Rebody 507 Tribute Build thread

[Dxbolton]

As requested I’ll start a thread to document my build. This will probably go in fits and starts as I will get enthusiastic, then stop!
then start again
Base car is a 2.8 Auto we bought unseen in market place and had delivered. We lucked out with a full service history including original invoice from the dealer in Belgium. As a grey import it was highly spec’s with full extended leather etc, and the sport suspension package amongst other items

 

[Dxbolton]

So first job was strip the car back to its foundations. I was surprised how easy this generally to complete and also removed the two big weights behind the rear bumper as I have enough extra weight of my own to not need them

 

[Dxbolton]

Rear ally crash bar was removed and flipped upside down. This needs a hole drilled for clearance otherwise the towing eye interferes with the fit. I also trimmed a small area to stop the active exhaust bracket touching and rattling. The two brackets either end that held the weights needed a minor tweak to allow the bumper bar to fit
Front bumper was dropped and all lights were marked as disconnected.
The auxiliary fan needed to be moved backwards approx 1inch where the bracket is screwed to the bodywork.
I had a friend offering help too

 

[Dxbolton]

This is the bracket that needed moving backwards to allow the new bonnet to have clearance

 

[Dxbolton]

Rust was minimal on the inner sills, just surface that was cleaned off and treated with RedOxide. Inside the sills were coated with Body Shultz for added rust protection

 

[Dxbolton]

Photo

 

[Dxbolton]

Jumping around here, the rear boot lid has been designed to use a Fiat 500 handle.
This is imprinted with 500 so not quite the correct number
I chose to fill the number with resin and smooth out the handle. A friend 3D printed 507 numbers that I then attached to the handle. you could of course buy chrome BMW 750 numbers on eBay and just stick on top of the 500, but they may still be visable
Loads of research led me to Spray Chrome in Basildon who painted the handle back to its full chrome lustre.
internally this handle has a touch switch that I intend to use to operate an electric boot release. A VW T5 or Vw golf tailgate lock works well and had the facility to add a manual pull wire just i case you need access and the battery is dead.
it also contains the number plate lights so the wires will need to be routed up to the boot at a later date

 

[Dxbolton]

The weather started to improve and it was made clear not have a completed convertible on the road wasn’t good, so for a happy life we got this for the summer!

 

[Dxbolton]

Chris kindly delivered the kit and helped with fitting the front bonnet section. It’s nice to see something resembling a car now

 

[Dxbolton]

To keep the period feel of the car I have opted for tribar headlights.
the front indicators are VW Karmann Ghia, around 1962 model year. These are similar to original 507 in shape and size.
Chris at Tribute made the front contour for this item to fit but also has an alternative to allow cheaper Lucas style lamps to be installed.

 

[Dxbolton]

Side grilles have caused lots of head scratching and I’ve looked at numerous options. I’ve opted for M3 side grilles although I’d have liked something a bit larger like the original car. The idea was to install led indicators at the rear of the grille but unfortunately they didn’t show enough light. A friend had two small indicators that fitted between the grill fins so I have fitted those too. We think they are off a motorbike and removed from a larger housing.

 

[Dxbolton]

The bmw roundel above was a 56mm diameter that is used for wheel centres. And I have sunk these into the grill so the surfaces are flush.

 

[DaveP]

Good stuff so far Dan. Liking the thread and as a bonus the entire house approved of the obligatory cat pic.

Dave

 

[Dxbolton]

Wheels I want to replicate the Rudge knock offs.
I bought bmw winter steels and had them powder coated.
centre caps are Vw transporter sprayed red with plastic spinners off Amazon. These spinners are bolted on from the rear.
fitying the caps to the wheels isn’t straight forward as Vw use special bolts with oversized heads, and the bolt diameter is 2mm larger than bmw. At present I’m having the bolts turned down and new threads cut so I can use the Vw bolts. Fingers crossed this works so the caps fit. I will update when the bolts arrive

 

[Dxbolton]

Good stuff so far Dan. Liking the thread and as a bonus the entire house approved of the obligatory cat pic.

Dave

she does keep a close eye on progress

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

It's always good to have some help on your projects. You're making great progress.

 

[Mint]

What a great project, following with interest

 

[DaveP]

Jumping around here, the rear boot lid has been designed to use a Fiat 500 handle.
This is imprinted with 500 so not quite the correct number
I chose to fill the number with resin and smooth out the handle. A friend 3D printed 507 numbers that I then attached to the handle. you could of course buy chrome BMW 750 numbers on eBay and just stick on top of the 500, but they may still be visable
Loads of research led me to Spray Chrome in Basildon who painted the handle back to its full chrome lustre.
internally this handle has a touch switch that I intend to use to operate an electric boot release. A VW T5 or Vw golf tailgate lock works well and had the facility to add a manual pull wire just i case you need access and the battery is dead.
it also contains the number plate lights so the wires will need to be routed up to the boot at a later date

That is ingenious. Love how we can turn old into new. Or rather new into old-ish.

My Mrs really wants a 507. If she funds it I am willing to give it a shot. Although never a fan of doorskins as the locking ‘scares’ me.

 

[Dxbolton]

That is ingenious. Love how we can turn old into new. Or rather new into old-ish.

My Mrs really wants a 507. If she funds it I am willing to give it a shot. Although never a fan of doorskins as the locking ‘scares’ me.

I am working on locks with Chris next week. The Alfa Locks look great so hopefully his solution for the mechanism is equally good. His own car seems to work ok
I’ll keep you posted

 

[IanA]

Although never a fan of doorskins as the locking ‘scares’ me.

Agree with that bit which is why I chose the panels for my TFS so that I didn't have to.

Super thread DxB- it just shows how quickly you can get to a driveable car following the delivery of the panels. That's a nice gelcoat finish- well done to Chris and Dan for that. The colour matches well.

I didn't get on with tripod headlights so ditched mine for a standard set. And remember, there's more to life than stressing over panel gaps!!!

Good luck onward to completion.