Rebody Z3 Based Ferrari 250 California Build

[MisterP007]

OK figured out a work-around for the sills (or rather lack of them):

• Cut back the sills to match into existing wings and doors. This involved removing the lower 65mm or so and just leaving the curve and top fixing
• These are fitted in place (complete with cock-up on N/S which I need to glass in)
• Have stainless steel cover plates made up to set behind the GRP and bend around underneath the Z3 inner sill (been quoted just under £100 the pair
• The cover plates will be bolted behind the GRP out of sight with countersunk bolts on the lower angled part

Should look good.

Oh, and mounted the boot lock.

 

[Althulas]

Where you getting the stainless steel plates made up are they set up to be able to reproduce z3 sills? Loving this thread, hats off to any of you guys undertaking a kit build.

 

[MisterP007]

Thanks for following the thread.

As for the Sill Cover Plates, they are a simple 62.5mm x 62.5mm 45 degree folded strip, no curves. The workshop is unlikely to be set up for making full sills.

I do know of a source for GRP Z3 sills if this helps.

Sandy

 

[DaveP]

Seeing the SWB against the California I think I prefer the SWB shape. Didn’t think I would say that.

Nice brace of ZeF s Sandy and Steve.

Dave

 

[MisterP007]

I like the SWB better to look at

 

[MisterP007]

1 1/2 hours:

• Cut the Petrol Flap out
• Adjusted the clearance of the flap
• Cut out the original Z3 flap ready to bond to the GRP flap
• Bolted in the hinge - I need to make a stronger backing plate from steel bonded to the back of the wing as I cannot see the GRP holding the bolts without cracking

 

[BillH]

Just back from a local car meet up where I saw this - very impressive in the flesh

 

[MisterP007]

Just back from a local car meet up where I saw this - very impressive in the fleshView attachment 197749

Oh my lord, that is the Dog's doodahs!

The same colour as my SWB250, (Azzurro Metallitzzato) I am so tempted to paint the California this colour but having two Fauxrarri's the same colour might get confusing!

Number plate must have been a fortune.

Sudden rush of motivation (or I may have peed myself) just came on to go out and continue mine (probably going to end up silver with black & red interior, red roof (isn't that in Cornwall?)).

Cannot stop looking at that photo.

 

[jaguartvr]

You can't paint it that colour, I already have the paint for mine sitting in the garage.

 

[MisterP007]

You can't paint it that colour, I already have the paint for mine sitting in the garage.

God sake Steve, then we would have four Fauxrarris between us all the same colour!!!

Whilst you are on, what size lowering springs are you using to get the ride height to sit well with the wire wheels?

 

[jaguartvr]

Standard springs, I did fit -30 to the rear of the swb but it grounded on everything and bottomed out a lot giving a very harsh ride, so I reverted to standard. If you did want to lower it I would cut the spring down, that way you can control the drop and keep the decent BMW springs rather than using cheap aftermarket crap.
The California really doesn't need it, on both cars I have 205/65x15 fitted to 6J wheels, this looks right on both cars. I know a lot of people like to fit wider wheels and lower profile tyres but personally I don't think it looks right, it's a 60's sports car not a tarted up Corsa. A lot of builds have gone for wires that show more rim to the front of the wheel, you then have to narrow the rear track, lot of work and again I think they look like something out of wacky races.

 

[MisterP007]

Just managed to snaffle these on ebay (sorry Steve):

They will need adaptors from 5 x 120 PCD Z3 hubs (which also double as spacers) for which I have a good source who can make 5 x 120 to 4 x100 converters/spacers combined from 18mm to 50mm (believe I need 15 (so 18 OK) on the front and 45 on the rear to get the wheels to sit nicely inside the arches vertically). I will not order the spacers until I have mounted the wheels temporarily to check dimensions.

Current tyres are all wrong as they are low-profile and make the overall diameter 556.5mm (225/45/17 on the Z3 wheels = 634.3mm) so will need to buy some 205/65/15 at some point and sell the 195/45/15 that the wheels come with on ebay.

ET is 31 vs std Z3 of ET41 so the new wheels will throw 10mm further out which is fine because I need to push them out 50mm ish on the front and 25 on the rear to get them to sit correctly in the arches. I had a similar calculation to make on the 250SWB Spyder as the BBS alloys I have on this are ET35 (front needed 10mm spacer, rears none).

Overall cost:

• Wheels & current tyres - £400
• Courier - £86
• Tyres 195/65/15 - £216 for 4
• Adaptor plates/spacers front - £128 pair
• Adaptor plates/spacers rear - £104 pair
• Total - £934

May need to buy some spinners once i know the fitting size, or not, if I like the nut style?

 

[MisterP007]

Standard springs, I did fit -30 to the rear of the swb but it grounded on everything and bottomed out a lot giving a very harsh ride, so I reverted to standard. If you did want to lower it I would cut the spring down, that way you can control the drop and keep the decent BMW springs rather than using cheap aftermarket crap.
The California really doesn't need it, on both cars I have 205/65x15 fitted to 6J wheels, this looks right on both cars. I know a lot of people like to fit wider wheels and lower profile tyres but personally I don't think it looks right, it's a 60's sports car not a tarted up Corsa. A lot of builds have gone for wires that show more rim to the front of the wheel, you then have to narrow the rear track, lot of work and again I think they look like something out of wacky races.

Thanks Steve

I will try with standard height springs first.

 

[jaguartvr]

Look to be in very nice condition, the centres do however do look to be set very far forward, spacers will push them even further out.

 

[Pingu]

Thanks Steve

I will try with standard height springs first.

Don't forget that there are different sized spacers.

Item 15 (5mm, 7.5mm or 10mm)

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 2.8 Single components for rear spring strut

www.realoem.com

 

[MisterP007]

Don't forget that there are different sized spacers.

Item 15 (5mm, 7.5mm or 10mm)

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 2.8 Single components for rear spring strut

www.realoem.com

Thanks Pingu

I did try using different rubber spacers including home made hard silicone shims on the 250 SWB Spyder but ended up with springs plus adjusters and coil overs on the front.

I will try every possible method prior to spending on dropped/ cut springs.

 

[MisterP007]

Look to be in very nice condition, the centres do however do look to be set very far forward, spacers will push them even further out.

I have made the calculations based on ET vs original but will check once they are here.

Cheers

 

[MisterP007]

Tonight’s work, a few easy wins for a change.

Test fitted:

• Rear lights
• Reflectors
• Rear fog light
• Reversing light
• Rear number plate lights
• Boot lid pull
• Boot rubber
• Boot lock lower catch

The lights are not bolted up tight so do not look like they fit yet.

Of course it all has to come off again for body prep and wiring in but hey-ho!

Number plate cost a fortune, bought it from Chris Evans!!!

 

[MisterP007]

All looks a bit 1964 MGB at the back but I’m sure the overall effect will be fine when it is done.

 

[t-tony]

Just back from a local car meet up where I saw this - very impressive in the fleshView attachment 197749

I like that Bill, thank you for sharing it.

Tony.