Rebody 507 Tribute Build thread

[DaveP]

I think the BC ones are about £1k a bit more than I want to spend at the moment - puts back getting the kit! AP are a bit cheaper

Good point about cost of BCs. I bought them early on so hadn’t budgeted properly then. The Kobra was funded by part of a redundancy package so treated myself.

Look forward to seeing your build when you get around to it. You use FB and member of Tribute Owners or Rebody Groups ?

 

[jaguartvr]

Coil overs can give a harsh ride
I fitted lower springs (-30mm) to my 250 kit and found it bottomed out a lot and the exhaust was taking a battering so I went back to the standard springs. Gives a much better ride.
If you do change the springs, keep the old ones as you may well decide too go back to them.

 

[Piran]

Current springs are all corroded and at least one shock is gone so I need to replace everything and have been trying to decide which way to go. Currently learning towards a set of AP coilovers.

 

[t-tony]

Just because springs are corroded doesn’t mean they’re no good and need replacing.Shock are a different matter.

Tony.

 

[Piran]

Shhh, don't let my wife hear that

 

[RB2]

Nice build ...

 

[Dxbolton]

 

[Dxbolton]

Here’s a few photos from the weekend

 

[DaveP]

i think that Tribute have nailed this one. having the first off the production line is very cool too. that front valance works very well too.

I am not a fan of the kits with door skins but this one is definitely one that I would very much like to build / own.

well done and see you soon-ish

Dave

 

[IanA]

i think that Tribute have nailed this one. having the first off the production line is very cool too. that front valance works very well too...

+1 from me.

What a super result.

 

[Dxbolton]

i think that Tribute have nailed this one. having the first off the production line is very cool too. that front valance works very well too.

I am not a fan of the kits with door skins but this one is definitely one that I would very much like to build / own.

well done and see you soon-ish

Dave

There is now a choice of front valence, this one is deeper to allow for the aircon pipe work and power steering loop to be accommodated.
there is a shallower one for non air-con cars

 

[Piran]

I like what you have done for the grille on the bonnet - looks good

 

[Jam03]

Looking good @Dxbolton

 

[Duncodin]

This is really neat. Thank you for the write up. I'm thinking of getting one of these kits so just I read it all again.

But I have a couple of questions - if I may.

Are the door handle holes marked or cut out already to the door skin? I must confess I'm not overly keen on the position of the handles. Kind of 'on top' of the door.

I'm sure the position of door handles is to mate up with the internal mechanism so can't be avoided.

Can I keep the original handles? How thick is the door skin around where the original handles are?

I'm planning on a dark grey car so original black z3 handles.

@Dxbolton Are you planning on doing anything to the interior? I think I'd be looking to change to a more 'period' dash from ccw. I know it's nothing like the original 507 but I just want it to kinda feel period on the inside. I think I need to go read the 250 thread to see how that was done.

 

[jaguartvr]

The door handles need to be in that position on both the 507 and the 250 as the operate the original BMW door mechanism. The DNA 250 removed the original door handle and used a pulley with a bowden cable so you could position your door handle a little lower which does look better. However this means there is more to go wrong with it.
I much prefer the Tribute kits with door skins, the extra width (only a couple of inches but the wife says it make all the difference!) give it much more presence.

 

[Pingu]

It's a fine looking jallopy

 

[Dxbolton]

This is really neat. Thank you for the write up. I'm thinking of getting one of these kits so just I read it all again.

But I have a couple of questions - if I may.

Are the door handle holes marked or cut out already to the door skin? I must confess I'm not overly keen on the position of the handles. Kind of 'on top' of the door.

I'm sure the position of door handles is to mate up with the internal mechanism so can't be avoided.

Can I keep the original handles? How thick is the door skin around where the original handles are?

I'm planning on a dark grey car so original black z3 handles.

@Dxbolton Are you planning on doing anything to the interior? I think I'd be looking to change to a more 'period' dash from ccw. I know it's nothing like the original 507 but I just want it to kinda feel period on the inside. I think I need to go read the 250 thread to see how that was done.

The original plan was to use Alfa Romeo handles in a lower position.
after 2 months of head scratching the idea was dropped. I could get the door to open and close but there wasnt enough movement to allow the central locking to work. It was VERY close, but wasn’t going to work.
the new door skin is about 30mm away from the original skin so you cannot use the original handles like the Kobra kit. The external handles act on the original mechanism after a small adaption
Door handles are not marked on the skin as there are numerous handle choices. I used triumph herald, but MGB will fit and probably most other push button handle that you could think of,
I have an extended leather bmw interior so it will not be changed, it’s too nice.
I’ve overheard a few conversations at car shows where people have liked the New interior fitted to an Old car

 

[Duncodin]

Wow. 30mm. So the whole body is wider? Do you have offset wheels, spacers or something to bring the wheels out?

Does your door handle still have the key or do you rely on central locking?

Sorry. So many questions.

 

[Dxbolton]

Wow. 30mm. So the whole body is wider? Do you have offset wheels, spacers or something to bring the wheels out?

Does your door handle still have the key or do you rely on central locking?

Sorry. So many questions.

Yes, the body is wider, but it’s more the profile is different, I’ll try and take a photo tonight to show this.
I rely on central locking rather than a key which was rarely used before conversion.
I have used BMW winter steel wheels which have a slightly larger offset, but there are so many styles available from modern to retro it’s a choice only you can make depending on the cars style

 

[Duncodin]

When the door skin is attached what's in the gap. Air? Padding?

I'm wondering if I could leave the original handle in place and rig up a period looking handle on the outer skin that, when pulled, just pulled the original handle underneath. A rod bolted on to the original handle. So the original flap handle is still being pulled and no messing about with the inner workings of the mechanism.

I would need to figure out some way to unlock if ever the central locking packed up (again) though.