Ratch's 318iS Resto is back!!!
Moderator: martauto
So.
This thread was deleted a while back, I don't know why but I love resto threads so here is mine.
1990 H-reg Lazer Blue 318iS. I'm the second owner, have had it for over 11 years and it had 50K on it in the dark winter of 1997 when I bought it for 5G's!. Since then it's lived with me in Germany and Holland and has done London to North Africa twice, Munich to North Africa once, Munich to Milan once, Munich to Amsterdam twice and countless UK and European road trips. It has never once missed a beat.
Here is what it was like before the resto lol!
Red rear licence plate surround - makes a huge difference I think. Have a spare for a Cabrio if I ever find one unmolested!
Only mods here are MTECH II Wheel (bought 9 years ago for £150, just bought replacement for £260!) this one is on eBay. Illuminated gear knob and of course the Indigo re-trim in Cabrio pattern.
The fearsome badge! How many Cayennes I've dispatched using just these 4 characters...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Anyway, I've known about the bubbling paint on the roof for a while and decided it was time to take a look and deal with it.
Pulled the stuff away to see how bad it was. A-Pillar is clean, if it get's here you;re in real trouble.
Inside, passenger window ahead, windscreen on the right.
Rest of the roof was perfect - which made it even more annoying.
Not that bad but still a lot of work to sort it properly. Two ways to repair this - a local repair, chop it out, bond in new sunroof tray etc but the whole roof will need a skim of filler as it will warp after all that welding and chopping etc. The other way is to replace the entire roofskin, which is still available from BMW.
Item No 1
So, roofskin and sunroof tray ordered, in it went to Townley Panel & Paint in Essex - highly recommend. Not cheap but sterling work. Here is the roofskin at their shop. BMW didn't tell me that it comes with a sunroof tray bonded in so I now have a spare tray. They did very kindly refund the cost of the tray and let me keep it too - !
Also converting to power sunroof so need a new motor drive panel to replace the manual one.
New drainage tubes, clips and sound proofing etc - best not to put any grotty stuff back in there.
At this point, you (PacerPete) are all wondering why the hell I'd spend £1300 all in to replace the roof of a car that's not that special, find another one re-shell it mate bla bla bla.
But.
Where else am I going to find a mechanically perfect, full BMWSH Lazer Blue rot-free 2 door shell? And if I do, it wil be at least 2G's before all the hassle of mixing and matching. I'm very attached to my car, had it since I was like 19. That VIN has heart and soul in it - I will one day hand it down to a grand kid and it will still look like this mark my words.
Enough gayness.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whilst the car was there, I'd decided that my interior and spec levels needed to sorting. It's always nagged me that the seats need to be the correct stitching pattern. My original seats were re-trimmed in Cabrio style and I wanted them to be the vertical stitched version. So I sold the whole lot for £500 to an Irish dude (they are heated and mint so were worth that) and picked up an entire tidyish fabric blue sports interior for £80 with rear arm rest and ski-hatch (I have the BMW ski bag kit!) and got in touch with my guys at B-Trim for another round of cowhide madness.
Also adding in the new heating elements from BMW, a must in Britain, just awesome after shooting 18 in a cold winters morning.
All new foam for drivers side - I can't stand a saggy seat and I want the car to look, feel and drive like new.
Also got new seat rails as when I bolt a freshly trimmed set of seats onto a new carpet I don't want manky rusty rails.
All vinyl door cards this time - despite what people say, these cannot be replicated well in Leather. Very nice set thanks to Kos. I actually have 2 sets - gotta hoard that shizzle for the E30- parts armageddon that we all know is coming lol!
I'm also adding some door speaker pods made by AudioSport (the least chavviest looking on the market). They will also be trimmed in leather. These were the most factory looking so chose themselves really. Chunky MDF backed fiberglass so quite rigid.
6.5" Alpine Components - old now but they were £300 back in the day and I got them for £50 clearance.
These will sound AND look great when trimmed up in blue leather. May actually not keep them on as it's dangerously close to Max Power stuff but nice to have and I'm getting the re-trim done for next to nothing.
Infinity coaxials in the back, in a new parcel shelf I might add.
Tweeter pods also new from BMW, I've removed the Nokia tweeters and will replace with the Alpines.
Genesis Profile 2 to run the fronts, stealthily mounted under the passenger seat to keep the boot clear for my Golf Clubs lol. Decent Phono cables too, from my audiophile days.
I'm now waiting for delivery of my new Becker Cascade 7944 Single Din, Europe-Wide SatNav, Bluetooth telephony, CD Radio head unit. A truly awesome bit of kit, state-of-the-art and the best bit is it looks totally at home in an E30. Understated in black, it has 15 backlight settings - one of which matches the amber in our cars. Does absolutely everything, looks retro and simple.
Some light sound deadening too. Rear seats, transmission tunnel and firewall. Doors too but not too much.
Also building up the spec with various bits.
Full 13-Button Computer retrofit with brand new loom and a truly mint display with clean LCD.
Maplight mirror is a must too - also with new loom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Got the car back from Townley, the results are solid.
All waxoyled and seam-sealed to death.
Before.
After.
So, with the car back in the garage, I set about waxoyling the crap out of it. It was already done about 4 years ago but time for some more. I used about a full large tin in every single cavity. Chassis rails, inner wings, doors, footwell, rear arches, parcel shelf - everywhere! Trick is to let it sit in a warm place for a few days and it softens and runs deep into the the tight cavities and crack for full effect.
Flooded the wiper cavities too - tidy scuttle!
Sorted a rusty mirror base that bugged me for a while - mint mirror in correct paint from my stockpile!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Then it was lifted off to Cooks Ferry in Enfield for some engine work.
£600 worth of full timing case kit, water pump, thermostat and endless other bits and pieces.
Engine candy lol!
Also have a couple of these cases of BMW hardware - they really are the only thing to use quality wise. I just hoard that stuff as you always need more.
Cooks Ferry did a LOT of great stuff - all the bits that really matter and all BMW parts. New clutch, Slave Cylinder, Prop Bearing, Prop Coupling, New ICV, deleted the throttle Heater Plate (only because it adds a stupid amount of unnecessary hosing and not to gain the magical extra 2bhp lol) Full Inspection II and a ton of bushes and linkages at the rear etc, including the gear shift knuckle and steering damper - again for that 'new' drive.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whilst it was away I prepared the interior a bit more. Got a mint blue carpet to start with and will to steam clean it - it's actually pretty damn clean as is. I wanted a new one but of course it's NLA. This one is cool because it's the posher 6-Cyclinder (:roll:) carpet which is much better quality with better sound deadening.
Also doing a fair few tweaks whilst here. Converting to power sunroof so picked up a motor and loom for £12 and this mint sunroof control panel trim (NLA!) for £35 or so.
Moving back to the greasy bits, got box loads of stuff waiting to go on, BMW control arms, tie-rods, ARB bits and various linkages etc to tighten up the front-end. I've done all this before so should rip through it.
Eccentric TCA bushes - can't wait to see if they make the difference everyone says they do.
So this is where we are at the mo. Got a brand new front valance to paint and fit with all new exterior black trims, strips etc.
Will be at it again in the coming days getting the interior back in, wiring up all the goodies and once it's painted all that tatsy new exterior trim to fit. Alloy wheel refurb and we're away!
This thread was deleted a while back, I don't know why but I love resto threads so here is mine.
1990 H-reg Lazer Blue 318iS. I'm the second owner, have had it for over 11 years and it had 50K on it in the dark winter of 1997 when I bought it for 5G's!. Since then it's lived with me in Germany and Holland and has done London to North Africa twice, Munich to North Africa once, Munich to Milan once, Munich to Amsterdam twice and countless UK and European road trips. It has never once missed a beat.
Here is what it was like before the resto lol!
Red rear licence plate surround - makes a huge difference I think. Have a spare for a Cabrio if I ever find one unmolested!
Only mods here are MTECH II Wheel (bought 9 years ago for £150, just bought replacement for £260!) this one is on eBay. Illuminated gear knob and of course the Indigo re-trim in Cabrio pattern.
The fearsome badge! How many Cayennes I've dispatched using just these 4 characters...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Anyway, I've known about the bubbling paint on the roof for a while and decided it was time to take a look and deal with it.
Pulled the stuff away to see how bad it was. A-Pillar is clean, if it get's here you;re in real trouble.
Inside, passenger window ahead, windscreen on the right.
Rest of the roof was perfect - which made it even more annoying.
Not that bad but still a lot of work to sort it properly. Two ways to repair this - a local repair, chop it out, bond in new sunroof tray etc but the whole roof will need a skim of filler as it will warp after all that welding and chopping etc. The other way is to replace the entire roofskin, which is still available from BMW.
Item No 1
So, roofskin and sunroof tray ordered, in it went to Townley Panel & Paint in Essex - highly recommend. Not cheap but sterling work. Here is the roofskin at their shop. BMW didn't tell me that it comes with a sunroof tray bonded in so I now have a spare tray. They did very kindly refund the cost of the tray and let me keep it too - !
Also converting to power sunroof so need a new motor drive panel to replace the manual one.
New drainage tubes, clips and sound proofing etc - best not to put any grotty stuff back in there.
At this point, you (PacerPete) are all wondering why the hell I'd spend £1300 all in to replace the roof of a car that's not that special, find another one re-shell it mate bla bla bla.
But.
Where else am I going to find a mechanically perfect, full BMWSH Lazer Blue rot-free 2 door shell? And if I do, it wil be at least 2G's before all the hassle of mixing and matching. I'm very attached to my car, had it since I was like 19. That VIN has heart and soul in it - I will one day hand it down to a grand kid and it will still look like this mark my words.
Enough gayness.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whilst the car was there, I'd decided that my interior and spec levels needed to sorting. It's always nagged me that the seats need to be the correct stitching pattern. My original seats were re-trimmed in Cabrio style and I wanted them to be the vertical stitched version. So I sold the whole lot for £500 to an Irish dude (they are heated and mint so were worth that) and picked up an entire tidyish fabric blue sports interior for £80 with rear arm rest and ski-hatch (I have the BMW ski bag kit!) and got in touch with my guys at B-Trim for another round of cowhide madness.
Also adding in the new heating elements from BMW, a must in Britain, just awesome after shooting 18 in a cold winters morning.
All new foam for drivers side - I can't stand a saggy seat and I want the car to look, feel and drive like new.
Also got new seat rails as when I bolt a freshly trimmed set of seats onto a new carpet I don't want manky rusty rails.
All vinyl door cards this time - despite what people say, these cannot be replicated well in Leather. Very nice set thanks to Kos. I actually have 2 sets - gotta hoard that shizzle for the E30- parts armageddon that we all know is coming lol!
I'm also adding some door speaker pods made by AudioSport (the least chavviest looking on the market). They will also be trimmed in leather. These were the most factory looking so chose themselves really. Chunky MDF backed fiberglass so quite rigid.
6.5" Alpine Components - old now but they were £300 back in the day and I got them for £50 clearance.
These will sound AND look great when trimmed up in blue leather. May actually not keep them on as it's dangerously close to Max Power stuff but nice to have and I'm getting the re-trim done for next to nothing.
Infinity coaxials in the back, in a new parcel shelf I might add.
Tweeter pods also new from BMW, I've removed the Nokia tweeters and will replace with the Alpines.
Genesis Profile 2 to run the fronts, stealthily mounted under the passenger seat to keep the boot clear for my Golf Clubs lol. Decent Phono cables too, from my audiophile days.
I'm now waiting for delivery of my new Becker Cascade 7944 Single Din, Europe-Wide SatNav, Bluetooth telephony, CD Radio head unit. A truly awesome bit of kit, state-of-the-art and the best bit is it looks totally at home in an E30. Understated in black, it has 15 backlight settings - one of which matches the amber in our cars. Does absolutely everything, looks retro and simple.
Some light sound deadening too. Rear seats, transmission tunnel and firewall. Doors too but not too much.
Also building up the spec with various bits.
Full 13-Button Computer retrofit with brand new loom and a truly mint display with clean LCD.
Maplight mirror is a must too - also with new loom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Got the car back from Townley, the results are solid.
All waxoyled and seam-sealed to death.
Before.
After.
So, with the car back in the garage, I set about waxoyling the crap out of it. It was already done about 4 years ago but time for some more. I used about a full large tin in every single cavity. Chassis rails, inner wings, doors, footwell, rear arches, parcel shelf - everywhere! Trick is to let it sit in a warm place for a few days and it softens and runs deep into the the tight cavities and crack for full effect.
Flooded the wiper cavities too - tidy scuttle!
Sorted a rusty mirror base that bugged me for a while - mint mirror in correct paint from my stockpile!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Then it was lifted off to Cooks Ferry in Enfield for some engine work.
£600 worth of full timing case kit, water pump, thermostat and endless other bits and pieces.
Engine candy lol!
Also have a couple of these cases of BMW hardware - they really are the only thing to use quality wise. I just hoard that stuff as you always need more.
Cooks Ferry did a LOT of great stuff - all the bits that really matter and all BMW parts. New clutch, Slave Cylinder, Prop Bearing, Prop Coupling, New ICV, deleted the throttle Heater Plate (only because it adds a stupid amount of unnecessary hosing and not to gain the magical extra 2bhp lol) Full Inspection II and a ton of bushes and linkages at the rear etc, including the gear shift knuckle and steering damper - again for that 'new' drive.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whilst it was away I prepared the interior a bit more. Got a mint blue carpet to start with and will to steam clean it - it's actually pretty damn clean as is. I wanted a new one but of course it's NLA. This one is cool because it's the posher 6-Cyclinder (:roll:) carpet which is much better quality with better sound deadening.
Also doing a fair few tweaks whilst here. Converting to power sunroof so picked up a motor and loom for £12 and this mint sunroof control panel trim (NLA!) for £35 or so.
Moving back to the greasy bits, got box loads of stuff waiting to go on, BMW control arms, tie-rods, ARB bits and various linkages etc to tighten up the front-end. I've done all this before so should rip through it.
Eccentric TCA bushes - can't wait to see if they make the difference everyone says they do.
So this is where we are at the mo. Got a brand new front valance to paint and fit with all new exterior black trims, strips etc.
Will be at it again in the coming days getting the interior back in, wiring up all the goodies and once it's painted all that tatsy new exterior trim to fit. Alloy wheel refurb and we're away!
Last edited by On_a_Roll on Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:42 am, edited 2 times in total.
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E30BeemerLad
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 16806
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Norfolk
Awesome dude!
Some lovin' going on there
Some lovin' going on there
Top stuff! 
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steve_k
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 8044
- Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: in the vale of mansfield
- Contact:
well what can i say??
that is going to look very smart when it's finished.
are you taking it to santa pod in september? i only ask as it would be nice to see it in the metal.
keep the pic's coming as i can't wait to see the finished article.
oh yeah i'm sure i've seen some of the resto pic's on a different forum.
steve.
that is going to look very smart when it's finished.
are you taking it to santa pod in september? i only ask as it would be nice to see it in the metal.
keep the pic's coming as i can't wait to see the finished article.
oh yeah i'm sure i've seen some of the resto pic's on a different forum.
steve.
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
DHFiS wrote:Any chance you could give me the part number for the foam seat base? I cant find it on realoem.
Thanks
Items 4 & 5 (52101933390 / 52101923907)
I find http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/ to be way better...?
Thanks all. I'm going to sort the entire front-end over the next few weeks. Was going to do new shocks and springs but after doing TON's of research I couldn't get the definitive answers on whether to go MTECH again, B6 or B8 bla bla bla. So I'll leave as is - it rides pretty tight anyway.
I'd like to to bring it down to a show etc but it will basically be a very standard car, albeit a bit tidier. I'm also aware that at the end of the day it's just a 318iS so I'm like 'so what?'
Plus it's not to be pampered, I want to get out of my E46 and get driving this more often as I'm bored to tears in the newer car. This started as a quick roof repair but as we all know, you take a few things off and before you know it you're restoring the whole thing.
I'm just lucky I have good body and paint and don't have to do the bare-shell thing as I would be too depressed.
I'd like to to bring it down to a show etc but it will basically be a very standard car, albeit a bit tidier. I'm also aware that at the end of the day it's just a 318iS so I'm like 'so what?'
Plus it's not to be pampered, I want to get out of my E46 and get driving this more often as I'm bored to tears in the newer car. This started as a quick roof repair but as we all know, you take a few things off and before you know it you're restoring the whole thing.
I'm just lucky I have good body and paint and don't have to do the bare-shell thing as I would be too depressed.
Last edited by On_a_Roll on Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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nickso
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 4396
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Go do that voodoo that you do so welllllllll!!
did you get the cases of assorted bits from BMW? whats the part number and price? really wish i knew that was available during my rebuild, would have saved a lot of hassle.
'88 e30 328i M52 track bint.
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Ollie_bwoii
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 8695
- Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Northampton
WOW What an awesome project! A lot of hard work, time and money going into that E30!
Should be a true credit to you!
A lot of hard work, time and money going into that E30!Should be a true credit to you!
Can't believe the roof rotted out but the rear arch's are still mint, great write up Ratch, progressed a bit since the last thread disappeared.
Parts for sale - http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 45#2733745
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e30topless
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 13598
- Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: surrounded by scrap
well done ratch 
some serious work going on there, I love a resto thread
especially one that's done right
some serious work going on there, I love a resto thread
especially one that's done right
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Scruffymurphy
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 775
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Ireland
That's the way to treat an E30.
There is something about getting those boxes of little plastic bags with loads of BMW bits in them. You know you're doing the job right.
There is something about getting those boxes of little plastic bags with loads of BMW bits in them. You know you're doing the job right.
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Alex
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 22666
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
them little bags of bits are addictiveScruffymurphy wrote:That's the way to treat an E30.
There is something about getting those boxes of little plastic bags with loads of BMW bits in them. You know you're doing the job right.
NW6 is not Pimlico Dameon lol.old_skool wrote:Great thread Ratch.
Free the Pimlico one!
I posted some of this on M42Club but didn't update it in yonks. Wanted it to be available here too.
Looks like I went out and spent 10G's on parts in one go but that's easily 8 months of hoarding parts lol!
I just ordered a pair from Cooper's myself. Set me back about 80 quid I think.armanib wrote:Do you have a part number and price for your tweeter pods?
Is the wiring for them already there?
Left (passenger): 65 13 1 377 687
Right (driver): 65 13 1 377 688
I imagine they're pre-wired but we'll find out tomorrow!
You will more than likely have wires for them but BMW, in a rare lapse of wisdom change the colours of the wires as they pass through the door grommet!armanib wrote:sorry to go off topic but rico i found some wires that look like speaker wires in the door of mine
Easier to do what I did and feed new wires from your crossover through the door grommet and up into the mirror housing - you can use better quality wire then which makes a difference. You can wrestle it through but you may split the grommet. Better to take the door off.
There are tons of threads covering this in detail.
Last edited by On_a_Roll on Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Great work!!!
I would prefer the cab pattern leather myself but either way will be a very nice interior.
I have had my iS since I was 19 or so too so maybe in another 7 or 8 years it'll be getting the same treatment
I would prefer the cab pattern leather myself but either way will be a very nice interior.
I have had my iS since I was 19 or so too so maybe in another 7 or 8 years it'll be getting the same treatment
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
Very impressive Ratch.
It's really nice to see sutle modding which is in keeping with the orginal style of the car. I do love a standard looking IS.
It's really nice to see sutle modding which is in keeping with the orginal style of the car. I do love a standard looking IS.
Felix79 aka Dan
If you got haters, then your doing something right!
E85 Z4M Roadster
If you got haters, then your doing something right!
E85 Z4M Roadster
On_a_Roll wrote:Interesting to find out who has had the same E30 for the longest unbroken run.
Friend of mine has had an E30 for 8 years
Don't know about having one for the longest run but I reckon Seany (Da4x4turbo) has had the most E30s in a given length of time :p
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
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bmwsport
- E30 Zone Camper
- Posts: 1374
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire
Great resto dude, it don't matter what model your E30 is, its your car and you do what you want with it - centimental value is priceless. Even a 316i moredoor in hearing aid beige would be worth it in some peoples eyes if it had served them well for such a long time but yours being an is' model is still a hero's chariot anyway. How much has your resto set you back if you don't mind me asking?
I've got some plans for my H28 scrap this winter, again its one of those things where do you stop? Realistically it is in bloody excellent nick for a 24yo and nothing really needs doing but i cannot help but think a few things could be a little 'tighter' and 'smoother'. So far i've made a wish list consisting of...
Manual conversion with possible engine management upgrade, has ancient l-jetronic system
LSD
Renew all suspension, bushes/mounts/new billies and springs
Resto Exhaust system as it still has the original, its solid but will need attention soon as Hartge insisted on using standard tin instead of stainless...
Partial engine rebuild/renew/recon various parts inc general engine tune-up.
Recommision air-con system with new type seals
New bmw battery (current one not holding charge due to allowing to go flat too many times whilst in storage)
New headunit, maybe something similar to yours? Is that sat nav i see inbuilt in it too? How much was it and where did you purchase it from?
Probably a few more bits and pieces too, absolutely zero rust though thankfully...
I've got some plans for my H28 scrap this winter, again its one of those things where do you stop? Realistically it is in bloody excellent nick for a 24yo and nothing really needs doing but i cannot help but think a few things could be a little 'tighter' and 'smoother'. So far i've made a wish list consisting of...
Manual conversion with possible engine management upgrade, has ancient l-jetronic system
LSD
Renew all suspension, bushes/mounts/new billies and springs
Resto Exhaust system as it still has the original, its solid but will need attention soon as Hartge insisted on using standard tin instead of stainless...
Partial engine rebuild/renew/recon various parts inc general engine tune-up.
Recommision air-con system with new type seals
New bmw battery (current one not holding charge due to allowing to go flat too many times whilst in storage)
New headunit, maybe something similar to yours? Is that sat nav i see inbuilt in it too? How much was it and where did you purchase it from?
Probably a few more bits and pieces too, absolutely zero rust though thankfully...
'85 Hartge H28
