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Just ran across these two videos, this shop is located in Spain (near Lisbon).  Amazing what technology can do now and how fast.  Some of the old pics of the guys working at Alpina with hand grinders doing the same thing .... only taking hours (and hours).  Some serious porting done on this head.
 
 
 

All along with this project there were a few things I knew would be the big issues to get over.
1.       Engine and transmission install – it fits and it’s mounted
2.       Adapting the new transmission to the BMW dif, this is next….
3.       Building a new pedal assembly – done over break
4.       Fixing the rust and bodywork – done over break
5.       Rewiring the whole call – TBD
6.       Making the rack and pinion steering work – finally finished over break
As you can see the list is getting shorter.  The bodywork turned out much worse than I had hoped.  I did not spend as much time blocking the car as I should have.  At some point I may go back and redo the bodywork and paint to have a nicer looking car.  At this point it’s ok from a distance, and for its intended purpose its fine.  This car was rotten and not worth saving.  As bad as my bodywork is, it’s still miles better than what I found.  All that to say, here it is, on all four wheels in the sun!

Check it out!  The right side is 'before', left is 'after'
 
No buffing wheel or anything!  Just clay bar, surface compound, and turtle wax!
STEPS:
1.  Wash surface
2.  Rub clay into surface, use water to help it slide across surface.  Massage into paint so it picks up dirt and such. 
3.  Towel dry
4.  Use a clean rag and rubbing compound, in circular motions around the surface
5.  Wax surface.  Let wax become opaque, then remove
TADA!
 

I love taking the long way home... 😍 Happy last days of 2017! Drive safe this weekend everybody!

Here are som pictures of the driver side A pillar replacement panel, rocker clipped and ready to weld and then the door fitted and the lower quarter being fitted. Not able to make it to VSR this week, will be visiting the first Wednesday of 2018.

I was able to make some progress on the interior today. Got the rest of the floorpans striped and inspected for rust then treated and sealed. Driver floorpan left untouched as it will be completely replaced when it goes to paint.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The exposed wiring above is the custom wiring harness that in progress. 
 
 
Until next time
 
-Tyler

On the eve of the 44th anniversary of my car's build date,  I add this post to my blog chronicling the journey of its resurrection. Now after some 38 years, I am now for the first time  able to move the car under its own power. Pretty exciting.........this is how it sounds now!
 
I should also add,  that despite my excitement I did however have to wait a few more months for the remaining mechanical and electrical work  to be completed. The wait was frustrating to say the least, but that said I was  able to  trailer my car home earlier this month.   I could not be happier to have a running and drivable car after all that time. I thought this day would never arrive. Although there is still a great deal of work yet to be completed before I am able to hit the streets, it is such a great feeling to see it closer than ever nearing completion. I would be remiss if I did not  express my special thanks to Patrick O'Neil for his expertise and passion in contributing to this build. I  simply would not be at this stage if not for his help.
 
Here is a sampling of that work completed since August.
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 


 

 

 
more to follow.......
 
Thanks for your time
 
Regards
 

Random pics of the car.

Vern is starting to look like a 2002 again. Lower nose panel is all welded. The rest of the nose has be massaged and trued, at some point in the past he took a pretty good hit. Driver side A pillar has been completely rebuilt. Chris fabricated a new lower passenger fender and flange. Trunk panel has been stripped and the passenger side trunk support has been rebuilt. Vern should be in epoxy primer by the end of the year. Then move over for body work, fairing, and paint prep.

Ok.  Now that the engine is completely apart, the full scope of the damage is clear and next steps can be planned out.
 
Here you can see that the bearings are all worn, and the #1 conrod. journal is roasted.  Remember that this is an engine with less than 5000 miles on it since the bottom end rebuild.

 
For good measure, here is a closeup of the burned journal, then one of the main bearings ( #1 on L).

 

 
This is what the conrod bearings looked like (#1 on L).
 

 
The block and crank are now at a local machine shop getting cleaned up.  The block is fine, but I need to wait and hear if the crank is salvageable, or if I need to buy a good used one.  I also had some preliminary discussion about replacing the conrods with something that can survive turbo HP, and that is looking like it will have an OUCH price tag of around $1500 for the set of 4.
 
Jose

72 2002tii

Got a set of fronts seats awhile back and decide to just experiment and try out some rustoleum vinyl upholstery paint.🎨 Knowing in the back of my mind I would be testing the water and completely reworking both seats with either new vinyl or leather upholstery. So I decide to paint the passenger seat because it was in much better shape than the driver, minimal rips or cracked unlike the drivers seat which had holes in the bolster and seat bottoms. Come to find out after the seat had been completely broken down the seat bottom had been cracked and split two 😞, didn't realize it was even broken until all the foam had been removed 🤔

Working out some details over the winter. Slow going...

Legends of the Autobahn - 2013

1972 2000 touring

“Didn’t mean to ‘fall’ in love with you Derby, but you made it so easy...” 
 
Last days of Autumn .... 
photocredit:  Joel Flores, car photographer
 

Lower Jaymic nose panel needed a bit of extra work to fit correctly. The back of the panel has been media blasted and epoxy primed. Once final welding is complete, the front of the panel will be media blasted and epoxy primed.

We were very happy to provide the staring point to this years Shamrock Rally!  The drive was amazing!

E30 seats

Kermit bling

Beginning of a long term affair with one I've been chasing for 12 years...Hope she has as much fun as I do...

While the car is still being painted I'm preparing some interior.  Had the rear seat redone with GAHH covers, turned out nice.  Purchased OEM door panels.  Performed Flock it on my glove box.  Will post more as I get them

Huge progress!  Inner and outer rockers have been media blasted and epoxy primed and the outer rocker cover on the passenger side welded. 

I've been wanting to produce these for some time now, and although many of you (including myself) want to see bigger projects like the aluminum fender flares done and up for sale... these were a "must do" and I'm glad to be producing the first run. 
 
Made from impact resistant polycarbonate/PETG these durable covers protect your expensive headlamps from damage while enhancing the 'rally prep'd/track" styling of your 2002!
 
7" version fits many common vehicles (bmw 2002, E9, etc.) and is designed to work with OE sealed beam bulbs and upgraded H4 conversion bulbs as well.
The black and yellow tinted versions are not intended for street use and are sold for "off-road/track & show only" (as you might guess, they do defuse and/or dim the output of the bulb)
 
 
http://www.kooglewerks.com/new-products-1/7-rally-style-headlamp-protection-cover-clearyellowblack

I think my last real effort was 7 months ago on this project. 
Made some progress on the carbs worth reporting. This is one of two carbs of course. 
enjoy and remember this is a work in progress.