Introduction - I'm the guy who bought the "pair" of Coupes

J

jamesw

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Hi Everyone, my name's James and I live in Houston TX. I've been wanting a coupe since I was a kid growing up in San Diego and my neighbor across the street had a beauty. I've restored a couple of Datsun Roadsters and I love the simple feel of a well sorted classic sports car. And the 3.0 is certainly that!

I've been looking around at some for a while now but got serious a few weeks ago.

So to make a long story short, I sold a 67 1/2 Datsun roadster last week for $9,500 and literally at the same time, Houston friend "Bwana" messaged me about the two coupes for sale in LA on BAT. I called up the guy and put down a deposit just based on the photos and a chat with the previous owner. Here's the ad:

http://bringatrailer.com/2012/04/12/bat-exclusive-pair-of-1972-bmw-3-0cs-projects/

I ended up with cars which were pretty much as described in the ad, and have an engine and transmission on the way.

The black/black car used to be Malaga and has a crappy black respray. It is VIN 2240047 It runs and would drive except for the fact that it has a hole in the clutch hose that sprays like a squirt gun when you depress the clutch. Replacement hose on the way. The car looks like it will be a great daily driver and maybe a candidate for restoration but I really don't have a plan yet.

The blue/black car is VIN 2240258. This one has a 2.8FI engine (???) and is really rusty. It has rocker rust, floorboard rust, and the inner fenders and a-pillars. The interior is partially disassembled. The engine runs really well.

I also got a decent engine from a 633csi and a 265/5 Getrag.

I don't know anything about these cars and could really use some help and advice on getting a plan together. Should I try to sell the blue car as is? Should I put it back together more and get some body work done? Should I get the black car running as a daily driver, or is it more of a restoration candidate, etc?

I'll get some better pictures (not from a seller's perspective!) of what the cars are really like and post some here soon.

In the meantime - I am really excited. These cars are SO MUCH more "sorted" than my Datsun - which is only a few years older. It's a totally different experience.

Well if you've gotten this far, thanks for reading this and I hope to not be too annoying w/ questions - but I'm sure I'll have a lot. All input is appreciated - even "constructive" feedback :)

James
 
Howdy!

from another Houstonian. There are several of us here. I believe Bwana has an early Datsun as well.

I'd say first register the cars on the CS registry link above so they can be found and for statistical reasons.

Second, you need to build a larger garage! Seriously though, if I can help just let me know.
 
James,

you've just connected with a fantastic resource - seek his knowledge + advice ... Jerry is e9coupe royalty and a wealth of knowledge.

keep us posted. i've got to get to houston sometime soon and come see all of the coupes. (my wife's family lives there)

scott
atlanta
 
Welcome

Congrads on your purchase.My first question-are you single.This would be the best place to be starting this project. If not this is my second option for you is to start by parting out the rusty one(BIG MONEY PIT) and keeping all parts that are better than the ones in the daily driver and ebaying/forum all other parts so your wife/girlfriend will see all the cash rolling in on your new purchase.You have a money pit and your better half will always be aware of the money being spend on your new love! But if you open up a Banana Republic/Norstrom credit line for her this makes for a better understanding as to what you just got yourself into! Good luck and looking forward to bidding on some parts. Tim
PS Post pictures when you get a chance.
 
Tim,

Great advice! I recently bought my wife a new Trek Madone road bike partly because she was aware, sort of, of what it cost to do the underside of my coupe. Better to be proactive then reactive I always say.

Chris
 
Spousal payout...the hidden cost of parts/coupe ownership. If you're ever in New Orleans stop by for a cruise and a beverage. Congrats on your venture(s).


HB Chris said:
Tim,

Great advice! I recently bought my wife a new Trek Madone road bike partly because she was aware, sort of, of what it cost to do the underside of my coupe. Better to be proactive then reactive I always say.

Chris
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the warm welcome guys (and gals). I'm really happy to know that there are TWO other coupe addicts in Houston. Beers are on me :)

Bwana and I both also own Datsun roadsters so my wife is used to parts packages coming in the mail and unexplained credit card charges. I definitely married right she doesn't seem to mind the coupes. It doesn't hurt that they have A/C and a back seat for our kids' car seats! Now to get that A/C working...

I got the trunk open on the blue car tonight and there are a LOT of parts in there, replacements for the broken glass, carbs and intake manifold, all of the interior panels that were removed, and a bunch of weatherstripping that I have no idea what it's for...

I think Bwana may come by this weekend and hopefully he can help me get some of this figured out. And I promise to get some more photos.

Cheers
James
 
jamesw said:
Should I try to sell the blue car as is? Should I put it back together more and get some body work done? Should I get the black car running as a daily driver, or is it more of a restoration candidate, etc?
Click to expand...

I've lost track of which is the black car and which is the blue car. But I can tell you:

- It is tough to make money on these cars. If you are paying a pro to do the body work, do NOT invest in a car you plan to sell. If you are doing the bodywork yourself, expect to make 5 cents an hour. This is especially true if the rust is significant.

- Decide which car has the least rust and concentrate on that one. Figure out what parts you need to scrounge off the rougher car to complete the better one. Then sell the worse car as-is, and just focus on the "keeper".

Welcome to the group!
 
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Congratulations and success to you in your restoration quest! I also saw your BAT article this morning! A proud moment for the E9 community... perhaps this will inspire Jay Leno to buy a coupe given he follows BAT and recently purchased a classic Ford through the site.

When I saw your article I thought you are a case for the thread " you know you are an E9 person when.... you buy two" :)
 
Yes, BAT is a really interesting crowd. When I sent them that note, the admin replied that he wanted to get a CSi! I'm glad I posted there though - I found someone who may be interested in my "extra" CS and who also is a Datsun roadster owner. Small world!!!

I can't wait to replace my clutch hose so that I can actually DRIVE one of the CS. Any tips on bleeding the clutch afterwards? I've replaced hoses, MC and slave cylinders before on other cars - but they don't share the same fluid reservoir.

Cheers
James
 
My clutch system will gravity bleed as long as you get fluid past the master cylinder. Just open the bleeder and wait for clean fluid.
If it's the 5 speed the bleeder points down which makes you think you need to turn it over but the opening to the bleeder in the cylinder is at the top when the bleeder points down and it bleeds perfectly fine.
DaveG
 
Thanks Dave,

I like being able to gravity bleed. If required I have one of those Motive power bleeders too.

Yep, the bleeder points down and I have a 5-speed. One thing I don't understand is this car has the OEM hose, but it looks like the hole in the hose is caused by the steering U-joint. Is there some kind of chafing guard I'm missing?

Cheers
James
 
Looks good! Jackie and I will try to make it over Saturday sometime. Will give you a bell first.

When is the clutch hose scheduled in?
 
Check the hose

as most 5 speed conversions use the original with an extension hose. ( two hoses). It could be that someone else just used too long of a hose.

The original is 200mm, m10 fittings. That part is also for rear brakes on many BMWs. ( 88 635, 98 Z3, etc.) So it should be available at the local parts place.

The part nummber on the short hose is in the Tech info link above under 5 speed conversion.
 
I mail ordered one of the VW hoses - should be in on Friday. If not I can always steal one off the blue car and rob Peter to pay Paul ;-)

Cheers
James
 
Ah... I almost forgot.... I used a 2002 M/C (as I wasn't able to find a new E9 one easily) which has the outlet on the top.
The stock E9 M/C has the outlet on the bottom. That means you may need to push some fluid back uphill to get the air out of the M/C....Sorry for the confusion.
If you have a power bleeder, just hook it to the slave cyl bleeder and Bobs your uncle....
 
Have fun with all those parts. I'd like to try a Datsun Roadster one day. Thought of Buying a Brown one they had on BAT about two years ago.
 
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