I'm sick...and I know it....another restoration...CSi #18

[rogbmw]

I know I need to be committed. I really do...

The Alpina 5.7 is almost done, but I got a call last week from the small shop that I use to paint. Patrick said that if I bring in the CSi he can start on it the day after Christmas as he has a hole in his schedule while he awaits parts for the XKE and the Jag 120 he is doing the restorations on (these are several year project he has going on).

Last year I bought CSi #18 from a guy in Nebraska. Interesting car - 1 of 1 US CSi color combination. It was the actual car Car and Driver did it's road test and write up in the 1994 Car and Driver Magazine. Full documentation from the time it was sold by BMW to its first owner to now. But, it was like a good 25 foot date...you know what I am talking about - looked great from 25 feet away, but as you got closer esthetic and minor details needed addressing - in other words you could see the warts. Paint correction would not bring it back to the level I wanted, so a repaint is necessary. Over the past several months I have been ferreting out the things I needed, and some that I wanted (like Euro CSi mirrors). I was not planning on getting started just this soon, but when Patrick called with a hole in the schedule, I had to take advantage of it. Out of storage it came and I spent the past few days stripping it to get it ready.

The chrome m-pars (reproductions) are my roller set of wheels. The Throwing Stars have been taken off and I am going to refinish them.

Here are pictures taken today before it was driven away to Patrick's:

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[Alec Cartio]

Oh Roger Roger Roger.
I’m behind you all the way. 1000% support.

[e31gixxxer]

I like your style Roger, "the day after Christmas"..."that's enough turkey for me, now wheres my Beemer"

She doesn't look too bad, well from here about 2500miles away. Guessing this won't be as involved as your previous restorations?

Anyway good luck, you have to be one of the top official E31 resto men!

[toomanyparts]

What's wrong with the paint? It looks pretty damn clean.

[TxGR8White]

... now wheres my Beemer"...

Beemer = 2 Wheels
Bimmer = 4 Wheels

[e31gixxxer]

Originally Posted by e31gixxxer... now wheres my Beemer"...



Beemer = 2 Wheels
Bimmer = 4 Wheels

Ok when in Rome...Even though the UK site is "Bimmer", most UKers use "Beemer".

When I had my old E21 in the 80s, it was a Beemer!

[rogbmw]

What's wrong with the paint? It looks pretty damn clean.

Photo's can be deceiving. There are several places it has some deep scratches that cannot be wet-sanded and buffed, and some other areas that need to be taken care of. Hellrot is a color that does not lend well to spot painting in my experience over time. Good thing is that it will not be necessary to strip the car down to metal. Another good thing - the car has almost always been an Arizona car, so always dry.

[TTTXGreg]

Photo's can be deceiving. There are several places it has some deep scratches that cannot be wet-sanded and buffed, and some other areas that need to be taken care of. Hellrot is a color that does not lend well to spot painting in my experience over time. Good thing is that it will not be necessary to strip the car down to metal. Another good thing - the car has almost always been an Arizona car, so always dry.

Still married?!

[TxGR8White]

Ok when in Rome...Even though the UK site is "Bimmer", most UKers use "Beemer".

When I had my old E21 in the 80s, it was a Beemer!

You guys also drive on the wrong side of the road - ‘nuff said. LOL

[rogbmw]

Still married?!

Yes....

[e31gixxxer]

Originally Posted by e31gixxxerOk when in Rome...Even though the UK site is "Bimmer", most UKers use "Beemer".

When I had my old E21 in the 80s, it was a Beemer!



You guys also drive on the wrong side of the road - ‘nuff said. LOL

Only when in the UK.
Must be the season of goodwill, didn't even get the 4 short sh*t.

[rogbmw]

e31gixxxer - its all good. I served for 2 years as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy - lived in Gosport and worked out of HMS Nelson, onboard HMS Bristol, and then at HMS Sultan. I almost got used to driving on the left side of the road...still remember the first time I came to a round-about and almost when around the wrong way!

Anyway...back to the restoration.

Patrick started fixing some of the small dings and things. Fenders are off. Here are some pics of the first go-around and blocking of the obvious areas that needed attention. Next will be a second round doing the same to the entire car. One thing Patrick found was that the hood was closed by Bigfoot. There was some obvious small dents from someone pushing down on the hood to close it...

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And where Bigfoot closed the hood. The darker red areas are low spots...
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[e31gixxxer]

Roger- You wouldn't be alone on the roundabout thing. I normally drop straight in to RH driving, it feels quite natural, better than going back to LH after a few weeks driving abroad. Even a RHD car, preferably an E31 on RH roads is cool. The euros have the beam deflectors, as you know, what a good idea.



This job is going to be a breeze for you, be in the pub by dinner!
Best wishes to all for 2019

[Chillax]

Rog, You're not ...

BTW.... I got a laguna gruen one not too far away you could temporarily adopt while you suffer from your current "malady"...
jus' sayin' ...

[CaifanSC]

Ahh...I don't have my spreadsheet handy, but from the pix I can sort of see the interior. If my eyes don't deceive me that's the black/grey interior, correct? I looked into this car when it came up from sale in Arizona several years back. I loved the history on it and I definitely love the two-tone interior. Can't think of anyone who would be better charged to bring to restoration. Great work as always Roger.

[rogbmw]

Ahh...I don't have my spreadsheet handy, but from the pix I can sort of see the interior. If my eyes don't deceive me that's the black/grey interior, correct? I looked into this car when it came up from sale in Arizona several years back. I loved the history on it and I definitely love the two-tone interior. Can't think of anyone who would be better charged to bring to restoration. Great work as always Roger.

Yes - that is the car that was for sale in Arizona in 2012. Mechanical wise - the car has had exceptional care - in fact over the top to be honest and I have all the receipts since it was sold by BMW to its first owner. Esthetic wise - it just needed to be brought back up to where it should be. The Red exterior, Black/gray interior is indeed a 1 of 1 combination for US CSi's. I didn't even realize that when I spotted the car and started talking to the owner. Upon further digging, I found out the combination plus the history, and the fact that it is the car that Car & Driver did their evaluation on. When I get the car back to where it should be, I am thinking about contacting Car & Driver to see if they want to do a 25 year follow up - I think that would be kind of neat.

Here is the original article:
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[tvjake2]

Yes - that is the car that was for sale in Arizona in 2012. Mechanical wise - the car has had exceptional care - in fact over the top to be honest and I have all the receipts since it was sold by BMW to its first owner. Esthetic wise - it just needed to be brought back up to where it should be. The Red exterior, Black/gray interior is indeed a 1 of 1 combination for US CSi's. I didn't even realize that when I spotted the car and started talking to the owner. Upon further digging, I found out the combination plus the history, and the fact that it is the car that Car & Driver did their evaluation on. When I get the car back to where it shoulda be, I am thinking about contact Car & Driver to see if they want to do a 25 year follow up - I think that would be kind of

Great idea, especially with the new 8 Series coming out...not that I like the new one. A good article on the E31 would be great!

[Braveheart61]

Think the cheese done slipped off that boys cracker

[TxGR8White]

Think the cheese done slipped off that boys cracker

Says the guy that owns and flys a war bird on a daily basis... LOL!

[kiwiCSi]

Another great project, Roger...looking forward to the progress reports.

[Braveheart61]

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Says the guy that owns and flys a war bird on a daily basis... LOL!

[rogbmw]

Went to see Patrick over the weekend and snap some pictures of the progress. The car has received 7 basecoats of Hellrot, and 5 coats of clear. Next comes progressive wet sanding then initial buffing.

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[72tpik5]

It looks amazing already. I am looking forward to watching it progress.

[rogbmw]

It looks amazing already. I am looking forward to watching it progress.

Thanks. The pictures are a direct reflection of Patrick's work and actually do not to his work justice. He is known as a phenomenal Jaguar restoration specialist. His XKE restorations are amazing. BUT - he said that now that he has done his second 8 for me, he would be happy to take on other 8 repaints!

[rogbmw]

Patrick just sent me a picture of the rear quarter panel. This has no polish on it yet. Note the airplane taking off... Patrick's shop is at an airport.

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