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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Z3GTc New Build

10 Jul 2020, 11:22am
I will fit a half round profile aluminium around the screen including the lower edge, probably a 16mm width. This worked well on my other project giving a retro look and giving better proportions to the screen. It won't need a scuttle trim like the Grassbank cars featured.
10 Jul 2020, 5:35pm
Just realised I've cut out the front side light wires as part of my tidy up exercise yesterday ! Lol, not too late to reinstate those before the extended loom goes in place !

I've fitted a garage door on the front of my car port ( £12 off ebay ! ) All non car related stuff ie gardening stuff, lawn mowers, garden tools, push bikes, ladders etc etc will now live in there and free up my main double garage ! What a luxury !!
11 Jul 2020, 12:24am
Thanks for the thoughts. A couple of the pics I’ve seen from above the car makes the front glass area look quite large. More a problem of perspective than anything else by the sounds of it.

I can’t wait to see some more pics of a finished kit from a few angles.

I’ve been dreaming and checking out possible local donors for this swap and just found something quite tempting. A Z3 with a V8 LS swap... Not cheap though but 400 horses at the wheels.

I still have a Caterham on its way... dang!
25 Jul 2020, 8:14pm
That photo above makes the screen look out of proportion ! I'll be fitting an aluminium trim surround around the glass, that makes a big difference.

Got my wheels back from the powder coaters together with a new set of rubber, one size bigger at 235/50 - 17". These fill the arches really nicely , well at the front at least ! The old 45 profile tyres looked a bit small, the 50 profile are about 1 1/4" bigger in diameter.

Whilst I was thinking of a dark shade of Racing Green, I'm now considering Midnight Blue ! The dark blue might be better on the convertible perhaps ?

Still waiting on the rear end, hopefully it will be ready in the next week or two.
2 Aug 2020, 1:55am
This looks interesting - just noticed it on Chris’ Facebook page.
Could be a great addition to a Z3gt.
Lots of work though.

Any updates on your rear end? :tea:
2 Aug 2020, 1:29pm
I'm happy to live with the Z3 dash. Replacement door cards, seats and a smart steering wheel is enough for me.

Chris has promised an update about the rear end moulding this week so I'm hoping it will be ready soon !
3 Aug 2020, 3:05pm
Lucky@LeMans wrote:
I'm happy to live with the Z3 dash. Replacement door cards, seats and a smart steering wheel is enough for me.


+1 from me. I'm long past rewiring unless it's for new functionality. I can get most diagnostic info via a wifi OBD sender onto a phone. Just more things to worry about if they are in front of you all the time!!! My driving in the Z300S doesn't include trackdays, etc where I think I might need it.
4 Aug 2020, 4:29pm
Started making some new door cards. I'm using the top curved part from the Z3 with a new lower section which will have simple pocket and a pull handle. It will be more retro and less Z3 ! Another bonus is that it will do away with the moulded trough at the bottom of the stock door card which always rubs on my ankle on a long drive.

I've nearly finished the aluminium screen surround that I'm forming from 16mm half round aluminium. This worked particularly well on my 275 and is quicker and easier the second time around ! It changes the visual proportions of the screen as well as giving a retro style. I'll probably extend the trim to the door top and front quarter glass to complete the 60's look !
5 Aug 2020, 10:22pm
Chris sent me the headlight covers and trims today. I've offered them up and they fit really well with just the minimum of trimming. Haven't decided whether to chrome wrap the trims or paint them, probably the latter. The perspex covers are nicely done and crystal clear !
6 Aug 2020, 1:32am
I would love to see a couple of pics of the screen surround if you get a chance please.
6 Aug 2020, 10:20am
The windscreen trim is a kit of parts at the moment that will be fitted after paint ! Here is a photo of my 275 which was given the same treatment. The only difference on the Z3GTc is a lower trim across the bottom of the screen. I'll also do the quarter window and door top the same too.
6 Aug 2020, 11:42am
That looks great.
Thank you. :)
9 Aug 2020, 6:36pm
How did you manage to bend the corners of your windscreen surround.

I would love to do it to my tribute 250 GTO headlight covers.
9 Aug 2020, 7:25pm
Crofty wrote:
How did you manage to bend the corners of your windscreen surround.

I would love to do it to my tribute 250 GTO headlight covers.


To do a single 90 bend is easy. Simply heat the aluminium strip with a blow torch and bend it around a former that is cut to the correct radius. A bit of tweaking once its cooled and your done.

Headlamp surrounds are a different ball game and are best cut from a sheet of aluminium having first made a card template. More time and effort but probably the most effective method.
10 Aug 2020, 7:38pm
Here are a couple of photos of the headlight surrounds supplied in the kit. The initial fit is very good. They are pretty wide though so I've trimmed them down from about 20mm wide to around 8mm wide. They look a lot more in proportion now and will be painted bright silver which will contrast well with the midnight blue paint ! I've ordered some 3mm black piping which will go between the perspex cover and inside edge of the surround just to finish them off.
10 Aug 2020, 7:50pm
They look great, what thickness aluminium are they and what did you use to trim them down.
Thanks regards Andy.
10 Aug 2020, 8:04pm
These are the GRP ones supplied in the kit. They are about 2.5 - 3mm thick. I think they will be satisfactory once finished so on this occasion I won't make aluminium trims.
10 Aug 2020, 8:04pm
I do like the thinner version but not keen on the fact that you can see the rim on the inside.
I would suggest you have them chrome wrapped, get it done professionally and the results can be stunning and not very expensive.
Silver paint always looks like silver paint.
10 Aug 2020, 8:08pm
I chrome wrapped the 275 surrounds and they were ok from 6 feet away ! To be fair I think I could do a better job on these, I might give it a go ! I can trim the GRP rim on the inside a bit more. I'm going to paint the buckets silver so they shouldn't show too much in the end.
15 Aug 2020, 6:08pm
Thanks, yes I've checked out progress. Should have the first one out of the mould by the end of the month or perhaps a bit sooner !

I've completed the door cards which have turned out pretty good. I also chrome wrapped the head light surrounds. Far more convincing than on my 275, perhaps I'm getting the hang of wrapping !

Still might get this finished by the end of September !
18 Aug 2020, 10:30am
Here are the chrome wrapped headlight rims with 4mm piping between the trim and the perspex, worked out pretty well......
18 Aug 2020, 10:58am
Much better than paint! They look very good, I chrome wrapped my windscreen surround and was very pleased with the result.
20 Aug 2020, 10:07pm
Rear end buck ready to take a mould.......