Project: BMW E21
Discussion
Unfortunately single headlights are pretty rare and sought after nowadays. Especially in RHD it seems. I recall lending someone mine last year, just for their MOT test.
You can find them in the USA though and flip them 180 degrees. I haven't done it myself, but I have read about it being done. Brace yourself re price though. Other than that, some aftermarket Golf lights can be made to fit. I'm sure there are some people running crosshairs?
If I spot any for sale, I'll let you know here.
You want Bosch H4 headlights. I think Porsche 928's used the same units?
You can find them in the USA though and flip them 180 degrees. I haven't done it myself, but I have read about it being done. Brace yourself re price though. Other than that, some aftermarket Golf lights can be made to fit. I'm sure there are some people running crosshairs?
If I spot any for sale, I'll let you know here.
You want Bosch H4 headlights. I think Porsche 928's used the same units?
Edited by e21Mark on Tuesday 24th March 14:42
I was looking at trying to remove and swap the reflectors?
Might be worth you giving these guys a call though.
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffylighting.htm
Might be worth you giving these guys a call though.
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffylighting.htm
Car is up and running and I've been enjoying it for a few weeks now.
I've also been busy working away on it.
Coolant temperature gauge from Stack:
The car is slightly overcooling so I want to be able to monitor coolant temps (I've had a BMW with cooling issues before, and it's not much fun)
I also mounted an iPhone 5/5S dock to the centre console, so I can mount the phone and play music from it. All wired in and fixed in position:
I also bought some Recaros. They're from an Opel Manta GTE and they need plenty of cleaning up before they can go in, but they were super cheap and they're nice to sit in. My interior will be getting wrapped up and put somewhere for safe storage, as it is spotless and I'd like to hang onto it.
I'll make some subframes for them soon and hopefully have them test fitted soon.
I've also been busy working away on it.
Coolant temperature gauge from Stack:
The car is slightly overcooling so I want to be able to monitor coolant temps (I've had a BMW with cooling issues before, and it's not much fun)
I also mounted an iPhone 5/5S dock to the centre console, so I can mount the phone and play music from it. All wired in and fixed in position:
I also bought some Recaros. They're from an Opel Manta GTE and they need plenty of cleaning up before they can go in, but they were super cheap and they're nice to sit in. My interior will be getting wrapped up and put somewhere for safe storage, as it is spotless and I'd like to hang onto it.
I'll make some subframes for them soon and hopefully have them test fitted soon.
Great project and a massive credit for your skills and perseverance . The car looks amazing !
Keep those original seats safe when you install your new ones mind !
"If it were mine" I'd go with a front bumper bar and also fit yellow/ white reflective plates but with the pre 2001 font that the car would have come with originally.
However that's just personal taste and nothing can detract from the superb work you've completed and are progressing on this car, so I'll wind my neck in
Looking forward to updates !!!
Keep those original seats safe when you install your new ones mind !
"If it were mine" I'd go with a front bumper bar and also fit yellow/ white reflective plates but with the pre 2001 font that the car would have come with originally.
However that's just personal taste and nothing can detract from the superb work you've completed and are progressing on this car, so I'll wind my neck in
Looking forward to updates !!!
Edited by bigfella70 on Sunday 3rd May 07:26
How did you get on re the headlights?
I know of a pair of E30 Recaro type sport seats on E21 runners if you're interested? I appreciate you may wish to stick with fabricating your own though. Just be mindful of seat height as it's quite common for non E21 seats to sit about 2" higher than stock. It can make the driving position feel a bit weird and rob you of a lot of headroom. In fact, we just had the same issue when fitting my ex Audi Recaro in my own car.
So will you be heading to a few shows this year? There are a few really lovely E21 out there now and it'll be nice to see them in the one place.
I know of a pair of E30 Recaro type sport seats on E21 runners if you're interested? I appreciate you may wish to stick with fabricating your own though. Just be mindful of seat height as it's quite common for non E21 seats to sit about 2" higher than stock. It can make the driving position feel a bit weird and rob you of a lot of headroom. In fact, we just had the same issue when fitting my ex Audi Recaro in my own car.
So will you be heading to a few shows this year? There are a few really lovely E21 out there now and it'll be nice to see them in the one place.
Another update:
New seats are coming along nicely, my design for the subframes is a little bit awesome, but I'll wait until they're in properly before I touch on that too much.
Got a few bits on order but nothing of any major merit, other than the holes in the front wing/valance join will soon be covered by a custom trim, more on that when it's done.
Tomorrow (12/07/15) is Didsbury Classic Car Show, so today was spent detailing the car in preparation for the show. A few photos of the car this afternoon after the detail.
I'll be at a few shows this year, main one being Retro Rides Gathering, which I can't wait for.
New seats are coming along nicely, my design for the subframes is a little bit awesome, but I'll wait until they're in properly before I touch on that too much.
Got a few bits on order but nothing of any major merit, other than the holes in the front wing/valance join will soon be covered by a custom trim, more on that when it's done.
Tomorrow (12/07/15) is Didsbury Classic Car Show, so today was spent detailing the car in preparation for the show. A few photos of the car this afternoon after the detail.
I'll be at a few shows this year, main one being Retro Rides Gathering, which I can't wait for.
PeterlE21 said:
This is a brilliant read ! So much work on this car really wants me to do more on my E21 which is currently in my work showroom for the new 3 series launch . It's a 1983 316 . Still tons of jobs I don't have the time for but reading this I'll have to make time !
Hi Mark , am currently on holiday , not sure if I'll make the retro rides gathering due to the list of jobs ... Seized calliper and leaking fuel tank ... But that's just a small hitch . I'd love to make some events this year so will sure to keep my eyes peeled ! The car is a 316 on twin dellorto 40's with alpina wheels and steering wheel , fishnet Recaros , and spax suspension ( I couldn't afford coilovers at the time ) although would like to get the front slightly lower somehow ! Just want slightly more power and slightly less rust and some brakes that work and fuel that stays in the tank and I'll be happy !
eddiethekid said:
Another update:
New seats are coming along nicely, my design for the subframes is a little bit awesome, but I'll wait until they're in properly before I touch on that too much.
Got a few bits on order but nothing of any major merit, other than the holes in the front wing/valance join will soon be covered by a custom trim, more on that when it's done.
Tomorrow (12/07/15) is Didsbury Classic Car Show, so today was spent detailing the car in preparation for the show. A few photos of the car this afternoon after the detail.
I'll be at a few shows this year, main one being Retro Rides Gathering, which I can't wait for.
I love the DoF in these photos and was wondering what Camera/lens setup you're using?New seats are coming along nicely, my design for the subframes is a little bit awesome, but I'll wait until they're in properly before I touch on that too much.
Got a few bits on order but nothing of any major merit, other than the holes in the front wing/valance join will soon be covered by a custom trim, more on that when it's done.
Tomorrow (12/07/15) is Didsbury Classic Car Show, so today was spent detailing the car in preparation for the show. A few photos of the car this afternoon after the detail.
I'll be at a few shows this year, main one being Retro Rides Gathering, which I can't wait for.
The car looks awesome by the way.
longintheleg said:
I love the DoF in these photos and was wondering what Camera/lens setup you're using?
The car looks awesome by the way.
I have a Canon 50D and those shots were with a basic Canon 50mm prime lens The car looks awesome by the way.
Got the front bumper on and the number plate mounted up too.
I was keen not to screw the number plate to the bumper, mainly because I don't want unsightly screws showing on the plate, and drilling the plate is very "permanent". So I made a plate that is mounted to the bumper as per the normal method, and then the number plate is mounted on that plate.
So, metal plate measured, cut and mounted. It's smaller than a number plate so cannot be seen:
This was then painted up to keep it clean and tidy:
And then the number plate fitted:
Much cleaner and tidier than screwing it on IMO.
So the time had come for a new throttle cable, the old one was a bit of a bodge and I really don't know how it lasted as long as it did.
Anyway, got all the parts I needed from Venhill:
Needed to make 2 new brackets in total, as I wanted a good amount of tension adjustment in the cable, first bracket being cut out, bent up and a thread putting in:
Next up I needed to modify the throttle arm, as it was fouling on the sound deadening I have fitted, so the pedal was struggling to return correctly. I didn't really want to cut up the sound deadening, so I made some basic changes to the arm itself:
This "kink" allows the arm to move freely. I've also included a hole for the clevis pin to attach to the arm.
All fitted up:
Third bracket made, which picks up on two points on the inlet manifold:
And finally some photos of the brackets painted, fitted and the cable all finished:
Anyway, got all the parts I needed from Venhill:
Needed to make 2 new brackets in total, as I wanted a good amount of tension adjustment in the cable, first bracket being cut out, bent up and a thread putting in:
Next up I needed to modify the throttle arm, as it was fouling on the sound deadening I have fitted, so the pedal was struggling to return correctly. I didn't really want to cut up the sound deadening, so I made some basic changes to the arm itself:
This "kink" allows the arm to move freely. I've also included a hole for the clevis pin to attach to the arm.
All fitted up:
Third bracket made, which picks up on two points on the inlet manifold:
And finally some photos of the brackets painted, fitted and the cable all finished:
Great attention to detail.
I would weld that together though as constant movement will make the screws loose and fail potentially..if you can't weld then thread lock it and maybe use a 2 part epoxy to hold it together.
I love the look of these cars and would love a 323i to play with, we had a 316 and 320 when I was growing up.
I would weld that together though as constant movement will make the screws loose and fail potentially..if you can't weld then thread lock it and maybe use a 2 part epoxy to hold it together.
I love the look of these cars and would love a 323i to play with, we had a 316 and 320 when I was growing up.
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