Swedish 1973 3.0 CS restoration

[ellac]

Hi

First post to the forum but I have been reading for a few years . This thread is a restoration of my 1973 3.0 CS , a US-spec car that never sold to the US , instead delivererd as new to BMW Italy S.p.a on the 14th of August 1973 .

Originally Ceylon with brown leather and AC which I think is a really nice option. Wheater the color will remain Ceylon is still undecided..

I started the restoration in November 2019 , the car had then been of the road for at least 25 years and spent a number of years outside on a lawn.

First pictures before collecting .

 

[ellac]

After getting it home , finishing some other project and making some room in the garage it was time for some inspection.

 

[ellac]

After dismantling of interior , engine , gearbox , front and rear axle etc I locked my lift in top position and leveled with shims to have it perfectly straight . With some heavy steeltubing I thereafter welded a simple jig to the car to prevent it from moving / flexing.
I made inner and middle sills from 2 mm steel and pressed some flared holes .

 

[ellac]

The "A"-post and struttower was not very nice.. I made a simple jig to make sure the struttower went back in the same place as intened.

Since my budget is quite moderate I try to make as many panels that I can by myself but I chucky order from wallot was requiered anyway.

 

[alprada70]

GOOD LUCK !!!

 

[HB Chris]

Amazing work, you are a brave soul! Since it is US spec I would love to know the VIN and build date if you would share.

Chris

 

[dang]

Looking great! Thanks for sharing and keep the updates coming, you'll have quite a following here.

As Chris said, you're a brave man!

 

[ellac]

Thanks for the comments , its allot of work ..!

@CHRIS , I will add the car to the registry later in the process.

 

[ellac]

Rustrepairs continue , doing some repairs on the door , changing the bottom and a new skin. The fuel lid surrunding was rust damaged so I had to fabricate a new lip / edge around the hole.

 

[ellac]

Had the suspension components blasted and powdercoated. Was lucky and finding a used frontend in good condition. Started welding and fabricating new floors . Made a new frame-railsextension and started testfitting some panels.

 

[ellac]

Started rustrepair in the boot , doing the inner and outer rear wheelhouse . Fabricating a patchpanel for the rear fender and doing repairs on the c-pillar.

 

[dang]

I love watching pros at work...

 

[ellac]

I love watching pros at work...

Thanks , but I am no pro, I spend my days behind a desk , this is only hobby. I have done a few cars before, for thoose interested :

Alpina B3 : https://www.m5board.com/threads/alpina-b3-3-0-e36-94-restoration.141429/

Alfa Gtam "replica" : https://rejsa.nu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=83873

Range Rover Classic : https://rejsa.nu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=97740&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Morgan / Lotus : https://rejsa.nu/forum/viewtopic.ph...tart=168&sid=409e59990dfe230a770e208cb7227c3e

 

[Pinstripe inc.]

The "A"-post and struttower was not very nice.. I made a simple jig to make sure the struttower went back in the same place as intened.

Since my budget is quite moderate I try to make as many panels that I can by myself but I chucky order from wallot was requiered anyway.

Simply amazing. Not many would have attempted such a restoration. Congrats on your work to date.

 

[Barry.b]

Congratulations the results you have achieved are brilliant. You are a very brave and talented man !!!
Good luck with the rest of her !

 

[Adaptor]

Hands down amazing! You might not do this for a living, but you are a pro! Cant wait for the end result.

cheers

 

[Barry.b]

Hi again
I am just wondering of all of the cars you listed above was the e9 the one with the most rust ?
Or was it the Alfa ???
Just wondering as I have always heard how rusty Italian cars can be ....
And I have always heard how well German cars are built ...
But now that I have cut up most of my e9 and welded most of it back together I NOW know... man an e9 does like to rust !!!
just wondering

 

[Keshav]

@ellac you possibly haven’t noticed the piece of jewelry in your car, the Csl leather wrapped Petri steering wheel with the 4 ring Csl hub.
Take good care of it, it’s a rare and valuable part. A cover you’ll find fairly easily.

Keshav

 

[Markos]

E9’s need more people like you!

 

[eriknetherlands]

@ellac you possibly haven’t noticed the piece of jewelry in your car, the Csl leather wrapped Petri steering wheel with the 4 ring Csl hub.
Take good care of it, it’s a rare and valuable part. A cover you’ll find fairly easily.

Keshav

Yup, in the state that you found the car, the wheel may have been 50% of the value of the total car.