Molleur, thanks for the codes, I have been casting around without much success for the AM California Sage one. I saw a nice MGB done in the Sage, but no-one ever publishes the code.
For this stage I am sticking with RAL colours, as Chris can do those in the gelcoat. That way, I can be driving around in something approximating what I want whilst I continue to prevaricate about what to do next. It least the gelcoat will not be eggshell finish.
I am being pressured to get the dining room painting finished, so smoothing back the green eggs may have to be next week. Some scheduling conflicts there though as 2 days are blocked out for a walk in the Surrey hills with a schoolfriend. We usually set off mid morning and make it to a pub for lunch. Surrey has a village every 3-4 miles, most of which have a pub.
After 5 miles up hill and down dale, we make it to another village where we stop off for a refresher. And afterwards, returning to the start point (another pub would you believe) where we dine, meet up with another school friend who still lives locally and basically, get hammered and stop over.
We stick to the range of villages we could reach and return home in a day of mischief on bicycles (before we were able to ride Lambrettas it used to be 16 years old in those days).
Next day, after a late and full breakfast, time for a leisurely stroll along the river, then home and try to convince out wives how far and hard we have walked.
I will try flatting these back and see how it goes before trying a darker colour.
Interesting, on my screen, that comes out a germanic beige, like one of those Mercedes monster 4x4 thingies.
I have to confess, it is hard to disagree with that succinct evaluation.
Colour Matching
So I did a quick bit of flatting back, and here are the comparisons to the RAL colour swatches.
On the left is the colour I thought I was getting. In the middle is a bit of flatted spray paint delivered. On the right is the 6011 that I will probably go for. The delivered paint in the middle is slightly more blue than the RAL swatch.
I could send back the two tins I still have (I need to do the doors as well), but not sure I can be @rsed for £22. I could order the 6021 from somewhere else, but that may be no closer. I will probably go for the 6011, and get one can to try it out first, which would have been the wise move first time around.
Maybe I should go for that Scottish flag blue?
Getting Down to It
I spoke with Chris yesterday. A roof panel has been made from the uprated mould for the 275. This will allow panels to be placed together so that style lines can be evaluated and agreed. Later next week, I will take the wheels and tyres down to Tribute so that the panel fitting for the buck can be refined over the following week or two. There may be some photos of panels placed together within the next 7 days then, with cutting and joining to follow on.
Happy days, watch this space.
Welshkiwi, I know how you felt now.
Don't worry about chipping in with opinions. I think the peppermint outcome is funny. It is all learning, and no harm done. It is not like I am going to try and defend such an abomination, (though there have been production cars more luridly coloured than that) let alone have my car that colour.
Let's face it, these threads get read for amusement as much as for gaining knowledge. But if me not getting proper colour swatches is a help for anyone in the future, then good.
Don't worry, there will be pics, and hopefully, not that green. Seriously though, I am re-considering the colour. The California Sage (variously dubbed Almond, AM Racing etc) looks wonderful, IF you can get it. Ultimately, if I pay for a professional paint job, there should be no reason not to get there. In the meantime though, what might i have to live with? It might be that a safer route will be taken.
Mick O'Malley's blue number looks great, as does the dark blue 250 on this forum somewhere. But then again, Scotties green XSS incarnation looks good too. I am aware that all of these alternatives are darker colours. I will have to make up my mind very soon.
I may ask Chris to make up a panel with the RAL6021 or 6011 gelcoat to see what it actually looks like as an interim solution.
I heard back from the paint suppliers. They said that sometimes when they mix, the blue gets accentuated for some reason when they add thinners. They are going to re-mix, QC and send me replacement cans.
It would also remain unique as nobody would copy it
The VEVs
The VEVs are legendary. There was some lengthy and interesting discourse at the beginning of Zagmad's build thread before he changed direction. Unsurprisingly, the style built on an MX5 was never going to shape up against the VEVs. But not a lot of cars do.
I am going down to Tribute with my wheels and tyres today so that panels can be designed to fit over the next couple of months. If I am lucky, I may have some pics to bring back and share later.
I already have Pocketmag on my tab, so may buy that issue of Octane out of interest.
First Glimpse
Well, the quality out of the mould is a bit iffy, and the gelcoat is probably too green, but i am really excited....
I think Chris said it was the back end of a very old TVR, but my eyes were really elsewhere. Pics coming up soon
1st Pass Work
OK, there are so many caveats that I am not even going to begin with them. Just to say that the Z3gato has been started, and Chris and I were able to make several decisions about how to go forward. It is on standard Z3 suspension at present.
Tinypic hosted pics are all down at present
Now fixed
Ideas for rear screen?
I didn't like the MGB screen in the SWB250, and Chris thought that possibly an Alfa GT one might work, but it doesn't. Chris is away for a few days, so in the meantime, are there any windscreen nerds who have just the very thing to fit that hole? Conceptually I mean, I'm not asking for free donations.
I know as a last resort that we could make a glass fibre buck and get one made by P4P or someone like that, but I'd much rather avoid the expense if i can.
My ideas so far are:
Audi TT
Audi A5 Coupe
Vauxhall Insignia hatch
Mercedes
e class coupe
W124 estate(probably too wide)
Saab 900
BMW
500 series wagon
3 series coupe
I think you are right about the flat ones not working. Anybody got any other possibilities?
