Rebody 250 California build thread for dummies

[Zephyr]

We need a nice photoshooting on this car.
ASAP.

 

[Jam03]

Looks great!

 

[Pond]

Last few bits done (apart from the exhaust)....
New reg has been transferred
Sill plates on
Engine covers painted and 'blinged'.

 

[Pond]

So it's time to wrap this 'build thread' up after 22 months.
I find the word 'rebody' quite amusing when doing something like this, as it has been a LOT more than just taking a few metal panels off and gluing different GRP ones on. A hell of a lot more.

I was a complete novice when I undertook this challenge; I hadn't even ever changed the oil in a car!
I have learned an awful lot; mainly that a) a Z3 doesn't want to be turned into something else. It has fought me every step of the way. b) that being a bit of a perfectionist is a waste of time with this; many things just have to be 'bodged' to one degree or another c) the 'California' build is not really suitable for a complete novice and d) it costs a lot of money to do!

Would I do it again? Not a bloody chance.

 

[Duncodin]

So it's time to wrap this 'build thread' up after 22 months.
I find the word 'rebody' quite amusing when doing something like this, as it has been a LOT more than just taking a few metal panels off and gluing different GRP ones on. A hell of a lot more.

I was a complete novice when I undertook this challenge; I hadn't even ever changed the oil in a car!
I have learned an awful lot; mainly that a) a Z3 doesn't want to be turned into something else. It has fought me every step of the way. b) that being a bit of a perfectionist is a waste of time with this; many things just have to be 'bodged' to one degree or another c) the 'California' build is not really suitable for a complete novice and d) it costs a lot of money to do!

Would I do it again? Not a bloody chance.

But . . . Are you pleased with the result?

 

[Pond]

But . . . Are you pleased with the result?

Yes, of course. It looks a million dollars and drives well. It was a lot more difficult than I anticipated and cost a lot more aswell, though.

 

[Jam03]

Hope you get out and about with it before the weather turns and post some photos!

 

[Zephyr]

To the untrained eye, most kit cars or rebodies look stunning.
But to a perfectionist even an original 250 would need some twinkering and flattening as these were also hand built.
There is a time that you decide that "it is what it is" and start enjoying it from that point on.
Just be prepared to hear a lot of bsht from people who have no idea of what they are talking about.

 

[Pingu]

So it's time to wrap this 'build thread' up after 22 months.
I find the word 'rebody' quite amusing when doing something like this, as it has been a LOT more than just taking a few metal panels off and gluing different GRP ones on. A hell of a lot more.

I was a complete novice when I undertook this challenge; I hadn't even ever changed the oil in a car!
I have learned an awful lot; mainly that a) a Z3 doesn't want to be turned into something else. It has fought me every step of the way. b) that being a bit of a perfectionist is a waste of time with this; many things just have to be 'bodged' to one degree or another c) the 'California' build is not really suitable for a complete novice and d) it costs a lot of money to do!

Would I do it again? Not a bloody chance.

I was very experienced in mechanics, and I knew that the fibreglass stuff was beyond me. You should be VERY proud of yourself to take on the fibreglass, the mechanicals and the electrics. All three require different skillsets, and you've proved that you are excellent at all three. Well done.

 

[Pond]

There is a time that you decide that "it is what it is" and start enjoying it from that point on.

That is exactly the secret with this type of thing IMO.
I have to be happy that I have done the best I could so can forget the many hours of frustration and head-scratching now hopefully.
I've said it before but building this car was more difficult than building a house from scratch IMO.

 

[Pond]

I was very experienced in mechanics, and I knew that the fibreglass stuff was beyond me. You should be VERY proud of yourself to take on the fibreglass, the mechanicals and the electrics. All three require different skillsets, and you've proved that you are excellent at all three. Well done.

It is mostly down to @Jezza that I have got to the end. I would definitely not have finished it without him.
I have pestered him about EVERYTHING, constantly! He has put up with my ranting, moaning, endless questions and mostly negative thoughts for over 18 months. I know there have been many times when he has thought 'Oh God, not him again' but he has always been gracious and patient and his knowledge of doing these is immense.

 

[Pingu]

The thing that I found most frustrating when I did my build was the project management, despite it having been my job in a past life.

Planning to do something, but not actually doing it when it's at my fingertips - grrrrr.

Then when I'm doing it, wishing that I had more parts available to just finish it, but not having the parts/tools/whatever because I jumped into doing the jobs before everything was ready - grrrrr.

It's so much easier when I could delegate, and so much harder doing it on my own.

If I did another - and I won't - I'd spend the first year just planning the next two years. It's called the Rule of Thirds for a reason . It applies to much more than stakeholders. It applies to time as well.

 

[Pond]

Then when I'm doing it, wishing that I had more parts available to just finish it, but not having the parts/tools/whatever because I jumped into doing the jobs before everything was ready - grrrrr.

I have a Screwfix around the corner, so that helped!
I lost count of the times I would jump on the computer, see if they had what I needed, then shoot round there to get it.

I was also a contracts manager previously. That is easy if you have years of experience in the given job. C follows B follows A.
With absolutely no clue whether C follows B, A or Z it is much more difficult IME.