Wow!
Looks like frames for the rear window too!
:)

https://m.facebook.com/groups/181594...rofile_browser

The rear windscreen trip is that plastic chrome stuff.

Here are the pics, I managed to figure out how to make my phone a hotspot.

Side View of window frame
http://i64.tinypic.com/2m7dtsw.jpg

Side/Rear view of window frame and rear screen
http://i64.tinypic.com/2lnd7wp.jpg

I can't remember if the top of the frame incorporates the rain gutter but I think so, I will have to check with Chris.

That "rear quarter" window looks rather swish.

Scope for a future builder to make a pillar-less coupe.

It works really well with the Z3 window . Some matt black and it would look like a pillar-less design. Looks good regardless !

Barber – I’m not on Facebook, so great to see those photos on here. :cool:

I know developing the buck can be a difficult process, but it really does look the business.

Good luck, Paul. :)

Getting close on the front
 

Chris has nearly finished on the area around the grill. See pics below painted in Maranello Green.

http://i67.tinypic.com/1zog9oo.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/2jf0ntg.jpg

I hope that the Ford Motor Company do not take offence. :biggrin:

Windows look brilliant. As does the whole car frankly.

It's another level completely from the SWB - awesome work.

That looks a little more red than green!
If you have some green pics - please share!
I think one of my 911 projects is currently shaking in the garage knowing I’m looking at this...

key word "Maranello"

Ah, got it!

Thought you meant 550 Maranello green like this...
https://www.classicandsportsfinance....550-maranello/

DOH!

Now that colour could become a contender.

Just been working on a Boston Green Z3, very similar colour to the 550. Would save painting all the door shuts.

I think Smash is being a bit hard on the 250. Mine was a relatively simple build, the only problem being the front door shuts. This has now been resolved so is a much easier build, if the Z3gato is anywhere close in the way of fit and finish then it will be a winner. Bear in mind that it doesn't have door skins so should be a doddle to build.

Boston green is a great choice. So is the BMW dark green (BMW307).

Eh? Was just talking about the design and details so far - no one mentioned door shuts :)

Every new Tribute design seems to raise the bar in terms of styling and detailing - just think this is looking really impressive

Any thoughts about door handle changes?
Will you leave it as is or something different?
I’m guessing as there are no door skins, that might be a challenge.
I’ve seen a few different types on Z cars on the net.
Even one that seemed to have some sort of old fashioned draw type 1/4 cup handle with a single push button next to it.

Chris has suggested some Fiat type handles similar to those fitted by WCA on his Z300S. Apparently you can get them with a large mounting plate supplied. The pics have gone from WCAs thread, but you can see it on the Tribute website, it is the black one at the top. However, I may just put chrome covers on the existing handles. I like the look of some of the early BMW series handles. Something for me to research (again).

You mean the barchetta ones ??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-barc...oAAOSwcwdcmnSI

Yes, like that, but not yellow.

The only ones I could find for sale :biggrin:

£200! I’d want them gold plated for that! :)

Who knew Fiat part prices could rival Porsche prices...

They would look darn cool though.

message sent

Replied. The ones with the door panel section are the ones Chris meant I believe.

http://www.barchettaparts.com/catalo...product_id=710 Must admit they do look good

I have this bookmarked. The more I look, the more attractive they get. I liked WCAs when I saw them.

Is it possible to reshape the originals? Grind to new shape and chrome plate maybe?

Chrome plating / replacing the existing handles is a good idea, and was likely to be the default option. It would be much simpler.

BEWARE OF TOUCHING Z3DOOR LOCKS!

Have been working on 2 Z3's and both have deadlocked. Both have the roof down so I can get inside them, however even with the key in the ignition the doors cannot be opened from the inside. Do not confuse locking with deadlocking. As the doors have skins attached to them the outer door lock is unaccessible so the cars simply cannot be unlocked. I have had to drill a hole in doth cars door skins so that the door lock can be accesed, as soon as the key is inserted the car will unlock.
It is a design feature, if you lock the car with the roof down a potential thief cannot simply lean inside the car and unlock it, a sendible precaution but a PITA if you fit door skins over the lock.
I have cut a door up to see clearly how the door handle/lock works and to say it is over complicated is an understatement.
If you are going to fit door skins you should have a dummy key hole under the door handle on the skin so it can be removed to gain access to the original lock. If you start messing around with different door handle options you will end up with problems. For instance, not only does the key operate the locking mechanism, it also includes a microswitch that operates the door actuators, these are virtually inaccessible and overly complicated, not like a normal door solenoid.

You have got me worried now. Is it an option to remove the lock and secure it on the inside of the door so that it accessible by removing the door card. I suppose though that doesn’t help if the roof is down��

The door card can be removed with the door closed but if the door has deadlocked you can only open it using the key in the door lock which is hidden by the 250 door skin.

Found this on the web

BMW's fatal flaw?


Having owned BMW's for over 30years and a current owner of an X1, 5 series and a Z3 I will never buy another BMW until they fix this flaw.

Why?
Having had a nice Sunday lunch with our neighbours my wife pops into a garage to pick up some milk. Unbeknown to her she locks the car of my 5series as she put the keys in her bag.

One of my passages was feeling a bit sick and said she could not open the window so I said I would try but it was dead and would not work.

No problem I said, I need to press the unlock button on the dash board but again no luck.

Then I tried to open the door in the back seat but no joy, so I jumped into the driver seat to open the door. It looked promising as the button that locks the car lifted up but again no luck.

So there we were completely locked in with no way out and we all stated to panic.

I tried to phone my wife but kept dialling the wrong number and the tension started to build as we all realised we were trapped inside.

It was a terrible feeling something I never want to experience again totally trapped inside my BMW with no way out.

Eventually my wife returned to see us banging on the door and she opened the car to our relief.

This can't be right I thought so when I got home I tried locking the Z3 with the key and again I was locked and the only way out was using the key. Luckily in a Z3 I could manually take the roof down.

So I then tried the X1 same thing no way out unless you have the key. And the my son's Mini, just the same.

So I then called the dealer that I have bought all my cars from over the years and told them the problem.

“No sir this can't happen you just need to pull on the handle twice and you will be fine.” Was the reply.

“No I said, go and lock the door when you are inside and try getting out of the car without the key.”

“But why would you do that sir?” Implying that I am a bit stupid.

“Well you go and try it.” And with that the conversation ended.

5 minutes later my BMW sales rep calls me.

“Nick it's a security feature so that once the car is locked from the outside everything is switched off and disabled.”

“But what happens if I have a crash or an electrical failure” I argued.

“Nick this can't happen if the key is in the ignition the doors would open automatically, trust me” and “Now you know about the dead lock you won't do that again” he continues “It's the same for all German cars.”

I said thanks put the phone down and thought what would I prefer? A car that is difficult to steal or a car that lets me out of if I get locked in. Plus I have to trust technology in an accident and hope the doors will open.

Just imagine if the car caught fire and you could not get out! Here is an article about when your battery dies and you can't get in http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Locked.htm well what happenes if the battery dies when you are inside the car? And here is one more link about being locked in a BMW http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/5-s...ugh-61470.html
Here is one more http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...-inside-my-car

So I then searched YouTube and quickly found a tragic story of a young 14 year old girl that had suffocated. Her brother had a lecture an hour before her so he left her in the car as she slept and locked it.

Good points. As the Z3gato does not have door skins, presumably I'd have to move the key lock mechanism across to the new handle panel. Bot not the radical problem when using door skins. Cutting your doorskin doesn't do it for me.

So what we could do is turn the lock round so you can put the key in from the inside and set it in the door card rather than hiding it behind the new door skin

You would still need to smash a window to get into the car.
Unless you are a genius there is no way to re-engineer the door locking mechanism.
I bought an extra door to cut up and see what could be changed but everything would have been too big a compromise.
Small fake door lock on the outside skin that can be removed and a BMW long bladed key to open.
Simplest solution is often best.

That does sound like the easiest solution
Thanks

Quite easy. Drill al hole in the new doorskin under the handle, weld the nut from the fake lock to a small plate en glue this insite of the new doorskin. You screw the fake lock in and out the new door skin

see link: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/Rarel...13338.132070.0

Perfect solution but I would try and source a car lock. A Chinese cabinet lock will probably rust solid as they are not intended for outdoor use.

Perfect

How about one of these... and a long key!
https://www.angclassiccarparts.co.uk...tcheon-tr2-tr3