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Hi,
I'm in the process of developing a body change kit for the BMW Z3. I am making good progress on the front end and I am slowly getting there with the rear. We are currently working on getting the plug design right. I will try and post a few progress pictures.
I'm hoping for a completed car by the end of the summer and an official launch and a few kits for sale at next years Stoneleigh show.
I have tried to capture and combine elements of the;
Muscle of the AC Cobra
Lines of the E-type
Presence of the 250 GTO
and modern feel of the XK180 and Eagle Speedster
With a little bit of Maserati and Aston Martin thrown in for good measure.
I'm not trying to create a replica car. It's intended to be a modern car with a modern design taking classic inspiration.
It will fit all the Z3 cars. Normal, widebody, Z3M roadster etc.... I can't wait to get it finished.
The back end is a little bit Z8 / etype / eagle speedster. I have a few progress shots on the Facebook site.
I want to do a coupe. It will be a fastback taking some inspiration from the corvette C2 / etype fastback.
But I need to sell a few kits to make my money back before I go for the coupe. I need to know there is a market for what I'm doing. :-)
The side view on facebook looks good. It would be good to put the same photo here if you want to gauge reaction.
Whether or not it will sell depends on many things including the obviois ones like ease of fit, support provided by the seller, and of course cost. I think it should sell well based on looks alone. Seeing the side view I think you're right to focus on a soft top - it suits it well.
I've paid a deposit to Chris at Tribute Automitive for something special that I'm really looking forward to. Otherwise I would be very interested to see how yours turns out.
Best of luck.
i hope to do a full build DVD - including how to strip the Z3, where to bolt the panels and bonding proceedure. Plus electrics.
However it should be pretty much the most simple build ever! One piece rear section simply bolts on to the car replaceing the existing wings at the same points.
The bonnet / boot are bonded onto the cars existing bonnet/boot frame after taking the skin off. So all the hinges and catches remain in place!
I hope it could be a DIY build for 2 people in a weekend.
That's a very ambitious plan and I wish you all the best. The bolt on panel swap idea sounds very exciting and will give customers the chance to change shapes when you introduce more models. People could buy a modern theme and a 60s theme for example (or softtop and coupe) and swap them over as it suits them. A modern one to visit the British GP and fit the retro shape for the Goodwood Revival!
Good luck.
A sneak preview news article featuring the Bertini GT25 has just been published in Complete Kit Car magazine. The words have been blurred by request of the editors. But they said nice things :-)
There have been a few developments:
Firstly there is another article - this time in TKC magazine (Total Kit Car). This one is an online article - but they want to do a print feature when its finished :-)
here is the link to the online article:
Kit development wise the first moulding is out of the mould and the underskin is being developed and fixed to allow easy installation of lights and grills + easy fitment of the bonnet to the existing hinges.
i have my Z3 back from the local BMW specialists DM WORX - i have had Bilstein Shocks, Eibach Springs and poly bushes fitted. Plus many worn suspension parts replaced.
Also had the wheels fitted balanced and tracking adjusted - it now sits 30mm lower and you can really notice the difference in the cornering.
Here is a picture of the new wheels fitted to my Z3.
We have taken slightly different approaches as I have no skills in making the molds or styling the body I approached Chris at Tribute to do mine for me.
I won't post pictures here as I don't want to spoil your thread but if you look over on the Tribute forum you should find the WCA build thread easily enough.
Your front end looks great, a modern interpretation of the classic style. Mine is also an interpretation rather than a replica but more period in style.
I will watch this thread with interest. Lots of pictures please, side shots and rear 3/4s when they are ready please.
Good Luck
PS If you want some front or rear wings that have only had one set of splash molds taken from them then PM me. Still in good shape but with some gloop still attached
