Z3 project...no going back now!

Without taking it back to a bare shell how the hell is anyone supposed to paint the interior of the metalwork?
The 'blue bits' aren't proper paint anyway, just overspray from when the car was originally painted at the factory. Every car is painted the same; manufacturers don't waste paint on parts that are never going to be seen or corrode. Just a bit of primer to seal the steel.
And NO, I haven't cut any corners. I don't cut corners.

OCD I don't have. I just like things to be right. OCD is a mental illness. Striving for perfection is a good thing and used to be the norm. Sadly not anymore; which is why the UK is in such a sorry state IMO.
Sadly the days of perfection-obsessed-Britain, with the likes of British Leyland leading the world in quality standards, are long gone. Definitely no one in Britain ever said "that'll do" back then.

Are you sure you're not German or Japanese? 😉
 
There is a blue replica the same as yours in my local car club (Sadcase). It’s spectacular in a light blue colour. Fabulous job you have completed.
 
The 'Fauxrrari' has now attended five shows this summer.
Three very local ones where it has been voted 'unofficial' best in show twice now.
The first 'big show' was at Grimsthorpe Castle (Lincs) in June where there was no 'judging' but I had five separate people say they thought my car was the best one there.

Today was the largest show. Kimbolton Classic Car show at Kimbolton Castle near Grafham Water.
Over 1000 cars on show. My little car was one of ten pulled out to be judged for the 'official' best in show by the organisers. It didn't win (an immaculate old Alfa did) but it was one of just ten.

I was asked to park in pride of place near the castle (when the ticket was for a crap parking spot out in the field) and the car attracted huge attention all day. The overwhelming comments from strangers are: "that is a very pretty car" and "you have done a fantastic job" when I tell people it is a fake and that I built it.

Today's show was the furthest my car has been driven in a day since I have owned it (105 miles). It performed brilliantly and was actually a pleasure to drive. I didn't go over 60mph on the A1, though, as I am scared of stonechips and large bugs!

This thread has come an awfully long way since it started. I never dreamed on the first page that I would ever be contesting for best car in show at a major car show.

I don't think I have done too bad considering it was built in a domestic garage with no clue what I was doing!
 
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I don't think I have done too bad considering it was built in a domestic garage with no clue what I was doing!
I think you deserve much more credit than that as you obviously had more than just a clue of what you were doing, and the end result speaks for itself. :thumbsup:
 
as you obviously had more than just a clue of what you were doing
I honestly didn't Iain. I went into it completely blind with no 'instructions' and no experience.
There is a facebook post somewhere, on a dedicated page, from mid 2024 where I offered the car for sale (in bits) because I was out of ideas and was admitting defeat. Luckily I found one chap who had experience building these, who gave me loads of telephone help and convinced me to carry on. I owe him big time!
 
It's a work of art and a real credit to your perseverance and skills. I also think the choice of that particular red suits it perfectly. I'd been away from the forum for a while, last time l looked at your progress it was more like a dreamy idea of what could be in a garage , so when l found the images of the complete project I was stunned.......it definitely deserves the accolades you've received and will probably continue to receive over the coming years.
The big question is.......is it a keeper ? Or will you sell it on and find another project? Or perhaps one challenge like this is enough for anyone and the thought of another project on a similar scale is too much stress?
 
It's a work of art and a real credit to your perseverance and skills. I also think the choice of that particular red suits it perfectly. I'd been away from the forum for a while, last time l looked at your progress it was more like a dreamy idea of what could be in a garage , so when l found the images of the complete project I was stunned.......it definitely deserves the accolades you've received and will probably continue to receive over the coming years.
The big question is.......is it a keeper ? Or will you sell it on and find another project? Or perhaps one challenge like this is enough for anyone and the thought of another project on a similar scale is too much stress?
Thanks for the kind words. I will probably sell it (if I can get the money I want) and do something else. If I had the space and the money (I have neither) I would keep it and buy another British classic to make perfect.
I have been looking, I'm always looking, and have a few I would like.
The biggest issue is that a perfect British classic (whatever that may be) will never attract the attention of this.

Days like today make me want to keep it forever. But tomorrow I will want to move on.
 
Now don’t be too hasty there Pondy, our resident knee sturgeon might well do you a good deal on two new knees if you build him one….you’re not far off needing a couple at your age so think on….🫵
You may jest mate but my knees are pretty shot. My job has meant being on my knees a lot over the last 40 years (mostly in the cold which hasn't helped). When I get up from sitting these days it sounds like someone is cracking walnuts.
 
You may jest mate but my knees are pretty shot. My job has meant being on my knees a lot over the last 40 years (mostly in the cold which hasn't helped). When I get up from sitting these days it sounds like someone is cracking walnuts.
Were you a rent boy?
 
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