I think that the DB4 Zagato is much prettier than the DB5 that so many rave about - (mostly because of the Bond connection).
Nothing much of interest going on. I am cleaning, stripping and treating MBG seat frames. Not very stimulating, but I aim to spray them black this week sometime. There are loads of videos on re-furbishing these, so I'll maybe just put a couple of progress pics up for interest.
I also hope to collect my dashboard this coming week or the week after.
The 275 roofline being modified for Welsh Kiwi is the start point for my roof, and the back cannot be done until we have the roof. The front will use something like the narrow 250SWB as a start, but there is a lot of work to do on the nose.
Seat Refurbishment - The Paint Booth
Here is the spray paint booth, a large carton:
and here is the product:
It will all be covered in foam and seat covers, so not a lot of finesse in cleaning the frames, just a wire brush to get the rust off, and anti rust treatment, before a couple of coats of paint.
Zagato Roadsters
Following on from Jagtvr's comments about wanting one of these, I wondered what it would look like. Apart from the BMW and AM AR1 versions, I cannot find any others.
This is a US kit I think. Obviously a Z3 windscreen would have a bit of an effect, but this gives the gist of it I think.
No problem, they are real issues that affect us all, so need to be aired.
A bit of a clue
This is from Welshkiwi’s thread and shows the revised 275 roofline. Raising the roof slightly helps with both the window line, as well as the need to insert a rear quarter light for the Z3gato.
If you can imagine a 250SWB coupe rear with the wings sloping down slightly at the back you can begin to get the picture.
I think the cage gives structural support for the roof. So long as the roll cage is required to do this, I wouldn't expect a significant shift. Roadsters top seems to have come to a halt. The tolerances and rigidity, without building a bomb shelter will probably take quite some time to get right.
Interesting. How much narrower is the MGB? My NG based on the MG running gear was 36 inches across the front seats panel to panel, the Z3 is 54 inches so quite a big difference.
Dashboard update
Some progress on the buck for the dashboard. The hole left of centre is for a lockable glove box.
Starting point for the front
Here are some beginning shots of panels for the front buck. Still a fair way to go, but the journey has begun. Waiting to hear on progress of the 275 roof.
Mondeo grill
On top
There will be vents of some kind below the grill, possibly 3. My preference is for recessed also.
Great news Welshkiwi.
I have been working my way through the fuse checks to see what is causing the draw. No progress during the cold snowy weather, and up to Fuse 31. They are fiddly little blighters, even with the extractor tool.
As I am using one of these:
there are two insertions and two extractions for each fuse. And due to the position of the fuses near the bulkhead, you tend to stand a bit too close and have to lean backwards.
However, now that the battery is charged up, the solar charger on the dashboard that IanA recommended seems to be doing the job. I have also bee taking the car out for a 10 mile trip every 5 or 6 days just to make sure that it starts and goes.
The fuel gauge warning beeps and the light comes on when ignition is switched on. Internet advice is to put some fuel cleaner in the tank a few times and see if it frees up the sensor mechanism. I had let the fuel get very low, so it is possible it is gunked up. We shall see. Otherwise it will be a sensor replacement.
The car drives noticeably but not unpleasantly firmer on the coil overs, so that is a relief. I really only got them to accommodate the wider wheels on the front and to allow height adjustment once the new panels are fitted. I got AP coil overs, and was advised by a mechanic (after purchase) that they are prone to knocking in the Z3 mounts. Luckily, that has not happened either.
Edit. Now checked fuses up to 46. The only draw is on the alarm / door lock remote circuit, so nothing is out of wack so far. I think there are some under the dashboard to try, and also there is a possibility of a sticky relay switch. I'll just have to keep plodding on.
Paul,
You are right, it has similarities with AM, but we are not trying to replicate it. The grill on top, was a possibility if it looked half decent, but Chris was really showing how the Mondeo grill was a good fit. The Fiesta has a nicer, better proportioned grill, but is was not wide enough. However, recessing the grill disguises some of the Mondeo grill shortcomings. We'll have to see what Chris does with it depth-wise once the vents are placed underneath. we should probably take some account of kerb clearance, I have done plenty of concrete scraping with other cars.
PS Good to see the photos of your rolling chassis again, it is a cracking job.
Clearly you have observed Pininfarina and Zagato.
edit. a bit like the Billy Connolly joke about Mexican Food. Same dish rolled different ways.
IanA,
Interesting about your suggested cause of drain. When I had the leak from the lower part of the windscreen, it all tipped out into the passenger footwell and it was very soggy down there. Hmmmm.
Z3 Binacle
Yes, I wanted to keep it relatively simple. I might consider re-facing the instruments based on some threads from a couple of years ago. me and electrickery do not get along generally.
It may seem heretical, but I will probably put the quarter light de-mister vents in the top of the dash as per the Z3 also.
Electrical Drain
Having established that the only fuse drawing with the ignition off was the lock / alarm one, today, after a few days away, the driver side lock is playing up. This could be my problem. It seems like there is a mechanical as well as an actuator problem, but both are relatively easy fixes if the internet posts and videos are to be believed. Anyhow, I am now waiting for a replacement actuator to be delivered. I had already got the trim removal tool ready for the internal fit out. I am building up the momentum to find those pesky torx heads that are buried in the unsorted area of the garage.
I am determined not to go the route of a friend, who had two or three versions of every tool because he could not remember where he put the last one. He figured it was quicker and easier to buy a new one in off the internet. The more he replaced, the harder it got to find the one he was looking for.
His wife made a fortune on ebay when he passed away.
IanA, there is no restriction on screwdrivers and pliers. You need to have them handy, so having them in a drawer in every room, (even bedside cabinet) is quite acceptable. Torches, Stanley knives and gaffer tape the same. I would like to rule out the imaginative use of gaffer tape in the bedroom right now.
