Goodfellas Streetmachine

[Tommy]

Thanks for offer but no I don't want to upgrade. I'll try to make one good from the two I have. If not happy with result I'll get new one or used square.

Tommy

[Tommy]

I've started working with left quarter panel.

As my one of my idols, Martin says on his site:

"Believe me, these things don't just fit by themselves."

Martin site which has been really helpful for me.

http://www.2002tii-restoration.org/projects/pass_quarter.htm

[Tommy]

I did some test fitting of wheels now while working with rear wheel arches.

Pictures show

7x15" ET22 Compomotives with 205/50/15 Michelin Pilot Sports and

7x15" ET25 BBS RM's with 205/55/15 Goodyears.

They both would rub now but when combining RM's with 50 series tires it will fit. I may take 2mm out from the wheel centers to get ET27 and make some clearance. Other manufacturer tires may require more space even in same dimensions. For me "no rubbing" means that the tire goes inside the wheel well without touching - it has nothing to do with springs or swaybars or ride height.

[Tommy]

RM fitment at front now with 205/50/15 Michelin Pilot Sport.

Some of the pics are at about ride height and some at bump stop. They would rub a bit at bump stop and turned but I will add fixed camber plates and take that 2mm from wheel and then its fine.

[Hammer03]

Are those really RM's? Most of them come with that inverted lip (like yours) and are 6.5" wide, et33. Would you mind snagging a photo of the hub part of the wheel, it should have the model/offset stamped on there. Just curious!

Thanks,

David

[Tommy]

Yea, that's true. I heard these are some kinda special edition for e30 that are wider ("white edition" someone said). That was a surprise for me too. I tried to find thinner lips for these because they normally are 6.5" but these are the thinnest 0.5" lips. Anyway they are RM's and they will fit my car :-) Above mentioned markings are there RM 001(?), 7x15", ET25.

[Hammer03]

Well I'll be. Good to know! They look awesome on the car, thats for sure.

edit: a little google work, and dubbers with the answer. RM001, machined face, originally with black paint on the inside of the mesh, and black bolts. VERY nice wheels, and also very rare in the states.

[Tommy]

Working with outer rims. Paint stripper, 80, 120, 240, 400 grit dry, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 grit wet, polishing with wax and cloth wheel, Autosol. First one done.

[peteinjp]

Lookin good Tommy! I have a set of rs 001's with the same size and offset. Just curious about what your plans are for the inner barrels. Any clearance issues on the rear? I also have the camber plates and test fit with 205/55's. Seems like it will clear fine but I may also send out the wheels to a friend to have a couple of mm's removed to et27 or so. Nice setup for polishing on the lathe. I'll have to do it on the car with the engine running- not ideal but it should as the shells will still be glued together.

[Tommy]

Thanks Pete! No issues - rear will fit fine. I would recommend 205/50 instead of 55. The clearances are very tight in many places. For example the front valance is very close when turning to max.

I was lucky that the lathe at my working place was just big enough. Still lot of work as the corrosion is quite deep.

I will have the inner barrels (same part with centers on RM) sandblasted and powder coated. I tried blasting myself but with the equipment I have available it's not worth it. I'm not sure what I'm doing with the bolts. I will ask around how much some kind of coating would cost. New chrome ones are too shiny and cost is too much for stainless.

Tommy

[Tommy]

I have been fine tuning the body parts. Test fitted hood and trunk. Then took all apart and welded the rockers on. Now it's on the trolley to be moved outside so I can paint the parts that will be covered by front and rear fenders. It's slow but I actually haven't been much in the garage during summer.

The thing almost looked like a car for a while - not anymore. :-)

Tommy

[Tommy]

Wheels are done except center caps. Color may not be exactly what I had in my mind, but ok. Barrels were powder coated with clear. Outer rims polished and bolts re-zincked.

I have an idea to make them unique by machining center caps from billet aluminum but I'm not sure if it will realize. 3D model looks nice however.

[Hammer03]

BBS has some flat caps that were offered on one of the RS or RM, I forget...

http://media.photobucket.com/image/rm%20flat%20caps/DblYeloRado/Picture069.jpg

[Tommy]

It's a year now since I started bodywork. Still lot of work but I'm pretty happy about how much I have got done by now. I'm only working in couple of evenings a week and some weekends when gf is working.

Quarters are now installed. Well right one is not welded yet but the glue is curing as I write. I used glue between inner and outer wheel arch. Front fenders are also on.

[Tommy]

Right side done and also rear panel mounted. Metalwork for the body is now mostly done. Some mounting tabs for pipes and wires will be welded and then finishing the fender seams. Really nice to see the body in one piece again.