From concept to reality

[Roadster]

The xk8 chassis is shortened to make the xk180 amd the Z3 gets widened to become a z300

So the dimensions aren't close but the proportions are.

Hopefully mine will get its lightweight e type inspired roof

[Triumph Special]

I remember the XK180 making a surprise appearance at the Bovington classic car show when it was new. The event was organised by the JEC and it was quite a coup to get it there. I'm not a Jaguar fan per se, but I much prefer it to everything they make now.

[Danny_HUFC]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Well for those following my progress -here is a small update.

The body is finally at a point where I need Chris and Dan to add their magic and glue all the pieces together.

The shape is there if you ignore the the different colours of the pieces of puzzle.



The fronts curves imitate the rear and the front now has lines that lead into the side sills.



My work is still ongoing, I have the roof and the grille panel to complete at home.

I must admit it is a good looking car (or will be!) but it is miles away from your 1st sketches which I personally thought looked great.....





I think you have gone towards the bertonti type look and im not realy a fan of that.

[Paul L]

Roadster - I finally watched all of that Jaguar video link and the XJ13 looked & sounded great.



Good luck, Paul.

[jones]

I have to agree with Danny, no offence meant but isn't it now resembling an XK8 at the front? Might be more visible to buy an XK and just reshape the rear haunches? I really liked your concept drawing's and it looked like good progress was had initially.

[Roadster]

Thanks guys for the feedback

Yes my original sketch was more unique but back then I got negative feedback over the fiat lamps.
I agreed it was a little too retro and I was worried when we started forming the huge hole that would become the grill.

Danny I accept it has a risk of having a touch of Bertini about it as both start with a Jag bumper. But the Bertini uses the later 2006>
This uses the rarer 2005 and I am intending to fill the fog lamps holes.

The overall idea is to mimic the E type lower.
An XK is still 5K upwards and I can't afford to run one.

Please bear with me, the finished article will look very different to the pile of bits.
This is one of the things I love about the Tribute forum, you get to peak behind the curtain and see how the shapes are formed.

Paul im glad you enjoyed the video .
Yes I've always been in awe of the xj13 but now I've stood beside it and seen the spartan cockpit. not even a cushion and its oh so tightand the V12 right behind you head.
Imagine someone driving it for hours on end at lemans.

The CX75 is the modern version. I think it would be easier to live with

[Roadster]

After the recent comments, I decided to play with paint again.



Im happy it doesn't look like the Bertini
But it has a touch of Callaway corvette.

[Roadster]

Visited Chis and Dan today.
As usual they were flat out, with many different projects at varying stages of completion.

Dan had managed to glass all my puzzle pieces into one lump
Chris advised me on how to progress with it and I got stuck in.

A few hours of the Dorset sun baking down was enough for me.
But im reasonably happy with my progress, if you squint you can start to see the shape coming together.



Good news the grille I had made at home actually fitted the aperture, the rushed splash mould was good enough for me to cut and shut and fold the mesh across.
5 hours there - 5 hours back
I really need a really productive visit next month.

[Paul L]

Coming together nicely.

Originally Posted by Roadster

...A few hours of the Dorset sun baking down was enough for me...

Car working in this heat is bloody hard work!

Good luck, Paul

[Danny_HUFC]

Looking like its taking shape now. Nice to see my G in the backgroun!...

[Triumph Special]

It must be very exciting making and sculpting your own car. Terribly jealous, it's my every automotive dream. Good luck with it, I'll drop by to cast an eye next time I'm working in Weymouth.

[Roadster]

Thanks Triumph this is my second scratch build, my first the original roadster was made of wood formers and expanding foam covered in fibreglass.

Times have changed and now I live in a flat so I have nowhere to build at home and Chris is teaching me the Tribute Method of forming the buck.

Thanks Paul It is hard working out there is the heat, I symapathise with you
I'm burnt dehydrated and everything aches

I had not planned to go back again this month but I was in a rare situation, my other half was visiting her family and it was not my weekend to see my son. So I could please myself and I decided to work more on the car

I had a good journey down and I arrived early with lots of enthusiasm.

I looked at the work I had done previous but the crooked bonnet bulge reminded me of a boxers broken nose. Sure I could straighten it but it wasn't pretty.

So I took my grinder and removed the offending object. This of course left a gaping hole in the centre of the bonnet.

I looked through the bins (I kid you not) and I found a shape that would form the basis of the new bulge.

I ground down the joins in the patchwork and started filling and smoothing.

I worked until a spasm in my hand meant that the cramp could not be worked off and I couldn't hold the sanding block anymore. I managed 6 hours and its a long way from the finished article but its definitely moving in the right direction.

[Paul L]

Roadster - Travelling vast distances to work outside makes my driveway look appealing.

Jokes aside, there are some nice curves developing as you look across the bonnet.

Good luck, Paul.

[Roadster]

Developing a car on an open forum is a a little daunting.

With my original roadster many designs were scrapped and revised.i only updated the forum when I was a long way through the process.

My current project has been laid bare since its inception.
As my friend Paul L has mentioned once or twice I share Zagmads indecisiveness.

But im happy to say that Zags latest vision really is something unique and deserves a lot of attention when its finished.

My mutant Z300s has "evolved" a few times to say the least but i think the journey is almost over.

Its very different styling a car physically as opposed to sketching. Some things that work on paper are just missing something when you try to execute them.
Some things you sculpt just couldn't have been visualised in the sketch. After many hours sweating and bleeding over the thing it starts to gain a life of its own.
"or maybe it was heatstroke"

The MG TF lamps were left over from the previous version. They will fit and they have a synergy with the rear lamps. But during my toil down at the "dream factory" I started to see a different face on the beast.

I never wanted an old style car but it had to be retro.
I always liked the Weismann - the balance between classic and modern

So by changing out the MG lamps and replacing them with
units that have a hint of the 60's units under covers this is the latest facelift.




Sad as it may be i have already chosen a Tribute badge, the eagle eyed may spot it on the bonnet
The green gold paint is just an experiment.

As always any opinions and thoughts are welcomed.

[Paul L]

Roadster – As they say on the Tour de France… “Chapeau!”

Whilst Chris & Dan make all this ‘cutting & shutting’ work look easy, I know it isn’t.

I think your new headlight arrangements will go well with the curves across the bonnet.

I also like the dark strip running along the bottom of the car, it is “slimming”.

I am sure this will be a good looking car by the time you are finished.

Good luck, Paul.

[Roadster]

Thanks Paul
Your exactly right the black band at the bottom is to fool the eye to change the proportions of the donor.

Fingers crossed the headlights I've ordered will fit the measurements look good and the curvature should be close.

Hopefully I get back down there in the next couple of weeks

[Barber]

Roadster, it is great that you have shared the trials as well as the tribulations. It is great to see something of how the Tribute range has evolved, and continues to move forward. Without the drive of enthusiastic builders, much of it would not happen I am sure.

[Roadster]

Thanks barber

Well as I mentioned with my limited drawing skills and lack of photoshop
I use Microsoft paint.- its very very basic.

But it got the image in my head onto the page.
The trouble is I was eager to see how this translates into the real thing.

So I collected the parts and made a quick visit.
As I said before sometimes building cars like this you find it fights you at every opportunity.

But not this time, the piece in my hand was the right size and the curves match and it feels like it was supposed to be there.

Better still I think it looks better than my drawing suggested.







The black band on the lower section was quickly added to see if it helped reduce the bulk of the z3's proportions.

Another few visits and I think the shape will be done.

[WorldClassAccident]

Nothing wrong with using MS Paint, it was used for everything I shared with Chris

[Triumph Special]

Much better than anticipated. I rather liked the nineties vibe the MG units evoked, but the quad arrangement is fresher and looks better with the bulge - well done!