MadaboutKitcars

Hi, It's time to introduce myself and my project.
I've been a serial classic/kit car/hot rod/motorbike owner for the last 40 years owning cars such as V8 Austin A30, Chopped Ford Pop, replica Ford Model A roadster, B roadster, A pickup, Ford model A pickup on a Beetle floorpan, Lowered tuned Renault 4, Triumph Renown with V6 and until earlier this year a !956 International Harvester with Jaguar running gear.
I've never had any mechanical ability but it never stopped me as I can visualise a look I'm trying to achieve and find the parts to get there. I see myself more as a project manager.






IMG]http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=20&pictureid=80[/IMG]







Time for a new project and a new direction. So I looked on this site and bought a 2.8 Z3, nicknamed by our car club as 'The Kebab' as it's only a Doner… yes, I know, daft but we are a pretty daft little group.




It looks good in the pictures but is a '10 yard' car, the paint is not great and the hood has small holes. Perfect as they'll be going anyway.

A trip to see Chris has ended with me being booked for a 250 swb conversion in the Spring.

Another web site I go on has several members who are good at photoshop so I put in a few of my paint & detail ideas up to see if they could do a likeness to help me pick a plan. It's not produced anything sensible yet, but I do love this idea. The number of purists you could really offend would make all the work worthwhile.


Now the fun starts, I can make a shopping list of lights, mirrors etc to take down at conversion time. I'd still like someone who can do photoshop to picture my colour and wheel choice ideas if anyone here can.

All the best for Christmas and the New Year. I'll write more when things start to happen. (I did buy a service kit and a tyre today. Not exciting but best to get the basics sorted first.

Cheers, Bob.

Bob - You have certainly owned some very nice cars in your time.

It looks like your 250 SWB project is really going to turn heads.

Good luck, Paul.

and you won't find many purists on here!

So what is your colour and wheel choice??.

I'm thinking old english white although that may change when I get the car with it's white gel coat shell.
Wheels, subject very much to cost, preferably 17" Salt Flats style alloys or perhaps banded 17" steels.

Once the kit is on, I'll sort the wheels and they will decide on the rest of the style I go for.

Most of my other cars have been stuck in a workshop until finished. It will be nice for me (and my wallet) to be able to do this in stages and drive it in between.

Cheers, Bob.

Love the Renault 4 on Gordini rims, did it have the turbo drivetrain too?

Also like the Mexican lowrider look on the 250SWB (to my surprise), got to be possible to 'bag the suspension and cause a few heart attacks at Goodwood Revival Members Club when one of Ferrari's finest does an absurd lean and hop routine at the breakfast meet.

Looking forward to seeing this one come together and I think old English white will look great.

Hi Mr Towed,
Thanks for your comments. I love your lowrider idea, but perhaps I'll leave it for the next one!
I did by the running gear from a Gordini Turbo but it was an unknown quantity and as the car already ran a 5TS 1300cc engine which was quick and very economical, I didn't use it.

Cheers, Bob.

Hi all and a happy and peaceful New Year to you.

Sorted my deposit check today to reserve an early kit and workshop slot.

Bought the new number plates MIG1807 which should look much better, especially when on 'show only' black and silver plates.

Just waiting the confirmation from Chris on a couple of parts questions, then I can order all the parts needed for phase 1.

Car is in a friend's workshop next week for a full service and a good check through to make sure all is ok before we start.

More updates when things get going.

Cheers, Bob.

Rover V8 in an A30.
Good idea?
Discus..........

:0)

Al

mmm...

Doable, might need some upgrades to the brakes/suspension/steering/body.

Rover V8 in an A30.
Good idea?
Discus..........

:0)


mmm...

Doable, might need some upgrades to the brakes/suspension/steering/body.

And you would need either a turbo or supercharger!

Actually, my pal had an A30 with a 1275 on midget wires and disks. Even that seemed to want to go sideways at the mildest provocation.

It was great!

Al

Under the standard body was a box section frame with Granada suspension so it stopped well and handled reasonably. The chap I bought it from would tow a large caravan to the hot rod nationals, do the burnout competition until the (spare) tyres burst then at the end of the weekend, hook up the caravan again in drive home. It was certainly reliable and enormous fun.

Hi Bob,

Here's how your rear light option may look:



Very Aston. Should only take a couple of hours to amend the kit before we fit it.

Thanks, I like that, they're certainly going in the box to come down with me.
Bob.

Can I ask what those lights are from?
Sunbeam Alpine?

Al

Hi Al, They are from a Sunbeam Rapier and some early 'series' Minx and Gazelle.
Lucas L572

Cheers, Bob.

Ta, I thought they looked 'Rootes Group'

Al

Bits are starting to arrive now ready for the big change.
So far as well as the rear lights, I have the rear window, door and boot handles, boot catch and washer jets. Front and other lights will come from Newark Autojumble in a couple of weeks.

Chris…if you get the chance could you measure the roof vent size so I can look for a suitable brake light. Also please let me know if I need to sort a fuel cap.

I've also bought this wheel from a mate who, as if so often the case, bought it for a project which he moved on without fitting it. He's since bought the wheel back from me as it's too modern for my plans.

Bob.

what rear window is used in the 250SWB kit?

mgb gt

Renault 5

Yes, it's MGB GT. Mines here ready.

Bob.

Nick, go to the back of the class and stand in the corner, the R5 window is for the MX250 not the 250SWB

Tut tut, must pay attention!