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MadaboutKitcars

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.

Convertible New Build

28 Nov 2019, 2:55pm
Same on SWB headlining panels!

Incidentally 275 features briefly in new Le Mans 66 flick
28 Nov 2019, 5:28pm
Called in at the paint shop today. They have done loads of prep and they're nearly ready for the final top coat. After a lot of thought I've gone with a slightly lighter shade of red.
22 Dec 2019, 3:09pm
The paint has turned out really well. I'm mid way through putting all the trim back onto the car. Mostly finishing off jobs so only a couple of weeks away from completion.
22 Dec 2019, 3:47pm
Pictures, we meed pictures..........lots of them!
22 Dec 2019, 6:45pm
Pictures !!!!

Dave :)
23 Jan 2020, 4:23pm
Any new photos of this yet????:cry: I'd say it's going to look the t*ts!

(Apologies to those that clicked on this thread thinking L@LM uploaded some new photos!:icon_biggrin:)
1 Mar 2020, 10:30am
Been a while since my last update ! The car is basically finished and MOT'd. One or two little cosmetic jobs and its all done, I hope to get those done this week.

Looks like my car is the only convertible.

I'm really pleased with the way it has turned out, it looks great and drives really well. The 2.8 has just the right amount of power and performance. I'm running a standard exhaust, exiting in twin pipes so it sounds spot on. Not too loud, just smooth and refined !

The interior upgrades have worked really well, the seats are comfortable, supportive and together with the subtle changes like the door cards have taken away the obvious Z3 origins.

I haven't fitted any inappropriate badges, I didn't think it would be right to do so. It will keep them guessing at the shows for sure !
1 Mar 2020, 10:34am
Lucky@LeMans wrote:


Looks like my car is the only convertible, the kit is no longer available which is a real shame.



Is that really the case? Surely not (I hope)
1 Mar 2020, 4:30pm
A few photo's of the finished car. The paint looks a bit orange, that's just my crap photography skills ! There's a layer of dirt on it too, should have given it a good clean and polish ! Some of the photo's are just after Christmas when the car wasn't quite done, but you can see how it has turned out.
1 Mar 2020, 7:20pm
Looks great, you have made nice job of your car.
How did you make the chrome surrounds on the headlight covers and how are they fitted.
My mx 250 gto is in the paint shop at the moment, after 3 weeks visiting every paint supplier in my area I have given up on Audi Rivera blue no one could mix it correctly it always came out wrong. Think I will be going for Porsche guards red now.
1 Mar 2020, 8:04pm
The chrome surrounds are GRP parts supplied in the kit. I've chrome wrapped them and bonded them in place with 3M tape.
1 Mar 2020, 9:10pm
Looks bloody nice Lucky. Can’t wait to see it in the flesh. My compliments

Dave

(Bringing it to Stoneleigh perchance?)
3 Mar 2020, 2:33am
Looks a very nice outcome LLM, jealous of the speed!

One question on the trim surrounds, have you 3m taped the trim and the headlight cover to the opening or just the trim? If not how did you end up fixing the cover to the opening? I am scratching my head at the moment because I have already partially cracked one after drilling so am wondering whether I hide retention for that under the trim or still try and make it a feature either inboard of the trim or on the trim.

Trouble is trying to keep the lines visually as clean as possible.

Nice work!
3 Mar 2020, 10:35am
The TVR perspex covers needed a lot of trimming in the first place. They were then drilled with 4 mounting holes which were then countersunk for M4 screws. I spotted through the covers and tapped the GRP M4 to suit. Its about 3mm thick around the rim of the light cover so plenty thick enough . The outer trims were then stuck on with heavy duty, out door spec 3m tape.

One word for drilling perspex as there is a lot of BS out there ! You need to grind your drill bit to a very shallow angle. It needs to be sharp ( not blunt as you might read elsewhere ! ) You need to go slow and steady and keep the drill bit cool using water. The plastic can get very hot very quickly which can cause the drill to jam and crack the work. Only use very light pressure, let the drill cut at its own rate. You need to support the perspex directly behind with a wooden block where you are drilling.
3 Mar 2020, 7:25pm
totally agree with the drilling method. Perspex & Lexan drill bits are available, but heed the method outlined by LL above.
Let the drill bit do the work. Go VERY slowly.
4 Mar 2020, 8:44am
Lucky@LeMans wrote:
The TVR perspex covers needed a lot of trimming in the first place. They were then drilled with 4 mounting holes which were then countersunk for M4 screws. I spotted through the covers and tapped the GRP M4 to suit. Its about 3mm thick around the rim of the light cover so plenty thick enough . The outer trims were then stuck on with heavy duty, out door spec 3m tape.

One word for drilling perspex as there is a lot of BS out there ! You need to grind your drill bit to a very shallow angle. It needs to be sharp ( not blunt as you might read elsewhere ! ) You need to go slow and steady and keep the drill bit cool using water. The plastic can get very hot very quickly which can cause the drill to jam and crack the work. Only use very light pressure, let the drill cut at its own rate. You need to support the perspex directly behind with a wooden block where you are drilling.


Thanks LLM, very full and great advice. Totally appreciated. I shall heed it well....Cheers.
4 Mar 2020, 9:53am
Originally Posted by Lucky@LeMans

Looks like my car is the only convertible, the kit is no longer available which is a real shame.



#
Mitchelkitman wrote:
Is that really the case? Surely not (I hope)


Any confirmation (either way) that anyone is able to give (and a reason if it has really been axed)?
6 Mar 2020, 9:37pm
A couple of photo's in todays rare sunlight !
6 Mar 2020, 9:42pm
absolutely stunning!
6 Mar 2020, 11:25pm
Agreed. That is very tasty indeed. My compliments as that is just right.

Such a crying shame that the Fxxxxxs got involved. 😟
7 Mar 2020, 7:40am
Looks like a beautiful production car to me. :cool:



Hope you get a chance to enjoy driving this one longer than the last one.

You certainly deserve a few sunny (and warm) days with the roof down.

Good luck, Paul. :)
13 Mar 2020, 10:15am
Took the car to the 3 Counties Show Ground last Sunday. A huge amount of interest in the car. Most of the people there were classic car owners who weren't familiar with the current kit car scene. Most were full of praise and really liked the re body concept of modern BMW running gear with the classic style, rust free body.

There are a few breakfast club meets coming up, Shelsley Walsh, Prescott and Bromyard Speed Festival. If the weather is good I'll be there!
14 Mar 2020, 3:02pm
For anyone who might be interested I have advertised the car for sale in a couple of places. Testing the water so to speak, I'm not sure how much interest there will be at the moment. I need to make way for the Z3gato project that I've got my name down for, I intend to keep that one for the longer term !