tires and wheels late lurker

[jetboy]

I've been lurking for a while now because I hadn't actually owned a 2002 since 1998, when I sold my 76-

But as of yesterday I am back in the game - with a bang!

Here is my story ---

I see on craigslist: 1970 BMW 2002 ****Round Tail Lights**** ($900), and its near my house - within biking distance. BUT, I had just the previoius day bought a 86 VW cabrio - nonrunning, to fix up to give my wife for valentines day (its red). So now I had some problems 1. I wanted a 2002 again. 2. I just spent my money on a VW and didn't have 900 dollars. 3. If I didn't at least go look at it my wife would think it was strange. 4. I really wanted to go look at it.

So I called the guy up, he wasn't near the car, and could meet me, but it was dark and raining by that point. So I passed, 2 days later he calls me up and we make an apointment for 8am. I show up - the car is beautiful - its been completely stripped down to bare, all the paint off and it hardly has a blemish on it - no bondo or holes as far as the eye can see. Floor panels clean, rockers perfect, just a smattering of surface rust.

I say "its beautiful! Why havn't you sold it already??" He says that some other people came, but that they didn't know what they were looking at - as if a 900 dollar 2002 was supposed to already have a nice paintjob. Inside its got one pretty trashed recario for the drivers, but the rest of the seats and panels are a nice deep tan-brown original. looks nice. Dash, good, missing glove compartment. Nothing on the floors, bare metal. clean no rust. Had factory air -conditioning - its been removed.

SO he opens the hood, petronix ignition, electric fan, but everything else original. It starts a little rough - but hes not been driving it - once its warm it sounds decent if not great, maybe needs a valve or timing adjustment. I am happy it even starts -

SO I say - damn! I just bought a car 2 days ago for my wife(now regretting that!!) . I don't have 900 dollars (and I don't even want to try and offer less, because its already a deal) He says - well, you know what, if you want the car - I don't know you from jack, but you don't have to pay me now. Just send me the money when you get a chance... no hurry... and he signs the title over to me.. gets in the car and takes his family to the airport - and flies to texas that day.

This car is even registered...and came with an extra hood and an extra 14inch wheelset with tires. (which if anyone wants I am thinking of selling so i can send him his first payment) So I put the bumpers back on, check that the lights are working - and drive her home!!!!

thats my story - actually its longer and more involved - but I thought i'd keep it relatively short.

oh yeah - to top it all off, he also, like me, once owned a terminaly rusty alfa romeo GTV. I found out after he offered me the car- but that just confermed he was good people.

in other, and last news, the 86 cabrio is working great now - and I gave it to my wife early so she would not get mad at me for bringing home the 70. She was so happy with her new car she didn't even flinch that I bought my own toy as well!!!

yeah! Its not often I kick so much a$$

[_z_]

Dude! You didn't tell me you got Mana a vw.. afraid she'd see the emails?? :)

thats rocking man!

[2002maniac]

congrats man! I love picking up a new car. Be sure to keep us posted as the project progresses.

[Guest]

WOW! Cool deal! Sounds like you guys hit it off pretty good. Its cool to meet cool people like that. Congrats!

Keep us posted and post some pics.

[Mike Self]

seller and a mollified wife! Don't lurk any more, spread some of your luck around!

cheers and congrats on a good score...

mike

[Jim_75Sahara]

Jetboy: Welcome. Don't lurk -- you're in now! My wife would not go for that -- I wish she would. I may surprise her someday with a nice used Mini Cooper S when our one car starts to give out. That would be a gift that we both would love. She thinks they're cute, I think that they ROCK. At Christmas time, she will say that she got me a great gift as a surprise. I always say: "so where did you hide the parts car?" My son laughs, she doesn't! Good luck with your excellent find!

[ray_]

Aack! No way! A troll! This never happens in my universe!

Wow, that is excellent! I'll give you $905 for it right now! ;-)

Cheers, keep us posted!

Ray

[PSloan]

Congrats man! thats a good deal. I think i just made a deal on a car myself........

[DavinSF]

(nt)

[jetboy]

some quick pics -

[bimmerboy]

friend had one, great fun to just drive around in. am i wrong in thinking your car is stripped to bare metal with no paint?

[jetboy]

nope you are not wrong- its stripped - the guy had learned from his earlier rust bucket and proceeded to strip the whole thing down - but i guess he never got to painting. this is going to save me a whole lot of trouble! it was originaly sahara, which you can still see under the markers if you look closely - but I am still thinking Inka.

[oz_tom]

I assume the rear bumper has been painted black? Are you going to chrome it?

Tom

[jetboy]

yeah - painted black - not sure why - but other than the paint it seems in good condition. easily restorable.

he also included an extra set of tail lights- less faded than the ones on now, so after the paint job it will have nice clear lenses..

[robspeed]

looks NICE! i think pat's got you beat on who got the best deal tho!! anyways, welcome back to the problem!!