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Excellent.
Talking about matching the other side reminded me of the famous story about Sergio Pininfarina’s response to the Triumph TR7 when he saw it unveiled at the Detroit auto show. Walking from one side of the car to the other, he said of the swooping swage line along its flank, "Oh no, they did it on this side, too"
Thanks for that heads up on Simpson Design. Did you see the prices they are asking? The USA is clearly a different market!
They are using a Miata (known as MX5 in Europe) which requires them to make some compromises. I thought all their types looked a bit "chunky" as a result and I was particularly interested in seeing their Italia 2 GTO which looks a bit like my 275/Z3 project based on a Z3 (see my thread at http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5207 ) I am still finalizing the design so I will take note of their efforts and try to benefit.
As Geoff said moulding will start this month, with 1st panels out and on Geoff's Z3 by end Jan/beginning of Feb. We are running behind due to shear volume of kits, part builds and development work. Mustn't grumble, business is good, if a little tiring sometimes
As Geoff said moulding will start this month, with 1st panels out and on Geoff's Z3 by end Jan/beginning of Feb. We are running behind due to shear volume of kits, part builds and development work. Mustn't grumble, business is good, if a little tiring sometimes
Glad to hear that business is booming, can't wait to see the 'production' SWB kit as I might be in a position to place an order later this year.
It's great news that the SWB is almost ready, and I'm sure I share the feelings of all on this forum to be chuffed for you that business is so good. You've got a good range of products and an innovative approach to producing kit cars during a time of increasing government intervention.
I can't wait to get mine on the road
I have always admired Jim Simpson's work. And his prices.
I've just looked up his prices and they're an eye opener. It must be difficult selling a kit car in a country where for the same price you could buy a new Mustang, Camaro or Challenger.
I have one of the Italia kits in the back garden waiting to be fitted. I believe it is one of the Retroforza kits.
The finish is amazing, the front end just bolts on an would be ready to paint with virtually no prep. Probably one reason they are so expensive.
We have filled in the channel that takes the Z3 windscreen rubber for two reasons, one to enable the new GRP roof/windscreen pillar covers to have hidden edges when fitted (no external metal to GRP joins as on the MX250) and secondly to visually reduce the size of the Z3 windscreen slightly. With the addition of a false period screen rubber/chrome insert bonded onto the existing glass helping to reduce the glass area even further:
Looks very nice but, I'm guessing the budget required will be North of £30k, and, unless it's built using all brand new parts, the way I understand the vehicle registration process, it'll be stuck with a 'Q' plate that can't be transferred. Shame.
While it is a fantastic looking car and a brilliant achievement, it does seem to be an awful lot of work and money expended to sort of re-invent the wheel.
And as Mr Towed pointed out, the dreaded "Q" plate would l kill it stone dead for a lot of folk.
If the car was registered under section 5 (Kit Conversions) of INF26 then it would get an age related plate under the following
"If a new monocoque bodyshell or chassis from a specialist kit manufacturer (or an altered chassis or bodyshell from an existing vehicle) is used with two original major components from the donor vehicle, a replacement registration number will be issued based on the age of the donor vehicle. The vehicle must have IVA, SVA or MSVA. The date of manufacture for the vehicle will be taken from the IVA, SVA or MSVA certificate."
In this way an automirage replica would avoid the dreaded Q plate.
That's interesting, but would you then be stuck with the donor age related plate or could you transfer a dateless plate onto it? After all, a modern plate format on what looks like a 50's Ferrari is going to look just as bad as a 'Q' plate.
One of the beauties of the Tribute approach is the ability to disguise the true origin of the vehicle with a dateless number.
