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We have had quite a few enquiries from from people wanting to use the newer Mk2 MX5 as the base car for our body conversion, so off I went and bought a very cheap Mk2 with a smoking habit. Having given it to a third party to fix the problem, which to be fair they did as it no longer smokes, it now sounds like a diesel due to incorrectly assembled top end!
So, with the Newark Show deadline getting close I decided to buy another Mk2 with tax and MOT to meet that deadline, as we wanted to take the Mk1 Demo car and an unfinished car to illustrate the build process.
Starting last Friday (8th) we drove the car into the workshop and whilst Dan stripped the car ready for the body conversion, I fabricated the shell brace/roll bar. Note the lips of the rear wheel arches are rolled out to increase tyre clearance.
No progress over the weekend, but today (Monday) we started again on the car, fitting the rollcage first.
Next we bonded on the top mounting panel/parcel shelf.
Next we fitted the lower mounting panel/boot extender, this had to be shortened as we discovered that the Mk2 rear panel is 2.5" further back than the Mk1's.
The paint was then removed from channel at the top of the windscreen frame, before being having 2-part expoxy adhesive applied.
We then hung the rear section of the body onto the car.
Once in place metal plates need to be bonded and riveted into the doorshut/windscreen head area.
Because the Mk2's outer skin is a different shape to the Mk1's we have had to trim back and add some relief cuts into the fibreglass to adjust its shape. It was then bonded on and will be riveted every few inches.
More progress tomorrow, ready to drive to Newark on Friday afternoon.
thats a great looking kit chris, ive just finished a sammio build. now just got tell the mrs you got a old classic with a roof..wot rear glass do you fit ?
Sleep? He hasn't got time for such luxuries! Neither have I, more photo's to follow.
BTW Nick, I am going to do a colour change in Photoshop of the demo car for another customer, what colour do you want yours in?
I flip between red, because the demo looks so good, my fave colour BRG , or a confusing dark silver. Depends on what doner I end up with. I have never sprayed metallic (not many boats are!), so silver may need some practice.
Other thoughts....I have seen some pics of 250's with closed front triple vents, with dezus fasteners. Barely visible at a glance, but sort of still there.
Must say I thought your photoshopped headlight covers were rather good.
Finally do you reckon optimum wheel tyre width as per your previous post? I am thinking 14" with 70 or 80 profile tyres. Widths seem tricky to find, how about same rims different width tyres (min to max permissible width)?
Nick
Whoops just seen your post to Billy. Will av a look. 16s!
thats a great looking kit chris, ive just finished a sammio build. now just got tell the mrs you got a old classic with a roof..wot rear glass do you fit ?
Its Renault 5, phase 2.
The weather recently has made me want a car with a roof....!
thats a great looking kit chris, ive just finished a sammio build. now just got tell the mrs you got a old classic with a roof..wot rear glass do you fit ?
Thanks Mulberry, buy your wife one too!
As Nick said, the rear glass and rubber is Renault 5. Just picked up 10 tonight, although 4 have homes to go to already. I had a Nissan Micra in the workshop the other day and the rear screen looks like another option.
Mulberry Gary, Lizzie has already got her eye on one, she saw it at stoneleigh no convincing required does look nice called in last Saturday with Gary they only a few miles from Sammio, PAT
Whats interesting Chris , is the amount of Sammio-ists that are showing an interest in your car.......I wonder if its the same retro race car feel , the ease of build , the price , the similar ethos and attitude towards kit building we both have , dunno , maybe a combination of all of that...
Maybe you should bring one along to our little gathering at the end of the month !
I think that's exactly it Gary. Low costs, simplicity, retro looks and no IVA! Two very similar concepts.
As I'd never really been a fan of the 250 GTO shape (most beautiful car in the world? Really?) my interest is in a self built good looking weather resistant daily driver that won't cost the earth to build and run. The Tribute MX250 could well fit the bill, but, when funds allow, a Cordite with doors, no humps, a 356 glass windscreen and folding hood to match might just win me over.
Anyway, it's nice to see another company picking up the baton and selling good old fashioned kits that cost less to build than a four year old Fiesta, instead of more than an entry level Audi.
Whats interesting Chris , is the amount of Sammio-ists that are showing an interest in your car.......I wonder if its the same retro race car feel , the ease of build , the price , the similar ethos and attitude towards kit building we both have , dunno , maybe a combination of all of that...
Maybe you should bring one along to our little gathering at the end of the month !
As you have always said Gary the Sammio range and the MX250 are very different products, different decade for inspiration, different build process, very different base vehicle, open top vs hard top etc. But it would appear that, despite this, they both seem to be of interest to similar people. Like you say it must be the broader appeal of the period race image, quick and easy building, and cost that makes the MX250 of interest to the Sammio family.
Sorry that I can't come along to your gathering at the end of the month, but I will be on a much needed sunny holiday. Dan might bring a car along though.
Nearly there with the Mk2 build. Just needs boot latching, filler cap fitting and a bit more filling/sanding before the drive to Newark. Had a quick drive late this afternoon, got a few looks when in convoy!
To me the wheels on the mk2 suit the car much better. The set on your red car are nice, don't get me wrong, but I just feel they look that bit too modern, like they belong on a 90's 348 or Mondial rather than a sixties GTO. Just my two new pennies worth.
Nice one Chris, our test example is going nicely as well. Greeting from Polish garage! Car is off to the painters now, I have sent you two emails as well, have a look Chris.
Two days ago, still with shit looking wipers but this has been modified so we retained original arms (technical inspection reasons):
Great to see you are getting on so well, please post more pictures when you can.
I have just checked my mailbox, sorry it was full up! In answer to your question about wheel sizes it looks like your car has the maximum width on the front (9 inch?) and the rear arch will, in theory take an 11 inch wide rim with the correct offset and tyre size, but I cannot say 100% without trying a wheel on the car. I will do some accurate measurements when I am back from Newark Show.
Hi mate, only one true color for GTO Chris!
I will post some more photos on Monday, so far plan is 8J for front and 10J for the rear.
We have also adjustable suspension on our donor so we will fiddle a bit to see what is the best compromise between wide of the rimm and height of the suspension.
Will post some effects.
No worries about an email, if I am stuck i will give you a call (about the orders as well)
in the workshop the other day and the rear screen looks like another option. 
