Baur rebuildathon - ON THE ROAD

[drjim]

The holes go into the scuttle area so I guess Jason is right that they are drains.

I looked at the targa top today and then started ripping strips of cloth off it, then I unscrewed the rubber at the front of the hood section and removed the canvas from the front of the roof, which involved taking the chrome trim off as well.

Full roof restoration job unfortunately.

Mind you if I'm doing everything else properly I can't leave the tatty roof on.

Glass appears to be brown tint which is NLA according to W&N, guess I'll have to get a clear screen.

Also looked in the boot where I had chopped the side brackety thing (that stops stuff sliding in the boot and bashing the rear wings) out to get at some welding, belatedly realised it is just spot welded in. I'm going to drill the spotwelds out on the one in the slug (don't carry things in the boot at trackdays!) and weld it in to the Baur, which will restore the inside of the boot to OK condition.

Progress on this car is horribly slow due to my work/family commitments - maybe it'll be next spring it is finished for.

[drjim]

I had an order pencilled in with W&N but am going to wait now, need to get the paint sorted so I can start putting the trim back on and work out what i really need. I was going to buy new front indicators, but I'm sure I have about 6 usable ones in a box somewhere. Likewise need some foam to go under the bonnet, but they want 39 euros for it. Just need to find something suitable, or buy one at some stage in the future when I decide I must have that bit of foam.

Busily looking at replacement Baur hoods online, don't look too stupidly priced at http://www.carhoodsdirect.com/catalogue ... ory&id=116 but they only seem to show the e30 model - I have a feeling the hoods are the same though.

[arshad76]

Might be an idea to list as many small bits you're looking for. If i have them, then you can have them. Have front indicators if you get stuck. I'll look around for a hood.

[drjim]

I remember there was something you had that we were discussing the other day, but I've forgotten what it was!

[arshad76]

I remember there was something you had that we were discussing the other day, but I've forgotten what it was!

Wiper nut covers. Need to find the pesky bleeders now along with as load of other things

[rob0r]

Jim, I have some baur hood stuff. I have a top which is coming off my baur but the rear window is gone big time. The car also came with an E30 baur top which I think is in good condition, I bought a very good E21 baur hood to fit to the E21 instead. I don't know the next time I'll be up though...

[drjim]

I've got a hood in excellent condition, it's the targa panel and the front of the roof that's the issue. If anyone knows a source for the material used in the original hood I can just recover the front bits and use the hood I have. Otherwise I'll have to recover the whole lot so the material matches.

[rob0r]

I have a spare targa panel too, but who knows if it will match!

[drjim]

Well I've been pottering along on the odd days I get to the workshop. I have the exhaust fitted except the back boxes, rear valence cut for the drivers side 323i tail pipe, welded on a bracket for that box. Also undersealed, manual rack on, stonechipped the sills and rear valence, fitted clutch cylinder and made a nice braided flexi hose for it. Just need to connect the water/fuel hoses, finish the last bits of wiring, connect battery, add fluids and try turning the key.

But couldn't make any progress tonight as it is no longer on the ramp - someone is sorting their MOT failures out, but annoyance rapidly faded when I realised that Shaun has started on the paint prep - he's the painter that shares the unit. Hopefully it will have nice new paint by this weekend

Stripped the spare passenger door (original has a dent in the swage line), and got the green glass out of it tonight. Will need to swap the glass and most of the inside gubbins from the original door, but it's all ready for Shaun to paint.

[drjim]

I have been madly busy with work, done a few bits but not much. I was at Wembley for football yesterday, while I was there Shaun texted me a picture. I have been and taken some better ones today...











Few bits of dust in the lacquer to buff out, doors and bonnet need painting, then reassemble and get on the road.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Awesomeness Jim!

[Jason_323i]

Jim

I have not forgot about the gaskets just need to get out to the lock up and have a dig through the boxes

Jason

[raseeda green]

Cool Dr , Will be nice to see it all done in that colour.

[nas80]

Not long left till this on the road.

[drjim]

Bonnet/doors will be finished tomorrow. I have a lot of work on this week, then am off to Wales from Easter Monday for 3 nights. Am wondering if people fancy a NW meet on Royal wedding day, and/or the spring bank holiday Monday. Have a potter about with the Baur, see if the engine works, that sort of thing. Barbecue and beer type stuff.

I need to get a windscreen, have a quote from BMW for various bits - was considering getting new boot/bonnet roundels but it's 50 quid for the two. Those rear light gaskets are essential so if Jason can't find them I'll have to shell out 70 quid for a pair.

It needs the carpet/seats back in, fit the bumpers/trim, fix the ECU down somewhere, connect fuel pipes, stick fluid in the clutch. Proper spannering underneath to make sure there's nothing loose, plug battery in and see if it works!

I'm also mindful of it being 4 weeks to the Cadwell trackday and the slug hasn't been turned over since Oulton in November at which stage the clutch release bearing was very noisy. Need to get that into the workshop ASAP. Jacko was supposedly picking up my plastic windows for the cars weight loss programme.