My GFEST build. an 84 Franky ---Lots o Pics

[86325LSD]

This project started nearly a year ago when this horrendously painted and riced e30 was discovered buried in a friends garage. He had bought it as a winter beater (he's an Audi guy), and didn't really care how ridiculous it looked. The clutch had gone bad and it was no longer being driven so opportunity was knocking at my door. It's an 84 318i body that had received a fresh 55k 325is motor swap, LSD, and rear discs so that was a plus, but the metal flake yellow, m3 vents, tony the tiger stripes and green trim screamed "I am a tool". I picked up a new clutch from bav auto, installed it, drove it home, and parked it never to been seen in the hideous monster again. It has been sitting for about 8 months now with a little work here and there, mostly tear down, and the occasional start up to keep the oil circulated. I recently started picking up the parts I wanted and needed to get this looking fresh again and figure GFEST makes for as good a deadline as any to get it presentable. This first post will cover the install of the euro front valence (an R3V find), and one of the fenders, as well as some patch work....damn winter. I will get up some old shots of the original body and clutch work in the coming days. Feel free to make suggestions and encouragement to get her ready in time.

some shots of the car




cleaned up front support


routing the ac line the correct way does make install easier


euro valence upper mounts needed to be drilled and SS screwed since didn't line up


installed, all the grill gaps were checked and fit well.


patching wheel well rust, yes there's metal beneath that


the front was pushed in to even the nice tight gap


fender install. pictures don't do the tight even gaps justice. Unbelievable how easy the valence fit to the fenders. a little push and pull and the screw pulled it right into place.



MUCH more to come . stay posted.


GK

[glucklich21]

Was that originally Henna?

[86325LSD]

yes it was. Good eyes. It was a travesty that it got painted. The rear quarters were replaced at some point though (I found weld lines in the trunk), and done poorly if you see the finish work in the 2nd photo so I assume that's when it got "yellow flake beautified" lol. Good news is that at least the rear quarter metal is good (only section of the car haha). I have a lot of finish work to do to smooth the lines out and fix the molding shave job that was done. Its gonna take 5 gallons of stripper to get the paint of this thing though.

I'm actually up in the air about what color to paint it, but am just hoping to have it in at least primer for GFEST. Some thoughts have been, Hennarot, Alpineweiss II, or Schwarz. I'm also a fan of the Atlantisblau but not sure if its right. I'm pretty sure I want to stick with the solid rather than the metallic, but who knows. Paint always gets the decision right before it goes in the booth.

[scabzzzz]

Man, stick with the Henna. Looks like you have a decent work space. Pick up a decent gun, buy some 1 stage Henna, and just start respraying the car yourself panel by panel. The good thing about 1 stage, is that if you fuck it up and run it, you can buff it out just fine. Plus, the car wont ever be worth anything because of how raped it is. Even If you got a 7/10 paint job out of it doing it yourself, I think you'll be sittin pretty nice!
GL! I see potential!

[ZM Blue Devil]

Henna and Euro bumpers. Done.

Keep the updates coming.

[86325LSD]

Scabzzzz, Yeah my buddy has a little bigger shop than even my garage to do it in and all the equipment so I'll take it there, but I agree single stage is the way to go. We just did a different buddy's old teg there in a single stage Fiat vintage verde and it turned out pretty nice after a wet sand. He's been trying to convince me to paint this gree too, not happening though.

ZM, you know your my source for those euros, so ill be by to see you soon. You can see that rear I have laying on top of my one chest, needs trim though.

heres a pic of that single stage green just because

[86325LSD]

So here's a little more work. I wish I had more time during the week for stuff. This side took a little more repair than expected, so the fender install will have to wait for tonight but until then, two quick patch work shots.

[regnu]

Props for stepping up to save this one. GL.

[freeride53]

Great save man.
Henna and euro bumpers, most sensible.

[ldsbeaker]

A license plate for a patch panel?

Now why didn't I think of that?

[86325LSD]

A license plate for a patch panel?

Now why didn't I think of that?

lmao, they are the best!

since there stamped they remain pretty rigid and they don't rust. Some pop-rivets and bondo do the rest. Plus everybody who's a gear head has a box of 'em in the corner of the garage.

[86325LSD]

rear spoiler/decklid and driver fender

so its been a little while since the last post. busy with the holidays, but here's a little shot of the fender installed and the new decklid with spoiler I found on craigslist. Got to love the deal, a fellow enthusiast hooked me up for 50$. There a very small dimple on the back you can see that will take an oz. of bondo, but nothing that wont be easier to fix than grinding away 40 lbs worth of ugly yellow paint on the old one, plus I love the spoilers and this one was clean.

[86325LSD]

27 days 13 hours 34 minutes left

[mbonder]

I can't believe you failed to mention that tremendous exhaust...


Keep up the good work, she'll be beautiful again one day!

[e30rapidic]

those exhaust make it look like its humping a wheelbarrow!!!

thanks for saving this from its disgrace!