Rebody After a lot of thinking

[Duncodin]

. . .
. . . . but mainly due to me buying a terrible kit which has cost a lot more than it should have to get acceptable.
. . .

So we should take it that you reckon that much of your cost is down to you buying a faulty kit at an inflated price. So not the fault of the kit manufacturer?

I don't think @Zephyr would be buying a kit via that route any way so your bad experience shouldn't really influence his decisions?

 

[Zephyr]

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to reply to this thread.
Your input is valuable and a great help for my decision.
So far, from what I understand, the opinions are mixed and there are many approaches to such a build.
I have clarified with local MOT what is acceptable and what not and the situation is as follows:
I can build a convertible but not a coupe. Any car that is registered as a convertible has to stay this way.
I can do whatever I want with wheels, brakes, lights, mirrors and exterior "but" I can not change the dimensions of the body front to back and left to right. (A little bit debatable this one as long as it doesn't exceed 5-7 inches).
I can swap the interior and make alterations even the dashboard as long as I keep the functionaliy and -here is the trick- I can skip the airbag as long as there is no light flashing for it. So full mod of the dash is an option.

Having talked with two sellers, one that just sells just the shell and another promising to deliver the full package including wheels, bumpers, LHD dash, seats, side fins and all other bits, I think it is better for me to arrange a full deal with him and try to smuggle somehow two large body panels and two very big boxes to France and then ship within EU.
Asked if there is an option for UK to send things abroad without tax (we do this a lot) and the recepient pays local taxes but it was a dead end.

So... we are talking for a total of € 9.500 for all that (without speedo, tacho, interior trim etc) and on top of that I need to export, transfer, import.
Further to that I have to fabricate door panels, a console, find a steering wheel, door handles interior exterior, upholster the seats and cabin, dash, doors that I estimated at € 4.000 locally and another € 2.000 at least for bits and bobs that will surely be needed.
Adding a full powder coating of Z3 parts (because island) the Z3 itself and finally prep and paint I have to spend another 16 to 18.000 (for a 2.8 or a 3.0) leading me to a total of 32/33.000€ not having to pay taxes and assuming transport will be no more than 1.500/2.000 for insured items, to end with a car that 1-nobody will ever want to buy locally, 2-will take about a year or more to build and 3-requires some more money while being built for the "unexpected" bumps that a fiberglass fitment can have.
So I end with a starting sum of 35.000€ that will surely be more.

Tough call. We are talking 911 money here and maybe Ferrari teritory.

So... for those who answered and for those who built one.
Was it worthed? Is it what you really thought it would be?

Thank you.

 

[Jezza]

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to reply to this thread.
Your input is valuable and a great help for my decision.
So far, from what I understand, the opinions are mixed and there are many approaches to such a build.
I have clarified with local MOT what is acceptable and what not and the situation is as follows:
I can build a convertible but not a coupe. Any car that is registered as a convertible has to stay this way.
I can do whatever I want with wheels, brakes, lights, mirrors and exterior "but" I can not change the dimensions of the body front to back and left to right. (A little bit debatable this one as long as it doesn't exceed 5-7 inches).
I can swap the interior and make alterations even the dashboard as long as I keep the functionaliy and -here is the trick- I can skip the airbag as long as there is no light flashing for it. So full mod of the dash is an option.

Having talked with two sellers, one that just sells just the shell and another promising to deliver the full package including wheels, bumpers, LHD dash, seats, side fins and all other bits, I think it is better for me to arrange a full deal with him and try to smuggle somehow two large body panels and two very big boxes to France and then ship within EU.
Asked if there is an option for UK to send things abroad without tax (we do this a lot) and the recepient pays local taxes but it was a dead end.

So... we are talking for a total of € 9.500 for all that (without speedo, tacho, interior trim etc) and on top of that I need to export, transfer, import.
Further to that I have to fabricate door panels, a console, find a steering wheel, door handles interior exterior, upholster the seats and cabin, dash, doors that I estimated at € 4.000 locally and another € 2.000 at least for bits and bobs that will surely be needed.
Adding a full powder coating of Z3 parts (because island) the Z3 itself and finally prep and paint I have to spend another 16 to 18.000 (for a 2.8 or a 3.0) leading me to a total of 32/33.000€ not having to pay taxes and assuming transport will be no more than 1.500/2.000 for insured items, to end with a car that 1-nobody will ever want to buy locally, 2-will take about a year or more to build and 3-requires some more money while being built for the "unexpected" bumps that a fiberglass fitment can have.
So I end with a starting sum of 35.000€ that will surely be more.

Tough call. We are talking 911 money here and maybe Ferrari teritory.

So... for those who answered and for those who built one.
Was it worthed? Is it what you really thought it would be?

Thank you.

For me it was well worth it. I sold my first 250 California in 2021 (built in 2016-2018) and then after 6 months I regretted selling. So now I have built another one, almost identical but actually much better than the first. I learned so much that I was able to make vast improvements the second time around. This one I will keep. I had immense pleasure in both builds, and each car once completed gives even more pleasure to own and enjoy. Both the same colour. Slightly different interior. Second one a much better build.

 

[mittaw]

Definitely worth it for me

I reckon costs are

*3.5k for donor with 110k miles 2.8l but absolutely no rust. Solid donor
*6k kit
*6k all extras, wheels, rear windscreen, grill, cowl, tyres, stuff which was my choice to have
*1k lights and random general stuff
*4-5k budget for painting

So 21k all in but ive chosen to buy certain bits that and not necessary. You can do cheaper. But i had a good donor and have done 90% bodywork myself

Yes you are entry 911 territory but these are something of a passion and rarer than 911s

I for one am happy ive done it but I have different personal reasons for doing mine rather than just making car.

I was hit by a car 3 years back and hospitalised / bedridden for months as i lost the ability to use my legs and walk. I spent 6 months+ getting out of a wheelchair and learning to walk again. But while i was in bed 24/7 i had to keep my mind active so planned every detail of the project for when i was healthy again. So actually building it is part of my jouney to recovery and closure on the ordeal. Therefore the cost is just the cost to me, its the end result that key and I dont intended to sell it, nor is the monetary value important to me. Yes incould buy an entry 911 for similar money but looking at that all I'd see is a lump of quick metal... i look at mine and smile from ear to ear and say to myself I did it.

It's a passion and fun, not a financial investment. It makes me happy.

I hope that helps

 

[Pond]

You know my opinion, but I would say you have really got to want to do a rebody on a Z3 for it to be worth it. If you are just doing it 'for something to keep you busy' it will be a very expensive hobby which could become a chore rather than fun.

Whatever you budget, there will be more costs. I have spent a small fortune on 'bits and pieces' and tools that I didn't have but found I needed. I thought I had every tool known to man but I didn't. I presume most forget about these costs when saying they built their car for £xxxx.

I seem to be in Screwfix almost every day for something, and have deliveries every other day for something related to my car. I am also on first name terms with my local Halfrauds employees. It all costs money.

Also, a lot of the parts needed are made by the one and two, not millions, so are hideously expensive. Try a deleted reflector red rear lens for an MGB at £120 each (you obviously need two). Twice the price of the new rear light unit, which you need aswell!

A set of stainless bumpers, made in Vietnam by an 8 year old which are not exactly micron perfect......almost £2,000. And so on and so on.

 

[Synclare]

Save yourself a shed load of money, aggravation and grief by just buying this one. They had two, been for sale for yonks and started off I think at around £39k, anyone correct me?

Probably have enough left over to build that boat as well

 

[Pond]

Definitely worth it for me

I reckon costs are

*3.5k for donor with 110k miles 2.8l but absolutely no rust. Solid donor
*6k kit
*6k all extras, wheels, rear windscreen, grill, cowl, tyres, stuff which was my choice to have
*1k lights and random general stuff
*4-5k budget for painting

So 21k all in but ive chosen to buy certain bits that and not necessary. You can do cheaper. But i had a good donor and have done 90% bodywork myself

I think @Zephyr is looking at a 250 california which are lot more to build than any Tribute TBF.

I paid more than your total budget to have a Z3 with a pile of bits sat next to it in my garage before doing anything!

We all do these things for our own reasons; some like the challenge, some just want something to do, some love building kit cars (??) and some of us are just plain naive with a 'utopia' but the logistics weren't thought about very much (me for one).

My car has now become a money pit. I am so far 'in' I have now ignored the costs and just get on with it. A few years ago I couldn't afford to do that even if I wanted to. It has detracted from the excitement TBH.
I even look at my (very expensive genuine) Ferrari badges and think "they cost a fortune", whereas I should think "wow I have Ferrari badges to put on MY car and they won't look out of place".

 

[Pond]

Save yourself a shed load of money, aggravation and grief by just buying this one. They had two, been for sale for yonks and started off I think at around £39k, anyone correct me?
View attachment 336631Probably have enough left over to build that boat as well

I think this example shows exactly why building a Z3-based 'replica' is a financially terrible idea. No one wants it! It has been for sale for over a year IIRC.
It also isn't stupid money now.

 

[Jezza]

I think this example shows exactly why building a Z3-based 'replica' is a financially terrible idea. No one wants it! It has been for sale for over a year IIRC.
It also isn't stupid money now.

It does depend on what you build and to what quality you build. I know from experience that they can command much more than the cost to build.

 

[IainP]

Most of my friends suggest a 356 beetle/Porsche that is as easy as can be.
Shorten the chassis, drop the shell, primer, paint, do whatever you like in the interior (as long as you keep the seatbelts MOT would be a breeze) and take it to the road.
But no A/C no hydraulic steering, no power, no brakes and no fun on the road.
And on top of that you have to deal with an engine that dates back to 1940.

Shipping a kit from UK to Greece would cost me about 1.000 for transport and from 1.600 to 2.300 in taxes.
So deciding to commit on this is tough. I am starting with 3.000 overhead over a 356 local shell.
its a tough deal.

Have you considered these? No changes to the interior. I’ve seen a couple of Bertini, the fibreglass looks decent, though the boot lid on the blue one was rippled.

bertini

ZGT BMW Z3

ZGT Kit car based on a BMW Z3

www.drivingyourdream.com

 

[Zephyr]

Save yourself a shed load of money, aggravation and grief by just buying this one. They had two, been for sale for yonks and started off I think at around £39k, anyone correct me?
View attachment 336631Probably have enough left over to build that boat as well

Impossible to import because UK not "EU" any more.
That would be an option, but not any more.

 

[Zephyr]

Have you considered these? No changes to the interior. I’ve seen a couple of Bertini, the fibreglass looks decent, though the boot lid on the blue one was rippled.

bertini

ZGT BMW Z3

ZGT Kit car based on a BMW Z3

www.drivingyourdream.com

The rear is ok but the front not so much.
Frankly I would prefer a 356 rebody ove this and a transporter efi engine in the rear would nake it a rocket.

 

[Zephyr]

And speaking of 356, a coupe one with disk brakes and a tuned engine seems yhe reasonable thing to do considering that everything is available locally and at one third of the price.
Still negotiating with the 250 guy in UK but he seems very reluctant to help with logistics.
anyway. Lets see what comes.

 

[Pingu]

Maybe I find someone to pick up from UK take to France (nothing to declare officer, just some scrap parts I usually carry with me when I travel)...

What parts are you thinking about?

We will be going to the Le Mans Classic in a FFRR (Full Fat Range Rover) and my kit car. We won't have loads of space for spares, but we could carry some - and we have a legitimate reason to be carrying them .

Obviously, I can't carry any body parts, but I could carry lots of small stuff which could be posted from within France .

PM me if interested, and we can discuss.

 

[IainP]

And a 356 with faded paint would look like a ‘real’ one to 95% of the population. Shiny paint just screams kit car.
Only seen one original 507, at Goodwood, the faded paint, the pitted chrome, looked amazing.
I’ve seen 2 replicas, the 2 pack paint, oh and the alloys. Kit car.

 

[Pingu]

Mine is as solid as a rock on the road, no rattles or squeaks. Having said that, I am fanatical about things fitting properly and have a tendency to over-engineer. Rattles and weird noises are a big no-no for me (think people clicking pens - I want to break their fingers).

Go for the build.

You'd love my Range Rover. Thank goodness it has double glazing. It's near silent on the inside, but sounds like a Challenger 2 squeeking along Belgian pavé on the outside .

 

[Pingu]

And a 356 with faded paint would look like a ‘real’ one to 95% of the population. Shiny paint just screams kit car.
Only seen one original 507, at Goodwood, the faded paint, the pitted chrome, looked amazing.
I’ve seen 2 replicas, the 2 pack paint, oh and the alloys. Kit car.

Patina is real. Shiny is fake. Ask any forger - the hardest thing to replicate is age.

 

[Duncodin]

Patina is real. Shiny is fake.

 

[MisterP007]

I like mine shiny. After all it is a fake.

The Patina will build ad the car ages anyway, the chrome is beginning to put slightly anyway.
Allis fair in love and cars!

 

[GZed]

Patina is real. Shiny is fake. Ask any forger - the hardest thing to replicate is age.

Are you listening @andyglym