Thats the same reason I changed my mind about it. And I regret not doing it now!

Cant wait to see more progress on this, think i have finally found a kit i REALLY want to build!

Popped into Chris today
Had a chance to put my rear light cups against the curves of the rear and im happy that they will blend into the shape well.
I also managed to hold my chosen diffuser to the rear clam.
Width and depth look very close. I will have to cut a section out and join the 2 mouldings.
The TVR style stainless cans look made for it.

I have been on holiday in Devon and Cornwall this week and I spotted a Z300s out in rush hour in Exeter.
It was unpainted with circular rear lamps. But despite it being a work in progress it looked great.
It had a certain TVR Griffith look about it.

Roadster - First of all, a very belated welcome back.

Seeing you build your first car outside gave me hope that I could do the same.
( Although with hindsight, I think we are both as dumb as each other! :icon_wink: )

Good luck with this new build, I look forward to seeing it develop.

By chance, I've just been updating the Useful Info Thread and spotted this.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6e063306.jpg

It's Patton's Z300, details here:
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...ead.php?t=5164

Cheers, Paul. :)

[QUOTE=Paul L;70497]Roadster - First of all, a very belated welcome back.

Seeing you build your first car outside gave me hope that I could do the same.
( Although with hindsight, I think we are both as dumb as each other! :icon_wink: )

Good luck with this new build, I look forward to seeing it develop.


Some may call us dumb :) - I like to think that we overcome obstacles.

Yes its was Patton's car, thanks for the link.

The Z300s is an underated model - im surprised more haven't been built.
I feel slightly guilty that we are cutting one up ...... but you cant make an omelette without breaking eggs.

Im really looking forward to the new model taking shape

Im still sketching and fleshing out the design.

Certain truths have emerged - the top of the grille opening has to share the Cobra's line or the whole design changes.

Im still unsure on the bonnet vent, it looks bland with no detail but for sure big vents look like an afterthought.

The side vents are also in question.
I have decided that the image of the cobra we all love is because is almost a caricature - cartoon like . Oversized grille, scoop, arches.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...psehmdkkty.jpg

Some of these oversized elements are difficult to incorporate into a modern design.
Even though Shelby approved the Ford styled Cobra concept, I personally don't like it

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...psgabqcx5e.jpg

Do your homework on offsets and wheels available at 5x120 - I don't think you'll achieve a dish like that, purely because they're aren't any dished wheels out there in 19/20 at 5x120 pcd.

AXE EX20's would look awesome - just make sure you have enough arch to do it

I see what you mean. They taken the outline from the side and the from the front has gone very blurry and wide. No round lights the curve of the grill

The sketch is an idea -a way to demonstrate the image in my mind. I cant draw exactly as it will be.
Im the stylist - I create the image Chris will sculpt the shape for real and therefore it will evolve.
The sketch was primarily to see how chosen colours and details will look
I have my wheels already
From my initial measurements I will need about 15mm spacers on the front as the Z300 is wider than the Z3 as it was designed to accomadate Nick's wire wheels and adaptors

I put 20" alloys on my Kobra and had to grind a bit of the front inner arches away so thy didnt rub on full lock.

I think the Z300s is wider than the Kobra
Chris added lips to the arch to bring the Kobra shell out to cover the Z3

Im sticking at 18's and I don't even think im lowering it if I can help it.
I've had race cars on the road fun but you don't drive them too far

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...psa57be0d4.jpg

I like the sketch you made. It's the red cobra photo I don't like. It's almost like they've tried to make it look like the Porsche turbo that Hammond drove on top gear . the 999 that was put against the Ferrari

If your able to keep a good depth on the front wings to the bonnet it should look great. The red car seems to take the outline of the cobra but lost the lovely curves. I think Porsche have done well to keep the balance right with the development of the 911taking in consideration the tweeks to aerodynamics and width for better handling

If your able to make light sizes and door lines from paper or card and place them against stripped BMW taping it on will save alot of time giving you scale and width before any panels are made. Working with what the donor can give you is the easier root , I've found it out the hard way

The rear lights were measured up on Thursday and Chris has had the front lights for weeks
Its really only slight changes to the Z300s
Consider it a nosejob rather complete reconstructive surgery

Use of the headlight lense as your shape for the headlights is a good idea. I was going to use modern pod lights they use on lotus 7's and put a lense over the front allowing a softer line on the front but was torn between concept and period custom. With the wheelbase on the mx5 being short, too much overhang made the scale and proportions look wrong so taking time on this is important. Measure twice cut once.

If you can keep as close to the sketch above I think it will look awesome. the BMW as a donor gives you more options and good for tyre sizes as they have as much as 26inch diameter on the classic tyres . I spent a lot on my donor to get it back to health having had the seal on the gearbox go and the cooling system shut down so didn't want to have to start again with a different donor as it also could have problems . whilst the new clutch kit was being fitted I had the timing and auxiliary belt fitted the water pump was faulty so that was replaced and Colling system bled and the broken screw under radiator replaced . possibly the previous owner miss timed a speed bump

The red Cobra is actually a Shelby Cobra Concept replica called the DRB540. Its made in Australia by DRB Sportscars.

I´m sure your Z300s will look a lot better if it looks similar to your sketch.

Its funny how your mood affects a sketch

Yesterday I was trying to keep the design clean and I was concentrating on how colour would impact on the styling.
I was happy enough to upload it but during the day I kept revisiting it - something had been lost in this rendition.

After sleeping on it and I grabbed my pencils and gave it another go.
I scribbled it down in seconds - lots of errant lines and scruffy but I think I caught it more this time.

I always wanted an aggressive style. Yesterdays was just a bit docile.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...pstf8blcul.jpg

I left a lot of the lines to show the contours, the complexity of the grille opening is more obvious.
I don't know how much of this styling will be in the finished article but I know Chris was on the same page during our initial brainstorming.

I don't get on with photoshop, im old fashioned in that sense but I do play with effects from time to time.
So how would the style cope in a dark palette?

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...psim3u7kcb.jpg

This is obviously just the negative but it does have a menace about it.
Less of a Cobra more a Vampire.

I know they are the same picture but the black one looks best!