From concept to reality

[Roadster]

Work on the roof is progressing albeit slowly as work and the weather are conspiring against me.
I have sorted the rubbers now so they seal against the windows and im happy to report it is once again weatherproof
The edge of the roof is still a work in progress as is the final shaping of the lower sides.
The 8mm error seems I didn't take into consideration the roof frame is under tension when fitted on the fabric roof.

This meant I had to recut the rear window aperture and laminate a new recess.



Another angle, showing how large the removable glass panel is.

[Roadster]

Its while since my last update.
I have been working on the roof but the nights are getting dark and Im fighting the weather again.

Today I ventured down to the "Dream Factory" at the crack of dawn
When I arrived Chris was already hard at it, upstairs laminating.

He had put some time into fixing the cracks in the power bulge and he fixed the damaged lower bumper



I set to work filling and shaping the nearside and when I was happy with my progress the laborious task of trying to make both sides match.

Im pretty much there so I then worked on the bulge.
I kept spraying the primer on to check my progress

[Roadster]

Ever wondered wondered what a concept coupe would look like?



I like it, if I hadn't put all the time into the hard top......
Its still an option

[TynoPrime]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Ever wondered wondered what a concept coupe would look like?



I like it, if I hadn't put all the time into the hard top......
Its still an option

It actually looks pretty bloody good!

[Triumph Special]

Coming along very nicely, well done. It looks wider and squatter at the front than I thought it would.

The piles of GRP behind are always facinating: Corvette Gran Sport?

[lancelot link]

It is Corvette panels ...also a MXICO spotted and some lunatics Lancia concept too ...

[Jaguartvr]

I think the 275 rear is much more pleasing to the eye than the BMW hardtop. Why not use the 275 and turn it into a Targa?
Turn the roll cage into a simple roll bar, use the convertible latches and header rail as the way to attach it.
Simples!

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by Jaguartvr

I think the 275 rear is much more pleasing to the eye than the BMW hardtop. Why not use the 275 and turn it into a Targa?
Turn the roll cage into a simple roll bar, use the convertible latches and header rail as the way to attach it.
Simples!

Hey Jag did you buy that Daytona shell off ebay?

[Jaguartvr]

No it went too high. I was hoping it was going to be cheap as it was a cheap splash mould by the look of it. No inner panels for the doors, boot or bonnet and the doors were moulded in one piece to the rear section. No way is it ever going to be a finished kit car. However an ideal base to take some moulds to modify to fit the Z3. It went for £850ish which is about double what it is really worth.
I have contacted the seller to pass my number onto the new owner, maybe i can still buy it or pay him so I can take some quick moulds from it.
If anyone come across anything similar please let me know.

[Triumph Special]

There's a whiff of Marcos TSO with the 275 rear fitted. Very nice.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by Jaguartvr

No it went too high. I was hoping it was going to be cheap as it was a cheap splash mould by the look of it. No inner panels for the doors, boot or bonnet and the doors were moulded in one piece to the rear section. No way is it ever going to be a finished kit car. However an ideal base to take some moulds to modify to fit the Z3. It went for £850ish which is about double what it is really worth.
I have contacted the seller to pass my number onto the new owner, maybe i can still buy it or pay him so I can take some quick moulds from it.
If anyone come across anything similar please let me know.

I went to see it - it was rough 1/4 inch think in some places
Dimension wise it needed extending in length to make it fit the Z3 by about 4 inches but easy enough.
I agree I don't think it will end up a finished car.

You mention targa top for the coupe but the roof panel wouldn't fit in the boot without making it a 2 piece top. The more joins the more opportunity for water ingress. But I was happy with a large removable glass panel in the hard top and it would be easy to cut in.
The 275 is a little heavy in the buttresses for me so I would cut in quarterlights and while im at it I would reshape the rear of the door appeture to keep the original wind up windows.

[Triumph Special]

Personally - and this isn't a stumbling block to me ordering a 275, just personal preference - I much prefer the side profile when the original Z3 doors are retained, as you've done here. Looks terrific!

[Jaguartvr]

That looks good, I really do prefer it to the hardtop, the rear window just doesn't "flow" on the hardtop. How about a lift out glass sunroof? I have one on my 3000GT and out works very well.

Hoping the buyer will pull out when he sees the body shell, I think most would but it is just what I'm after.

[zagmad]

Have you chosen what tailights you are using. As the front are sunk in or level ,will the rear lights be sunk level.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by zagmad

Have you chosen what tailights you are using. As the front are sunk in or level ,will the rear lights be sunk level.

Zag im just concentrating on getting the front finished.
When I left last night and I was collecting my bits and pieces I looked at it and realised its really beginning to look something.
Sometimes when your slaving away on something you don't appreciate how far it has come.

[Paul L]

Roadster - The front end of your car looks great.

Keep up the good work, Paul.

[DaveP]

The front end does look flipping good

Well done that man

[Roadster]

Woke up this morning, dragged my son out of bed and made the trip down to the workshop.
Its the last visit for 2016 and I was feeling pretty happy with my self knowing that in a couple of layers of filler I could call the front finished. Or as close as I can before Chris gives it his attention prior to moulding.

The trip was long and hampered by the fog but we arrived in good spirits.

I mixed up the first batch of filler and got on with the task.
But something wasn't quite right and the filler was not hardening properly.
I made up 3 more batches, each a little "hotter" than the previous but I guess the damp in the air was not helping.

Added to this that the abrasive paper was clogging very fast, once again I presume the moisture in the air was hindering.




I turned my attention to the rear. There is a large amount of filling to be done to blend the two shapes, so I opted for builders poly foam.
It is relatively cheap and expands to cover the area quickly and is easily shaped when its hard.

But this also didn't go to plan.
The foam hardly expanded and in the 2 hours I was there it wasn't setting.
Its messy stuff at the best of times, I scrapped up the foam that was on the floor.





It was just after midday when I gave up feeling pretty frustrated.
The front is close to being finished but I would still like one more round of filling and sanding.



The rear will require a rethink. But other than a small chance of another trip down between Christmas and New year next year is already booked up with work.
March looks like the first time I can get back on it.

Stoneleigh 2017 is not looking likely - hopefully 2018
But the Z3 is still on the road as my summer run around.

Merry Christmas all

[Paul L]

Roadster - Sorry to hear you had a wasted journey.

I could never get anything constructive done on days like that with moisture hanging in the air.

Good luck, Paul.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Roadster - Sorry to hear you had a wasted journey.

I could never get anything constructive done on days like that with moisture hanging in the air.

Good luck, Paul.

Thanks Paul
Every step is step forward even if its only small progress.
I don't have the ability to work at home, I live in a flat so I appreciate Chris letting me work there.

The down side is a 3-4 hour journey each way.
Im sure next time will be more productive.