Rebody Oh no. It's not another 507 Rebody. Oh yes it is!

[Park Jong Hyuk]

All Dave's YT videos of his build have been taken down? Any idea what's going on there?

If it was indistinguishable from the original, wouldn't BMW have asked for it to be deleted? I've also watched all of Dave's videos. Although there are only a few of his production videos...

 

[10stb]

His ferrarichat thread has videos and they're all gone too.

How odd. Maybe pm him through ferrarichat

 

[Pingu]

Anything 25 years out of production can be copied, but not sold as original.

Car manufacturers think they have an exemption, but they don't, they just have more money than you, and can bankrupt you before you get to win the case.

 

[Duncodin]

Anything 25 years out of production can be copied, but not sold as original.

Not 'anything'. If it could be argued that a car is a work of art - ie a judge agreed - then normal copyright law could apply which protects the artwork for 70 years after the death of the artist. But, usually, the argument that cars are works of art doesn't hold fast so they come under "Design Rights" rules which, as you say, usually expire after 15 - 25 years depending on the jurisdiction. But only if you don't use any protected trade marks etc. So sticking Ferarri badges on a Z3 could still get sued by ferrari. But sticking a BMW badge on a tribute 507 would be OK because it is, after all, a BMW.

In fact Tribute Automotive shouldn't worry either because they're not passing anything off as genuine or badged.

But I don't know what Chris would do if he got a Cease and Desist letter.

 

[Pingu]

Not 'anything'. If it could be argued that a car is a work of art - ie a judge agreed - then normal copyright law could apply which protects the artwork for 70 years after the death of the artist. But, usually, the argument that cars are works of art doesn't hold fast so they come under "Design Rights" rules which, as you say, usually expire after 15 - 25 years depending on the jurisdiction. But only if you don't use any protected trade marks etc. So sticking Ferarri badges on a Z3 could still get sued by ferrari. But sticking a BMW badge on a tribute 507 would be OK because it is, after all, a BMW.

In fact Tribute Automotive shouldn't worry either because they're not passing anything off as genuine or badged.

But I don't know what Chris would do if he got a Cease and Desist letter.

Faking a Z3 to look like a 507 is an interesting one. I think you would have a good / winnable argument if there were no 507 badges, just BMW ones. After all, it is a BMW .

He'd either have to have big balls, a big chequebook, or a big desire to go bankrupt to ignore a Cease and Desist.

 

[Pond]

So sticking Ferarri badges on a Z3 could still get sued by ferrari.

Only if it can be proven that you are using their name for commercial purposes (profit) without express permission. As a private individual you can put whatever badges you like wherever you like and no-one can touch you.

When you buy a badge, whatever it may be, it will never come with a set of conditions as to what you are 'allowed' to put it on.

The irony with Ferrari badges, is that copies are virtually non-existent, so by paying a fortune for 'genuine' badges you are giving the Italians money anyway.

 

[Pond]

In fact Tribute Automotive shouldn't worry either because they're not passing anything off as genuine or badged.

But I don't know what Chris would do if he got a Cease and Desist letter.

I am sure that is why Tribute make sure their bodies don't look too much like an original; they will know what happened to the likes of DNA.
I don't think they need to worry TBH.

 

[Duncodin]

. . . and back on topic.

I think I've finally decided on the wheels/tyres.

Front 195/65x16
Rear 205/65x16

Added a chrome ring. Rest is just black for now. I originally planned on painting the wheels body colour. But I'm currently liking the black and chrome look. Might stick with that at least for a while.

In the above picture I've got the faux knock off hex nut. Not as 'prominent' as a faux spinner. But I reserve the right to fit knock off knock offs which just screw on in place of the hex nuts so simple to switch from one to the other as the mood takes me

Just to remind y'all what the original BMW 507 'rudge' wheels look like (for comparison)

Replica rudge wheels, by the way, cost many 1000's of quids. More than my whole car will ever be worth.

 

[10stb]

Think I'd go for the chromed wheel rim with the spinners. 2 spinner looks lovely.

...but hey, you've got options. Well done

 

[Duncodin]

Looking at paint. Can't make my mind up

I've had grey for over a year and I'm not as keen on it as I was

I want s'thing different. White is an idea. This one is Papyrosweiß

That was an option for 507 in the day. A kind of off white with grey/creamyness to it.

This next one is Bristolgrau

I think I'm leaning towards the Brisrolgrau even though it wasn't a 507 option. But it does look kinda 50's I think. (but also because her indoors likes it)

 

[Zephyr]

May I suggest Arctic White from a Rolls Royce?

 

[10stb]

I like the Bristolgrau. I also really like the extra work that you put into the nose. Looks more aggressive and in keeping with the original. I still have a few odd jobs to do (front wheel liners) and then there's the hard top to butcher when I'm really bored.

For now I'm kept busy with 2 property refurbs, my z4 project and the Mrs wants me to get rid of the T5 camper and convert a high top sprinter/crafter with loo and shower.

 

[Dxbolton]

Elvis had a White 507, if that helps, which he painted red. That’s why my wife wanted red

 

[Duncodin]

Elvis had a White 507, if that helps, which he painted red. That’s why my wife wanted red

White (Federweiß) was by far the most popular colour for 507.

65 in Federweiß. 18 in Papyrosweiß.

Red (Japanrot) 21.

 

[Duncodin]

Mock up of a BMW Z3 - 507 Hybrid dash. ie in the 507 style but retaining the Z3 instruments meaning there's no bother with speedo, wiring etc.

What'd'y reckon?

Problem is you Ferrero Roche builders have replica dash boards. But us 507 guys have nothing. Just the option to go Ferroro or keep the old Z3 dash. I'm leaning towards rolling my own.

 

[Pond]

Mock up of a BMW Z3 - 507 Hybrid dash. ie in the 507 style but retaining the Z3 instruments meaning there's no bother with speedo, wiring etc.

View attachment 347615

What'd'y reckon?

Problem is you Ferrero Roche builders have replica dash boards. But us 507 guys have nothing. Just the option to go Ferroro or keep the old Z3 dash. I'm leaning towards rolling my own.

I like the idea of 'rolling your own', but not with the original dials. They just look too 'modern BMW', especially as every model of the period have exactly the same dash and dials so it will still look 1990s.

From what I've seen, the 507 dash was pretty simple, with most of the 'stuff' directly in front of the steering wheel. I would be inclined to have a play with some hardboard and/or flexible ply to see what can be done.

If you can get the dials apart, what about putting (or getting someone to put) new faces and needles on them?

The wiring changes for dials is not difficult BTW, honest. In fact most of the wiring behind the dash isn't really difficult, the hardest part is knowing which wires to use and which to leave, which a few of us could tell you. Actually, no, the hardest part is trying to get a new dash with a million wires and lots of extra hardware to physically fit in the hole (as the huge crash bar is always in the way and that can't be moved).

FWIW I don't think the 'fauxrrari' dashes would look right in your cars, as they are nothing like the original 507 ones.

 

[Duncodin]

Yes. 507 dash is very simple. But then the standard Z3 gauges are also just simple analog dials. Numbers and a pointer.

It is just an overlay which can be replaced. Lots of overlays on the bay in different styles and colours.

@Pond - this overlay - classic enough?

 

[Duncodin]

That would look cool in this dash

 

[Duncodin]

Time to add the dashboard to the build thread. After more than 6 months it's still not finished but I'm sick and tired of it now and need a break to work on something else and come back to it. (Maybe)

The 507-ish rebody, btw, has no dashboard. The only option is to keep the z3 interior or roll your own. I really didn't think it would take so long to roll one.

This will be like marmite. Like it or hate it. I really dislike marmite BTW. But I really had to get shot of the Z3 dash in my rebody and I really didn't fancy the idea of rewiring instruments etc. So my design keeps pretty much everything as is. Even the headlight switch and wiring is exactly where it was.

All previous dash pictures have some Ai work. This now though is really how it is. Warts n all.

ToDo.
Glovebox. The original underdash glovebox is still in place but I'd like a '507-ish' lid in the front of the dash. The little slot in the centre console below the radio is where heater control sliders will go and the round knobs will be replaced with gauges/dials.

On the 507 that rectangle above the radio is a 7" loudspeaker. On mine that'll be a 7" LCD display for satnav and diagnostics covered/hidden by a dummy speaker lid.

As.I said. Marmite.

 

[Dxbolton]

That’s very nice. Simple and clean lines work well and gave a strong nod towards the 507.
keeping the original gauge cluster also saves lots of wiring issues and headaches.