BMW Z3 - M Coupe body conversion idea

[gudgeonpin]

Gents

The current thread regarding a 'small coupe kit car' has sparked an idea I would like to share for discussion :

I love the BMW Z3M Coupe - but the price of them are spiralling ever upwards. Why not a body conversion kit replica to turn a cabriolet into the wider arched and rather more unique (and practical) coupe?

The convertible version remains very cheap and available - and both Bertini and Tribute Automotive have found a market for grp panel conversions. The Z3's primary panels (wings, sills, bumpers) are all bolt-on / off jobs and original coupe parts would serve as bucks to take moulds off to keep manufacturing costs down. Original lights, glasswork and other parts can be sourced from eBay.

Like the Bertini this would give people new to kit cars an easier entrance point and with a solid german car that could be used every day. Builders could stick with the convertible's original rear deck, or chop it out with added strengthening (roll cage?) to open up the coupe boot space. (The base BMW chassis is very similar between coupe and convertible - roof and pillars aside obviously..)

Donor for say £1500, body mouldings for £3K, paint and parts £3K, a few odds and sods and a fast RWD 4 or 6-cylinder coupe for under £8K?

Builders could either build a replica (with the 2.8 or 3.0 straight six donor) .. or younger builders (using the basic 1.9 4-pot Z3 to keep insurance lower) may want to go the modified route - each to their own.

Anyway - that the gist of it. Lets have your thoughts.

Richard

Edited by gudgeonpin on Friday 13th May 16:36

[vertuas]

A Coupé version of the Bertini GT25?

[Mistrale]

What a great idea.

You could even employ a stylist and make it look good........;)

[gudgeonpin]

Well yes - the original Z3M coupe is a love it or loathe it design. But the 'breadvan' design is distinctive and gives the standard Z3 some much needed 'muscle' to its appearance. Practical too (enough space to get a tent / beers / gubbins into it)

I would love to see a Bertini Coupe but I don't think there is any plans for that at the mo.

My idea is simply to offer up a moulding taken off a stock Z3M Coupe : rear wings / roof / rear panel in one moulded item that is an easy bolt-on task to keep it a simple build. Separate moulding for the tailgate and sills. This would then attach to the front rail using regular hood fixing hardpoints.

Front end is left untouched.

Could give a lease of life to old Z3s that are so cheap to buy and (with fettling) quite capable / powerful.

[GTRene]

here some nude BMW Z3 coupe pictures, maybe comes in handy?

[fuoriserie]

GTRene said:

here some nude BMW Z3 coupe pictures, maybe comes in handy?

Thanks for those Rene....

[fuoriserie]

gudgeonpin said:

Gents

The current thread regarding a 'small coupe kit car' has sparked an idea I would like to share for discussion :

I love the BMW Z3M Coupe - but the price of them are spiralling ever upwards. Why not a body conversion kit replica to turn a cabriolet into the wider arched and rather more unique (and practical) coupe?

The convertible version remains very cheap and available - and both Bertini and Tribute Automotive have found a market for grp panel conversions. The Z3's primary panels (wings, sills, bumpers) are all bolt-on / off jobs and original coupe parts would serve as bucks to take moulds off to keep manufacturing costs down. Original lights, glasswork and other parts can be sourced from eBay.

Like the Bertini this would give people new to kit cars an easier entrance point and with a solid german car that could be used every day. Builders could stick with the convertible's original rear deck, or chop it out with added strengthening (roll cage?) to open up the coupe boot space. (The base BMW chassis is very similar between coupe and convertible - roof and pillars aside obviously..)

Donor for say £1500, body mouldings for £3K, paint and parts £3K, a few odds and sods and a fast RWD 4 or 6-cylinder coupe for under £8K?

Builders could either build a replica (with the 2.8 or 3.0 straight six donor) .. or younger builders (using the basic 1.9 4-pot Z3 to keep insurance lower) may want to go the modified route - each to their own.

Anyway - that the gist of it. Lets have your thoughts.

Richard

Edited by gudgeonpin on Friday 13th May 16:36

I like the old Z3 coupe, but with reference to a coupe body conversion ...I would consider instead a new design, it would be perfect for the car and can see a lot of potential.

Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 20th May 08:55

[sato]

If you are not bothered about the M3 engine, they produced the coupe bodystyle in LHD with smaller engines, and one would assume more attainable current values.

Obviously not as fun as what you are proposing, but probably worth checking out before getting in too deep.

[CRA1G]

Here's mine to wet your appetite...

[gudgeonpin]

Lovely car Craig - can I take moulds off it ? :-)

Good point about the non-m coupes sold on continent : A quick look on the Dutch autotrader throws up 2.8s as low as 10,500 euros. There is also one for sale on ebay uk right now for under £10k.

Apart from the importing hurdle, this fact possibly nails the commercial viability of a replica kit - but an updated coupe design based on the Z3 could work well.

Along the flowing lines of an Alfa 8C anyone ?

[fuoriserie]

This entrepreneur built his personal idea of a Lancia using Bmw M3 underpinnings .

http://lanciacollection.skynetblogs.be/archive/200...

http://www.virtualcar.it/mille-miglia-design-exper...

Video here:

http://tv.quattroruote.it/mondo-q/mondo-auto/video...

[gudgeonpin]

Wow ! Thanks for sharing the info on this car - that is inspiring and very beautiful.

Couldn't understand a word of it.. (!) But the car is sublime.

I recommend anyone to watch the video. The standard of design and finish is unbelievable.

[fuoriserie]

gudgeonpin said:

Wow ! Thanks for sharing the info on this car - that is inspiring and very beautiful.

Couldn't understand a word of it.. (!) But the car is sublime.

I recommend anyone to watch the video. The standard of design and finish is unbelievable.

You're welcome ....


Here is a PDF with better images:
https://autodigestetclassic.files.wordpress.com/20...

A few more images
https://autodigestetclassic.wordpress.com/ad-51-pd...

I personally would have gone for a Bristol 407 Zagato design isnpired car, but the work done on this bespoke oneoff is really good.

The idea to rebody the Z3 with a retro-inspirted design like an old Bristol or Jense, with modern mechanicals would make for a great rebody.

[TekoTime]

fuoriserie said:

This entrepreneur built his personal idea of a Lancia using Bmw M3 underpinnings .

http://lanciacollection.skynetblogs.be/archive/200...

http://www.virtualcar.it/mille-miglia-design-exper...

Video here:

http://tv.quattroruote.it/mondo-q/mondo-auto/video...

I really like the back and side of that, but the front end looks too much like something like the Mitsuoka Viewt. Ruins the rest of it.

[gudgeonpin]

Its the Z3 doors with their peculiar 'drop curve' that rather dictates a more classic style of body redesign. However, one more recent (and less well known car) that features this the rather brutal but appealing TVR Tuscan challenge race cars.

The proportions / door shape is similar and the bonnet joins the wings in a similar fashion to the Z3. The entire back end could again be one moulding. The bonnet line also appears high enough to clear the Z3's strut turrets / engine.

TVR purists will be spitting feathers at the idea, but the moulds must still exist somewhere.

[PisstNBroke]

Think your into something with the TVR, similar to the Sylva Stylus.