Project: R3D3MPTION?

[davej]

As the kids say, I'm gonna send it. 
Bodywork and paint is happening at E&E Restorations in Broadway.

I sourced two decent fenders and a rear bumper cover from my various part cars and had them cleaned up and John painted those once off the car. We also tweaked the core support a bit more and squared it up better. (Not that DJ's amazing work with truck and tow strap wasn't good enough, but John has some kind of monster slide hammer that made short work of what was left.) Same went for the front valance, that's been straightened a bit better and sanded down and hit with fresh texture coating. 

I got two good mirrors also and one has been sanded/painted and the other awaiting it's first coat of paint. Looking at the few photos I took I see I didn't get a good one showing the new fender against the old paint, but I can attest that this car will be R-E-D when done. 25 years of faded single stage paint looks pink compared to new.  

John was filling in all kinds of little pits/dings that I could barely tell were there, he says they'll stick out like a sore thumb with new paint. 
Additional plans are to clean the undercarriage and seal that, repair the rust spot under the battery tray, sand and paint the wheels, re-black the trim pieces, and probably some other items as we go along. 












Mechanical stuff still to do: 

• Install new top hats (that I should have had when the suspension went in)
  
• Install new sway bar bushings and end links. 
  
• Install new ebrake cables
  
• Install a 13 button obc and harness
  
• Install tweeter speakers by mirrors
  
• Source and install Z3 radio antenna
  
• Install M-Tech 1 steering wheel
  

There were a bunch of little odds-n-ends that a 325is got that a 318is didn't, I ended up with a lot of them from the part cars so I figured I might as well update the little things.  

Since this is getting half way fancy, my list of wants now includes:

• Source and install a crack free dash
  
• Switch front and back seats from the vinyl to a leather sport set.
  
• M-Tech 2 steering wheel for a good price
  
• Smiley or ellipsoid headlight conversion
  

Bodywork and paint should be done in another 3-4 weeks I'd guess. We work on it a bit here and there when I'm able to come help. I have no idea what this is going to cost me in the end, but he was willing to work with me for labor assistance and some horse trading for my remaining part cars on top of whatever he'll deem appropriate. I'm actually ok with this unknown as it's a great experience to work under someone who as done nothing but this for the past 40 years. I'm really excited to help/see the paint process.