Project: BMW E21.

[Eddie.]

It's been a good while since much has happened since I got the quote for the paint.

It goes 2 weeks tomorrow, so I have some bits that need doing in prep:

• New wings.
• Sills/shuts cleaned.
• Windows removed.
• Sunroof removed.
• Grills/lights/remaining trim removed.
• If possible, a new drivers door (not vitally important though).

Today I ordered the first on the list, new wings:

They'll be coming from Germany, as finding rot free ones, at a decent price in the UK is tricky. They're aftermarket and not OEM BMW, but they cost just 13% of the price of a OEM BMW panel, so it was a no brainer, especially when I was told that the fit is excellent on them.

I've also ordered a cheap, waterproof car cover, to keep any rain out once I remove the glass, which will be the very last thing I do (so the car stays secure for as long as possible). In the meantime, headlights, taillights, and grills will all be coming off, once the cover arrives.

I'm keeping my ear to the ground with regards to a rust and rot free drivers door.

 

[Eddie.]

Sigh.

I didn't realise that website had rear quarter repair panels.

Found them after ordering the wings, and had to place another order.

€30 for postage because I rushed

 

[Eddie.]

Bought these the other day:

They're rough to say the least, but a refurb will see them right in no time. They were pretty well priced, so I'm happy enough

 

[Gaz.]

Those should suit the car down to the ground. Body coloured centres?

 

[Rob]

I love those wheels. Good choice.

 

[Christopher]

Text me when you're tearing it apart mate, I'll come and help.*

*Watch and eat my food.

 

[Eddie.]

Those should suit the car down to the ground. Body coloured centres?

Ohhhh no, probably anthracite centres, or possibly all anthracite.

Text me when you're tearing it apart mate, I'll come and help.*

*Watch and eat my food.

"Sigh"

 

[Waitey]

Ohhhh no, probably anthracite centres, or possibly all anthracite.

​NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Waitey]

Only someone got with a soft cock would do that.

 

[Eddie.]

LOL!

Y U no like?

Body coloured would look guff!!!

 

[Gaz.]

I only mentioned body colour because it seems to be the done thing on retros. Amphasite might be too modern?

 

[Rob]

Silver, or silver with BC centres, or go home.

 

[Eddie.]

I really dislike body coloured wheels, personally.

Too much of one colour.

I thought about silver, but was worried it might look, too much?

It once stood like this:

I think it looks brilliant, the wheel colour suits it?!

 

[Gaz.]

Silver wheels are timeless at least.

Personally, I think a modern finish like anthracite or black chrome would look out of place.

 

[Christopher]

I agree. Silver or nothing!

 

[Eddie.]

You all suck mens willys.

 

[Saner]

You all suck mens willys.

Actually, and you may find this quite interesting, that is a common myth.

Ironically, in this instance, you are the 'willy sucker' for coming up with the preposterous notion that anthracite wheels will look good.

 

[Eddie.]

LOL!!!

 

[Leeshez]

Spot on .

 

[JoeyD]

Actually, and you may find this quite interesting, that is a common myth.

Ironically, in this instance, you are the 'willy sucker' for coming up with the preposterous notion that anthracite wheels will look good.

FLOL!

Silver FTW

 

[jesus]

Good choice

 

[Eddie.]

Some parts arrived this weekend

New front wings, and repair panels for the lower rear quarter.

(piss poor iPhone camera)

Yet again, this whole 'E21 thing' has come up with a pleasant surprise.

I ordered the parts from Wallothnesch, a German company who specialise in old BMW parts. Along with the wings came their brochure, which is potentially one of the handiest things I've had yet for this car:

Parts diagrams for the entire car. Everything is listed, and at the back it's all priced up.

Tremendous

 

[JoeyD]

Bloody hell, Germans love being thorough. Really can't wait to see some paint on this now!

 

[Eddie.]

Bloody hell, Germans love being thorough. Really can't wait to see some paint on this now!

Yeah, they're awesome tbh!

Same here with regards to the paint, I'm craving something to detail

Plus, I desperately want to start putting it all back together/upgrading/renewing parts.

 

[JoeyD]

I'm jealous of how much satisfaction you're going to get once its done. I kind of know what its like, but not to this extent!

 

[Eddie.]

Aye, hopefully I'll love it when it's done.

It'll be a very different car to RACKCAU though, I plan to have a very nice interior when it's finished.

 

[JoeyD]

You do right. Not having an interior is cool for about ten minutes... Ah to be young and naive.

 

[Saner]

Those panels look good Eddie!

All I have is a Shell at the moment on my project, need to find someone to finish off dome welding then get paint onto it!

 

[Eddie.]

Tonight saw the start of the final push to have the car ready for Saturday.

Windows removed, rubbers, seals and trims all removed. Sunroof and door hardware has also all be taken off the car.

Also, the all important areas are free of any corrosion.

Lower windscreen corner:

Front lower corner of rear side windows:

Rear lower corner of rear side windows:

They're all quite mucky, but other than that they're all solid, which is very encouraging.

Thursday should see the rest of the trim all removed.

Friday is (hopefully) just an evening of wiping down and making sure everything is ready for paint.

Saturday morning, it gets trailered away, pretty excited now!

 

[aucky]

So awesome!

TBH, If you park this in my gaarage when its finishedfor a few days I'd detail it for the plearure of it!

 

[Eddie.]

Haha nice one! I might hold you to that one day

I forgot to mention last night too, the wing mirrors sit on a bracket that is screwed to the door, this bracket then has a thread on it at the side, so a grub screw can hold the wing mirror on.

Both the driver and passenger side grub screws were completely seized. Like fully welded type seized (we broke 3 screwdrivers trying to undo them).

Eventually we conceded defeat and drilled them out, so I need to figure out a way of reattaching them, as the thread for the grub screw isn't really useable anymore.

I could get new wing mirrors, but ideally I want to reuse the ones I have, if nothing else, to keep the cost down.

Not had many stuck bolts, so overall, I can't complain too much

 

[Gaz.]

Can't you just go up to the next size thread? Or helicoil them?

 

[Eddie.]

Yeah that's what I was thinking.

There isn't a lot of material left, but there should be just enough to go to the next size up if I'm accurate and careful enough.

 

[Rob]

Get a photo of what you're talking about, I'm sure we'll have plenty of suggestions, some you may want to do pre-paint.

Without seeing it, could you not weld a shallow nut to it then use a small bolt?

Great work btw, probably my new favourite thread on here

 

[Eddie.]

It's on the mirror, so it doesn't need to be done pre-paint.

I'll get a photo tonight/tomorrow and show you, it should be pretty fixable.

Cheers, BTW

 

[Djw John]

Just retap it no?

 

[Eddie.]

All stripped down and ready to go.

Trailer comes tomorrow at 10.

Mild excite!

 

[welshname]

Ooo might see it then on my way to Jons. I'm not sure if I'm actually more excited than you see it come back.

 

[Jon.G]

Today is the day....

 

[Kieran..]

Cannot wait to see the results!