Classic Coachworks Tribute

RickyBobby

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The M44 Massive
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Don't do it for me these Tribute builds but this one seems cheap or am I missing something?

Screenshot_20250731_082530_eBay.jpg
 

Duncodin

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That's just the auction starting price.

One of the seller's pictures shows his phone number. Maybe he wants people to phone him and do the deal offline and we'll never know what it finally went for.

Personally I think most rebodied cars are over priced. I mean if you were restoring a classic car you'd never get all the hours paid for. It's a labour of love. So why, when building a kit car (basically restoring an old car with new GRP panels) should one expect to get all those hours paid for.
 

Jam03

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British Zeds
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Feb 21, 2022
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2.2i
For me, there’s no logic to a Z3 based Cobra replica. The essence of Cobra for me is a V8 and minimalist interior. Even at double the price, little or no labour cost recovered😱
 

Duncodin

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For me, there’s no logic to a Z3 based Cobra replica. The essence of Cobra for me is a V8 and minimalist interior. Even at double the price, little or no labour cost recovered😱
I agree. Cobra needs that V8 rumble. But who am I to talk. I have a 1.9 in my Tribute507.

There was a kobra just like that on Bangers and Cash. When it sold the buyer said he intended to fit a V8. But short while later the same car was back being auctioned after, I assume, the buyer realised that fitting a V8 was a bit more than a weekend's work.

I'd love to drop a Rover V8 into my car. I'll certainly explore the idea, cross member vs sump etc. I always fancied dumping the whole computer stuff and going back to the good old days - but it'll all likely just remain a pipe dream because I'm just too lazy.
 

Pond

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British Zeds
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Dec 26, 2016
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144
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Spaldingski, Lincs
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Z3 project
For me, there’s no logic to a Z3 based Cobra replica.
I agree. They just look awful IMO. A 'proper' Cobra is a replica, so why offer a poor replica of a replica?
 

Duncodin

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Why would you want to gain more weight and less power? ;)
Why?

Why would any of us want to pull the body panels of a perfectly good Z3 to put a faux grp body on it. We're not being rational.

The original bmw 507 engine was an alloy v8 outputting around 150hp. Probably not far size, weight and performance wise to a 3.5 ltr rover v8.

But a rover v8 could be dressed to look a lot like the original 507 engine.

But it's all just pie in the sky because it'd be difficult if not impossible to get a 3.5 carb'd v8 through emissions test.
 
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Pond

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But it's all just pie in the sky because it'd be difficult if not impossible to get a 3.5 carb'd v8 through emissions test.
Would it?
If your car's name has been changed on the V5, do they not test it as that? Which would mean they have no idea what emissions 'should' be.

I don't know how an MOT goes once the V5 has been changed, though. I may find out next year!
 

Duncodin

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Would it?
If your car's name has been changed on the V5, do they not test it as that? Which would mean they have no idea what emissions 'should' be.

I don't know how an MOT goes once the V5 has been changed, though. I may find out next year!
There's emissions rules based on the year. Prior to around 1992 many cars didn't have cats so test can be just the simple smoke test. But anything after that has to meet certain levels. Even if I change my car's v5 to name it something else it's still a 1999 car so would have to meet the basic 1999 levels.
 

Pingu

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Emissions are based on year. Mine is a 1998, so CO max is 0.20%, HC is 200ppm max and Lambda is 0.97-1.03.

If you want a V8, then LS3 (Corvette engine) conversions have been done, and they are awesome.
 

Pond

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Spaldingski, Lincs
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If you want a V8, then LS3 (Corvette engine) conversions have been done, and they are awesome.
When I looked into building a Cobra I researched the cost of an LS3 and Tremec gearbox. By the time they were delivered with all the ancillaries to make them run, they are eye-wateringly expensive. And they are still only 2 valve engines! The USA don't like change!
 

Pingu

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When I looked into building a Cobra I researched the cost of an LS3 and Tremec gearbox. By the time they were delivered with all the ancillaries to make them run, they are eye-wateringly expensive. And they are still only 2 valve engines! The USA don't like change!
575Nm of torque :cool:

425bhp (but horsepower is just for bragging rights - torque is what really matters)

I'll have one in my mirrors next week. I can record the sound if you are still not sold on it :ymdevil: .
 

Nodzed

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M Power
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I do admire the work that goes into doing a Z3 rebody and some of the work shown on here is remarkable, I believe I have the skill sets and equipment to do it but certainly wouldn't have the patience or inclination for it.
Also its all a bit fake Rolex to me, why would you when everyone knows its not real. 🤷‍♂️
 

Jam03

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575Nm of torque :cool:

425bhp (but horsepower is just for bragging rights - torque is what really matters)

I'll have one in my mirrors next week. I can record the sound if you are still not sold on it :ymdevil: .
IMG_2667.jpeg
 

Pond

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Also its all a bit fake Rolex to me, why would you when everyone knows its not real.
I agree. I am not a kit car fan at all.
However I have just spent nearly 2 years building one! Go figure.

My reasons were extremely simple. I wanted to recreate the most beautiful car ever made IMO. I can't afford a real one, so this was the nearest I could get. The DNA 250 California is as close to the original as you could possibly get as a kit on a different car. Mine looks near enough to still make it beautiful IMO.
My other reasons were the challenge. As a complete novice I wanted to challenge myself to be able to produce something acceptable. It was more of a challenge than I ever dreamed TBH. I also have a lot of spare time these days, so needed something to do.
 

Pond

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British Zeds
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Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
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Z3 project
575Nm of torque :cool:

425bhp (but horsepower is just for bragging rights - torque is what really matters)

I'll have one in my mirrors next week. I can record the sound if you are still not sold on it :ymdevil: .
Someone in the US built a 250 california replica on a Z3, then squeezed an LS7 into it. It ended up in a hedge quite quickly apparently.
 

Jam03

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@Pond The big question for me is, are you going to use all your free time to drive your new beautiful car?
 
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Duncodin

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If you want a V8, then LS3 (Corvette engine) conversions have been done, and they are awesome.
Problem is a modern v8 looks like this

Screenshot_20250731-222419_Chrome.jpg


But I'd rather it looked like this

Screenshot_20250801-162909_Chrome.jpg


Rover v8 is quite a small narrow engine. Fits in MGBs and Morgans easily. There's also a huge amount of help out there from hotrod and conversion enthusiast forums. Businesses specialising in clutches, transmissions, propshafts etc. Its a very popular engine.
 
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