dc2100k

Having spent the last 36hrs worrying about sending ££££ to a complete stranger it is a relief to finally be looking at a pile of fizzing metal and unidentified parts. The delivery guys gave me the knowing look of sympathy that you give to someone who is about to spend all their spare cash and time on something rather marginal. On the plus side the first person to pass the gates asked how much I was wanting for it... so I'm guessing there will be no shortage of greater fools when reality really bites. Here's the details:
1990 BMW 318is - Diamond Black.
167k on the clock, off the road since 2009. Looks like someone has started a resto but stopped and it's been left to sit. No engine or box. No seats. Lots of bits all over the place. Plenty of tin worm in awkward spots.
Partial resto required - plan is historic rally car. These were homologated in Group N for 1990 and as luck would have it the FIA have just extended class 4 historic rally cars to include up to end-1990. Therefore it is eligible to go up against the Audi Quattros, Lancia Stratos and 037s, Escorts, Mantas, 131s, etc. Should make for a few fun British and European jaunts next year hopefully.
Looks good from a distance... r,r,right?

It sounds counterproductive but I'm finding it very enjoyable so far.

Having spent the last 36hrs worrying about sending ££££ to a complete stranger it is a relief to finally be looking at a pile of fizzing metal and unidentified parts. The delivery guys gave me the knowing look of sympathy that you give to someone who is about to spend all their spare cash and time on something rather marginal. On the plus side the first person to pass the gates asked how much I was wanting for it... so I'm guessing there will be no shortage of greater fools when reality really bites. Here's the details:
1990 BMW 318is - Diamond Black.
167k on the clock, off the road since 2009. Looks like someone has started a resto but stopped and it's been left to sit. No engine or box. No seats. Lots of bits all over the place. Plenty of tin worm in awkward spots.
Partial resto required - plan is historic rally car. These were homologated in Group N for 1990 and as luck would have it the FIA have just extended class 4 historic rally cars to include up to end-1990. Therefore it is eligible to go up against the Audi Quattros, Lancia Stratos and 037s, Escorts, Mantas, 131s, etc. Should make for a few fun British and European jaunts next year hopefully.
Looks good from a distance... r,r,right?

As with many of you the recent COVID crisis and subsequent lockdown has caused me to reflect on my priorities, and a degree of fleet rationalisation has now become inevitable. Therefore the tried and tested method for achieving this has been implemented, and I've bought another car.
1. Bought sight unseen off facebook marketplace - CHECK
2. Category C write off - CHECK
3. Last MOT in 2009 - CHECK
4. 170K miles on the odometer - CHECK
5. No engine or gearbox - CHECK
6. No seats and all the external trim in the interior - CHECK
7. Signs of corrosion on the underside - CHECK
8. Not told the wife - CHECK
What could go wrong?
 
No collecshun unfortunately but delivrly impending...

As with many of you the recent COVID crisis and subsequent lockdown has caused me to reflect on my priorities, and a degree of fleet rationalisation has now become inevitable. Therefore the tried and tested method for achieving this has been implemented, and I've bought another car.
1. Bought sight unseen off facebook marketplace - CHECK
2. Category C write off - CHECK
3. Last MOT in 2009 - CHECK
4. 170K miles on the odometer - CHECK
5. No engine or gearbox - CHECK
6. No seats and all the external trim in the interior - CHECK
7. Signs of corrosion on the underside - CHECK
8. Not told the wife - CHECK
What could go wrong?
 
No collecshun unfortunately but delivrly impending...

I saw the title and was about to warn against it due to the inevitable outcome but you're already there so well done.

As with many of you the recent COVID crisis and subsequent lockdown has caused me to reflect on my priorities, and a degree of fleet rationalisation has now become inevitable. Therefore the tried and tested method for achieving this has been implemented, and I've bought another car.
1. Bought sight unseen off facebook marketplace - CHECK
2. Category C write off - CHECK
3. Last MOT in 2009 - CHECK
4. 170K miles on the odometer - CHECK
5. No engine or gearbox - CHECK
6. No seats and all the external trim in the interior - CHECK
7. Signs of corrosion on the underside - CHECK
8. Not told the wife - CHECK
What could go wrong?
 
No collecshun unfortunately but delivrly impending...

As with many of you the recent COVID crisis and subsequent lockdown has caused me to reflect on my priorities, and a degree of fleet rationalisation has now become inevitable. Therefore the tried and tested method for achieving this has been implemented, and I've bought another car.
1. Bought sight unseen off facebook marketplace - CHECK
2. Category C write off - CHECK
3. Last MOT in 2009 - CHECK
4. 170K miles on the odometer - CHECK
5. No engine or gearbox - CHECK
6. No seats and all the external trim in the interior - CHECK
7. Signs of corrosion on the underside - CHECK
8. Not told the wife - CHECK
What could go wrong?
 
No collecshun unfortunately but delivrly impending...

As with many of you the recent COVID crisis and subsequent lockdown has caused me to reflect on my priorities, and a degree of fleet rationalisation has now become inevitable. Therefore the tried and tested method for achieving this has been implemented, and I've bought another car.
1. Bought sight unseen off facebook marketplace - CHECK
2. Category C write off - CHECK
3. Last MOT in 2009 - CHECK
4. 170K miles on the odometer - CHECK
5. No engine or gearbox - CHECK
6. No seats and all the external trim in the interior - CHECK
7. Signs of corrosion on the underside - CHECK
8. Not told the wife - CHECK
What could go wrong?
 
No collecshun unfortunately but delivrly impending...

As with many of you the recent COVID crisis and subsequent lockdown has caused me to reflect on my priorities, and a degree of fleet rationalisation has now become inevitable. Therefore the tried and tested method for achieving this has been implemented, and I've bought another car.
1. Bought sight unseen off facebook marketplace - CHECK
2. Category C write off - CHECK
3. Last MOT in 2009 - CHECK
4. 170K miles on the odometer - CHECK
5. No engine or gearbox - CHECK
6. No seats and all the external trim in the interior - CHECK
7. Signs of corrosion on the underside - CHECK
8. Not told the wife - CHECK
What could go wrong?
 
No collecshun unfortunately but delivrly impending...

I lived in Stoke Newington/Stamford Hill for years. That video is hilarious.

How the Aussies do 6 wheelers.

I've discovered this car kit company called "Dream Factory Blow". They specialise in Japanese mini vans made to look like American ones;
Such as a Hiace made to look like a Dodge A-100:

As well as miniature versions of other American van classics:



All of these conversions remind me of this spotted by dozeydustman a few months back:

*Inhales*
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO HAVE AN ENGINE
THAT DIDN'T HAVE A USELESS WATER PUMP
AND DIDN'T EAT ITS TIMING CHAIN FOR BREAKFAST
WHAT'S THIS COOLANT DOING IN THE SUMP
EVEN A ROTARY WOULD BE MUCH BETTER
THAN TWO DOLLY ENGINES GLUED TOGETHER
OH WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF I COULD SWAP IN
A FORD V6 OR ROVER 3.5
BUT THEN THE STAG'S GODAWFUL WHINY FAN CLUB
WOULD HUNT ME DOWN AND SKIN MY ASS ALIVE
ALL MY TIME AND MONEY I'VE BEEN SPENDING
THIS VALVE ADJUSTMENT JOB IS NEVERENDING
Etc, etc.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-Triumph-STAG-AUTO-AUTOMATIC-WITH-HARD-TOP-AND-SOFT-TOP-COUPE-Petrol-Automat/223958879182?hash=item3424fd4bce:g:NnEAAOSwUY9c9V2t

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/renault-r-15-tl/1397716030-216-3034

I think you may be right but it seems odd seeing a Commer van on a 1980s plate.

Renault 5 Turbo?

Yep, it‘s that mad mid-engined thing that Renault did in the early 80s to homologate for Group B rallying.

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/porsche-porsch-904-replica-h-zulassung/1382769895-216-2440

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/glas-1700-limousine-goggomobil-spaeter-dann-bmw-oldtimer/1371760555-216-5969

After a hard days ragging my ZR the next day the n/s rear brake was binding badly so I pulled the wheel and took the pad holder out and it was just the sliding pins that were stuck in. They pulled right out and didn’t feel corroded or sticky so I just put it back together and it’s all worked fine since. Is it worth greasing or replacing these?

DSC_0378 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0379 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0387 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0390 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0421 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0415 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0416 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0419 by srblythe, on Flickr
DSC_0420 by srblythe, on Flickr
 
Wheel arch went in quite well without much distortion...