Tom Colitt’s CSI

[byron77]

Hi All

Read Rick Baker’s post on Tom Colitt with particular interest as I bought Tom’s 1974 CSI a couple of weeks ago and am trying to find out more about the car’s history. Some photos below. Does anyone remember his car?

VIN is 2266135, will add it to the registry shortly. According to BMW Classic the car was built in late ’73 and delivered to a dealer in Stuttgart in early ‘74. An original Polaris car, it was brought to California early in its life. Mods include a 5 speed conversation, sway bars, Nelson springs and Alpina wheels.

The inspector (An E9 & 2002 specialist) who did the PPI who was impressed by how solid it appeared to be underneath: no evident serious rust or previous repair work. As far as I know Tom was a mechanical engineer who lived in the Hollywood Hills and worked on these cars and W113 Mercedes. Shortly before his death Tom decided to strip the top end of the engine but I was told it was running as recently as 3-4 months ago which I believe as, weird co-incidence, I saw it on the San Diego freeway sometime around last June/July.

I was planning to have it trucked down to La Jolla Independent for the motor work and general sorting. I’d certainly be appreciatIve of any other recommendations in Los Angeles for the mechanical work. Cosmetics are a little rough but for the time being just want to get it running and enjoy it.

 

[craterface]

Hi Byron, I think I can add a little to the recent history. I am pretty sure I sold him the door cards and dash parts including the defroster vents, which came from a 2800cs I parted out about 7 years ago, when rusty e9s were 3 grand and not 20k as they are today. As I recall, the car suffered a small fire under the or dash, and therefore he needed some dash parts, etc. Scott in FL

 

[Markos]

Sidebar: I didn’t realize or perhaps remember that Tom had passed. FYI - I will be adding (deceased) as a custom title for members who are known to be no longer with us. I work with a lot of non-profits whom reference deceased donors and estates, and this is standard practice...

 

[byron77]

Hi Byron, I think I can add a little to the recent history. I am pretty sure I sold him the door cards and dash parts including the defroster vents, which came from a 2800cs I parted out about 7 years ago, when rusty e9s were 3 grand and not 20k as they are today. As I recall, the car suffered a small fire under the or dash, and therefore he needed some dash parts, etc. Scott in FL

Hi Scott, thanks fo the message. In Tom’s estate there was also an early 2800 cs (the car listed on ebay and also discussed here): must have been that car which suffered the fire and for which Tom was sourcing the parts as it‘s essentially a partially-assembled rolling shell: dash ducting, loom, etc, looked to be new-ish parts in the process of being re-instralled

 

[merdad]

This is way too late, but I was googling Tom a few nights ago to get in touch with him, only to come across this post to find out that he has left us, very sad. Now I know why he didn’t reply to my emails and WhatsApp messages.
He was a great friend and my partner in crime on anything coupe related. We explored the coupe market and junkyards together. We missed on one occasion on a CSL (2275375) that was referred to me and thought it needed too much work, and our offer was refused.

His CSi was a great car and he was always improving it. I think he was the only one that ran Alpina 8x16 all around with 225s. His license plate at the time was a NY plate “LOVE 2ACT”, his other passion.

I used to have lunch or dinner with him every time I was in the US.

I am so sad today. Will miss him a lot.

Few pictures to remember him albeit 4 years too late

 

[Keshav]

IMG 4220 looks like a super rare black 38cm Petri?

 

[merdad]

IMG 4220 looks like a super rare black 38cm Petri?

Yes it did,
When restored by someone

 

[Alice Couper]

This is way too late, but I was googling Tom a few nights ago to get in touch with him, only to come across this post to find out that he has left us, very sad. Now I know why he didn’t reply to my emails and WhatsApp messages.
He was a great friend and my partner in crime on anything coupe related. We explored the coupe market and junkyards together. We missed on one occasion on a CSL (2275375) that was referred to me and thought it needed too much work, and our offer was refused.

His CSi was a great car and he was always improving it. I think he was the only one that ran Alpina 8x16 all around with 225s. His license plate at the time was a NY plate “LOVE 2ACT”, his other passion.

I used to have lunch or dinner with him every time I was in the US.

I am so sad today. Will miss him a lot.

Few pictures to remember him albeit 4 years too late

RIP Tom. I bought some parts from him back in LA around 2001. He was extremely knowledgeable.

 

[Markos]

IMG 4220 looks like a super rare black 38cm Petri?

Love the rare black Petri, but in this case I believe that is a CSL Petri painted black. The leather is missing and you can see the chrome at the spoke ends. There are also some flakes in the paint.

 

[merdad]

Love the rare black Petri, but in this case I believe that is a CSL Petri painted black. The leather is missing and you can see the chrome at the spoke ends. There are also some flakes in the paint.

Here is another picture of it

 

[Markos]

Here is another picture of it

I’m confident that it is a CSL Petri without leather, and equally confident that it is painted and not a factory Schwarz Petri.

 

[Gerrit]

I agree: the quickest way to fix a worn out CSL Petri wheel is to remove the leather and paint the rusty spokes black to make presentable again...