MadaboutKitcars

Just got back, a little worrying. On the way up on the M40 I passed quite a few kit cars, the worrying bit is that every car bar 2 were in the slow lane, the 2 that weren't were on the hard shoulder.

Got lots of useful info from Chris on the tribute stand, didn't need to use my sharp pointy stick as my kit should be ready weekend after next which is when he said it would be ready.
Andy's grey car was on the stand and looked very nice. He had a new 50's style open sports in red which looked very nice.

There was a lovely white SS100 parked out side, If I win theLotto it will be my next project.

The rest of the stands were a bit of a disappointment, all selling the same tools but at higher prices than you can buy on Ebay and they all seem to be selling the same things.

I was looking for headlights, indicators and all sorts of shine bits but nothing leapt out as being a bargain.
The only thing I did buy was some alloy vents with will fit the front and rear vents on the side. I will post some pictures when I get the shell.

Oh well back on with the bloody handbrake, nearly done!

Lots of photos from the event, go here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/134265488@N05/albums/72157667640261901

Some are shaky, I think camera setting was wrong

Image1

In paintshop still, will be worked on further next week..........Shouldn't be too long now. Will update my build thread when its back, don't worry.

Thanks for the photo links
Steve

Oh dear - mine is not doing well under the lights. Lots of machine mop swirls showing (although a specialist detailer should be able to rectify). Bumpers look a bit flat too which they definitely aren't in daylight.

Look forward to seeing the DNA in the flesh - even just from photo comparisons you can see they're some way ahead in terms of finish.

The body in gelcoat looks amazing - look at the shut lines straight out of the mold!

The shut lines were very good, but the back of it looked like a big MGB with girder rammed up it's arse! The front lights looked nice under the perspex covers but they seemed to give the car a "squint".
They were still screwing things onto your car when the show first opened along with a lot of polish being applied.

Ha ha, exactly what I was thinking, excellent shut lines, quality finish and mold, loved the step change down the side and the tight fit around the bottom of windscreen and no gap around tops of doors. MGB backend totally major detractor for kit, although true to original!

The nice tight fit around the windscreen was a plus but looking at the car, it has lost the flip front. The small bonnet will be a pain for any engine work

Lighting in all of the halls was very poor and certainly didn't do any of the cars justice.

I agree ref the lighting, however did you see how well the Cobra's looked under the same lighting ?

They were IMHO pure quality in terms of fit and finish, I also thought the DNA cars both inside and out side were excellent quality.

Jeff.

I had a good look at your car today smash , I thought it looked excellent all round. I know when you build a car you know every inch of it and any bits you're not happy with. I would say just enjoy it now summer is round the corner. Sell it now if you must but I think you will miss it !

The DNA is a quality build but at what price ? Fine if you've unlimited funds but I prefer the Tribute range for a value for money 250 SWB any day. The DNA just looks too much like a big MGB which is why I wouldn't want one !

red 50's car was mickymo' new sammio wasn't it?

Banner on stand said £5950.

That's just for the body... The full price from their site is


• Body panels ,mounting brackets,PU glue,glue primer,handles etc £5950.00
• Bumper mount bars/bumper covers (grp) £500.00
• Bumper over riders (grp) £160.00
• Screen scuttle cover (grp) £50.00
• Aluminium front grill/brackets (laser cut) £220.00
• Wiper motor/assembly /arms/blades/washer jets/mounting bracket £240.00
• Stainless exhaust/clamps/brackets /rubber mounts £360.00
• Headlight lenses (acrylic) £100.00
• Headlight bezels (acrylic) £100.00
• Wheel arch liners (polypropylene ) £60.00
• Side grills left/right (grp/acrylic) £80.00
• Front grill surround (grp) £50.00

• Lighting/finishing pack: Headlights pair • Spotlights pair • Front repeaters pair • Side repeaters pair • Rear light clusters pair • Number plate lights pair • Fog light • Reverse light • Mirror • Chrome/rubber seal/finishing trims £516.00

• Lowering springs 30mm ebay aprox £90.00
Wheels/tyres not supplied
Body £5950.00
Parts £2436.00

Total £8386.00
All prices subject to vat

Would've been about 5k more for me to have DNA supply and build 2fifty compared to Tribute/Nubodi 250. The advantage is pretty much down to VAT. If VAT wasn't involved then only about 2k in it. That's including donor.

The only mistake DNA have made is not sourcing original rear lights as the MGB ones are very distinctive with that reflector - a pair of original 250 California lenses cost 200 euros.

Even less once you realise that the '61 SWB shared its taillights with the Fiat 1200 Cabriolet.

My mistake - 7k more including donor - 4k more if VAT wasn't involved.

They are not Fiat 1200 Cab lights - they have no reflector and the lens shape is different

Thank you very much for taking the time to take pics and posted them up. I would have liked to have gone but other priorities have kept me away.

I very much liked the silver Kobra (Nubodi's demo) as one of the stand out cars on show.

Oh and loved the three wheeler but that's just a play thing rather than 'sensible' kit car

Dave

I hope Tribute can hold off the VAT , or at least until I have placed my order! The VAT will add another £1000 and that will be on top of the recent £1000 increase.

That DNA red 250 California cost £18k to get to the stage it's at, they're having special wheels made at the moment which will cost another £1k+ and interior they're still thinking about but possibly upwards of £2k.

Andy

Just like to say a big Thank You to the Tribute and Nubodi teams for all the help and info they gave me at the show on Sunday, plus it was great to meet up up with you guys on the owners club pitch, though not has many people there has I thought there would be. Went down with my mate who has a body shop. He was critical of the finish of some of the other kits but was impressed with the finished cars on the Nubodi and Tribute stands. We really liked the bumpers on Smash's car they add that finishing touch. My mate has Perkinsons and became quite tired with all the walking round but Richard's wife found a chair for him and they ended up talk for ages, What a great lady. Chris brought me pump and bits of a good hood foc which was appreciated. Must admit the DNA looked very impressive but in my humble opinion I think it does not have the same classic looks of the 250 SWB All told a great day and look forward to next year but in my SWB convertible. Cheers Trev

Kindly re-read my comment and its context. The 1961 SWB barchetta shared lights - and parts numbers - with the Fiat 1200 Cabriolet. Here's an example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIAT-1200-1500-SPIDER-1600-S-Pair-rear-light-lenses-/141976745044?hash=item210e793454:g:QLQAAOSw3mpXJFUK&vxp=mtr

They're available for well under 200€ - often just a bit more than half that. As to using MGB tail lamps being the "only thing" amiss with the DNA incarnation, you're being very generous, I think.

Good to speak to you yesterday Trevor , all the best with the build , Geoff .

My bad - yes those are the lenses.

I don't think I'm being generous at all - if you had seen the DNA in real life and compared it to the Tribute 250 you'd see they do not compare. DNA simply blows it away in terms of fit, finish and being closer to the original design. It's an incredibly impressive creation. There simply is no argument.

I had a long chat with the guys - there is a complete interior package coming with a replacement dashboard and gauges. Unfortunately, he won't sell to none DNA customers but totally understandable - its about maintaining resale and reputation, as he said, "you get what you pay for". If you see the two products in real life that is an incontravertible fact.

Well I had a lovely time and good drive home. Roof down all the way as usual