Backstory:
Back in 2016, I found myself jobless after the agency I was employed under decided to go =bust. After bumming for a couple o' months surviving on the occasional freelance job, I figured enough was enough, and that I should get my life back on track. What better way than to pick up a potential money burner of a project car? Having owned my 'Moardoor' E30 for longer than I should, I was on the lookout for a model with two less doors. Hence began the nationwide search for the elusive perfect candidate. More than a couple of failed viewings later, I soon realised that every E30 had its share of flaws, it was just a matter of finding one with less. Enter Winnie.
My love-hate affair with Winnie began one evening on an interstate bus, as I was returning from yet another rust bucket viewing, was casually scrolling on Facebook when I stumbled upon a post of an E30 for sale. Messaged the guy who was not the seller, but merely a messenger and a viewing was arranged for the following day.
The story of the car was that the owner purchased it second hand, painted it, slapped on new tyres and sent it to the mech for a E36 steering rack swap - where it was hoisted up and remained for more than a decade. And was eventually lowered down when the workshop was forced to relocate.
Over ten years of dust and neglect was evident, but she had a battery tray which wasn't rotted - quite a rare sight around here. That's a good sign right?
Connected a battery but didn't attempt cranking.
A deal was struck and arrangement were made to tow the car to a friend and fellow E30 enthusiast's workshop.
Getting It Running
First order of thing was to change the decade-old oil, fill 'er up with some gas, and take it for a spin right? Wrong! Oil filter decided to fuse itself to the block, rendering impossible to remove and had to hacked and mutilated to remove it.
15-year old gas turns into gunk. Didn't know petrol could react like this. Time to flush the crud out of the tank, which is easier said than done.
To be Continued...
Back in 2016, I found myself jobless after the agency I was employed under decided to go =bust. After bumming for a couple o' months surviving on the occasional freelance job, I figured enough was enough, and that I should get my life back on track. What better way than to pick up a potential money burner of a project car? Having owned my 'Moardoor' E30 for longer than I should, I was on the lookout for a model with two less doors. Hence began the nationwide search for the elusive perfect candidate. More than a couple of failed viewings later, I soon realised that every E30 had its share of flaws, it was just a matter of finding one with less. Enter Winnie.
My love-hate affair with Winnie began one evening on an interstate bus, as I was returning from yet another rust bucket viewing, was casually scrolling on Facebook when I stumbled upon a post of an E30 for sale. Messaged the guy who was not the seller, but merely a messenger and a viewing was arranged for the following day.
The story of the car was that the owner purchased it second hand, painted it, slapped on new tyres and sent it to the mech for a E36 steering rack swap - where it was hoisted up and remained for more than a decade. And was eventually lowered down when the workshop was forced to relocate.
Over ten years of dust and neglect was evident, but she had a battery tray which wasn't rotted - quite a rare sight around here. That's a good sign right?
Connected a battery but didn't attempt cranking.
A deal was struck and arrangement were made to tow the car to a friend and fellow E30 enthusiast's workshop.
Getting It Running
First order of thing was to change the decade-old oil, fill 'er up with some gas, and take it for a spin right? Wrong! Oil filter decided to fuse itself to the block, rendering impossible to remove and had to hacked and mutilated to remove it.
15-year old gas turns into gunk. Didn't know petrol could react like this. Time to flush the crud out of the tank, which is easier said than done.
To be Continued...
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