I would like to officially join this group

[mfbanres]

I think my creds are pretty fair. Bought my first 2002 in 1978 shortly after college, a Nevada "late" 1971 with a 1 barrel solex. I traded a 1973 TR6 on it, and it had the usual problems with a bad radiator, bad second gear syncho, but it killed me to get rid of it a few years later. Fast forward to 1999 when I bought my second BMW, an alpineweiss 1995 325is. It was a beauty, and made me yearn for the old 2002, so I picked up a 74, then a 74 tii, then a 72, then a 76, then a 73. I also picked up some great E30s, a 91 318is, and a 91 318i, as well as a 98 Z3, and an 02 330i. All gone to good homes.

I should have kept the 74 tii. After a journey down the Porsche 911 Carrera hell hole, I came to my senses, and the end of my budget, and this year picked up a 73 tii.

Now I have swapped engines, rebuilt suspensions, rebuilt interiors, applied upgrades, and such, but this project is almost a ground up restoration. There is only a little surface rust, but some hack body work needs to be corrected to the front end. I want to take the leap and do the paint myself.

I can't make this original because there are too many things wrong, and my budget won't allow for it. After a crash someone replace the front end with a euro style front end........small bumpers and 74-76 plastic grills. Grills are not interchangeable as you know, but I have the small bumper, and the wrong bumper at that, with 72 overriders.

The plan is for a nice looking driver with compromises, such as a one-piece dash, roundel on the trunk (because I picked up a nice 76 trunk from dtharp, and my tii did not come from the factory with a roundel on the rear panel), 73 style bumper with plastic grills, bottlecaps, and I'm changing the color from agave to alpineweiss III, and the interior from tobak to black. You can hide many sins with a black interior. I would add the LSD and 245 if budget allowed, but again..............

Right now I'm preparing to pull the motor and transmission. The next step will be to have the head rebuilt. Compression is within specs...155 on all 4, but it smokes something awful.

Still looking for parts, so if anyone has a stash, let me know.

Comments, friendly critiques, advice, etc. are welcome.

And in the totally irrelevant category, I am a CPA, engaged in internal audit with VDOT. That's what I do; that's not what I am. What I am is a guy who loves 2002s, an avid autocrosser, and currently spending weekends either yacht racing out of Deltaville, or with my beautiful wife at our house in Nags Head.

Cheers,

Michael in Richmond, VA

73 tii #2784445 (one of the last 100 73 tiis)

[jgerock]

You are more than welcome here (or anywhere in BMW land)!

I'd be interested in checking out your tii since it is a late '73 for unusual features (safety interlocks, seat belts, etc.).

[M3M3]

welcome!!!

what yachts do you race? i have long history with both one-design and offshore racing.

there is a greek restaurant down your way that i know the owner of. we may have to do a road trip for food and 02 fun!

[mfbanres]

You are more than welcome here (or anywhere in BMW land)!

I'd be interested in checking out your tii since it is a late '73 for unusual features (safety interlocks, seat belts, etc.).

Jim,

Sure, you are welcome. Email at mf.barnes at yahoo dot com and let's see if we can set it up.

Cheers,

Michael

[mfbanres]

welcome!!!

what yachts do you race? i have long history with both one-design and offshore racing.

there is a greek restaurant down your way that i know the owner of. we may have to do a road trip for food and 02 fun!

Ex-owner of a J-29, and a C&C 35. Both great rides, especially the C&C.

Been crewing on an old Irwin 38 for many years....old boat, old men, but we keep it competitive.

Yeah, the greek restaurant sound great. mf.barnes at yahoo dot com.

Cheers,

Michael