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-   -   New Tribute Kit CB5 GT (https://madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7429)

theo-xke 31st July 2021 15:58

New Tribute Kit CB5 GT
 
A new non replica kit is on the way.
Maybe some of you already heard the rumors about.
Iam Theo from Germany, working on my project since december last year.
Original it should be a coachbuild one off, based on the MX5 NB for registration issues here in Germany. Car is build without chassis cutting, both crash bars are still intact.
https://i.ibb.co/xCqbh35/20210520-161808-resized-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/zS2g8zZ/20210520-155020-resized.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/H7PtWV7/thumbnail-2...38-resized.jpg

theo-xke 31st July 2021 16:26

Update CB5 GT
 
2 Attachment(s)
project is still ongoing, have the deal with Chris car is ready for moulding when iam happy with the design.
The car is clear 60s inspired, should be look like a restomod vintage car.
will post some updates here to show whats going on.
Last modifications are the spoiler lip in the front to avoid the sometimes strange look classic designs will have because very high in the front.
Spoiler helps to reduce lift at high speeds so more stable, special here in Germany on the highway.

theo-xke 31st July 2021 16:33

CB5 Coupe
 
2 Attachment(s)
will try to post modifications here when ready,
if some are interested i have 2 threads from that CB5 project
https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-type-inspired

here from start in December
https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=730733

plan is still to finish about september / october and bring the body to Chris for moulding and internal panels

theo-xke 31st July 2021 18:35

CB5 Coupe
 
had problems to upload pictures
https://i.ibb.co/Xz9wsjX/20210731-075417-resized-2.jpg
shape will be slightly changed, middle area will be exchangeable.
wheelarch is already changed, its lowered now, so still with original ride height the look is already nice.

IanA 1st August 2021 00:04

That's a nicely integrated design, Theo. With my Z300S I am a fan of the front already. As for the rear- the windows side and rear look great. Will it have a removable targa roof panel?

theo-xke 1st August 2021 07:44

CB5 Coupe
 
Targa would be my personal favorite, after moulding the coupe the roadster is on the way. Trunk panels are ready for finish so the roadster should follow shortly after the coupe.
Doing a nice Targa conversion will depend if customers like the shape of the CB5 and wiling to buy kits from Chris.
Its a niche, not related to replicas, a vintage inspired sportscar no one can estimate if we sell only 1 (thats mine!) or nice volumes so Chris is able to make money with.
So in short, if it sells i will do.

theo-xke 1st August 2021 07:59

CB5 Coupe
 
I would like to lift up quality of panels, its related to time you invest before moulding. Thats mainly to reduce build time to get a nice looking car.
I ques people not related to kitcars could be the main customers, so they want a finished car. Reducing build time means professional car builders or companies can build a car in a short time, lets say 2 weeks, so finished cars will be cheap compared to a vintage restored sportscar.
In Germany its the only way to sell that car, fully restored donor incl. engine new brakes , new suspension, fully trimmed interior with classic touch and perfect paint it will sell.
People who are able to build cars, have all the skills , passion and the time for building a car are not that much here in Germany, maybe different in UK but still more looking for a nice sportscar than kitcar related people.

theo-xke 1st August 2021 08:36

CB5 Coupe
 
Coming back to your requested Targa Iam working for automotive industry, customers like Porsche and BMW, so high quality is something in my DNA. A Targa is not only cutting away the roof, for me it would mean a new design targa related, something like this, but vintage inspired from old 911
https://i.ibb.co/0tJxMkb/Mazda-MX-5-...Template-1.jpg
That also means sorting out problems like water, noise at high speed, storage in the car, doing prototype plus improvements.
For lets say 5-10 cars it would make no comercial sense, would be for passion only, but lets see how everything develops next year.....

Jaguartvr 15th August 2021 07:24

It does look good but I think the donor choice is wrong.
My daughter's MK2.5 2003 vintage which is about as new as they get has finally succumbed to the dreaded tin worm. I knew the rear sills needed work and a local MX5 specialist was quoting reasonable prices but wanted to look over the car to check the structural condition before booking it in as they are very prone to rusty chassis legs.
The car is very clean and nothing was spotted at the last MOT except that some work would be needed on the rear sills.
On inspection the chassis legs have the normal corrosion, the cost of repairing them and the sills is going to be £1500 so not really economical. At the inspection the MX5 expert told me that front chassis leg corrosion is a real problem, they are double skinned in this area which causes the problem,MK1's aren't so don't suffer the same problem.
The expert feels that rusty MX5's will soon be a rare sight on the roads as they are scrapped, the remaining rust free cars becoming more desirable with a hefty price tag to match. Not a good thing if you are looking for a good cheap supply of domors.

theo-xke 11th September 2021 09:36

CB5 Coupe
 
I see it different, for me its a perfect donor car, lots of cheap parts available to improve to a high level for normal money. The reason the MK2, 21/2 rust is a fact, no discussion about. I would advise everyone before adding a bodykit like the CB5 to take care about the chassis first. A lot of nice looking cars have that problem not detected from the owner. For driving an MX5 it makes not that much sense for most people to invest 1500-2000 Euros to get a perfect chassis.
But if you compare a converted CB5 with a nice restored vintage car it starts to make sense. What kind of complete restored vintage car you are able to buy for about 15-20.000 Euros? And how much fun you really have driving 60 year old technology? How reliable they are? So for me doing this conversion makes a lot of sense, having a classic easy to use fun driving car no one else has. A perfect daily fun car for normal money, where else you find something like this?

theo-xke 11th September 2021 13:30

CB5 Coupe
 
little update, made my front spoiler for more modern look, will help aerodynamic and avoids the sometimes strange look from vintage design being very high at the front. https://i.ibb.co/y6mBFdW/20210812-144448-resized-2.jpg
no i has the classic-modern mixture i would like to have!
EU law says i have to have a additional side marker, so i added a new one, classic inspired but more modern than the older Aston version,
https://i.ibb.co/b2JRzyz/restovent.png
Side marker light is a sequential led one!

New front indicators fit nice, like the modern/classic look
https://i.ibb.co/4WCbSt8/20210817-082536-resized.jpg

a decent rear lower lip will finish the lower rear end. Its like a decent diffusor
https://i.ibb.co/qYXNVJr/20210910-150957-resized.jpg

IanA 13th September 2021 08:43

Looking good.
Taking a lesson from Jag's experience (and others), don't embark on a panel swap build without checking out the underlying car for known issues.
I know that relying on a recent inspection certificate (MOT in UK) is not good enough. Luckily in my case with the TFS, that was easily solved by careful inspection- the welding was unnecessary and non structural.

theo-xke 13th September 2021 12:38

100% agree with you. First thing before starting a project like this is a complete check about rust issues , would be a nightmare to invest a couple of tsd to find out later your car is already dead, so for me the most important thing is taking care on the donor before starting anything. And that money is well invested if you are going to build your dream. At the end of the day it will be only little money or work comparing to the finished new car .

theo-xke 11th July 2022 17:53

This week the CB5 will go to the next step, Chris will start to finish the outside, talking care to get left and right side more symmetric and finishing details.
When i get pictures from his work i will update the build here.


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