Where do I begin

[bwalvoord]

I have recently joined the group on behalf of a 69 2800CS falling into my lap. I had the car inspected by a local bimmer mechanic who has been restoring new and old cars for 20 years and who assures me there is very little rust due to a major restoration performed in the late 80's. I am just beginning on this journey of restoring this one owner car back to its glory and would appreciate any advice you guys can give me. As you can see from the pictures I need a host of parts and have begun assembling a list but any recommendations you might have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Stan]

Step One

Click on CS Registry above and register that baby as "in restoration"
Then begin to examine for rust in the usual spots (check the tech info section or search for threads). Then you can begin to consider if you are going for a full-on restoration or just trying to bring it back to a very nice driver.

 

[61porsche]

Welcome!

Post some more pictures.

For example, the rocker cover vent seems to be tied into the manifolds from a T connection. Take that off and cap the manifolds- you're loosing vacuum and likely will run much better. A picture from the other side will help.

The painted red vacuum control that used to be the damper for the original carbs isn't needed since you have webers.Those parts aren't available any way.

Looks recently painted including the engine compartment but there must have been more parts to put back on.

Show a couple of interior pictures.

I always start by getting ready for inspection- lights, running as good as possible, brakes- safety, etc. Pick a start- front, back, what ever; clean a part or two a day, pick something easy, then pick something hard so you have something to fall back on when things don't go the exact way you planned.

Keep a notebook- parts you need, fasteners you need, etc. that way when you order something you can get it all and maybe save a bit on shipping or trips to the local parts place.

Post in the parts wanted section- you might get lucky or at least someone will point you in the right direction.

Good luck...

 

[x_atlas0]

What do you want to do with the car? Do you want a street-racer, or a collector car? Do you want it completely original, or are you willing to upgrade for performance?

 

[Stevehose]

swap out the glass fuel filter - it's a fire waiting to happen. Like Jerry said - each weekend take a part or parts off and restore them - prime and paint and reinstall. After a couple months things start to look pretty good.

 

[Stan]

Before you re-install the side grills get some fender vent blinds for the proper look.
http://www.coupeking.com/product_id-356.html
cheap enough.

Stan

 

[bwalvoord]

I've got the car at a local mechanic who is helping me with this project and who at this point is trying to figure out which parts are missing, need replacing, etc. My first goal is to get it running and somewhere close to original. I suspect after a year or so I will be so in love with it that I'll want to do a complete and full restoration or I'll really enjoy it as a fun drive on the weekends and won't want to invest my life's savings in it. I'll take some more pictures and post them this week. Might be nice to start a blog section on this website where projections could be posted and reviewed. I've registered it on the CS Registry and thanks again for all of your feedback.

 

[jmackro]

My first goal is to get it running and somewhere close to original. I suspect after a year or so I will be so in love with it that I'll want to do a complete and full restoration or I'll really enjoy it as a fun drive on the weekends and won't want to invest my life's savings in it.

bwalvoord:

Understand that the "or" in that last sentence is a big, uppercase "OR" - it's tough to use a car that has been fully restored as a fun weekend driver. At some point you need to chose one destination or the other. I'd suggest the "fun driver" path, but your call.

What are you going to do about bumpers? From your photos, looks like they're missing. The underhood shot also shows a missing air cleaner. The stock unit will be quieter than those VW aftermarket things, as well as look more correct. And, I'd lose that steel braid radiator hose in a heartbeat - a bit too JCWhitney-esque for an e9!

 

[bwalvoord]

I will need front and rear bumpers along with a host of other parts. I have most of the emblems and trim in the car but am still putting the list of needs together.

 

[dang]

I will need front and rear bumpers along with a host of other parts. I have most of the emblems and trim in the car but am still putting the list of needs together.

It will help to know where you're located. Not only for parts, but other members may be local. Starting with a solid car it sounds like you're already way ahead of the game..

Dan

 

[bwalvoord]

I realize I have a lot to learn about the E9 restoration business, the first of which is that I need more patience and the second that I need more money. That being said, I am on the cusp of finally getting the pure joy of driving my car down the road for the first time. My local mechanic, Paul at Bimmer Specialist, has been dutifully making her road worthy over the last 7 months and had a clutch issue on her maiden voyage. One spring on order and we should be back for trial number two sometime next week. I suppose I should anticipate a few more dominos falling as this is what happens when a car sits for 20 years. Anyway, my wife still thinks I'm crazy but I know most of you will be excited for me and to learn that another E9 will soon be back on the road. Pictures to follow next week when it's not raining.

 

[bwalvoord]

I finally drove the car for the first time yesterday. She's still not home yet and in all of my excitement I forgot to take any pictures. I have a number of interior and exterior trim bits but it feels and sounds like the mechanicals are finally all in working order.

Anyone have a rear license plate holder they are looking to get rid of? I know coupeking has them for sale on his website and I'll probably order one from him if there are no other offers.

 

['69 2800cs]

VIN 2270003....that is an *early* US car, #4 with a manual transmission!

 

[bwalvoord]

An oldie but a goodie. The original owner was incredibly meticulous and I have all of the paperwork related to the sale and transfer to the states.

 

[HB Chris]

Actually it is the third US four speed, first one was 2270001.

 

['69 2800cs]

#3 it is then...don't know why I thought they started at 0000.

The good news is that means I am #12, and not #13...

 

[bwalvoord]

It's Alive!

I cannot wipe this grin off of my face. Uma is back on the road, albeit unofficially unitl I get the license plate holder and colored lenses in the mail over the next few days, and I could not be more excited. We still have a long way to go and a lot more money to spend, but somehow the prospect of that just got a lot easier. 20 years of dust are about to be washed and waxed and I'll post more pics then. Here's how she looks now.

 

[bwalvoord]

Home from round 2

After a year the car is back from the shop while we build the B34/35 and find a 5 speed. In the meantime I drove the car home and will get to spend a little time cleaning and detailing before we drop the new engine in it. I will post some pictures tomorrow, but in a nutshell:

New windshield
Bela's wood
Recovered dash and console
New headliner
dynamat
new carpet
AC (originally a non-ac car)
New Heater
rear seat belts (no seat belts at all in original car)
Lot's more stuff I've forgotten

Pictures to follow in the next few days.

 

[JFENG]

Looks lovely

I think we can all raise a glass for you and recall our own experiences of bringing an E9 home. You and Stan seem like you're going for about the same thing, and should get togther sometime. I will be pulling my Getrag 5spd OD plus driveshaft out next spring and it'll be up for sale. by next summer. But I'm guessing that's too long a wait for you. These parts are easily/commonly found so there's no reason to wait (they pop up all the time on www.mye28.com and www.bigcoupe.com).


Congratulations!

John

P.S. Need a front bumper?

 

[bwalvoord]

Thanks John. No, front and rear bumpers at now on the car courtesy of coupe guy I just haven't seen enough of the car to take new pictures. As luck would have it it's raining cats and dogs this weekend so I'll do some cleanup on the inside shortly.