Rebody Z3 to Kobra build thread

[DaveP]

So in recent weeks have changed the side, stop-tail and indicators to retro Lucas L488 lamps. They not what I had in mind originally but so much better quality with glass lenses.



Eagle eyed among you will see that the stop lights are a different shade of red. That will teach me to buy from more than one supplier. All replaced now.

 

[DaveP]

And today I spent a few hours tinkering with the BC Racing coilovers as the car was too low for Reading roads. Have lifted the car an inch and a bit all round now and it rides better already.

I was pleased with the state of the coilovers after 15 months. Look almost like new (with a bit of a spring clean).

 

[t-tony]

Still like the steelies Dave, just different mate

Tony.

 

[DaveP]

Still like the steelies Dave, just different mate

Tony.

Thanks again Tony. Not only a bit different but also ‘cheap’.

 

[Grumps]

That's looking great.

 

[DaveP]

Interior shot today. Have kept it very easy by staying pretty stock.

Just a Momo steering wheel and gear knob (in red of course) to break up the interior. I removed the factory roll hoops as they don’t suit the car in my view. Having a wind deflector is a must on the fast roads though.

Next job is to put in better rear speakers (vibe slicks as Sean has) and following that replacing the Z3 seats with..... ......
......
......
MGTF seats.

Light the torches and get the rope ready

Dave

 

[DaveP]

Not posted a pic in quite a while.
I decided to badge the kobra. The symbol is a very close alternative to the Chinese letter K. It also means water in that language. As I am an Aquarius i thought it fitting. It confuses people as to the car type even more now.

 

[DaveP]

Did an essential trip or two today but took the kobra to get it moving again.

Now who says you cant get a weeks shopping in a Kobra / Z3....

 

[Z Victor 1]

Looking good, I think the reason a lot of people are disparaging about 'kits' is because you see a lot of poorly executed examples. Poor work, bad decisions on 'finishing' parts, colour etc. A friend of mine did an NF kit for an old MG. He did a pretty good job mechanically, but made a wooden dash himself (very badly) and then had the car sprayed a 'blingy' metallic turquoise colour. It just didn't look right.

 

[Geophys]

I think that looks really good, well finished and executed. I would also change the seats, something in a tuck and roll would suit the car better in my view.

 

[DaveP]

I think that looks really good, well finished and executed. I would also change the seats, something in a tuck and roll would suit the car better in my view.

Thanks for that.

I have planned to swap seats with some from an MGTF. They fit and look good in this type of car. Also have headrests which is a must request from co-driver.

Not been able to due to lack of skill and current restrictions.

 

[DaveP]

Wind Deflector v2.

So I love a cheap as chips solution to a problem.

I had factory roll bars with deflector but took them out as didnt like the Kobra with them.

I then bought the folding down (non roll hoops) deflector but it made getting roof up and down a royal pain in the Cummings.

So cheap solution was half a piece of army surplus type scrim netting in black cut to reac across between headrests and seats and two lengths of paracord to hold top and bottom.

Its not pretty maybe but it works well. And takes 2-3 mins to put in and out. It also stores in rear console.

I may be eccentric but stuff like this keeps me focused and sane.

Dave

Additional note is that it looks a bit crooked and that because I have the front lift seat kit on the driver sise but not the other. Shows the difference.

 

[t-tony]

Can’t fault it Dave, if it works it works!

Tony.

 

[Zag2]

@DaveP i've just noticed your front doesn't have the lip, how did you get that as I prefer that look.

Also are the clear indicators MOT legal? I like those as well.

 

[t-tony]

Take a close look at the indicators and it looks like orange bulbs fitted.

Tony.

 

[DaveP]

@DaveP i've just noticed your front doesn't have the lip, how did you get that as I prefer that look.

Also are the clear indicators MOT legal? I like those as well.

Hiya Zag2. The front indicators have orange bulbs (as noted by Tony) so are ok for the MOT.

The didn’t want the front lip so when I had the kit layed up I asked for it to be removed before transit. That said it would have been very easy to cut it off once delivered. The cut line is exactly where the edge of the front lip begins.

I also had the bonnet scoop removed. Just to be a pain in the butt.

Dave

 

[Pingu]

Take a close look at the indicators and it looks like orange bulbs fitted.

Tony.

The MOT tester at the BMW garage tried to fail my 330 on non-orange indicators. He pointed to my silver bulbs behind a clear lens and said that they were a fail. I asked him what colour they were when they flashed. He admitted that he hadn't looked. Muppet.

 

[t-tony]

I had the same bulbs in my Eunos.

Tony.

 

[Pingu]

My body might be out of the mould by the end of next week. It's just a shame that the rolling chassis isn't ready yet.

 

[MisterP007]

Preparation first.

As I would be keeping this many years after the build I thought it best to get under and take a look. The underside was looking just right and the suspension components at the rear solid. The front bushes left a bit to be desired and brakes needed a refresh. I also need to have the ability to make the car height adjustable due to the the body change. So went and ordered some goodies !

Brembo brake disc and pads all round and BC racing coil-overs. Meyle front control arms and lollipops too.

That is just car porn!