E30 Zone

Hi, not sure if i chose the right category to ask this/discuss.

I currently own a genuine 1986 e30 sport and im toying with the idea of turning it into a retro looking pick up truck......ive got a set of triple carbs for it and maybe a set of 9.5 inch wide rear dished bbs wheel, narrower on the front.

it would be kept the same colour black, with the original black leather.

is this a BAD move?????

It does seem criminal but at the same time in my eyes would look stunning, also be very practical for me.

Please share your opinions,

i have only seen a few on here and i think they look cool as fudge just wish i had the knowhow to do one myself

vendetta wrote:i have only seen a few on here and i think they look cool as fudge just wish i had the knowhow to do one myself

They only look cool if they are done right. Seen quite a few that have been bodged or abandoned half way through when the owner realises how difficult it is to get it right.


Dirtydog would you be doing the work yourself or paying somebody to do it? Best advice is to do lots of research. I think there is a current thread on here about a zoner doing one.


Taylor.

I suggest you buy a VW Caddy

il be doing all the work, im pretty good at fabrication and i run my own garage.
I can guarantee it will be done spot on as ive done a pick up before along with various other vehicles, But is it a big mistake doing it to an early sport????? its a bit scruffy at the mo but non the less a complete car..........

would it de-value it as opposed to a mint tech 1 sport?

Modifying a car with a monocoque chassis is a legal minefield, there are cars that have been detailed on here which clearly haven't followed the correct process to make them road legal (as a road legal e30 pickup modified recently should carry a Q plate) and as such they would not be insured, mot'd or taxed should you find yourself in a situation where your vehicle is being scrutinised by the authorities.

Take a read through these. You could still obviously just decide to do it and take the risk, but at least you'll know what you should've done

http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/forms/~/medi ... inf26.ashx

http://www.the-ace.org.uk/Chassis-and-M ... ation.html

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... 76&page=1#

Too many E30's have been turned in to a pick up and they all look crap. I dont know why you would want to do that to a Tech 1 which are rare.

Matto thats pretty interesting stuff. quite in depth. i cant work out if cutting half the roof off would mean having q plates or not? that would suck. at the end of the day everything else is going to be the same so it would get over 8 points?

thats just your opinion blitz, i would'nt be raising mine up like most have done, its going on its arse with dished rims and mint paint work (if i do it)

i do agree though so do look utter pants!

It's not the roof that's the issue really it's the removal of the bulkhead behind the rear seats.

Alex wrote:I suggest you buy a VW Caddy

seconded lol i've had one and there fantastic

But is it a big mistake doing it to an early sport?????

IMHO yes it is. Its your car tho fella,so you can do what you wish.

I have only seen crap looking effors. It's the size of them really. The 2 door front doors are too long. You shouldn't be thinking of using a tech 1 sport anyway, but maybe a 4 door might make the proportions look better?

Find a more door or touring to wreck, It will be an easier conversion too due to the structial strength point's too.

matto wrote: (as a road legal e30 pickup modified recently should carry a Q plate)

I think you may be wrong on this as long as it has two major components from the donor car it can use that reg not a problem if you just chopping up a car.

zaust wrote:Find a more door or touring to wreck, It will be an easier conversion too due to the structial strength point's too.

Got to agree strongly with this.....

they never ever look right.

in fact, i've never seen any home made pickup where the rear of the cab has looked 'right'

tbh, on an e30 based coonversion i think you have to start with a 2 door. on a 4 door or a touring the front doors are too small to give a decent size cab. to get a decent driving position for anyone of reasonable height the seat back sits level with the b-pillar on a 4 door, the extra length of a 2 door door pushes it back nicely.

however, using a 2 door means the bed now looks proportionally too short, so for it to work properly you'd need to lengthen the car, which takes it to a whole new world of effort.

also, the rear pillars of the doors sweep backwards a few degrees, which would make an awkward looking angle with the back of the cab, so you'd have to cut and alter them so they sit more upright, which may then mean needing custom door glass.

like others have said, tbh i really really wouldnt bother.

infact, i reckon sticking vw caddy body on an e30 floorpan and running gear would be easier than trying to make an e30 based pickup look any good.

I think a touring would end up just as floppy because they have the roll hoop to replace the rear seat back area. Cutting the top off would make it a U shape instead of a full hoop. Wouldn't you be safest doing it to a convertible? They have strengthened sills as stock and are fine without any roof at all!

Morat wrote:I think a touring would end up just as floppy because they have the roll hoop to replace the rear seat back area. Cutting the top off would make it a U shape instead of a full hoop. Wouldn't you be safest doing it to a convertible? They have strengthened sills as stock and are fine without any roof at all!

Cabbie also has a double rear bulkhead...and the rear arches are part of the hood compartment...
A touring for a base,move the rear roll hoop forward to where the cab roof will end,use the touring's rear door quarter lights behind the 'B' pillar,mod the lower half of the tailgate to hinge down....
Certainly do not carve up a tech 1 sport,please!

hmm, that makes sense

well......good news......the sport stays a sport, im re-building the engine at present and fitting the triple carbs i already have, along with the deep dished bbs rims and a respray. i just dont have the heart to cut up such a classic car.

Thanks for the pointers, especially that legal minefield regards to the dvla!