Bertini GT25 - new bodychange for a BMW Z3

[AnthonyCherry]

I am currently halfway through making a body change kit for the BMW Z3 and Z3M roadster.

I have pretty much finished the front end, with moulds made and am now working on the back. My intention is to produce and sell the body panels.

I'm not trying to create a replica car. It's intended to be a modern car with a modern design taking classic inspiration.

I have tried to capture and combine elements of the : AC Cobra, E-type, Z8, XK180 and Eagle Speedster.
With a little bit of Maserati and Aston Martin thrown in.

I have a Facebook page and a website that I update regularly and will be posting build updates.

https://www.facebook.com/BertiniGT25

www.bertinigt25.com

here are a few of the finished pictures - i have a lot more on my facebook page and website.

Edited by AnthonyCherry on Saturday 15th March 15:14

[AnthonyCherry]

I'm kinda going for the retro look.
It will have an upswept back so I'm hoping it will marry together well.
The lights may be changed for some halogen spots in black casing with DRL.
That should alter the look but I have not tried fitting them yet so I don't know if they work.

[AnthonyCherry]

I have the grill ready to fit. It's currently stainless steel mesh. Nice quality. But I might powder coat it black. Again depends on the look.

[AnthonyCherry]

Yep. They are fiat 500 lights. I have found some nice aftermarket ones to fit with DLRs in. But I'm not sure it will work yet. I will get onto freelancer.com. Sounds interesting. Cheers for the info.

[AnthonyCherry]

There is an article coming out in this months complete kitcar magazine. Following some of the progress. I'm just can't wait to start work on back end!

[AnthonyCherry]

Things have slowed up a bit. But should have the front end finished (pre-paint) by mid October. Then work will start on the rear towards the end of November.
Here is a flavour of what the front will look like with the grills fitted.

[AnthonyCherry]

Thanks. I can't wait to get it finished! I should hopefully have it finished January :-)

[AnthonyCherry]

I have just got the badge that I designed back from the manufacturers in China. I'm really happy with the quality :-)

[AnthonyCherry]

just an update:
here is a picture of the moulding of the rear of the car fitted.



and this is a video showing how easy it is to fit

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=6577027842880...

[AnthonyCherry]

Thanks for the comments guys.
I have just ordered some black grills to try out. The front shot with the grills above have been photoshopped in on the plug (not the finished panel).
New photos of the front end will be taken at the end if the week. Probably with lights and grills fitted.

In total the kit will result in a weight saving of aprox 70kg. Grp is much lighter than the bumpers. And the bonnet is considerably lighter. Plus you lose the rear bumper iron and heavy brackets and the spare wheel, brackets and huge exhaust box.

Not too sure on price yet. Need establish the exact costs first.

[AnthonyCherry]

the backbox is pretty heavy, and the rear bumper iron, brackets and spare wheel are where a lot of those weight gains can be made. Also GRP is a lot lighter than polycarbonate.

The seats would be a good place to shed more weight - they have motors and are very bulky. Also one of the problems with the Z3 is that the cabin ride height is a little bit high.
That could help solve that problem at the same time as saving weight.
I am fitting a Lithium ion battery to my car which will also help!

[AnthonyCherry]

deltashad said:

I like it. Its nearly there.

I'd try to shorten the gap between the top of the wheel arches and the top of the wings. Lower the car. And do something with the wing mirrors, I think they they were always too big for the little Z

This front end in the picture was on a write off car. The kit is currently being fitted to a Z3 which is lowered 35mm with 18inch BBS splitrims. It looks much better :-)

I am fitting Z3M mirrors to my Bertini. (thats pretty expensive though)

[AnthonyCherry]

soxboy said:

TBH the rear looks a bit better than the front, where are the tail lights from?

yep, the tail lights are cut down porsche 996.
i am loving the back at the moment too. the front will look a bit different as that is just the plug and not the finished moulding.

[AnthonyCherry]

more photos at the end of the week :-)

i will try and stand back a bit when taking them.

when the car is finished i will be getting some professional shots done for the press release.

[AnthonyCherry]

I have just got some fiat 500 arbarth xenons and i thought i would photoshop them onto an old progress picture with some grills and a different wheel.
I cant wait to get them fitted to the car when i comes back from the paint shop at the end of next week.

[AnthonyCherry]

I have just got the Bertini polo shirts and caps delivered. I'm really happy with the quality of the embroidery.
I know its only a little thing, but I really like the little details.
I'm looking forward to wearing them at the stoneleigh kitcar show.

[AnthonyCherry]

im not 100% sure on the cost of the kit as the cost of producing it has not yet been established.
But it will not be mega expensive.

The main cost saving will not be in the retail price, but in the time taken and ease of fitting the kit.

It is my intention to provide a trimmed kit which is essentially ready to bolt-on.
I want customers to be able to strip their Z3 and fit the Bertini body panels/lights etc. ready for painting in just 24 hours!

.

https://www.facebook.com/BertiniGT25

or at [e-mail]

Please don't discuss business on the forums.

Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 1st March 16:06

[AnthonyCherry]

Just been painted!! lights and MOT will be done next week.
more photos and video on the facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/BertiniGT25

[AnthonyCherry]

Cheers for the comments guys. The car will be finished next week and I have already booked the professional photographer and the trip to wales for the photoshoot.

[AnthonyCherry]

I'm going to quite a few events this year.
The National Kit Car show at stoneleigh early May
Malvern Kitcar show
Kip Hill Climb near Aylesbury in September.
Donnington kitcar show in August
Castle Combe kitcar meet in July.
London to Brighton kitcar run in June.

So busy year. Hopefully see you at one if the events