MadaboutKitcars

Depends how soon someone parks one outside Tribute I guess

Replica BMW Z8 kits based on the Z4 have been availiable for many years now.





Created by a company named “Car Kit” in Alabama, the BMW Z8 replica pack is based on the BMW Z4. The bodykit costs $5,995 or €3,840 while the front and rear light lenses without projectors or bulbs, $1,000 or €640 ($125 a piece).

The rear light setup was one of the first build decisions I made, even before buying the kit. It would have been good to emulate my inspiration- the Maser A6GCS Fantuzzi in this video and just have a single light unit on each side.

However, my wish for reversing and fog lights, along with the Construction & Use requirement for reflectors meant that I ended up with the current setup which nods to authenticity whilst being legal.

I have realised that this concept is more a akin to the Sammio than the Cobra

The large grille opening features on both but the Sammio has always had the lower profile and more sleek as apposed to the Cobras more purposeful poise.

Here's a far more reasonably priced Z8 conversion - only £1800 pounds or so. I should imagine shipping will add a couple more hundred though
http://tinyurl.com/ndjwjgn

I must admit that the image I have in my head of your project is for a much more modern interpretation. Are you saying that you want it to look like a Sammio? If so, I think it's a shame and a lost opportunity.

Shipping crate 450$ front and rear lenses 500$ then plus shipping...there must be a euro manurfacturer of this kit?
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When looked at the link this popped up check this out

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[/URL]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRICE-CUT-c-1959-Kellison-Coupe-BODY-ONLY-vintage-drag-race-car-body/150970806914?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33278%26meid%3D9a9562815aad4a58aab7c779ea3c8e87%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D230889081795

The picture of the blue "Sammio" is a photoshop that I asked Chris to do of a Sammio body on a Miata chassis. The Miata has an 89.2 inch wheelbase, is 6 inches wider (if I remember correctly) and has a taller engine resulting in a taller bonnet. I never built it but liked the way it looked. I was going for the retro look on a more modern chassis. I never built it.

I just sold my scratch built Cobra. It had a custom frame with C5 Corvette suspension and drivetrain. It was a great combo and I hated to sell it.

I just checked the ebay listing. I'm truly into all of these cars. I have a Kellison J5 body sitting in my garage.

Ah that rings a bell was it you that bought the abarth body and moulds?

Yes. But, I recently sold them. Because of health issues I've been selling my cars and projects.

The Sammio's a great looking car and it would be good to see something like this built on an MX5, Z3 or whatever.
But I misinterpreted Roadster's design as a more modern concept so didn't expect it to have been influenced by your earlier work ( though like many things, there are a lot of influences in there!)

I never consciously incorporated the Sammio into the design.

But 50's and 60's design repeat a lot of themes and some lines are duplicated on multiple models.
But while reading Pauls thread I realised How similar the Sammios lines were.

It is a shame JMC it would have been a great little car - you were cutting up your Miata the same time as I was. Seems an age ago

Trawling for a picture of SWB door handle workings I came across this pic:



That's a 22" Range Rover alloy that we tried on the rear of a Z3. A little tight on the rear of the sill, but a lower profile tyre would help. Didn't try it on the front but I expect there would be some turning circle issues!

Having run 19's, I would stick to 18's.

Been a bit quiet recently, I have stopped sketching more ideas.
The core idea is in place and until Chris starts to sculpt I don't know how it will evolve.

I did get my first rear lamp mocked up though.
Readers that have been following the thread will know that my choice of light units have caused lots of debate.

Hows the sculpting going.

I miss driving my mx5. Interiors well set up. At the moment their isn't any seats or carpets,headlights,tailights

I don't think Chris has started it yet .
Im waiting with baited breath

good luck with your build project ....
just read the thread and sounds interesting.
Will be good to see it at Stoneleigh!

Roadster, when prepping these light cups make sure they are rubbed down to base and give them a good priming. I have owned a couple of Fiat Coupe's and on both there was a problem with the paint bubbling with these cups. Must be a reaction with the paint as they are plastic/composite so no rust issues.

Im used to working outside and the weather normally hinders progress.

But the weather keeping me inside led me to complete another lamp.
The led halos are working and the red covers mimic the look of the wheels.

So if you squint and imagine them installed in the rear clam



I visited Chris last weekend and the z300 shell is complete and waiting to be mutated into my beast.

Thanks for the advice
Im actually considering Plastidipping it as it is easier to maintain a satin finish unlike paint

Xmas is coming

This weekend was one of the rare occasions that nobody was after my attention. So what to do with this rare free time?
I got up before dawn and headed to the "dream factory"

Chris was already hard at work when I arrived but as always welcomed me and gave me time.

So my mission was to refocus on the build. While waiting for my position in the queue I had become distracted. I even started sketching again - dangerous cant drift off into another project before this one is finished.



Did I mention that I have a beach buggy that is 95% complete?
Next year I promise

I recently started seeing a rear lamp that I really want to add to the Z300 rear
Its tinted and Led and the shape looks like it would cut into the curvaceous rear end well.



But they are Porsche rear lamps and have a Porsche price £550 and even with my trade connections the cheapest I could find were £316 - so unfortuantly out of my budget

Te first cut is the deepest

The mutant Z300 shell has been laid up for a number of weeks now.
I have been collecting bits and pieces that I hope will be useful in its transformation.
My first job was to mock up a damaged rear end.
Out came the angle grinder



So after a bit of wandering around and looking at it from many angles, I think we have the start of something. I still have much musing of where to locate the twin TVR exhaust cans. But the number plate will fit above the rear diffuser.
The rear light cups have a limited area that they can be cut into. Legalities and the curvature to be considered.

The front wasn't safe from the angle grinder either. Chris showed his skill lopping off the Z300 nose. In one cut I could see how the previous idea for the Zagato would have formed.



The idea for the vent has been cut but to be honest I wasn't sure about it and its very close to the slam panel so I don't think it will feature in the finished car