Tribute Automotive MX250, One has been finished. 250 GTO

[Seanick]

One of Tributes MX250 body kits for the MX5 has just been finished in record time. The chap that built it had 'a few weeks to spare' and worked on it full time. Its had a lovely paint job and looks pretty damn good imho. Loads more to do on mine before the paint goes on, but in the mean time what do you think?Its on Madabout kitcars site, grayones build in the Tribute Automotive section, or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tribute-Automotive-MX250...

Could do with lowering a bit

Edited by Seanick on Thursday 21st February 22:28

Edited by Seanick on Friday 22 February 08:52

[jeffw]

I think it looks like an MX5 with a bad bodykit, imho. 250 GTO replica it isn't.

[Steve_D]

I like the way the advert says:-

IVE NOT REGISTERED IT AS THE NEW OWNER CAN REGISTER IT AS A TRIBUTE MX250,AND BE THE FIRST NEW KEEPER.

Yep, that's not going to happen without an IVA.

Steve

[Seanick]

Well yes its not trying to be replica, as its not smothered in fake Ferrari badges! Its a tribute to, and inspired by etc. I think it looks fab. Of course PHs will recognise the MX screen and door handles, but who would spend 22.5 MILLION POUNDS on one you can't risk using!

Re IVA, it does not require IVA as no structural changes to chassis etc etc, its just a skin, all been done before.

[ceebmoj]

the front up to the screen looks very nice, but after that the doors and the rear overly fat arched just look a bit odd, IMHO.

[one eyed mick]

I spoke to the mfr at Donington last year ,it was never meant to be a replica or advertised as one as to IVA it does not require it as it is a body change no structural parts are altered. I dont really like reps / lookalikes but quite fancied one of these but in conv form , may try it when I get rid of my 7 [access for aging joints is easier an perf on a blown MX5 would be acceptable to say the least .Give these guys soom room its an alternative car and that what most of us on here want

[Munter]

Is this a roll cage?

[Steve_D]

Seanick said:

.....Re IVA, it does not require IVA as no structural changes to chassis etc etc, its just a skin, all been done before.

Yes I'm aware it does not require an IVA with just a body conversion but the seller is claiming it can be registered as a 'Tribute MX250' which would not be possible unless you presented it for voluntary IVA.

Steve

[one eyed mick]

coverd in spongeto stop brain derangment

[Seanick]

At last, someone with an open mind!
The rear arches were a bit wide for my taste too so I removed 2" from each side, so now 4" (100mm) narrower than they were. Have a look on my build thread if your interested.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.p...

[smash]

Bad wheel choice. It's a mile away from the 240z based cars, and they in turn are a mile away from the real thing.

[ceebmoj]

Seanick said:

At last, someone with an open mind!
The rear arches were a bit wide for my taste too so I removed 2" from each side, so now 4" (100mm) narrower than they were. Have a look on my build thread if your interested.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.p...

It does look better, with the narrower rear end

[RochdaleGT]

the ebay pictures are really good in terms of showing that the proportions are totally wrong.

its simlar to tributes replica of a jaguar, based on the triumph spitfire. from certain views this car also looks nice and interesting, but watching the complete car the proportions are wrong, too.

about IVA...i dont think it needs a Test:

TRIBUTE AUTOMOTIVE’S MX250 is a body conversion kit that has been designed to fit
the Mazda MX5.

The GRP package is a straight forward replacement of body panels and addition of cover panels to an unmodified Mk I Mazda MX5 bodyshell

NO CUTTING OF THE MX5 BODYSHELL
only removal of bolt on body parts before fitting new outer skin

NO BRAKE OR SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS
unless you want to upgrade or lower

NO DRIVE TRAIN MODIFICATIONS
Option of self-build, or the supply of a part or fully built MX250 using your own base vehicle.

Self-build from £4,000 including base vehicle

[Ferg]

Nick,
Just for the sake of saying it...
I think the idea is great and love what you are doing with yours.

I still maintain that a Cobra with a Chevy engine, Jaguar running gear, the wrong chassis and a body that looks kind of right is no better a replica than this is.
Whole lotta snobbery goes on 'round these parts!

[one eyed mick]

Ferg said:

Nick,
Just for the sake of saying it...
I think the idea is great and love what you are doing with yours.

I still maintain that a Cobra with a Chevy engine, Jaguar running gear, the wrong chassis and a body that looks kind of right is no better a replica than this is.
Whole lotta snobbery goes on 'round these parts!

Hooray someone else with an open mind as said thereis too much marque snobbery apparent on here who gives a fl--g f--k , what matters is that you enjoy your car and take little notice of the purists .The Cobra was basic a hot rodders take on a European sports car , the Lotus 7 an afordable special ,caterham ,westfeild et al developments /take ofs / copies what ever thats my 2p

[RochdaleGT]

the idea is great...yes, indeed...its a new approach for buildng a kitcar, avoiding IVA and with some luck (depending on donor, like the jaguar tribute or the sammio) the car is tax-free


but in terms of the MX250 its "only" a MX5 with a body-kit...i mean its not a re-body ...its a body-kit!!!

[Seanick]

Thanks Ferg/One eye.
Hey Rochdale, you wait till I get some paint on mine. Its gonna look completely different, and.....fantastic!

[RochdaleGT]

yeah...why not...so please feel free to post some pics of the result.

[smash]

Ferg said:

Nick,
Just for the sake of saying it...
I think the idea is great and love what you are doing with yours.

I still maintain that a Cobra with a Chevy engine, Jaguar running gear, the wrong chassis and a body that looks kind of right is no better a replica than this is.
Whole lotta snobbery goes on 'round these parts!

I know what you're saying but in terms of degrees of accuracy it is though surely. Cobra reps have V8 motor 99% of the time and perform a lot closer to the original thing (in some cases well in excess) than an MX5 does to a GTO and generally look pretty close too so to badge it and call it a replica is not so much of an issue. There is a lot of effort put in to make it look and feel akin to the original and provide that viceral, hooligan roller coaster ride experience. This thing is as much a replica of a GTO as the TR40 was of an F40. That said, absolute full credit and doff of hat to the ebay car for not badging it up with the F word - when that happens the argument is lost.

Edited by smash on Tuesday 26th February 09:20

[one eyed mick]

Read my earlier post i.e. was not intended to be a replica /lookalike