European Tour 2002

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(Click thumbnails for big photos)

IV. The Awakening---T minus 8 weeks

The car we chose is Debbie's 1971 BMW 2002 Baur Cabriolet, unfortunately caught unaware by this drama smack dab in the middle of an engine swap in which Duncan and I were switching the stock 100HP engine with a 200HP engine from a 1988 M3. It also needed a bit of cosmetic freshening up---some rust repair, some painting, and new seats. So…..first we'll have to finish the engine swap. And get started on rust repair and body preparation. And talk to the painter about how much time he'll need the car: "I'll need 2 weeks minimum from the time I get started on it." Oh oh, that means 2-3 weeks at the paint shop. Worse yet, the rust damage is much more extensive than we imagined;  in fact, it's worse than we can repair ourselves.

V. The Countdown---T minus 7 weeks

Good news----we have located and hired a body man. Mauro Hernandez, who had recently been left without work after the body shop he worked for went out of business, has joined us and he estimates 4-5 weeks of full time work for complete replacement of all the rusty panels---and that's with 2 helpers.

T minus 6 weeks

Fenders and doors are off, wooden support structures have been built and installed in both door openings to keep the car from collapsing during the floor and rocker panel replacement.  The rusted out driver side floor and rocker panels have been cut out. The replacement floor has been cut out of a donor car and has been readied for installation. 

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