From Father to Son. Passing our way of life to our children.

[RoccoGilroy]

Some of you may remember me from my first build but it’s been almost 5 years since I sold her so I’ve been MIA... Why did I sell it? My son was born, and my world was flipped upside down!!! My priorities changed dramatically and I felt at the time that it was best for my family to let my 02 go to a new home. I bought a more family friendly car and I closed that chapter of my life with a heavy heart.

I needed to be focused on my son and be the best father I could be for him. When my car left on the trailer, I cried... She was a part of me... 
 

When she left on that trailer my 3 day old son laid in my arms and together we watched it drive down the street and disappear from our lives. 
 

But he’s growing now! He’s almost 5 and we added to the clan with a beautiful daughter a few years after my son! She’s almost 2 now! Watching them grow brings back so many memories of my own childhood... In the garage with my dad working on cars and motorcycles... It dawned on me that I was my sons age when I started palling around with my dad in the garage... it brought me to thinking about what kind of man my son might become. I thought back realized that my father teaching me these garage skills dramatically shaped who I have become as a person... I want both of my children to grow up that way... I want them to be able to do things for themselves. 
 

And bang, just like that I knew what I had to do... I became convinced that I needed to find another 2002 and bring it back to service... I’m going to build it with my kids... I promise you all that my kids will know how to change brakes and oil and fix what’s broke...

 

So, after quietly searching around for a few month, I came across this... The story behind it is very emotional and complicated but I won’t go into it for now as this post has become too long already. Long story short, the car was in a very difficult location and the owners were having trouble finding somebody to actually come and see it... It just so happens that this difficult spot was located 30 min from my fathers house... it was a sign... I called my dad and gave him the scoop... we spoke to each other as men and I told him my reasons for wanting this car we both got emotional... I told him I want to do for my kids what you did for me... after a long reminiscing conversation he told me, “make the deal... I’ll bring it to you”

 

And just like that, the car was on a trailer and headed to Aptos!! The fact that my father ended up being a part of this was a magic... 

 

Son wants a car to build with his kids as he had done with his father... Father bring son the car so that he can start his own journey with his kids... Its a dream come true... 

 

So, without further ado, I give you “Julz”... Named after the previous owner... I have so much to do but the journey where the fun is!!!

 

Please take a look and tell me what you think... interior is a gut job... body is strait with almost no rust... I looked it up with bmw and it’s a December 1967 build 1968 1600... Someone spent a lot of $ and time on her at some point. Not sure what type of flares they are but their metal... Kamei spoiler is beat up but fiberglassed in... belt line holes are filled... dcoe 45’s, 2.0L motor, pretty sure it’s a stock cam... old bilsteins on all 4 corners... it does have sway bars which is good but I’m not sure it would have come that way originally. Gotta jack it up and get some pics of the underside. Not positive if it’s still got the long diff or if it’s been swapped to short. Stock 4 speed... not sure if it was a 6volt car originally but it has an alternator now in any event. The break system on the early cars is an enigma to me so I’ve got to research that a bunch... So much to do and learn! And so much to teach my shop partners!!!

 

If you see anything I’m missing and you have it, please feel free to let me know! I’m pretty strapped after the purchase but I’ll find a way if I need it... And of course donations are welcome if you are so inclined. 

[danco_]

Looks great. Can't wait to see the progress. 

 

 

That brake systems looks mostly original, which is a total nightmare. I watched a friend try to bring back an early 1600 brake system and he rage quit soon after 

[RoccoGilroy]

And if you made it through all that, thank you for taking the time to read it. I just felt the need to share my story with the community who has given me so much. 
 

Rocco

[FunElan]

As someone who grew up working on cars with my dad....I think you made the right choice in getting a project for your family  congrats!! Cool early car!

[RoccoGilroy]

1 minute ago, danco_ said:

Looks great. Can't wait to see the progress. 

 

 

That brake systems looks mostly original, which is a total nightmare. I watched a friend try to bring back an early 1600 brake system and he rage quit soon after 

Ya I’m not looking forward to it.... I’ll have to come up with something creative or swap out to a later model system. Either way it’s gonna be a PITA...   y far the biggest stressor going in. 

[PapaG]

I grew up working on cars with my dad and my son (now 30) and I did the same.  Then he had a baby....and gave me his 2002 to restore for him (then I have to give it back).  I'm just getting started on it and have, like all of us, found many poorly, even dangerously, repaired components and systems.  Last weekend I tackled the front brakes and told my son "these are the first things I've found on this car that have been repaired correctly."  He then told me that was because he did that brake job and he had a great teacher.  Pretty cool.

 

Anyway, my story isn't as great as yours but I've been in your shoes (as both father and son) and it is the best way in the world to grow up.  Enjoy every second of it. 

[Son of Marty]

Nice looking early car, it'll make a fun project for all. It was a 6v car for sure you can tell by the wide battery tray among other things does it run at this point?

[rcf925]

Big plus those are Italian Webers, Pretty hard to come by these days

[danco_]

Looks great. Can't wait to see the progress. 

 

 

That brake systems looks mostly original, which is a total nightmare. I watched a friend try to bring back an early 1600 brake system and he rage quit soon after 

[RoccoGilroy]

1 hour ago, PapaG said:

I grew up working on cars with my dad and my son (now 30) and I did the same.  Then he had a baby....and gave me his 2002 to restore for him (then I have to give it back).  I'm just getting started on it and have, like all of us, found many poorly, even dangerously, repaired components and systems.  Last weekend I tackled the front brakes and told my son "these are the first things I've found on this car that have been repaired correctly."  He then told me that was because he did that brake job and he had a great teacher.  Pretty cool.

 

Anyway, my story isn't as great as yours but I've been in your shoes (as both father and son) and it is the best way in the world to grow up.  Enjoy every second of it. 

That’s an awesome story! Made you very proud I’ll bet. Thank you for the kind words. It’s gonna be fun and I’m looking forward to every minute! 

[RoccoGilroy]

1 hour ago, Son of Marty said:

Nice looking early car, it'll make a fun project for all. It was a 6v car for sure you can tell by the wide battery tray among other things does it run at this point?

I figured as much but I’m not as familiar with these early ones.. couldn’t tell how to spot if it was or not. I just knew if it had an alternator, it was a 12 or it was converted. Hopefully it won’t be a wiring nightmare like my last car... Had to replace the entire wiring harness front to back on that one... Not fun but very educational. 

[72pdx02]

Nice project, welcome back. 

[Conserv]

Welcome back. Looks like a great project!

 

It was always 12-volt; the changeover came with VIN 1533868 (manufactured August 18, 1967). So I’m going to disagree with @Son of Marty on this one issue. No U.S. 1968 models had 6-volt electricals; and this is a 1968, as stamped into the VIN tag.

 

Enjoy!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[RoccoGilroy]

2 minutes ago, Conserv said:

Welcome back. Looks like a great project!

 

It was always 12-volt; the changeover came with VIN 1533868 (manufactured August 18, 1967).

 

Enjoy!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Steve, your a legend! That’s actually very refreshing to know... as much as I learned from rewiring my last car, I have. I interest in tackling that nightmare again lol. Hopefully as I dig in I’ll find it’s not too bad. 

[RoccoGilroy]

This might get buried and unanswered but I am a bit curious about the water neck divider. When I did dcoe’s on my last car I had to use a 320i divider... I’ve never seen anything like the one that’s on the car. I’m curious if it’s stick for a ti or if it’s rare or what???? 
 

17th pic from the top or 10th pic from the bottom up.