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TRIBUTE A352 Project

9 Dec 2012, 11:10pm
It means you spend to much time on this blxxdy forum, rather than
a) actually working on your car, which means it takes twice as long to build as it could, not should).
b) going to bed on time
c) having a life.
Therefore it is not a badge I wear with honour, its just I can't help myself.
9 Dec 2012, 11:19pm
seanick wrote:
It means you spend to much time on this blxxdy forum, rather than
a) actually working on your car, which means it takes twice as long to build as it could, not should).
b) going to bed on time
c) having a life.
Therefore it is not a badge I wear with honour, its just I can't help myself.


:amen:

Now back to the workshop.........:ranger: damn it!
10 Dec 2012, 6:40am
seanick wrote:
It means you spend to much time on this blxxdy forum, rather than
a) actually working on your car, which means it takes twice as long to build as it could, not should).
b) going to bed on time
c) having a life.
Therefore it is not a badge I wear with honour, its just I can't help myself.


We come here as a help group -
Sometimes we can get help with our car builds
Sometimes we can help others with their build.
But most of the the time its just reassurance that we are not alone when friends and family berate us - consider each visit like a trip to car builders anonymous

Merry christmas all :)
10 Dec 2012, 5:10pm
Completely agree, and it's also nice on this forum to see so many people with the same mindset, tacking so many different types of kit and encountering similar problems that we can all learn from and help with. Especially at the times when you are at a _low_ with your own build!
23 Dec 2012, 5:27am
So close to ordering one of these when I noticed that the Spitfire cockpit has been considerably shortened. I am 6 foot four in the old money and have Mx5 seats in my Mk1 (a great donor as the early Spits had removable windscreens) and need the full setback (see photo-apologies for the cheesiness); as you are very good at photoshop any chance of seeing what the A352 looks like with the cockpit back to normal Spitfire setback for those of us who ate their veggies as kids?

Craig

23 Dec 2012, 9:07pm
Yes yes yes, and yes.

I loved the MX250, but this threw me off the chair when i found it by accident on ebay.

With the hard top, i'd be sold completely!

I shall be following intently, want one!
24 Dec 2012, 5:52pm
Craig C wrote:
So close to ordering one of these when I noticed that the Spitfire cockpit has been considerably shortened. I am 6 foot four in the old money and have Mx5 seats in my Mk1 (a great donor as the early Spits had removable windscreens) and need the full setback (see photo-apologies for the cheesiness); as you are very good at photoshop any chance of seeing what the A352 looks like with the cockpit back to normal Spitfire setback for those of us who ate their veggies as kids?

Craig




Hi Craig

I am happy to modify a kit for you to provide the extra cockpit space you require. You will look great in one....

24 Dec 2012, 5:54pm
Down&Out wrote:
Yes yes yes, and yes.

I loved the MX250, but this threw me off the chair when i found it by accident on ebay.

With the hard top, i'd be sold completely!

I shall be following intently, want one!


I'm glad you like it :bounce:

More progress on the hardtop in the New Year.
25 Dec 2012, 10:26pm
Have you considered this on top of an MX5?

The original kit you took moulds from is the same wheelbase (i think)

How good would that be!

I know you've probably already thought about it, but it was worth a mention.
28 Dec 2012, 8:11pm
Down&Out wrote:
Have you considered this on top of an MX5?

The original kit you took moulds from is the same wheelbase (i think)

How good would that be!

I know you've probably already thought about it, but it was worth a mention.


Yes it is the same wheelbase (MX is only 0.5" shorter). I dismissed the MX5 as a base because of the windscreen having to stay to avoid IVA, but if you forget about it being a "replica" and just look at it as a period modified car, like the MX250, then maybe it would work?



You would have to increase the depth of the body at sill level and the rear to cover the existing MX5 bodywork. More "barrel" like door skins would be required and the back of the D Type bonnet would have to be raised and blended into the MX5 scuttle area. And you would have lower the hell out of it and fit 15" wheels with tall tyres...........

Hang on a minute, isn't this "Roadster's" MX5 from the Sammio Forum next door? http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3008&page=4

29 Dec 2012, 6:10am
Chris you nailed exactly what i was aiming for but somewhere in the translation i got side tracked.

If you only had that body available when i started i would have been driving it all this year.

So how many think this should be the next Tribute offering? I think you would have to export some of these - Club Roadster across the pond we interested when i started mine

Happy new year all - lets hope we can get some of these cars out of the forum and meet up at the shows
29 Dec 2012, 4:31pm
Magnificent body!

I really liked the Sammio when I saw it.
But when I saw the A352 I was positively stunned! :shocked:

Your modifications to the D-Type body have been fantastic!
I believe you have got the proportions and curves spot on and this body shape will be one to remember like the 427 SC Cobra.
Like a woman, it is the shape of the curves that make them beautiful. :icon_cool:

Now, if it could fit on the typical Locost chassis I think there would be a large market of (additional) potential builders. :gossip:
But don't change the body, modify the chassis to fit. :lol:
I think the re-use of the Spitfire is an excellent idea as long as Spit's are available cheap.
They are Unobtanium here though so a Locost type simple tube frame would be great.

I would have already sent you a deposit if the shipping to Alaska didn't cost a fortune. :frusty: :mad2:
29 Dec 2012, 6:24pm
TBH i'd be more than happy to run one of these on top of a spitfire because it'd be easy to mend then, im just waiting to see how the hardtop turns out ;)
29 Dec 2012, 10:37pm
JagLite wrote:
I really liked the Sammio when I saw it.
But when I saw the A352 I was positively stunned! :shocked:

Your modifications to the D-Type body have been fantastic!
I believe you have got the proportions and curves spot on and this body shape will be one to remember like the 427 SC Cobra.
Like a woman, it is the shape of the curves that make them beautiful. :icon_cool:

Now, if it could fit on the typical Locost chassis I think there would be a large market of (additional) potential builders. :gossip:
But don't change the body, modufy the chassis to fit. :lol:
I think the re-use of the Spitfire is an excellent idea as long as Spit's are available cheap.
They are Unobtanium here though so a Locost type simple tube frame would be great.

I would have already sent you a deposit if the shipping to Alaska didn't cost a fortune. :frusty: :mad2:


Hello Alaska :becky:

Thank you for your kind words.

The Locost idea is a good one. In the UK there are plenty of tired, cheap, registered kit cars that would benefit from a rebody, like this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUTTON-KIT-CAR-PROJECT-/170965354020?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27ce544624

The wheelbase of the Dutton is 86" and the A352 is 83", so only a small stretch to do.

I am currently awaiting a delivery cost for a kit to the US, so I will let you know how much it is.
29 Dec 2012, 10:42pm
Roadster wrote:
Chris you nailed exactly what i was aiming for but somewhere in the translation i got side tracked.

If you only had that body available when i started i would have been driving it all this year.

So how many think this should be the next Tribute offering? I think you would have to export some of these - Club Roadster across the pond we interested when i started mine

Happy new year all - lets hope we can get some of these cars out of the forum and meet up at the shows


Hi Roadster

Given enough time (is there ever enough?) I will try a body on our workshop MX5. It looks easy in Photoshop but I think there are some limiting factors on the MX shell vs the curves of the D Type body.
29 Dec 2012, 10:43pm
Down&Out wrote:
TBH i'd be more than happy to run one of these on top of a spitfire because it'd be easy to mend then, im just waiting to see how the hardtop turns out ;)


Back on the hardtop next week! :eusa_dance:
30 Dec 2012, 2:51am
Hmm, that photoshop with me in the A352 would have lost you a few sales...

I would really like to pull the trigger on an order for one of these, but would like to see a full size cockpit version (including bigger doors), revised boot (to be more like an E-type). This car is not replica (and this is definitely NOT a criticism) but more an "inspired by" so why not fix a few design issues of the original? I hate the Tr3 rear lights and would modify the rear to be a little less "droopy-arsed" and more like the Bamford Ferrari with recessed lights slightly higher up.



I would also like to see a tilt front end version as per the Spitfire (and D-type, not that that matters...), especially as I live in the Antipodes and it would make a MUCH smaller shipping package.

Am I waiting in vain for these mods and will have to do them myself or do you see a different version in the future?

Craig C

PS Can you work out a shipping cost to Adelaide, South Australia for me please?
30 Dec 2012, 11:05am
Craig C wrote:
Hmm, that photoshop with me in the A352 would have lost you a few sales...

I would really like to pull the trigger on an order for one of these, but would like to see a full size cockpit version (including bigger doors), revised boot (to be more like an E-type). This car is not replica (and this is definitely NOT a criticism) but more an "inspired by" so why not fix a few design issues of the original? I hate the Tr3 rear lights and would modify the rear to be a little less "droopy-arsed" and more like the Bamford Ferrari with recessed lights slightly higher up.



I would also like to see a tilt front end version as per the Spitfire (and D-type, not that that matters...), especially as I live in the Antipodes and it would make a MUCH smaller shipping package.

Am I waiting in vain for these mods and will have to do them myself or do you see a different version in the future?

Craig C

PS Can you work out a shipping cost to Adelaide, South Australia for me please?


I will get a delivery quote sorted. The boot/bonnet mods are fairly straightforward as a one-off, but we can discuss them after we find out if shipping is within your budget.
30 Dec 2012, 11:34am
Tilt front end on mine too Chris*

*this does not mean I have definitely decided to go for it
30 Dec 2012, 3:10pm
Having spent today sick in bed browsing the www I need to decide if my A352 should have 0, 1 or 2 humps.

Decided against the flip front though.
30 Dec 2012, 7:07pm
Tribute Automotive wrote:
Hi Roadster

Given enough time (is there ever enough?) I will try a body on our workshop MX5. It looks easy in Photoshop but I think there are some limiting factors on the MX shell vs the curves of the D Type body.


Yes i agree Chris - I have left it all complete below the fibreglass so its hard to get the correct line but im happyish - i will lower the rear coil overs more before it hits the street
31 Dec 2012, 5:53pm
Body to Chassis/Tub fixing

Watching progress with great interest.
Investigating Bond Equipe as the base car.
Would the extra 8.5 inches give extra length seat to steering wheel? Your "model" seems a bit cramped in the elbows!
How do you attach the body to the tub ? Bolts & Washers ? Brackets ?
Cemlyn
1 Jan 2013, 12:53am
Tribute

I was looking at my Classic British Sports Cars book and realized that your new A352 is very much like the Jaguar XKSS. And that is a compliment!

Since the XKSS started as the D-Type made road practical it does make sense that your car is following the same route.

Could you source a similar wind screen to the XKSS? Not that I would want it, I like your small screen but some might want, or need for legal requirements, to have safety glass.
1 Jan 2013, 3:53am
I really like the A352! It looks great to me. I think that the Porsche 356 windshield has the correct look for the A352. The glass is legal, safety laminated. It is readily available in three heights. A low Speedster, (12 5/8 inches tall), Taller yet for a convertible version, and taller yet for a coupe. It is 49 inches wide, center of post to center of post.

I am using this glass on a Lister/Jag inspired body using Miata components that I am building.
1 Jan 2013, 9:58am
+1 for the XKSS to give me a windscreen but the D type looks nicer IMHO. I have had four bird strikes on my windscreen over the years and am paranoid.

Looking at a morph from a BMW Z3 to a D Type shows the biggest change in proportion is the D Type aero screen is further back from the front wheel and smaller. Oh, the wheel base is longer on the BMW too.