Rebody Z3 Based Ferrari 250 California Build

[MisterP007]

EEEEEK!!!!

I am at it again, no sooner do I finish the 250SWB Spyder than I get bored and find a second-hand Replica Ferrari 250 California kit for sale and now I have bought it.

All the body parts are there but it is missing various brackets and trim pieces which I can source. Kit was cheap-ish because of the missing parts.

Now I just need a nice Z3 2.8 80-100k mileage to base it on and everything will be fine. Anyone have one at a sensible price?

1st pic is what it should look like finished, the rest are what it looks like now. EEEEK!

Away for 2-weeks on a road trip in the 250SWB Spyder then back to start the transformation.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Good luck

 

[Zag2]

Brilliant, its addictive isn't it

Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Lee]

Yeah I'm also watching with interest, at this rate you'll have a collection of Z3's in disguise

 

[MisterP007]

I must be bloody crazy!

This build will be a little bit simpler than the previous one in so far as:

• The panels do not need so much work to get them to fit properly
• The interior is more straightforward (at least the way I do it is)
• I have now learned my way around Z3 mechanicals
• I can spray pretty well now and have all the gear
• I do not have all the hours and hours of research to do on parts etc. like last time
• My workshop is fully set up and ready to go

This is going to be more expensive to build than the 250 SWB Spyder, partly due to the extra parts (SS Bumpers, Side Vents etc.), partly to do with the fact that I cannot sell the rear wings of the Z3 as they get chopped about to mount the rear end of the 250 CAL, and partly because Z3 2.8's have risen in price a fair bit in the last year.

Good news is they sell anywhere from £60k-£90k when done. I think I may keep this one and sell the 250SWB Spyder (Shhhh!! it might be listening!) Having said that I think the 250SWB Spyder (looks happy!) is prettier than the 250GT California (looks a bit depressed!). What do you all think?

1. 250SWB Spyder

or

2. 250GT California

Answers on a postcard please.

 

[GZed]

I much prefer the look of the Spyder. Couldn’t really put my finger on why, until reading your ‘happy’ ‘sad’ theory. That’s why.
ps - where do you find the time??

 

[MisterP007]

I think it is the bumper over-riders that do it

 

[TaffDaddy]

That's a difficult one to answer. I think they both look good but the Spyder just pips it

 

[gookah]

spyder grille is upturned smiley, california is downturned frowny

Those california's are not Z3 variants though? you wouldn't be able to have that windscreen

Spyder wins hands down I think, also those door skins take the final Z3 look out of it.

 

[MisterP007]

CAL 250 pic is a real one. No quarter lights, shallower windscreen rake than a Z3 replica one would have

 

[MisterP007]

Look what I found 20 minutes from my place! 2000 Facelift 2.8 103k miles. The guy had just listed it yesterday afternoon, I went to look, the car is good, knocked him down £300, bought and now here it is sitting on my drive.

The Bad Bits:

1. Sounds like slightly rattly double Vanos
2. Small oil leak from front of the rocker cover
3. Damaged bushes on front control arms - tramlines and a bit of wandering
4. A bit bouncy, but then again I have coil-overs on mine so maybe just standard
5. Great wheels but a bit scuffed (I will sort them out to sell)
6. Small surface rust on both outer sills at the front
7. Small surface rust on front small wing
8. Small surface rust on chassis rails and strut towers under the bonnet
9. Rusty patch around boot release
10. Couple of the BMW roundels a bit scabby
11. Drivers seat split
12. Red roof filthy
13. Little bit of corrosion on the underbelly

The Good Bits

1. Engine runs really well (103000 miles)
2. Gearbox slick
3. Facelift car
4. Clutch fine
5. No diff whine
6. Brakes all good
7. BBS Type 42 wheels (expensive) with half-worn tyres
8. Red, fully lined roof, elec roof working well
9. Red/Black Interior in great condition (apart from the torn driver seat)
10. Most of the body work in undented shape with good paint
11. Angle Eye front lights with clear lenses
12. Mirrors working and swivel without tearing the door off
13. Mesh wind break
14. Decent stereo
15. Rare centre arm rest with cup-holder
16. Nice silver/black centre console
17. Gunmetal gearknob , cigar lighter and handbrake lever
18. Roll hoops
19. Bonnet and boot struts work

I am pleased.

 

[Iamjonw]

Wow, looking forward to seeing the progress. I love your Spyder and I think on reflection it prettier than the California, but would not say no to either.

Good luck

 

[Paul Rice]

Do like both kits, best of luck sure it will be great

 

[MisterP007]

Going on holiday (Lakes, Scotland, Yorkshire road-trip) tomorrow so there will be no progress for a couple of weeks.

What I can say is there will be a load of parts going up for sale from the car, if anyone wants any of the following let me know, they will all be getting listed on evilbay in a couple of weeks:

Titan Silver Body Parts

Note: Doors and Rear Wings need to stay with the car.

• Bonnet - bare
• Side Gills
• Kidney Grills
• Front bumper - slight scuff nearside
• Both electric mirrors
• Both baby wings
• Both outer sills
• Bootlid -bare
• Rear bumper

Interior

• Seats -red
• Centre Console -black/silver
• Centre Armrest/cup holder - black
• Gear lever and handbrake lever gaiters - red
• Gear knob, handbrake lever and cigar lighter gunmetal set
• Steering wheel - black
• Both airbags
• Instrument cluster
• Door cards black/red/silver
• Interior door handles
• Hazard switch
• 2x electric window switches
• Electric roof switch
• Set of air vents
• Dash cowl and airbag cover + surround - black (the main structure of the dash is needed for the build)
• roll hoops
• mesh windbreak
• Rear centre storage bin and side trim (the bit behind the seats) - black
• Computer
• Pioneer Stereo
• Fog light switches
• headlight levelling switch

Exterior

• Pair of angel eye front lights with clear indicator lenses
• Pair facelift rear light clusters (slight crack in driver side unit)
• Pair running lights
• Pair side indicators - clear lenses
• Pair side indicators - amber lenses
• Pair fog lights front
• Z3 chrome badge
• 2.8 chrome badge
• Boot lid knob
• High-level rear brake light
• 4 Type 42 BBS 17" alloys with half-worn tyres - either as-is or restored to full glory (if you like you could choose a colour for the spokes)!

Engine Bay

• Secondary Air Pump
• OEM airbox
• Front air intake pipe (post airbox)
• Bonnet hinges and struts

And probably a load more bits I cannot remember.

PHEW! I need a vino tinto now after all that.

 

[MisterP007]

Wow, looking forward to seeing the progress. I love your Spyder and I think on reflection it prettier than the California, but would not say no to either.

Good luck

When it is done I will take a picture of them side by side. i think the Spyder is prettier.

 

[MisterP007]

Any of you out there know how to get a red hood back to clean and colour? And who is or resident Vanos rebuilder?

 

[Paul Rice]

Would first use Milton or something similar ( Steriliser) with a nail brush great for moss etc. After that i quite like Maguires fabric roof cleaner

 

[MisterP007]

Good idea on the Milton, SWMBO has a bottle of it for cleaning out coffee-stained cups, do you reckon she will notice?

Thanks.

Any idea on what to use to re-dye (same colour)?

 

[Paul Rice]

Good idea on the Milton, SWMBO has a bottle of it for cleaning out coffee-stained cups, do you reckon she will notice?

Thanks.

Any idea on what to use to re-dye (same colour)?

I used V-Fix came in 500ml bottles (need 2 as 3 coats recommended)

Wasn't too bad just usual stretch and wear lines pleased with how it turned out, over 12 months since completed still looks as it did when 1st done

 

[Paul Rice]

Had a look at V-Fix web site they only seem to do black dye!
Scratch Doctor do a colour range match and have heard good reviews about their products