Tribute Automotive MX250 GTO

Tribute Automotive · #1 22nd September 2011, 19:57

Who's interested in a cheap and easy to build Mazda MX5 based body conversion?

My new project is starting with a set of panels from an old Datsun 240Z based 250 GTO kit, I am currently re-working them to fit an MX5 (thank you in advance Gary) as shown in the Photoshop mock-up above.

I want this to be an affordable, fun car. Kit prices to be announced as the project progresses over the next couple of months, with build photo's on this tread.

The Tribute Automotive website will be up and running again soon.

I look forward to any and all comments.

Regards
Chris Welch
Tribute Automotive

JG · #2 23rd September 2011, 00:11

I love the 250 GTO and it will be interesting to see how this pans out. Very best of luck with it.

John

tricky360 · #3 3rd October 2011, 19:18

how about a mini 250 gt california like in ferris bullers day off on a mx5?

Tribute Automotive · #4 3rd October 2011, 21:04

That's a great idea, and it may well happen as a modified version of the convertible GTO I have planned.

Very early mock up shot attached. Watch this space.

Roadster · #5 15th January 2012, 07:03

Hi Chris any update on this project yet? I have seen a few shells sell on ebay

Tribute Automotive · #6 15th January 2012, 14:06

I am making some progress between other jobs and will be starting a new tread in the build section in the next few days , I hope, with more photos. The shells on ebay are from the moulds taken straight from the Datsun based kit, to recoup some of the money invested.

Here's a Photoshopped image of the kit on an MX5 as it should look when finished.

bladerunner · #7 16th January 2012, 15:54

If you can get the finished car to look anything like the photoshop picture then you will be on to a winner. I haven’t seen anything like this in the UK apart from the MEVX5 but this design doesn’t have a boot which restricts the practicality and it doesn’t look like a £12 million supercar only a £25k lotus! There are a couple of MX5 fastback coupes in the US but seem to be very expensive. See Simpson Design and Autoconnextion on the internet.
Looking at your second photoshop picture you appear to be suggesting a smooth door skin with a straight upper edge and neat door handles. This is an excellent idea to disguise the base car and will allow for more fettling between the new fixed panels and new door skin. The new door reminded me of the old Lotus Elite design. Perhaps this could be your next project when you finish this one using the same door panels.
One area which might be worth exploring is using the MK2 MX5 as a base for the build. They are now cheap enough to consider this type of conversion. Have a look at the Simpson Italia 2 GTB and GTC design.
Good luck with your project. You deserve some good luck after your previous dealing with Bentley.

Tribute Automotive · #8 16th January 2012, 19:08

Thank you for your kind comments.

As I stated at the top of this tread I want this to be an " affordable, fun car" so prices will be kept as low as possible. I would rather sell a lot of kits at an reasonable price rather than one at a high price!

This picture was taken today. As you can see I am considering using the standard MX5 door so people don't have to worry about getting panel gaps right between two GRP panels. The swage line will need filling and the door handle changing but I think these will be easier jobs for home builders. I may change my mind back to the door skin idea yet though.

bladerunner · #9 17th January 2012, 10:43

Thanks for the updated progress picture Chris. Keep them coming. Your philosophy of building a lot of cars at a reasonable price is a sound one. It has worked well for your friend Gary Janes at Sammio cars. Do you intend to follow in Gary’s mould (sorry for the bad pun) and supply a basic body or will you supply a more comprehensive kit?
Your decision to not fit a separate door skin is probably a good one. My only concern would be fitting the front and rear panels and getting a consistent gap around the door. The Astonish Aston Martin MX5 replica supply some build instructions and the rear body has a thin lip which laps inside the rear of the door to aid body alignment and give a nice edge which doesn’t need body filler. Unfortunately they suggest that to fit the doors properly you might need to shave a bit of the hinges to get back the equal vertical door gaps. Maybe the answer is to adjust the front gap to suit the rear gap or don’t fit a lip on the rear body panel.

lancelot link · #10 17th January 2012, 19:41

Chris ...thats looking bloody good !

I echo the previous comments about the B*ntley saga ....most people would have given up after all that b*llsh*t and financial kick in the proverbials..

It is bloody hard making money in this industry - people think its a glamourous fun time , but it can be very tough and financially disasterious pursuing dreams...I know !

Keep at it because that is looking pretty convincing and is the best looking attempt at an MX5 rebody I have seen so far........nearly as pretty as my little Sammio's ...

Tribute Automotive · #11 18th January 2012, 20:10

Gary ... Thanks. I don't think it's possible to give up when you have so many ideas in your head, there just aren't enough hours in the day to get them turned into cars, as you very well know.

Bladerunner ... I intend to start by just supplying the body panels, as all the lights, handles, wheels etc are available to buy direct from many suppliers. But if there are requests for comprehensive kits I will hold some stock of all parts.

I think the best route with the door gap issue is to do what I did on the GT Coupe, where the rear wing panel finished a few inches before the rear of the door shut and were bonded on and then blended in with filler. I will keep you informed.

mx5teo@planet.nl · #12 31st January 2012, 19:40

Hi chris
I am very interested in your project mx250 gto.
Can you send me some pictures of your work on the car?
I am a mx5 & miata specialist in the Netherland
I ve been building several miata Italia 's and z3 conversions
I,ve even build a mx5 NB coupe replica .
Maybee I can sell your kit in Europa.
Hope to hear soon from you.

regards Theo Mugie
Car Conversion Brabant

Tribute Automotive · #13 2nd March 2012, 20:24

MX5teo, sorry for the delay in replying, too much going on at the moment, I will be progressing the MX250 build to a finished kit over the next 6 weeks in time for the UK show season. I have been distracted by 2 other base cars.

Toyota Supra. This used to be the buck for the Tribute B*ntl*y GT, I needed to sell the car in more finished form so added one of my 240Z kits with 6" added down the centre!

This was a 1970's Lotus Elite rolling shell that came up locally and at the right price. It stripped down quickly to leave an excellent GRP floorpan to bond the new outer panels to. Still lots of work to do, front still need aligning etc, but starting to look good.

Progress on the MX5 around the side window area:

More pictures tomorrow, changes to back window area and boot lid before making moulds of back and roof.

Tribute Automotive · #14 5th March 2012, 18:09

I should have moved this thread to the right place sometime ago, so will do it now, see you in the "General Build Chat" area......

mx5teo@planet.nl · #15 5th March 2012, 19:07

Thanks chris
Nice projects you have going at the moment .
I 'll follow you closely for the MX250 GTO.
Hopefully you do an MX250 GTO convertible as well.
grtz teo

Tribute Automotive · #16 5th March 2012, 20:26

Thanks Teo, I may do a soft top version, but want to see how it goes with the hard top first.

bladerunner · #17 20th March 2012, 13:48

I know the thread has been moved to a different area but I was curious about your Lotus Elite re-body which is mentioned in this area. The Lotus Elite, Eclat and Excel are an interesting choice because at the moment they are the unloved models which sell at very low prices. The problem with this type of Lotus is the four seat arrangement positions the drivers seat well forward and makes a traditional sports car, with two seat, a bit difficult to engineer and get the aesthetics right.

I have a design proposal which I thought you might be interested in Chris.
If you based your design on an existing mid engine arrangement you could keep the seating and floorpan as per the donor car. A design reminiscent of the Jaguar XJ13 would be a very nice solution. Your MX250 bonnet moulding could be used with front scallops removed and perhaps new bonnet with louvers and NACA scoops. A new rounded rear body and wrap round Perspex fly screen, as per the Sammio G46 could be the base design with the option of a proper windscreen (possible from a Ginetta G27) and a targa top to keep out the rain.
A quad cam V12 engine could be mocked-up under the rear Perspex cover, if desired, just like some of the Ferrari replica designs based on the Ford Cougar or Peugeot 406 coupe.

I assume that because the base car is a Lotus there wouldn’t be an issue displaying a Lotus badge on the finished car. This must be a good selling point for this type of design.

I assume you had plans to market this option or was it only a one off to get back some of your investments?

Good luck with the MX250 GTO. Have you considered offering this kit with a different range of options? I think a completely clean body with all the 250 GTO excrescences’ removed (front and rear vents) would be popular option for the person that just wants an Italian sports car flavour rather than a replica. It would also help fuel efficiency and top speed which should be improved anyway compared to the basic MX5.

Tribute Automotive · #18 21st March 2012, 20:25

You are quite right about these Lotus' (Loti?) being unloved and cheap, that was the main reason that I bought this one and another bare shell since (£50!). The problem seems to be the fragile engines they were originally fitted with, hence the planned V6/V8 I have planned for the this one.

I like your design proposal, some good ideas to make it a simple build for the home builder using the bulkhead in the stock location. I am, however, planning to move the pedals, steering and seats back to create something along these lines:

Some more great images at http://www.kidston.com/kidston-cars/...-Sport-Spider#

I wasn't planning a kit based on the Lotus, but perhaps a series of individual rolling projects or finished cars using the same basic layout/shell.

Reference the MX250, yes, we have made the moulds in 16 sections so that we can replace/blank certain parts to give various options. This kit will develop into other forms/looks of cars as and when we have the time.

Thanks for your thoughts, I can see we think in a similar way.

Hammy · #19 2nd January 2013, 17:27

Well into planning stage now, can anyone recommend a retro wheel supplier as I have been reading bad things about image wheels who's website looks great.

Simpsm2003 · #20 18th September 2014, 11:36

I know this is an old thread but I came across it today and it's similar to a project I am planning for the winter.

My original plan was to build a mx250 coupe as advertised on the tribute site then after lots of mind changing via triumph based d-type to miglia modified d24 replica I now find myself thinking of taking the mx250 convertible kit and removing the folding roof and windscreen and grafting on a head fairing.

At the moment this is my plan and I hope to upload some sketches soon (I trained as an automotive designer)

I would really like to see a list of the available products from tribute obviously I'm aware of the mx250 and the d style kits but having stumbled across rs2000 replica kit too I assume the range is large than those widely advertised. I understand the threats from large motor companies can sometime keep kit produces from shouting too much about things (eg Bentley)

Hope to get more involved in discussions as my project develops

Ps Swb z3 project looks amazing

Mel Simpson