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Wedge Bye-bye black [TR8] bumpers......

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GBRandy said:
That is a direct copy of the front of a Ferrari 355. Amber side markers, white fogs and the same grill opening. Trust me....I know! :wink:
Click to expand...

My first thought was F355 also.
 
I hope you don't cut it out. That front cross member is the most essential part of the body on a vert to limit the front frame rails from twisting when you go around corners. Take it out and your understeer will increase greatly.
 
The instructions call for it's removal. I have heard comments both ways as to the alleged benefits of removing such as weight, versus the understeer issue. I was told unless I was using the car for serious rallying, the removal of the bar for normal to even spirited driving would not be an issue.

I am not an expert on these, so consider what I've said as an observation of what I was told, more than a proclamation of my actual knowledge.

I appreciate the comments from Todd and Michael about this.
 
Did we figure out if your supplier gets his mold from the Fiero Ferrari 355 kit?
That front bumper is within centimeters of the front piece they put on Fieros.

I've seen on some UK sites a front bumper kit that matches what your going with at the rear of your 8 :a flush look although it keeps the TR7/8 intake.
 
You do need the brace. What you can do is use a 1.5" to 1.75" round tube and install it in place of the cross brace with a droop in it either upwards or down with some gusset plates at the two frame rail connections. I am about to do that to my rally car within the next few weeks. Here are some pictures.

FrontBrace_1.jpg


30-9-04-ns2.jpg


frunder.jpg
 
OK Michael, I will talk to the body shop about coming up with something, even if I have to fit it over the winter. This will bolt on and off easily enough and I'm just not sure that I can get it done with all of the other work that they have going on at this time.
 
Doug, if you look at his website, I think that he makes his own molds. But I'm not really sure and I've never asked him.
 
Paul,I'd say: "Seconded!". Follow Michael's lead and use tubing for a replacement brace. Over time the left/right torque stresses will start to manifest as work-hardening cracks further down-stream on the chassis, even in "moderate" driving, IMO.
 
I think that I may have created some confusion in what I said earlier. The only thing that is getting completely removed is the front bumper assembly. The inner cross brace that goes between the frame rails is staying in place, as shown in the picture below. I mis-quoted the instructions when I said the cross brace, when I should have said the bumper support.

I have a nice powder coated black mesh grill that will be going in to allow as much air flow as possible.
 

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Ahhh.


...nevermind...

:jester:
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]

That is a direct copy of the front of a Ferrari 355. Amber side markers, white fogs and the same grill opening. Trust me....I know! :wink:

[/QUOTE]

Looks like the 355 and the Testarossa and now the TR8 all share that look!
Testarossa

F355 Spyder
 
I've never seen a TR with the 355 look on the nose:

What a minute, that could be taken more ways than one :wink:

I've never seen a Testa Rossa with that front end treatment: normally those Ferraris had an angular intake under the bumper -plus hidden headlamps.

I guess there kits for Ferraris as well...

Cheers,
 
Paul,

I think that you've made a car that I like really ugly with
your modifications.If you were going to do this,why didn't you
take a car that was already modified,or a car that needed lots
of work?
I really hope that you haven't offended Mickey by modifying
this car.I'm one of the the very few people that like the original
style of these vehicles.
You did an incredible job with your Wife's TR6,so I was very dissapointed with what you did with Mickey's car.

- Doug

Brosky said:
That's OK Doug. These type of modifications always cause a certain amount of differences in opinions. As is evident with my TR6, I usually do what I think I like the most, as everyone usually does with their own cars. I just posted this to show what is out there, still available for these cars.
Click to expand...
 
AngliaGT said:
Paul,

I think that you've made a car that I like really ugly with
your modifications.If you were going to do this,why didn't you
take a car that was already modified,or a car that needed lots
of work?
I really hope that you haven't offended Mickey by modifying
this car.I'm one of the the very few people that like the original
style of these vehicles.
You did an incredible job with your Wife's TR6,so I was very dissapointed with what you did with Mickey's car.

- Doug
Click to expand...

No offense here. This is what the hobby is all about - making the car your own. I probably offended someone by painting it a non-factory color, installing Panasports (14"; not the factory 13" size), larger brakes, headers, Porsche cooling fans, adjustable camber kit, CD/MP3 player, and, heaven forbid - a HOLLEY! All of which not only personalized it, but also made it the car it should have been.

But then, that's my silly take on it. Remember: I'm just a country parson. :wink:
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I really hope that you haven't offended Mickey by modifying this car.I'm one of the the very few people that like the original style of these vehicles.[/QUOTE]

Doug, I have a thick skin, so your comment is taken in the spirit of the friendship of the forum. After hearing pretty much the same about the TR6 when I painted the engine red, put in the SS shroud with the RED TR6 logo, Miata seats, stereo, roll bar with light and then the wheels, ya-da ya-da, I became immune to hearing the negatives to my modifications.

But please remember, once Mickey cashed the check and signed the title, it became MY car, not his. I am not continuing a Mickey legacy here, I'm doing what I want with MY car, just like you do with YOUR car.
 
And Tony'd probably have a running duck fit if he knew I were putting a GM V6 in the GT!!!
 
Ha-ha!! Mickey, I'll bet that Tony would (or is right now!!), but that is what makes this forum great. We can share opinions and take away what we want from the process.

If the bumpers bother people, I better not post whatever I decide to do with the seats over the winter.
 
Paul:
Please do keep posting whatever mods you take on as I believe most of us are interested in seeing everything that goes on and not just the traditional, purist restorations, whether we like them or not. At least I am and I really like what you did with the TR8 front and rear. Incidentally, you painted your TR6 block red while I did mine black; neither of us is either right or wrong. They're our cars do do with as we please. Wish I had a TR8 to play with along with my TR6!
Cheers,
 
Some people are more into the restoration and preservation of the cars as a time piece....a capture of a moment in car history preserved with all its beauty and faults.

Others like to play designer and make the car their own personal expression.

I am of the former..... As a person with a TR8 & a 355, Paul's' combination does get a little bleary eyed for me :smile:

I have also seen some far worse design attempts on TR7's & TR8's.

It is their car. Their decisions and ultimately their money. To each his own.
 
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