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Hilltop Automotive's 250 SWB Coupe build thread.

23 Feb 2017, 8:19am
Jaguartvr wrote:
I saw that, they have also added the chrome trim along the bottom, I can see that fouling the windscreen wipers at the rest position.


I gotta say I actually think running the trim along the bottom is a really smart move by Nubodi. The problem with the Z3 is the screen rake which ends up with a much longer windscreen than the original - without that bottom strip the windscreen just looks massively long and highlights the issue IMHO. He's also used a really wide strip because the trim on the original is big anyway but also also because (I think anyway) it allows you to make the windscreen look a tad smaller by sitting it off centre (reducing the visible glass area).

Also got to hand it to him for the dash mold he's produced which looks really good - no idea if he'll sell them separately but it's a great way of disguising the original without the full blown rip out a la DNA
23 Feb 2017, 10:02am
The dash does look good but I couldn't live with the fact that it doesn't work and you have to use a WiFi dongle and use you phone. Carbon do a range of aftermarket clocks and if you look in the technical section it give a pretty good idea of how to wire them up. All beyond me but I'm sure someone with some electrical knowledge could work it out. Would make a great how to post for the rest of us.

Many years ago in the mid seventies I used to babysit for a family, high point of my evening was getting a lift back in his brand new 400i. I always remember the dash, it had a velvet finish, I keep thinking that one of these replacement dashes would look great in a flocked finish.
23 Feb 2017, 3:27pm
That looks doable, now can you find me some repro gauges that will work with the STA-1000
23 Feb 2017, 4:31pm
Make sure your Z3 has the OBD2 connection. Mine has the propriety BMW 16 pin type. You can still get aftermarket connecters but not much in the way of dashboard and dial controllers
23 Feb 2017, 9:09pm
It wouldn't be hard to retro fit old style gauges with matching sender units. The choice is endless.
23 Feb 2017, 9:10pm
Jaguartvr wrote:
... plastic pipes that went up the wiper arm and sprayed directly onto the screen, ...


I did that using Alfa Spyder wipers with jets.
24 Feb 2017, 5:47pm
Question for Jeff.
I've used the reface on the bonnet, boot and door skins, flatted it all off and am pleased with the results.
However it seems to go on very thinly and dry, I almost get a textured finish. If I pool the paint I get a better wet result and need to pool it in some areas to fill in the pinholes in the filler.

Isit possible to thin the paint using 2k thinners or will that make reface to thin to do it's job?

I'm using a state of the art HVLP gravity gun with a 2.5 tip (Ebay £23) running at about 35psi. I am also using the state of the art spray booth (back garden and a workmate).

At this rate you may have to park your car a whole town away from the BBQ!
24 Feb 2017, 6:15pm
spraying

could be the temperature (far too cold )if your doing it outside your air line pressure sounds a bit low to me too try 50 to 60 psi
24 Feb 2017, 6:45pm
The book of words says 3>3.5 bar. I did start off at 50psi and slowly dropped the pressure which seemed to help. Nice warm sunny day down south today with no wind.
24 Feb 2017, 7:31pm
Hey Steve,

The reface does tend to go on a bit like a speckled egg finish, quite rough, you are not supposed to thin it but a small amount of acetone will help it flow and go thru the gun a bit better.

You can also bung it in a bucket of hot water for ten minutes before you use it, that will also help, and it does need to be over 15c temp wise.

Also don't get it wet at all, it is a dry flat only deal as it is polyester.

Oh and to add, belt it on, get plenty on in one go but make sure it has tacked off before the next coat, I bung 3 good coats on it has a very high build.

Hope this helps ?
24 Feb 2017, 8:15pm
Thanks Jeff, the speckled egg finish is eggsactly (couldn't resist) what I am getting.
Once it has been flatted down it really does look super smooth.
Doesn't go very far, 1.5 litres has done bonnet, boot and door skins so I hope 3 litres should do the car but I have only put two coats on each panel. Will have a high build 2k primer on top.
I had almost forgotten how crap I was at painting.
24 Feb 2017, 8:35pm
Jaguartvr wrote:
Thanks Jeff, the speckled egg finish is eggsactly (couldn't resist) what I am getting.
Once it has been flatted down it really does look super smooth.
Doesn't go very far, 1.5 litres has done bonnet, boot and door skins so I hope 3 litres should do the car but I have only put two coats on each panel. Will have a high build 2k primer on top.
I had almost forgotten how crap I was at painting.





I used two tins on both of the ones I painted so 5ltrs in all.

Don't worry too much if you break thru when flatting it as you will be going on with 2k high build any way, just look at the reface as an extra layer of filler to help with the shaping.
11 Mar 2017, 5:20pm
Well it is done,

Sort of , I have a snag list to work thru but the car is MOT'd, taxed and Insured.

I fitted the rear screen and the vent cover, very pleased with this.

I needed to sort out the door cards as the std BMW ones are no where near the right shape now, I also sent my templates off to get the glass cut for the side windows.

I fitted my new jacking point bungs that were machined from a lump of Alloy bar, fitted the rear splash shields, paneled in the boot aperture with some sheet Alloy.

Bunged a couple of shaving mirrors on it so I can see what's behind and stuck a bit of stainless pipe out the back to stop the exhaust fumes from gassing me.

The car goes really well, does get a LOT of attention on the road but i am enjoying driving it.

Any way some pics for those interested.


I had these top cappings folded up, I just had to make the end bits, then I used a couple of GT40 door pockets and had a bar folded over to stop my sweets falling out.



Then I cut a sheet of alloy for the door cards, I finished both the door cards and pockets in the crackle finish, it does seem to be hard wearing.















[URL=http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/JeffH100/media/DSC_0043_zpsamysegco.jpg.html]
11 Mar 2017, 5:32pm
That looks fantastic Jeff, you must be really pleased with how it's turned out.
11 Mar 2017, 5:38pm
OK, no serious insights from me just a comment that I think this car is brilliant. Really love the colour, the wheels and the little details.

I wonder what one would look like in Old English White . . .
11 Mar 2017, 5:43pm
hurnleft wrote:
That looks fantastic Jeff, you must be really pleased with how it's turned out.



Hi Bob,

Yes I am happy enough with it, their are bits of it that could be better but I have resigned myself to saying it is a Glass car and I can live with a couple of small blemishes here and there.

I am quite astonished at the reaction it gets on the road, I wasn't prepared for that at all.

Still a few bits to do to it but at least i can use the thing now rather than it gathering dust in the wkshop.

I worked it out that it has taken me 9 months to build as I took 3 months off doing the Blue car for my customer.

I have had an offer for the car already but I am still in the Honeymoon phase at the moment, the chap has asked me to price one up to put together for him so we will wait and see.
11 Mar 2017, 5:46pm
PTL wrote:
OK, no serious insights from me just a comment that I think this car is brilliant. Really love the colour, the wheels and the little details.

I wonder what one would look like in Old English White . . .



Their is one in White gel coat about,

Not sure if it ever got finished and I am terrible at names, i think the shape of the car means it works with most colours.

Thanks for the kind comments.
11 Mar 2017, 6:36pm
Looks cracking :hail: the benchmark has definitely been set...
11 Mar 2017, 6:39pm
Jeff H wrote:
Hi Bob,

Yes I am happy enough with it, their are bits of it that could be better but I have resigned myself to saying it is a Glass car and I can live with a couple of small blemishes here and there.

I am quite astonished at the reaction it gets on the road, I wasn't prepared for that at all.

Still a few bits to do to it but at least i can use the thing now rather than it gathering dust in the wkshop.

I worked it out that it has taken me 9 months to build as I took 3 months off doing the Blue car for my customer.

I have had an offer for the car already but I am still in the Honeymoon phase at the moment, the chap has asked me to price one up to put together for him so we will wait and see.


The car is simply stunning , are you going to take it up to Stoneliegh in a few weeks time ?

If I had a spare £30k I would be in a position to make an offer too !
11 Mar 2017, 7:39pm
Tribute Automotive wrote:






Chris made me do it,

Said it was tradition :whoo:
11 Mar 2017, 11:09pm
Great looking Car Jeff. Wow.

Sounds flipping cool too :)

My compliments

Dave