Solved - NEH 4440: Nubodi / Tribute Kalifornia

[Carnut]

What's this, based on what - for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[gilescooperuk]

Judging by the windscreen mx-5 based

[Carnut]

Judging by the windscreen mx-5 based

Actually it's not, but the windscreen might be from one...

[58_spyder]

Is it the Tribute automotive  250 SWB SOFT TOP based on an BMW Z3?

1960's style hard top or soft top based on the BMW Z3

TRIBUTE AUTOMOTIVE'S 250 SWB is a body conversion kit that has been designed to fit the BMW Z3.

The GRP kit is a straight forward replacement of body panels and addition of cover panels to a BMW Z3 bodyshell. The kit can also be fitted to any model and any year of the Z3.

The conversion retains the full monocoque bodyshell, running gear, doors and glass of the base vehicle. The finished car is hence exempt from IVA.

[Carnut]

No, it's not a Tribute Automotive 250 (I had planned to post that as another puzzle but didn't as I figured it would be too easy..)

[58_spyder]

Guys at Nubodi Automotive (UK) created a really nice kit called Kalifornia to give to the german spyder a classic italian style.

Still based on the Z3.

A cool new look for the BMW Z3! Guys at Nubodi Automotive (UK) created a really nice kit called Kalifornia to give to the german spyder a classic italian style. The final result isn't a copy but an elegant hommage to one of the coolest Ferrari ever made. Even without the prancing horse badges the car would be so stylish. If you're bored of the Z3 body shape and want something more interesting make a call to these guys. They also have two more retro kits for the Z3, the Kobra (AC Cobra syled) and Z300S (inspired by classic Maserati).

[Carnut]

1 point for 58spyder!

[nicanary]

Well I'm in a quandary here - I can't decide whether it's good or bad.

It's certainly better-looking than a Z3, but why try to copy a car which never existed (if you see what I mean)? It's a fairly laudable effort, with many styling hints from a 250SWB, but it's spoilt IMHO  by the need to fit Ferrari badges and ILLEGAL silver on black number plates. Why do these companies go just that little bit too far?

[Paul Jaray]

 

[nicanary]

They look like childrens' pedal cars!

[Paul Jaray]

I don't think this car is a Nubodi Kalifornia but a Tribute Automotive 250SWB 'Kalifornia' built (assembled?) by Nubodi.
They are in the list of assemblers for Tribute Automotive kitcars and if you look at their line-up ( Kobra, Z300S, 250 SWB in coupe & convertible form and A352) is the same as Tribute's.

From Nubodi Automotive, via madabout-kitcars:

"Hi Guys
As someone has asked the benefits of Tribute or Nubodi I thought I would clarify this. We at Nubodi obviously work closely with Chris almost on a daily basis. The reason for our existence to was originally to take some pressure off Chris as he gets busier and to show customers a finished article to a high standard. Chris has indicated he wants to handle just the GRP manufacture and development of new kits in the future. Now we have proven ourselves to tribute (as many had failed to do in the past) we are heading towards handling all the sales and builds of the Tribute range. We have an verbal agreement with Chris that we charge the same price for each type of kit. However we can add benefits."

...and the same pictures of the puzzle car are in Tribute's website.

[sixtee5cuda]

Another quote, which indicates the name of the car probably isn't Nubodi:

"NuBodi Automotive is the build and sales agent for Tribute Automotive"

[Carnut]

Another picture: