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?
Z3 project...no going back now!
- Thread starter Pondy
- Start date
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Are you sure you're not German or Japanese?
West Sussex
Well, that seems a bit slapdash!
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!
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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North West Surrey
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.
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?
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.
Nope. Mine was the first and last I will do. It's a horrible job.
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.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….
Were you a rent boy?
If I was it wouldn't be my knees I would be worried about, would it?
Given the fussiness and inflexibility of most government departments, I’m surprised that the V5 and MoT database describe the car as a Ferrari when it’s still mostly BMW with Ferrari-alike body panels and interior, and the merest smattering of genuine Ferrari parts.
If it was a novel vehicle that contained a collection of parts from a variety of manufacturers, then attributing a name to it would be more difficult, but it still wouldn’t make it a Ferrari…
Given that the government have officially acknowledged it has the right to identify as a Ferrari from the 1960s, shouldn’t it be exempt from MoT testing and road tax?
If it was a novel vehicle that contained a collection of parts from a variety of manufacturers, then attributing a name to it would be more difficult, but it still wouldn’t make it a Ferrari…
Given that the government have officially acknowledged it has the right to identify as a Ferrari from the 1960s, shouldn’t it be exempt from MoT testing and road tax?
No-one said it's a Ferrari, cos it's not. It isn't mentioned on the V5 or the MOT database. There is not a cat-in-hell's-chance you could use the Ferrari name on any official paperwork. The UK authorities wouldn't allow it and the Italians would bury you under a bridge, after suing the tits off you.
When re-registering the car with the DVLA, it is very strange in the UK. Basically you can tell them what you want it to be called and as long as it doesn't infringe any copyright or IP laws they will re-register it as that (they won't do swear words though cos I asked). I could have asked them to call it "Pond's Purple Pulling Machine" if I had wanted and they probably would have done it.
I didn't do that, however! That would have been silly.
It is named the same as the company who originally designed and built the body kits named them. However, because the DVLA know that this company are no longer in business, they put "replica" after the name. So, in effect, mine is officially called a replica of a replica.
There is quite a story behind these cars which I won't bore you with. But when it comes to cars; stories and 'provenance' can equal value.
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