MadaboutKitcars

When I got interested in kits again a couple of years ago the Tribute models and re-body approach won out over other options, (principally getting a ragged or unfinished Minari with a zippy 1.7 16 valve injected boxer engine).

Whilst initially attracted by the Tribute 250 SWB, I soon realised that I wanted something different. Next up I toyed with the idea of a cobra back end, Z3 hardtop and something like WCAs short nose front. But that was not quite right either (though still a good option for me if nothing else materialised – see the Ferrari style below) so I started searching the internet for images of what took my fancy. I found this... the Alfa Zagato SZ Tonda. They sell for in excess of £250,000, so obviously a real one was not on the cards.


After initial discussions with Chris at the end of last year, and early in this, it became clear that it was a significant ground up design project, and was not likely to get prioritisation from Chris any time soon. A pity as it remains my favourite style and size. It would have gone onto an MX5, MK3 probably. I think that is an Aston Martin DB4 GT (not Zagato) in the background.

All was not lost though. The 50s and 60s Italian designs of Pinifarina and Zagato grabbed my attention and the hunt was on. More web searches followed and I decided that I preferred the Zagato designs ahead of Pinafarina. As well as the Alfa design above, Zagato came up with a few more in the late 50s and 60s. None of them are cheap options to go the ‘original’ route though.

There is this from Masserati....


Especially the back

This from Fiat.....


Liking that scoop and more like the Alfa

This from Lancia....


That front is more like it but the rear wing and grill look clumsy. Elsewhere, images of the dash look clean.

This from Ferrari....


That has a ‘muscle’ presence, and a long bonnet and scoop. But not as elegant as the others and the brake vent is a bit of a wart on the nose (unless you like Cobras).

This from Aston Martin....


Liking the slimmer waist and proportions up front. This is an approved, Sanction II replica that sold for over £1,250,000. Gulp.


I also spotted this on Zagmad's build thread.....


Built on an MX5, it prompted me to contact Chris to find out if the opportunity had gone, it had, ah well.

But it set my mind to thinking, and Chris's too. Was there a way to advance existing investment that could yield a Zagato like style on a Z3? I’ll explain why not Z4 later.

Gasp, how dare you, sir.

There are so many bits that will be different on mine, it probably makes sense to stick with Chris for the roof. I am not overly fussed about having a removable top. Thanks anyway.

It won't be quite like that anyway. Zagmad's was an early version, he has gone a completely different direction now. Not sure what it actually looks like at present, we have only seen photos of other production cars.

The red alfa was a mid to late 1950s design. The silver one has some very obvious leanings when you compare it to the green Sanction II in my post. Some of the AM Zagatos have a scoop on the bonnet too, showing the heredity from the db4 gt.

I am not really a fan of using OEM badges on kits and replicas, but just noticed the Zagato Z on the side of the Evanta. Hmmmm

This car will be a Tribute to the designer, rather than a particular marque. Would that make me bad?

I tend to agree. Given how many times designers have used other designers' ideas and styles, together with re-peddling across several marques, what the actual design ip is, becomes almost impossible to determine. Some of the Ferrari rear ends done by Pinafarina are almost indistinguishable from Zagato ones. People are not going to look at a tribute (or even a replica if it comes to it) and say, "Wow, I thought that was really a Pinafarina".

Part 2

So what is it exactly that I want? In summary:

An every day driver.
A coupe, with aircon.
Electric stock windows (roadster or coupe)
Electric heated seats probably the Rover ones
Something like Kidge's 275 lined roof.
Dash maybe using the z3 instruments and warning lights, with a glove box or recess
Modified doorcards maybe like those in andysharrock’s Build No 4 thread, possibly with small pockets, though Kidges modified Z3 approach appeals.

Style wise, externally, I am not a fan of the 250 door skins. And despite some design compromises, I will go with the original Z3 doors, hence why not a Z4. I will most likely make handle modifications such as WCAs Fiat handles at some stage, though the early BMW Series 3 handles also appeal and are probably easier to do.

I was impressed how good the Z300s look in the flesh with the slimmer waist. The photos do not do them justice. Thanks Nick and IainA for sharing experiences on here, but especially at the club meet this summer.

Nose is still open, could be similar to any of the Zagatos above.

The MGB slab back window will not do for me. And rear quarter lights are required to offset the required changes if stock roadster (or coupe) windows are retained. I see Roadster has had similar thoughts previously too. I will probably swap the wing mirrors with the modern mini ones, though not sure how I will treat (or fit them) - body coloured covers probably.

Wheels - as this will be my every day driver, and given that there is a premium to getting this off the ground, something like Dunlop style steels is an economic option, or maybe Calibres like ericholm. The Maserati above looks like it could have Calibres from that distance. Only the Alfa and Lancia have steel wheels, and compared to the Alfa, the Fiat looks better for the spoke style wheels.

The deal with Chris is now done, so watch this space after Christmas.

Next on the list of things to do is to get the donor 2.8 when prices drop in the next few weeks. Could be a challenge as probably I will be abroad working for 3 weeks at the end of September, and a 10 day holiday planned for October. In the meantime, start looking and shopping for the accessories that Chris will need for the initial build.

I know that my taste or ideas may not be to everyone’s liking, but heyho. There will also be style compromises resulting from not starting from scratch as well. So be it, I have faith that Chris and Dan will come up with the goods.

All opinions and feedback are welcome, (sooner rather than later). Once we kick off, there will be minimal changes to the project.

Good advice, I never thought about that.

They do look good indeed,. though I like the £80 price option better.

Dashboard

I have been thinking about the dashboard for the Z3gato, and decided that re-using the Z3 instrument functionality makes sense. So....
See Lancia Zagato dash below as basic guide.
I want a single instrument binnacle to accommodate the current Z3 instrument pod, the current binnacle is close, but a re-worked one would be more “joined up.”


The dashboard made for Geoff looks a good start point. Replace the dual dial binacle with a single, larger, oval one to accommodate the current Z3 instrument cluster.


Re-use the original Z3 outer dash vents in roughly the same position per current Z3 dash using extreme left and right positions. Re purpose the current Z3 central vent area and relocate the 3 Z3 heater control dials there. In the consul, the current stereo unit and vacated heater dial positions in the Z3 dash to be used to accommodate a satnav/media unit. There is not enough depth at dash level to locate the unit higher up due to the bar running across the dash. Satnav/media units are all 6-6.5 inches deep.




On the passenger side, I would like a smaller part of the recess to be deeper for a glove box arrangement for placing phones etc (on a non slip mat if no door). So the recess you did for Geoff would extend further to the left, and be deeper on the lhs nearer the passenger door side.

Going from the left of dash would be:

Vent, glove/phone box, heater control dials, single instrument pod, vent. I would probably re-use the quarterlight vents on top of the Z3 dashboard and cut them into the new dash top.


That way, only the current centre vents, are lost but we retain full warm or cold air(con) using the same control dials as the current. setup in a Z3.

I will probably cover the dash and consul in leather. The consul would house something like this...


Dimensions (WxHxD)182 x 112 x 153mm

Wing Mirrors

I had planned to get some Mini electric mirrors and find a way to fit them. However, I figured that I had better spend my time on things that are less visible if they end in failure. So I got some of these. They are not cheap, and difficult to get hold of.

Donor

3.0 ltr, low mileage, game on.

Well..... if i had known that, I might have got a car a bit quicker. I have been focussing on finding a black or silver one. .. weep

The interior is tan (hearing aid beige), but I plan to do something with the dash/consul and the door cards, so only the carpets really. I will replace the seats, I am already sick of the bolster stabbing me in the back when I get in, then try to pin me in when I am getting out.

Of course, these are just plans, and free of the complications of actually doing anything.

If the split rims had a few more spokes I might have got away with retaining them.

B**tard battery

The seller commented that he had fitted a new battery. After a long journey home, and a round trip to Chichester, I had only done a few short trips over several days. Then off to Oman for an 8 day holiday. battery flat on return.

I know it is a common feature with BMWs generally, and the Z3 forums indicate a variety of possibilities. Just waiting for the battery to charge before going through the obvious ones mentioned so far:

Boot courtesy light, Boot wiring, Seat adjustment buttons, media centre (this could be a contender as the previous owner had a Panasonic pop out unit fitted), internal courtesy light, remote central locking, for starters.

I will have to get round to Maplins to get a multimeter so I can check everything more thoroughly. If that sounds like I know what I am doing, don't be fooled.But the various bits of advice about checking the circuits via the fuses makes sense.

Any tips or hints gratefully received.

Thanks Jag, I will double check the tightness of the bolts tomorrow. I am still going to get a meter and check the draw on the various fuses though just in case. It only costs £9.99 from Maplin.

Battery drain

Thanks Ian,

I will take a look when I get back to the UK later this week. There is some movement of the driver seat on braking and heavy acceleration, but as I plan to change the seats, I will most likely address it then. No harm checking in the meantime.

WRT to seat bush issue. I once worked with a very nice lady who took her Mondeo in for some remedial work. When I dropped her off to collect it, the mechanic manfully kept a straight face whilst advising her that her problem was a split bush.

This looks like an inexpensive and convenient resolution whilst any deficit is located.

Side indicators

Well, after being prompted by others off here, I found these for $95.00 even though they were shipped from Italy.

Thanks for the prompts, I am very happy with these.

Boys Toys & Shiny Bits

One of the style features I liked from the various marques, is the dual filler caps on the Astons. A little bit of an extravagance, but worth it I think. Obviously the nearside one doesn't have to function, and the offside one is lockable, and has the through funnel.

Now I have to get the boring gubbins on the underside, based on JagTVRs work. On the Astons, the filler caps are slightly further back than on the 250 SWBs so not sure if that will have an impact. I'll have to discuss with Chris.



These are Mocal ones from Burton Power, £258 for the pair.

Wheels and tyres next most likely, as Chris needs them for when the panel work commences after Christmas. I should be getting the dashboard to be fitting during December.

All the advise about getting the donor in good time is well given. On Saturday morning, after a heavy night's rain, and light drizzle on the way to meet up with an old schoolpal, I discovered a very soggy floor mat on the driver side. I should have guessed something was amiss when the seller threw in a very nice car cover when I bought the car.

It looks like it is the windshield cowl, there is a 2mm gap at the centre for a stretch of several inches. In searching for remedies, came across Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure, which caused much hilarity amongst friends and family.

I don't think I will have to take the cowl off, one posting says you can use a putty knife to get under the cowl and insert the nozzle of a non silicone sealant. Whilst I wait for samples of both that and the Captains remedy (I couldn't resist) to arrive, - black gaffer tape to the rescue. I am not proud.