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Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Tribute Automotive Builds

Tribute Automotive Builds Discuss your Tribute kit build

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  #1  
Old 19th October 2012, 21:35
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Default TRIBUTE A352 Project

A series of events and opportunities has lead to us putting together a "mock up" car (ie. non-running/unfinished) for the Exeter Kit Car Show. A D-Type shell and a slightly crispy Spitfire shell had found there way into the workshop and it seemed rude not do combine the two of them. No welding is being done on the Spitfire at the moment, so please forgive the ragged edges, although most of the rotten bits have been lost during the trimming process to leave a basic "tub" for the GRP shell to be bonded to.











Once the some trimming had been done it was time to offer up the new outer shell





I don't like some of the design elements of the D-Type, the rear "wing" will be going...
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  #2  
Old 19th October 2012, 22:11
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More trimming of the Spifire



Rear wing and head fairing deleted. Shell marked at centre line for cutting





Half shell trail fitted to establish how much narrowing is needed



4" was taken out of the shell before it was glassed back together



A much better fit

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  #3  
Old 19th October 2012, 22:45
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The boot/spare wheel opening is way too small to be practical



New larger opening is far more usable





The cut out panel and the original cover are bonded together



The front end needed narrowing, of course, so was marked up and cut into pieces including a bonnet opening instead of a flip front.



Looking good







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  #4  
Old 19th October 2012, 23:01
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An interesting project. You make all the cutting and shutting look so easy. Look forward to seeing it at 'The Exeter Show'.
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  #5  
Old 19th October 2012, 23:52
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Theres no stopping you!!!
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  #6  
Old 20th October 2012, 17:25
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Wow..cracking idea
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  #7  
Old 20th October 2012, 17:45
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I don't suppose you have a Renault Alpine shell lying around that you could try as well, have you? Always fancied one of those.
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  #8  
Old 20th October 2012, 18:48
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Looks good, but quite Sammio-ish. Not that, that is in any way a bad thing!
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  #9  
Old 21st October 2012, 06:13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davecymru View Post
Looks good, but quite Sammio-ish. Not that, that is in any way a bad thing!
Its the G46 i always wanted - if this was on an MX5 it would be exactly as i intended the roadster to look.
The body would not need to be reduced in width but some of the length from the bonnet could be lost about 15" if i remember back to my cuts.

Good work Chris - i will have to live with my E type front but food for thought
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  #10  
Old 21st October 2012, 10:01
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Froggyman - We enjoy what we do, I think that helps to make it look easy! Sorry don't have a Renault Alpine laying around, but you never know what will turn up! See you at Exeter.

Nick - Again, we enjoy doing this, the more ideas we can turn into cars the better.

RedRat - Thank you, it just kind of happened!

Dave - Glad you like it.

Roadster - We did think about the MX5, wheelbase was almost the same (89.5 vs 90") as the shell, but the MX5 slab sides, cabin position and the fact that we couldn't remove the Mazda windscreen frame (without IVAing) killed the idea. We lost 7" off the back of the D-Type bonnet to make it work. We have a steel E-Type bonnet at the workshop that may get moulded to give a slightly different front end, later, maybe....
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  #11  
Old 21st October 2012, 10:24
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Returns added to boot opening, rain gutters will be added at re-moulding stage, the show deadline wont allow such luxuries at the moment



Steel tube "crash bar" added to Spitfire door opening to reinforce new higher door opening when shell is in place. It also gives somewhere to hinge the new doors



Hinge is mix of MX5 door and Spitfire boot hinge, they will need to be re-manufactured, but helped to work out the pivot point and clearance, and will suffice for the show







Change of plan on the scuttle area, more room required for hinges and helps with the proportions of the bonnet opening





Made a start on internal paneling. Battery will need relocating from under the bonnet to the void behind the seats, or the boot.



Scars left when removing the head fairing are now filled


Last edited by Tribute Automotive; 21st October 2012 at 10:32..
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  #12  
Old 21st October 2012, 10:42
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Well you certainly keep yourself busy... I feel guilty for not doing anything because of the rain.
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  #13  
Old 21st October 2012, 16:27
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It is great to see what happens when imagination & skill come together.

I'm using a Spitfire 1500 as the base of my Sammio Cordite on the forum "next door".

There is a lot to be said for leaving a large chunk of the donor car as you found it.

I look forward to seeing the finished car.

Will it be a "one off" or is this the basis of a new offering?

Good luck, Paul.
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  #14  
Old 21st October 2012, 17:23
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Hi Paul,

Thanks for your praise which should also go to Dan for all his help and ideas too.

I have seen your project, looking good

As with the MX250 we like to keep the build process simple for the customer, so using the tub as it exists seems a logical thing for a quick build. With your donor car there wouldn't even have been any rust repair to do!

The car we are putting together will be taken apart after the show and the tub repaired before we get the drive chain sorted and get it driving/MOT'd. If we get interest at the Exeter Show we will be taking moulds off and offering it as a kit as well.

Last edited by Tribute Automotive; 21st October 2012 at 18:41..
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  #15  
Old 21st October 2012, 20:53
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Talking of Jags, heres a C type we had in the workshop the other day. Its also an excuse for me to try and upload a pic to the forum, which more often than not does not work. However just updated my ohotobucket app which now has a new button, so here goes....[IMG][/IMG]
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  #16  
Old 21st October 2012, 20:58
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awesome skills there on the bodywork, a true talent.
powered by an MX5 supercharged engine, and you will have a flying machine!
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  #17  
Old 21st October 2012, 21:09
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seanick View Post
Talking of Jags, heres a C type we had in the workshop the other day. Its also an excuse for me to try and upload a pic to the forum, which more often than not does not work. However just updated my ohotobucket app which now has a new button, so here goes....[IMG][/IMG]
Nice Jag. Congrats on getting the Photobucket thing sorted, now you have no excuse to start your MX250 build tread
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  #18  
Old 21st October 2012, 21:54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neemo View Post
awesome skills there on the bodywork, a true talent.
powered by an MX5 supercharged engine, and you will have a flying machine!
Thank you for your kind words Neemo. The MX5 engine should fit no problem, something to think about!
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  #19  
Old 22nd October 2012, 20:23
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Starting to shape up nicely, a bit more filling and sanding before a coat of primer



Boot lid now hung on proper hinges (chrome mini boot hinges) and starting to even up the shut lines



Headlight / grille opening trimmed back and edges sanded. Return added to bonnet opening....



....and to the bonnet itself.

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  #20  
Old 22nd October 2012, 21:23
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How do you fix a return, is it already an 'L' shape profile?
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