Rebody BEACHCOMBER'S ZED-CARS

beachcomber

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2026
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Over here now folks after following suggestions / direction. And help for this self confessed computer dummy !!

OK - potted history ..... first where I'm at now. 83 years on this earth and needing one [ ? ] more project. Been playing with Zeds for a while and in recent years have admired the enginuity of our friends over at Tribute Automotive. ..... rebody, the future of the speciality car industry.
Those of us oldtimers in the industry could see the writing on the wall 15 years ago that traditional builds with dubious V5's and dodging regs would eventually come to an end - or at least be very difficult to navigate. I had a couple of dabbles with my Fiero Factory rebodies and more recently with my concept of putting one of my 356 Porsche replicas on a Porsche Boxster [ the now Realm Speedster ].

The plan for my last [ ? ] project is the Tribute Automotive BMW 507. I had originally decided on a 250 SWB Tribute, but felt that the 507 was truer to the base car, and I'm not really a fan of badging things that are not. Fine for others, but not me.
A few of you guys have expressed an interest in my past history [ over 50 years ] directly involved with replica and speciality concepts. Some very well known, like my negotiations with Carroll Shelby to obtain his blessing for our RAM Cobra rep. "Design approved by " and signed on every car.

I'm quite happy to expand on that history alongside my 507 project ............. but would hate to be accused [ again ] of "self promotion". However, history is just that and can't be changed - especially when backed up with photo's articles and provenance. I will only go down that route if encouraged.

A few from over the years .... oh yes, not just 4 wheels - but 3 and 2 !

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Just one more for today .................. Carroll with Roy Salvadori and Tony Brooks at the official signing of Carroll's endorsement for the RAM Cobra. At the same meeting I was appointed as Carroll's European Liaison Officer [ UK and Europe ] for his newly formed Shelby Transplant Trust. Lower pic Royalty at the Innes Ireland Memorial rally [ 1994 ] leaning on my RAM Cobra film chase car. OK make that 2 more. Sir Jack Brabham driving one of our D Type reps on the Rally.
 

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First question for my 507 project - somewhat controversial. I'm not a fan of the Rudge style wheels, I think they look too bulky. What do you think about using the Dunlop period alloy style - heresey !? I know they won't have the look of the Rudge wheels but would have been a historically correct alternative. And at the death, we're not creating an exact copy of the 507. I have a 101 questions and hope to get insight / answers from those have found the answers. I'll have a proper trawl through the relevant posts when I get back to my laptop, It's a real P.I.T.A. on my phone ! Anyone building a 507 in the Midlands area that I could touch base with?
 

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Interesting thread. I was originally going to build a Cobra rep (AK or GD) but the costs were getting way too much with a 'proper' LS3 V8 installed. So I built a DNA 2fifty California based on a 3 litre Z3. I can't seem to attach photos anymore so here is a link to some pictures of it finished late 2025. There is also a 'warts and all' build thread in the rebody section.
 
Welcome aboard beachcomber. Sounds like a great history to be part of. Tribuye 507s look great when done nicely
 
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