70 - 2800CS - 2270111 restoration - ode to the past

[tdgray]

Well here we go.

The plan… it’s coming completely apart. Being blasted. Metal repair. I will do the structural and metal replacement then off to the painter for a nice finish. I painted most of my cars but think I would rather leave this one to the pro.

Engine going out for a long block rebuild. I’ll do the rest. Trans and rear end will need done as well. Have not decided on who or how on that yet.

Yes, some will blast me for this but it’s getting a color change. Sorry Ive seen some really beautiful Malaga cars. Just not my color. It will retain its heritage but I would like to have it like my old 71. Chamonix with a blue interior.

Lots and lots of question even though I’ve been absorbing as much info as I can around here.

Timeline… well the painter would like it in February. That seems a little optimistic… okay waaaaayyy optimistic. Don’t even think I could get parts by then.

Known issues… needs floors. Fronts for sure. Most likely rears. drivers door is toast. Could be a reskin or better door. Deck lid sucks but could be repaired.

Unknown… everything. Not my first rodeo. When this thing gets blasted the can of worms will arrive.

Love a good journey.

 

[rsporsche]

right there with you on Malaga. when its correct, its beautiful ... but many are too dark. my first 2002 was Malaga (in 1980) so the color was correct, and i remember seeing others that had body work done and the color was just wrong. its funny how many paint companies get the color wrong. i went through that with ceylon - looked at the Glasurit version, nope ... looked at a few others, nope ... my painter got the PPG water based and it was right or at least close enough.

 

[eriknetherlands]

A relief that you write that it isn't your first rodeo. Fingers crossed on what comes back from the blaster. Do share some pics, as we're all curious to see how they hold up in various corners of the world.

 

[tdgray]

This is an east coast car… it most likely will not be pretty… frankly I’m surprised at what I’ve found thus far.

Oh there will be pics. I love to share the pain

 

[tdgray]

Been a little under the weather but managed to get all the glass out. A good bit of the interior and almost all the trim off the outside and some inside.

Windshield was scrap. Delaminated and big bullseye in it. It cracked on removal. The rear window came out perfect.

Don't have to tell you all... Damn that is a lot of trim. Takes quite a while to get it all off. Only had to drill out one screw... Pretty good.

 

[tdgray]

Some of the bad... Door we knew about. Rear package shelf... Bit of a surprise how bad it is. Front corner of windshield is so so.

 

[tdgray]

Really happy with the rear of the interior... Solid. No rust in the areas below the armrests and back seats. That's a plus.

 

[tdgray]

Oh ya... All my window motors are toasty so I had to improvise to get the backs down.

A 7mm socket and a driver... You just have to go really really slow.

 

[tdgray]

Did the drop the engine out the bottom trick today. That was fun... Until my plan went somewhat south. My plan was to ease the steering knuckle off as I picked it up.

Don't do that... Just take the unit off the rack. So much easier. pardon me if someone had pointed this out and I missed it.

 

[tdgray]

More cancer... I knew of this spot sort of... We will see how big it grows when blasted.

 

[tdgray]

Interesting perspective eh

 

[tdgray]

So a bit of a change of plans. I didn't exactly trust my normal guy to do the engine properly. He's okay for heads and such. Particularly when I am guiding him in what to do.

So I called Korman. This is more money than I planned on spending for sure so I am shifting some of my bodywork budget over to this side.

We will be doing a stage 1 rebuild on the engine. With of course many unknowns with the engine it could morph and change but we will see.

Just means more body work for me. I don't mind... I'm just slow at it

 

[Oldbmwcoupes]

I’ve been watching your project and I enjoy your updates. I recall watching this car on BAT I believe. Despite the rust, I think it’s a good project especially if you want to do some of the body work yourself. Living in Akron I’m sure you are well versed in rust. I lived in Olmsted Falls and grew up on a healthy diet of rust in my teenage years. All I could afford was rust. This car never looked bad to me and it still doesnt. Once a rust-o-file, always a connoisseur. Winter is coming….and I’m looking forward to more of your updates.

Korman does great work and has been helping bmw enthusiasts for decades. As an alternative, you may consider replacing the original engine with a b35. It’s not for the purist but will provide the simplest, most reliable and cheapest horsepower you can get.

 

[tdgray]

I too think it’s a decent project. Took a little bit of a flyer on the auction and of course got caught up in the hype a bit as you often do.

Overall, still a solid car. A few more years of sitting there… would most likely have been beyond saving.

Im blessed with a good shop and good tools as well as a good knowledge base having done many cars over the years. Also, my 91 year old father in law was a sheet metal worker and still loves to help out with little projects from time to time. If I give him a piece I need he takes measurements and pops back in a week with a piece for me to put in.

I would rather stick with the original power plant. Not necessarily looking for HP. I’ve got the SLK for going fast but a little extra HP and drivability is a good addition.

Yes, Korman is not inexpensive. But spend a dollar once or 20 dimes several times…

 

[tdgray]

More work done today. Cleared the rear end... Well sans the carrier because my lift is using it right now.

Great shape back there so far... Shock towers great...trunk pan nice. Pretty darn pleased.

I still can't believe that I have not had to cut one bolt or nut off yet. Even the axle shaft bolts although very stuck came out with some wrench beating.

 

[tdgray]

I have made one heck of a pile over the last few weeks

Time to put some stuff away... Gonna have to get out that door soon.

 

[Breiti]

That is a lot of stuff to handle.
I mess up the whole Basment with that when do that.
Good luck with your project.

Breiti

 

[tdgray]

That’s why I have a loft on the “garage” part of the building Breiti. It’s just for parts. Now… that means I actually have to clean up and put them up there

 

[nosmonkey]

Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out
May the rust gods bless you with solid metal and a minimum of filler and fibreglass

 

[tdgray]

Still forging ahead...

I will say I applaud with gusto anyone that has taken that dash out without the windshield being removed... I don't know how you would have done that.

Once again... All screws came out easily (still amazed at this).

The heater is a total freaking pain in the butt... You all know this.

Wood is crunchy and will require tons of work. But everything came out in one piece... Even the toasted padded dash parts came out intact.