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Back to 'Short Nose' configuration... ...and plans for a new grille

WorldClassAccident 2 Jul 2017, 5:32pm
After a recent bird strike taking out the grille on the 'long nose' Barchetta I had a chat with Chris about putting a proper metal grille in place and he came up trumps with a set of these cut steel pieces for me to play with.

20170702_175955 by WCA!, on Flickr

The plan is to do something like the Maserati but without the badge



Meanwhile I will be looking like this for a while

20170702_175858 by WCA!, on Flickr

20170702_175920 by WCA!, on Flickr

20170702_175907 by WCA!, on Flickr
DaveP 2 Jul 2017, 5:52pm
The new grill sounds like a neat idea.

Liking the short nose look though. A lot :)
WorldClassAccident 2 Jul 2017, 6:06pm
I am going to have to change my welding style for this project. At the moment I have perfected the Totally non-penetrative lace splatter weld.

Apparently this isn't the preferred technique when working on cars
Jaguartvr 2 Jul 2017, 7:21pm
Looking at that I wonder if there is a reason why we can't have a 250swb that uses the existing Z3 doors and a bolt on rear clam like the 3000s or Cobra. The doors are probably the trickiest part of the build.
Barber 2 Jul 2017, 8:06pm
I agree about using original doors. Been part of all of my cobbled together variations. A coupe that uses original windows would be a boon also.
Lucky@LeMans 2 Jul 2017, 8:22pm
Jaguartvr wrote:
Looking at that I wonder if there is a reason why we can't have a 250swb that uses the existing Z3 doors and a bolt on rear clam like the 3000s or Cobra. The doors are probably the trickiest part of the build.


I'm not sure if Chris made a mold for this, I know it was a one off commissioned by Nick. Part 3000s bonnet joined to a 250 SWB nose.
There might well be a market out there for a simplified 250 SWB kit. Fewer panels would add up to a quicker build and a cheaper kit.
Barber 3 Jul 2017, 8:01am
It could be a solution if tne vat takes the price too high for some, and demand falls away. But this does not seem to be an issue currently as by all accounts they are rushed off their feet.
WorldClassAccident 3 Jul 2017, 8:07am
My bonnet was a cut and shut using the front of a 250 and the back of a Z300S, not a proper mould job.

Doing a full 250 without doors would change the bonnet, roof and back end. Basically every panel. The end result would be a car that doesn't look right. Mine looks okay and I am happy with it BUT a few non-car people have asked why I put an MG nose on my car.

Is is a proportion thing. The Z3 is just too narrow to carry off the 250SWB look without the door skins.

It is all part of Chris's evil genius. He makes kits cheap enough to afford and beautiful enough to need and then expects you to put some effort into finish them to your desired standard. He's a bastard like that!
Jaguartvr 3 Jul 2017, 8:19am
I honestly couldn't tell the difference from to between your bonnet and mine from the posted pictures.
The door skin where it sits on the widest part of the door, horizontal centre line is probably less than 1cm. It is more top and bottom but all you would lose is a bit of curvature. I think it would work on the convertible.
WorldClassAccident 3 Jul 2017, 8:39am
Look behind the front wheel. I have the little winglets like on the Z3 rather than the bonnet going all the way down. Photo shows approx cut line

Z300S Shortnose by WCA!, on Flickr
Jaguartvr 3 Jul 2017, 9:22am
Wouldn't take much to add them to the bonnet mould.
landmannnn 3 Jul 2017, 3:39pm
WorldClassAccident wrote:
I am going to have to change my welding style for this project. At the moment I have perfected the Totally non-penetrative lace splatter weld.

Apparently this isn't the preferred technique when working on cars


There should be a switch on your welder with a pigeon engraved on it. The amateurs forget to turn this switch off which is why their welding is poor.
Lucky@LeMans 3 Jul 2017, 5:55pm
WorldClassAccident wrote:
Look behind the front wheel. I have the little winglets like on the Z3 rather than the bonnet going all the way down. Photo shows approx cut line

Z300S Shortnose by WCA!, on Flickr


Have you placed your order for a 275 front end yet ? If Chris was up for it I'd be in the market for one too !
Paul L 14 Jul 2017, 8:43pm
WCA - Look forward to seeing the finished grille on the car. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)
Scottie22 2 Aug 2017, 11:37am
Looking forward to the first bird-strike on the new grille, they will be neatly sliced up for the barby!!
WorldClassAccident 2 Aug 2017, 8:09pm
Should get it back from the powder coasters soon, then work out how to attach it securely.

Perhaps I should have sharpened the leading edges for the full sliced and diced pheasant effect
WorldClassAccident 10 Aug 2017, 6:06pm
It's back...

20170810_163950 by WCA!, on Flickr

... and still weighs a ton. I will need a jack to raise the bonnet once this beauty is mounted.

Now I need to work out how to glass the brackets into the existing bonnet so they are secure enough to hold the bloody thing.
DaveP 11 Aug 2017, 6:59pm
looks darn good though - however heavy :)

Dave
Barber 15 Oct 2017, 1:37pm
Looks great, well done.
redratbike 15 Oct 2017, 2:23pm
Yeah that works ...

gives it a whole heap of character and a nod towards the original plan ...

a Maserati tributo
oxford1360 15 Oct 2017, 2:37pm
Wow, I l liked it before, but that seems to bring everything together really nicely. Looks fantastic.

I pity the first bird of rabbit that you encounter.