paying dividends - it's a stunner.

Mister Towed · #**133** 11th December 2015, 06:09

Yeah, apologies to all those who find the Z3 interior comfortable and ergonomic, when I typed that comment I had very slightly od'd on a rather amusing Grenache...

What i really meant to say is that I feel it's a shame to keep such a modern, plastic (even if high quality plastic) heavy dash and interior, and obviously modern seats in a car that outwardly convinces the observer that it was built in another era.

Tribute make some very convincing homages to some very beautiful cars. It's a shame if the owner/driver is the only person who can't see any of its classic looks when it's on the road. Believe me, a complete change of interior to a more authentic period style will transform the driving experience far more than any engine or chassis mods.

For a 250GT I'm looking at the original cars' dashes and the Fiat Coupe dash and thinking it'd be a relatively easy job to make a flat, body coloured panel for the BMW gauges to sit behind, with an upholstered 'eyebrow' above and protruding that could use the five or six inches of Z3 dash closest to the windscreen as a starting point to fabricate from scratch.

Anyway, I for one am really looking forward to seeing some original thinking from builders when it comes to Tribute interiors.

WorldClassAccident · #**134** 11th December 2015, 08:36

I had planned somethig more radical with the interior and got to about here...

...and realised just how much work was involkved and how much wiring etc there was behind the dash.

Every switch has mutli-functions so several wires. I removed what I could do without and hid the rest behind a fake panel with switches. The area behind the dash is remarkably full of stuff so might be difficult to make it much smaller

I would be interested in seeing what someone with electrical skills could do though.

Nubodi Automotive · #**135** 11th December 2015, 10:34

Hi Guys
Just spoke to Steve Hole at Total kit car Magazine (or now Track Kit Custom) and he said his article on the 250SWB Kalifornia will be in the December issue. This is the one we have been waiting for as the photos were fantastic. Make sure you get a copy!
Subscriptions go out earlier but should be in all newsagents by January 2nd.

WorldClassAccident · #**136** 11th December 2015, 11:27

Looking forward to it

Mister Towed · #**137** 11th December 2015, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

I had planned somethig more radical with the interior and got to about here...

...and realised just how much work was involkved and how much wiring etc there was behind the dash.

Every switch has mutli-functions so several wires. I removed what I could do without and hid the rest behind a fake panel with switches. The area behind the dash is remarkably full of stuff so might be difficult to make it much smaller

I would be interested in seeing what someone with electrical skills could do though.

Ooh, so near and yet so far. Bit more stripping of plastic appendages to get it looking like this -

...bish bash bosh with a bit of fibreglass and filler and you could've ended up with something like this -

Silk purse out of sow's ear? No problem.

Nubodi Automotive · #**138** 15th December 2015, 11:27

Hi Everyone
Just got my latest issue of Car Mechanics magazine. (January 2016)
They are running a 4 page servicing guide (full service) on a BMW Z3 2.8 manual.
Thought it may be of interest to newby's?

They have contacted us and asked about building a 250 SWB for them next year, with the build serialised over a few months. Phew busy year!

Triumph Special · #**139** 15th December 2015, 14:50

For me retaining the interior just means ease or use and, when my girlfriend uses the car, it won't appear to be too different to other moderns that she's used to. I'm not keen on appearing to replicate a Ferrari and certainly won't use prancing horse badges etc, so it shouldn't be too much like it's pretending to be something it's not. I see the Kalifornia as an inexpensive and practical alternative to a big-engined TR, or similar.

IanA · #**140** 15th December 2015, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubodi Automotive

Hi Everyone
Just got my latest issue of Car Mechanics magazine. (January 2016)
They are running a 4 page servicing guide (full service) on a BMW Z3 2.8 manual...

Presumably it will end up here: pdf-magazine-download.com/18183-car-mechanics-january-2016.html which is a paid download site- it's not free !!!

The latest version there at present is August 2015.