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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.
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.
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 !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 !