Skipunda's Tech 1 resto

[E30BeemerLad]

I reckon Chris has a BOC account that's for sure

[Dezzy]

I was at airproducts today Lee. Shame it's a day too late.

[gareth]

How have i missed this thread before now?

Top work! I've saved old fords that were worse than that, satisfying but hard, dirty and grim work.

[German-Whips]

Looking to restore my iS in a few weeks, might end up blowing holes in the poor thing if the welding doesn't go to plan

[johnt0709]

First read at this and I thought I had done a lot to mine - like to see the marque being kept alive instead of fragged.

Keep the updates coming.

Need to tidy up my restore thread as well

[scott180gtb]

That is some hero fabrication and welding effort. Good work

[bennn]

Aw that is soo nice to see! Tech ones are just fantastic.

[e30topless]

Jeez I thought i had rust issues !
I take my hat off to you Chris that's a LOT of work to bring it back from the dead !!

Well done fella

[LeChiffre]

Thats a nice resto! You'll be glad u did it when its worth 20 grand!

[tonybtonyb]

Yes fella you've got the job @BMW(Germany)!Lol hats off to you mate a great job well done

[m_jermyn]

Any updates you lazy bastard?

[FEP]

Probably been carted off to the nuthouse!

[adit]

(about the same amount of progress as mine at the moment)

[skipunda]

A little update

Rear panel, used to look quite tame but it was in a bad way.


So cut it out. Top part as seen in above picture survived.


Thought about a whole new panel as there are a couple of bits on this rear panel that need attention. As it was weekend though, had good steel and half a cylinder of gas left over from winter...so I started seeing what I could come up with.


I'm only cutting out a small amount, it's a working project so I'll make something that matches the other side and see how it goes...



Tend to use a couple of dremels and of course a wire brush - compressor always at the back of my mind.



Too much heat into the metal here but carried on anyway, so long as the prep could cover it.



It was then tacked on. You can see the imitation seam in this shot matching up with the rest of the panel.



A couple of weird gaps. Next update should sort this though


Not very awesome welding...pardon me. Learnt a new welding technique from a zone thread...after this update you'll probably see it.


A bit of work not a million miles away from the seatbelt. I've since gone over it properly but you get the idea at this stage - purpose, to allow for outer cill to be finished. Double thickness hence the weld is just off the edge.




So now I'll make a replacement sill out of a hadrian panel. Cut it out properly, wire brush, white spirit, leave for a bit and then primer.



More paint on the inside face.



We'll guide a decent size drill bit with these notches



Tacked on


Welded and taken a swing with the grinder


Sort of finished

[Steve]

Woohoo updates

Keep going Chris, you're inspiration to us all

[Jozi]

I remember reading this post a long time ago, I couldn't find it since

Thanks for the update, I'll be subscribed now

Whats this technique for welding, any links? Might be worth a read, I've a rear inner arch to replace.

[Kieran_n22]

wow mate you have some dedication! hats off to ya

[RustyRuss]

Utterly utterly OUTSTANDING effort and workmanship. This is going to be one Tech 1 to die for I enjoyed reading this over a cuppa

[E30BeemerLad]

Nice effort as usual Chris

Ready for the pod?

[tonybtonyb]

Chris she looks like she coming along nicely!

[skipunda]

Many thanks for the nice comments, guys. I do use them as a kick to get outside and crack on with it things. This car is on occasion a thoroughly enjoyable way of spending an afternoon. Let's hope it goes back together OK though!

Pod? We should wait till it hits the spray booth first but fingers crossed for a couple of events this summer. We'll see, hey but cheers!


Anyway, there is a more substantial update on my PC but I'll wait for the finished article, sanded down which is a few weeks away. Here's that lower rear from earlier though.

[m_jermyn]

You actually look like you know what your doing

[Jhonno]

Jeez.. Only just seen this thread

From a standing start on the welding front, to tackle such a project is impressive! Nice one..

[skipunda]

Cheers Jhonno and Mike.

It will always only be a welded up old car and if it lasts a few years then great and if not I'll buy a rolling shell and start again...it's no biggie and I've had fun owning E30's during this time anyway. Box sections and the like have been treated though so no drama I reckon. The other sill was left in primer for far too long so put that down as a lesson learnt.

[Finto_316]

great work man

[FEP]

And???

[Ali786]

any updates mate?

[skipunda]

Update coming soon! Just prodding myself as much as anything

Obviously removing a significant chunk around the turret, not shown in this pic. You can see some other rust removal in the background - and no back then I didn't have the spanner/cut down ring spanner for the brake slave.


Bust rest assured it was sorted as were the surrounding areas, no probs. Not a case of spraying over X & Y and hoping it would go away.

[Steve]

Updates, woohoo

Keep going Chris

[skipunda]

There's a lot more where that came from including a rather tricky problem with the boot, but i'm not in a position to update this sec

but thanks, man

[adit]

well climb out of the boot and update then

[skipunda]

4 degrees warmer in the boot

Adi, I don't know whether Iain or Phil has told you but there was a reason for me not sending the DVD out, which is linked to me not being around here. Do you still want it, double disc etc. 'bum chums 4' I think it was. On your way if so.

(Senna Docu 2 disc)

[adit]

no, they didn't say anything mate.
yes please, so long as Capt. Solihull hasn't soiled it

[mcbonio]

What happened to the tech 1? Did you ever finish it? Great thread!

[polsta]

superb thread and work, look forward to seeing the end result, when are you looking at ?

wish i was skilled to do metal/body work and weld etc