Smackley's Alpine vert grocery getter

[RagtopE30]

Nice work man! I am glad to see more people in the convertibles. Like I always say, I like them topless!

[N2MYE30]

I saw that other alpine cabrio pass by my house Saturday morningish. I haven't see you on the roads lately. Nice work on the cabrio lid. :up:

[smackley]

also...not sure I posted these here, but we sold this...


and bought this for me...


and this for her...


Not a bad deal, tho I'll miss that X5 when it snows. When it snows in NC, it's as if the world is ending. That X5 got us home in a pinch with ease.

[smackley]

Ooh...I also attempted a dash crack fix while I had the glass out earlier. I've yet to find the perfect solution for this, so I tried something new. I'll keep yas posted on if this holds out in time.

See the crack here. Yuck

Dremeled it out a bit to make room for an epoxy bond


Two part epoxy used from Loctite...

That stuff made the mechanical bond with the crack, but I needed something to fill the void. I went with a JBweld for plastic putty.

I smushed it into the dried crevasse and then scraped the surface level with a razor blade. I used a scrap piece of the vinyl to make the "leather" texture imprint on the putty before drying...

Then I took a stab at matching the dash color with some leather dyes I had on hand. Pro-tip...I suck at this.


Hopefully that holds. I'm sure another crack will show by the end of the hot summer we'll have here.

[smackley]

I must be on my own here just posting away, but no worries. I'll keep posting and hope any of this helps someone down the road.

While doing the windshield, I found my A pillars to be degraded a bit. I still had plenty of vinyl material left from my tonneau cover recover coverage.

The old material just peeled right off as the glue had lost its adhesion over time.

The driver side pillar plastic had cracked with age as well. I ended up using a two part epoxy to glue it back to shape.

New vinyl cut to shape and some headliner adhesive to bring it together.

Installed and fresh looking

[smackley]

My wife took a trip to Germany for work, so while I wait and hope she brings back presents...I got to continue my work on the e30.

Today it was windshield day. Previous owner drilled and filled some star chips in an aftermarket glass windshield with a green tinted visor section. I figured I'd swap it out for a clean OEM replacement with a non rotted gasket and lock strip. It was a lot more work than I planned, but it went rather smoothly. Since there are not a lot of write ups with pictures (plenty of advice in other posts, but few pics), I figured I'd journal the process.

You can browse the whole album here ---> http://imgur.com/a/lotrL

Pic by pic process. Let me know if anyone has any particular questions...

Rotted lock strip being removed

Push glass out from upper corner (either side)

Remove old gasket

New gasket installed and glass laying on top. Slide new glass down into lower groove first. Make sure to thoroughly glaze the gasket with some silicone spray/glycerin/soapy water. I like glycerin as it won't dry up while you work, but washes away clean when done.

Use the proper lock strip tool when installing new strip. It makes your life easier, but not by much in my experience. Make sure you apply plenty of force, but be sensitive to puncturing the new gasket or slipping and gouging up your paint/new glass. It's a bit of an art and brute force mixed with a dousing of lube and at least one beer. Put beer in mouth, everything else on car.

All seated

The updated black lock strip and seal looks much better than that brown rotted junk

[smackley]

I've also been converting the interior over to black and plaid. I already replaced the doorcards and carpet (gray carpet was a close as I could find). Today, I recovered my cracking/peeling tonneau cover.

Album here - https://imgur.com/a/HIYM8

some pics of the process

[smackley]

back to the vert...

I finally updated the eyes to new smileys and got rid of my wifes kitchen strainer that filled in my missing highbeam.


I picked up a barely used original top to replace my leaking ragged navy blue top. This new one has a zip out window which is nice.

[smackley]

This year, our group of friends put together a ChumpCar team using an '87 325e that we picked up from a fellow racer. It's been such a distraction from getting any work done on the vert...

[smackley]

Everytime the friends gather, it's like a small BMW meet in the neighborhood.

[smackley]

Some updates that I've been late in adding so far...

Painted bottlecaps and whitewall tires last year


Made my own shift knob and clock bezel to match the NRG steering wheel...not sure it will stay like this for long


Rebuilt calipers, new brakes, new tie rods, new control arms and bushings all around

[smackley]

I coulda sworn I saw you on strickland yesterday. I was in my e36 cabrio.

Very possibly! I live right near Strickland on Leadmine Rd. Very cool. Honk and wave both hands next time so I pay attention!


Thanks everyone for the compliments. You all have such great looking e30's so I have a lot of work to do to catch up with everyone!

[hendrixvodu]

wow nice work man!

[Crippled Crip]

meh i wish that you could have put a late model valence on the back, but its alot of work :\ looks good otherwise!

[freeride53]

The glowing badge is kinda cool.

yeah i agree in a sick und twisted way.