Rebody Z3 to Kobra build thread

Slam

Zorg Guru (IV)
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British Zeds
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May 24, 2017
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Zedless. Mini GP 1379
They look good I like banded steelies
 

DaveP

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British Zeds
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Mar 26, 2016
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Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
502828AA-D885-4864-A12C-80A13C99739B.jpeg So wheel details so far: I wanted to go steels as I originally wanted to go with a set of Dunlop type copies. But now that has changed to something a bit more roddy.
I spent a bit of time working out what sizes of steels were available for BMW’s and had two things I wanted to keep the back space matching the Z3 std wheels and go for 16 inch wheels.
I knew I was going to band wheels so chose 6.5 width to I could band them by 1 inch front and 2 inch rear. That gives me the staggered sizes that match the Z3 sports option (although std staggered are 17”).
So long story over. I bought bmw F20/21 6.5J 16 wheels with std offset 33. They were £120 incl postage from Poland. I had them delivered straight Banded Steels Essex and had a 1” and 2” band put in place then sent to me.
I went searching for tyres to fit. Finding the right widths and profiles to match the rolling circumference of standard wheels.
The only two manufacturers I could find that did 245/45 16 were continental and Toyo. So looking at reviews and Prices I went Toyos.

Details of what I bought are :

BMW 1 series F20/21 6.5J x 16 ET33 £120

Banded 1inch fronts and 2inch rears £50 wheel

2 x Toyo Proxes T1-R 225/50 16 and
2 x Toyo Proxes T1-R 245/45 16 £390

Hope this helps someone who wants to be a bit alternative (sorry about the wordy post)
 

Slam

Zorg Guru (IV)
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Zedless. Mini GP 1379
Good info and future knowledge. Photographs always look good in black and white.
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
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Points
128
Location
Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
2B8874F9-DAE9-4603-A563-509BDE86272D.jpeg 7E8B12A9-A36F-474C-8D8B-8E5986094FB9.jpeg

So back of the body on and fixed in place. Need to re gap around the doors. Lights and fogs fitted and coilovers lowered to improve stance. It’s a handsome rear I think.

Liking the dirty black so might go that colour at least for this summer. Then go the colour I really want when the warm season finishes.

It’s taking a while and in comparison to Sir P’s DNA Premiership build mines a bit Vauxhall conference

Oh well :)
 

Slam

Zorg Guru (IV)
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Model of Z
Zedless. Mini GP 1379
That looks great , steelies look smart
 

Slam

Zorg Guru (IV)
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Zedless. Mini GP 1379
I'd be happy running it like that without a shiney coat of paint.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
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Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Dead right about the look from the rear Dave, spot on mate:thumbsup:

Tony.
 

Sean d

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Looking good, my next door neighbors son married a millions daughter and not long after he bought a genuine one, by trade he fabricates all sorts of stuff out of aluminium and did a hardtop for it and I have to say it looks bloody amazing with it on.
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 26, 2016
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Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
Thanks all. I’d like to see what a hardtop looks like one day. Have seen some with it on. Would love one that extends over the boot slightly. Bit hard to make though I presume. One day I’ll see if I can chat up the guy that makes the kit. He is developing a 275 GT/B looking likey at present so with fulfilling present stock orders and developing that has his hands very full indeed.

Looking at the shots it looks like I need to lift the passenger coilover a few mms adjusting them isn’t too hard but requires disconnecting the rear shocks each time lining up the bolt without cross threading makes me a bit paranoid,

Dave
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Thanks all. I’d like to see what a hardtop looks like one day. Have seen some with it on. Would love one that extends over the boot slightly. Bit hard to make though I presume. One day I’ll see if I can chat up the guy that makes the kit. He is developing a 275 GT/B looking likey at present so with fulfilling present stock orders and developing that has his hands very full indeed.

Looking at the shots it looks like I need to lift the passenger coilover a few mms adjusting them isn’t too hard but requires disconnecting the rear shocks each time lining up the bolt without cross threading makes me a bit paranoid,

Dave
I would have the car standing on some concrete or such before committing to any adjustment Dave.

Tony.
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
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Points
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Location
Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
21C955FF-95B4-44C0-891B-9ABE38C8C7D4.jpeg 1B0ABB50-3219-482C-A6B9-02E74FF84891.jpeg 9959EF58-6376-4C71-AFC7-6AF825971494.jpeg E658D547-32D5-49A7-A6B9-77BDF83C800F.jpeg BFA3B8BB-EE91-43AF-BF7E-EBA17060D31C.jpeg

So I’ve not posted pics in a while. I am getting close to finishing the Kobra. He is called Max now due to the dirty black look I have ended up with. As of Monday here is how it looked. I spent a while trying to get thecstance right. Not quite correct yet. One back needs lifting and the fronts lowering ....
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
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Points
128
Location
Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
B7E10C62-11CA-449D-BD87-204744DB7F55.jpeg DDFDFC11-9695-4676-A6C1-C2ACA5D9D8D1.jpeg A7D27BB7-5857-4705-9AB1-6397D64EA6BA.jpeg B92E5B3E-0455-4E98-90C1-35094741A8B1.jpeg

I work on Max two-three days a week when I’m not an office worker so had an opportunity Friday and today. Not quite there yet but closer. Didnt adjust coilovers yet but that’s Monday as well as fitting wing mirrors and front plate.

Lights all work now! The front are a mini challenge as you have to extend from the front scuttle, along the wings and under bonnet. One point to note, if you’re worried about the bonnet getting stuck down on a Z3 have a go at putting Z3 bonnet locks onto a grp bonnet. Terrifying ....
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Looking good Dave, just a little OT but what is the silver/grey car of which you can see the rear end of in pic. 2 of the last post please?
What are you using for the rad grille?

Tony.
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 26, 2016
Points
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Location
Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
Looking good Dave, just a little OT but what is the silver/grey car of which you can see the rear end of in pic. 2 of the last post please?
What are you using for the rad grille?

Tony.
Hi Tony,

The silver is another Kobra. I’m building mine at a friends place and that’s one he built (I helped a little in order to learn how too). His is for sale on eBay at present.

Grill is up for grabs. I was going for an Aceca old school look before and have a grill for that. Short term I am going for the front plates in the mouth. When it goes to paint in the winter I will reconsider options. Thanks for the support.

Dave
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 26, 2016
Points
128
Location
Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
Needs some pressed plates and maybe a older style reg number
Thanks:) I quickly realised that rat rod was a style I liked and matched my skills :)

I’d like different plates but keeping it same as the Zed until all MOT-ed, insured and re-registered.

Have gone legal plates for now too. Don’t want to attract attention from the boys in uniform for the wrong reasons :)

Dave
 

5harp3y

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2.8
Thanks:) I quickly realised that rat rod was a style I liked and matched my skills :)

I’d like different plates but keeping it same as the Zed until all MOT-ed, insured and re-registered.

Have gone legal plates for now too. Don’t want to attract attention from the boys in uniform for the wrong reasons :)

Dave
Pressed metal ones are perfectly legal ;)
 

DaveP

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 26, 2016
Points
128
Location
Reading
Model of Z
Z3 2.2 Kobra rebody (see pic)
Pressed metal ones are perfectly legal ;)
So they are :) I have just purchased a new reg for when all is finished. I will get that in pressed metal as they look so much better I agree. Also as I have a 5 digit reg the plate will be shorter and fit the boot better I hope.

Dave
 
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