Repairable? Or am I looking for a donor body?

[440Interceptor]

Your memory is correct Ian. Large flat air filter usually replaced with K&N item (let's hope they are are still available).

You'd think there would be some around wouldn't you?? They weren't exactly rare cars.

[440Interceptor]

Thanks GB, just need something to put it in now...

[440Interceptor]

Found one. Forty quid for the bottom half of the airbox (used).

[440Interceptor]

Wow, where did 3 months go? A steady stream of goodies has been coming in, including, all my TET panels, 4 new gaz shocks, all bushes on the car, new swirl pot, ball joints, tie rod ends, drop links, airbox(es), and I can't remember what else.

Repairer has the body and the new panels and is preparing to graft the new nose on. I must get him to take some pics. I have a new front and rear bumper BUT the old ones are not on the car (smashed) so the repairer is asking how they go on. From memory there is a rubber seal that goes around each and then they bolt through the body. Is that right? Does anyone have a close up photo of this that I could show him please? Does the seal go all the way around the bumpers and what is its profile? Sorry but none over here to compare with.

Unless I am mistaken, the bumpers will need painting before the seal is added and they are fitted to the car, right? If that's the case, I need to start thinking about paint (been putting that off as long as possible). I am tempted to change the colour but with a cream vinyl and black carpet/seat facings I have limited options.

Thanks, Toby

[440Interceptor]

Thanks Keith, so looks like the rubber is added after fitting and painting of bumpers.Is it the same on the earlier tasmins? Mine has the ribbed bumpers.

[440Interceptor]

Tasmin200 said:

On the ribbed bumpers the seal goes onto the bumper then the bumper goes into the body.

I'm not touching that! Looks like it will need painting before fitting them, Cr@p. Also probably means I can tell the repairer to leave the back and front bumpers off and I can fit them later once they and the body are all painted. I would just have to fit the front lights, add the trim and bolt up. Rear bumper even easier as no lights to worry about. Found some 10 year old trim off the back bumper. Here 'tis.

[440Interceptor]

Will measure.

[440Interceptor]

Height = 11mm, Width = 6mm, thickness = 2mm

[440Interceptor]

Update: Body is at repairer's. Here are some photos:

Back end looks good. Can anyone tell me how many bolts secure the lower rear valance to the car? Is it 2 bolts or 4? Also, should it be painted black or body colour?

Front end is the issue. The nosecone is new from TET, but the curvature varies from one side to the other and also the bonnet is proud at both front and back. Looks like it may have flattened out over the years. Repairer has put some weights on it to see if it comes back.

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 01:57

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 01:58

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 01:59

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 01:59

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 02:00

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 02:00

Edited by 440Interceptor on Monday 31st August 02:01

[440Interceptor]

Thanks Zig, yes the bonnet sat loose on top of the engine bay for 10 years, then upright in my garage for a few months.

[440Interceptor]

Not seen the car yet, these are the repairers photos. Might get out there tomorrow. Yes, bonnet is just resting, no hardware on the car at all. I recall that the throttle mechanism (2.8 motor) used to foul on the heat shielding, so if the middle is lower than is used to be then that won't be good. Following that other thread on heatshield.

[440Interceptor]

Great point Adam. There may be an option to drop the captive nut a little. Uncharted territory though. Bloody handmade cars!!

[440Interceptor]

Ok got some photos yesterday but have to resize them before uploading.

In the meantime, I noticed that the bonnet now encroaches on the windscreen wiper. There was a cutout in the bonnet already but it looks to me like the bonnet is too far back.

Can anyone with a similar car (1984 280i) please post up a photo or two of where the bonnet sits in relation to the wiper post and the corner of the windscreen please? I have a sinking feeling he's cut the nose off a little too high...

Thanks

[440Interceptor]

Thanks Zig, yes they do. I'll send them off to the repairer today. Much appreciated.

[440Interceptor]

More piccies..

Edited by 440Interceptor on Wednesday 2nd September 13:55

[440Interceptor]

[440Interceptor]

Edited by 440Interceptor on Wednesday 2nd September 13:59

[440Interceptor]

[440Interceptor]

[440Interceptor]