Z3GTc New Build - Page 3

Lucky@LeMans · #1 4th September 2020, 17:01

Collected the rear end yesterday and trial fitted earlier today. All good, everything lines up. Chris has utilised the Z3 boot hinges on this kit so the boot lid is a quick and easy fit. The gas struts fitted to the hinges mean you don't need to fit an extra boot stay. The rear moulding also makes use of the upper mounting points from the Z3 wings so it all helps alignment and a quick assembly.
Plans for the weekend include fitting twin filler caps, recessed into the upper part of the rear wings. I also want to french in the rear lights a little further along with the rear number plate light.
The deep dish BMW wheels might get a 10mm spacer each side so they really fill out the arches. Lowering springs will be decided upon when everything is fitted and the car driven a bit, I've got a feeling it might settle a little.
Photos to follow !

molleur · #2 4th September 2020, 19:51

Congrats!
Appears to be a well thought out kit.

zagmad · #3 5th September 2020, 19:32

Any chance of a shooting brake :-)

Lucky@LeMans · #4 6th September 2020, 19:22

Managed to make a little progress. I've decided not to fit the twin filler caps on the rear wings. I mocked them up in place but they just spoilt the flowing lines of the car. So instead I've decided to use the Z3 filler flap with the subsequent cut out from the body fitted over it. This worked well on my 275 kit and with the midnight blue paint you'll hardy notice it. So if anyone wants a pair of alloy 3"Monza style caps pm me, £50 the pair plus P&P.
Mods were done to the frenched rear light mounts, just the upper indicator light mounts needed a tweak so the lamps fitted in a bit deeper and squarer in the recess.

Zagmad, I stumbled over an ebay ad the other day for a DB7 shooting brake kit to fit a SE6 Scimitar. I didn't save the ad and I haven't found it again. Think he had several "kit" options, but the advert description was really bad, you would need to talk to him ! The photos of the finished car were pretty convincing.

Lucky@LeMans · #5 10th September 2020, 18:40

Most of the prep is done, just a light skim of filler here and there but nothing major. I've had the rear end and boot lid on and off a few times but I'm happy with the fit now.
Looks like a warm and dry few days coming up so I'm hoping to get the paint done by this time next week !

Lucky@LeMans · #6 13th September 2020, 20:16

I can see why body shops charge so much for paint ! Another day spent prepping, sanding and a bit more filler ! To be fair the panels are pretty good but the more prep you do the more you find to do ! Should get some primer on it early this week.

IanA · #7 14th September 2020, 14:04

Try some high-build primer, might mean less filling before sanding.

Lucky@LeMans · #8 14th September 2020, 19:21

High build primer is next, I needed to get it close before hand ! 40c in the garage at 3pm but I managed to get a fair bit done by 7pm. All masked up and ready for primer, hope it isn't quite so hot tomorrow afternoon. Humidity should stay low enough when I'm ready for top coat later in the week.

Lucky@LeMans · #9 15th September 2020, 19:05

Lol, 35c today when I was ready. Too hot for me and the paint ! Change of plans Wednesday so I'm in with a chance to get some paint on about midday !

Lucky@LeMans · #10 17th September 2020, 18:03

Got some paint on the car today, at last ! Not too bad considering its the first car I've painted in 20 years or so and I wasn't an expert back then ! First time with 2k paint as well. A few areas will need a wet sand and polish but on the whole pretty good ! The council decided to mow the grass and kick up loads of dust in the playing field opposite me just as I was finishing up, couldn't believe it !! Luckily the paint was going off enough not to worry about it.
The headlight buckets will be painted silver before anyone points out I've missed a bit !

molleur · #11 17th September 2020, 18:24

Well done!

Mick O'Malley · #12 18th September 2020, 06:17

Nice colour choice too

.

Regards, Mick

Lucky@LeMans · #13 18th September 2020, 12:08

The paint is a couple of shades lighter than I thought it was going to be but it looks very period and similar to sports cars in the 60's.

Should be on the road in a week or so !

Lucky@LeMans · #14 20th September 2020, 20:28

Panels and parts going back on the car now. Best part of the build is the final reassembly, it all comes together really quickly and looks finished for the first time !

Lucky@LeMans · #15 24th September 2020, 17:50

Getting there slowly ! All the panels are back on the car and the rear lights fitted, wired in and working. Moving onto the front lights next, a few hours work to finalise them. The windscreen aluminium trim is fitted around the whole circumference giving a retro look. I'll get some photos at the weekend !

molleur · #16 28th September 2020, 18:41

Quite nice, especially the grille.

Lucky@LeMans · #17 28th September 2020, 18:59

Thanks Molleur. The modern chrome finish slats in the Mondeo grill were too blingy, the painted mesh suits the car well with just the chrome surround fitted.

DaveP · #18 30th September 2020, 20:37

Nice work on what must be the first soft top version.

That is a good rear view so far.

The boot looks enormous. How is the weight of the bootlid when opening and closing.

Agreed on the stylish grill. Classy.

Dave

Lucky@LeMans · #19 30th September 2020, 21:45

Dave, its an optical illusion ! The boot lid is only about 10" deeper than the on the Z3. The Z3 lid is very shallow to start with. The standard gas struts hold it up just fine too !

smash · #20 2nd October 2020, 06:56

Always prefered the coupe to convertible for the SWB but much prefer this convertible Z3GT to the coupe version. Very nice.

Now wondering what Z3GT front and Kobra rear would look like...