1980 323i - Update April 2009

Tjaard · Post by **Tjaard** » Sat Dec 25, 2004 6:07 pm

I own a 1980 323i in Hennarot, with standard cloth interior. The car is an original Dutch car, with about 93.000 KM done.

When I bought the car, it came with the original 13 inch BMW multispoke wheels, color coded mirrors, a reflective cover between the rear lights reading "BMW" and (original) black striping. Within a few days, I swapped the color coded mirrors for original black ones, and did the same thing with the cover between the rear lights. The car looks original again!

At the moment, the car is being restored due to rusted side sills and faded paint at some places ...

A picture of the car right after I bought it ...

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Sat Dec 25, 2004 9:03 pm

Nice car indeed....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 01, 2005 6:44 pm

Recent pics ...

gerrit323 · Post by **gerrit323** » Sun May 01, 2005 7:58 pm

Really looks clean Tjaard normally I don't like red but hey for the e21's I make an exception.

Gerrit

mbuus · Post by **mbuus** » Mon May 02, 2005 5:21 am

looks very nice, clean. A very good example of 323i!

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:03 am

Yeah it's a cutie! BTW will you be in Zolder this Friday Tjaard?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 02, 2005 11:02 am

No, I will get the keys to my new house in a few hours so I have some moving to do ... some friends from Janine will also come on Thursday so I am afraid I don't have the time ... but we will come to Spa in July.

Tjaard · Post by **Tjaard** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:42 pm

Some pictures to show how the car is like at the moment ...

As you can see, there was a bit more rust than expected ... but I am glad to say this was mostly surface rust. I expected some rust under the window seals, but was surprised to only find surface rust on the rear side window on the right. The left side was perfect, as where the front - and rear windows!

The only things that needed serious work where the side sills, the lower A pillars (there was rust on the left side so I decided to replace both sides) and a section under the hood (see picture ...) ... there was also some minor rust at one of the rear wheel arches, behind the back seat. Both doors and hood will also be replaced due to rust ....

At the moment, most work is done. I will remove the engine soon so work in the engine compartment can start, and they need to finish the A pillars ... the car is allready stripped so when they are finished, the car will receive a new paint job! I decided to spray it red again, as I want to keep it original ...

E21Dane · Post by **E21Dane** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:55 pm

Looking good Tjaard!! Nice to see you're doing a proper resto...

Such a shame you had to loose those black BMW side-strips though...

They were well-cool!!

E21Dane · Post by **E21Dane** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:45 pm

Hi Tjaard,

You have pm...

Kpeters · Post by **Kpeters** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:49 pm

That car looks just like new! Congrats.

Tjaard · Post by **Tjaard** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 6:28 pm

The BMW stripes ... not going to happen

Although they are original, i am no fan of stripes / stickers of any kind so they are not coming back ... but thanks for the link

Robert · Post by **Robert** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:28 pm

Was it a link where you can get stripes from? Care to share? (perhaps in another topic/PM/e-mail, as not to hijack this one).

Might as well add something ontopic

Good luck with the restoration! Is there any progress?

E21Dane · Post by **E21Dane** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:59 pm

Robert, check this link under 'E21 for sale'...

http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1046

Tjaard · Post by **Tjaard** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:52 pm

Might as well add something ontopic Good luck with the restoration! Is there any progress?

Yes, the progress is going faster now .. it seems they are finished welding en fixing bad places so they are going to prep the car for painting now. This means I will remove the engine next weekend so they can spray the engine compartment. After that, thing will go fast, the car may even be ready before the end of the year ...

But then fun starts ... building it together again