"Rose"

[Jason90m]

Some of you may remember that ratty 88m3 that was near St. Louis. This is it.

Here's the story (from what ive been told).....

Car was purchased in 88, traveled 110k miles in 3 years. Was parked in a field (with grass growing around it) and it sat for the next 15 years. Recently, it was "reconditioned" with a nice new pink paint job, chrome lower door panels and a tune up. The car has less than 115k miles. It was recently purchased and stripped for parts.

I was offered the tub, and purchased it on the spot. You see, I promised my 6yr old son that we would work on a winter project together.....so, here we go. It was on furniture dollies when i bought it, so i had to put a full 4lug setup on it just to get it home. Its now in my garage.

After further investigation, the top half of the car is really solid, but the lower side has massive cancer. (i guess thats what happens after years of sitting in a field. ) the driver floor board is toast, trunk spare is toast and the battery trays are toast.

Currently the car is getting fully stripped down. More to come. Cheers, Jason

[chutrain]

Did someone have too much time on their hand and painted the whole car with
rattle can spray paint? Just looking at the antennae and where the license plate
used to be, I just can stop shaking my head. Good luck with the restoration.

[CAOSyAMOR]

wow - you've certainly got your work cut out for you, but props for trying to save another!

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[paintpro21]

track car?

[Shaun]

Whats with the ICY on top of the door handle? Anyways good look and I hope the 2 of you have fun!!! just curious do you think your going to put an s14 in it or maybe a s50/52 swap??

[Jason90m]

Did someone have too much time on their hand and painted the whole car with
rattle can spray paint? Just looking at the antennae and where the license plate
used to be, I just can stop shaking my head. Good luck with the restoration.

yes, its REALLY bad. some gaskets were completely painted over. but at least they did use some tape......half way up the trim. and there's only a dozen 12" runs or drips. :whatever:

wow - you've certainly got your work cut out for you, but props for trying to save another!

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i keep asking myself "what have i done!!" :err: yes, we certainly have our work cut out for us. i just couldnt see another one getting crushed. however, it sure wasnt the smartest thing to do. oh well. at least my son and i are having a good time together.

track car?

yep. the other m3 is way to nice. i dont want to risk balling it up.

Whats with the ICY on top of the door handle? Anyways good look and I hope the 2 of you have fun!!! just curious do you think your going to put an s14 in it or maybe a s50/52 swap??

I have no idea what ICY stands for. as for power plant.....i have something up my sleve, but there are some variables that need to get ironed out. not ready to commit yet.

thanks for all the support. i think we are going to need it. will keep this updated.
cheers, jason

ps. anyone have recommendations on "dipping" a car?

[Brewcity11]

Hey Jason. I forget, but someone has to remember a build on here where a guy sent his out for acid and a subsequent anti-rust dip. And, actually, I think he was from IL and he brought it up to Racine or someplace near us.

Let me know, if you're garage is heated, i'd love to come check it out next time you guys are out working on it.
-Turk

[M3 Adjuster]

Wow... heckuva project....

[CourtM3]

might have some free time this winter to come help out also. Let me know.

[BingM3]

Yes, go for the engine swap to an s50/52 since there is no motor, keep us updated on the progress!

[OnrailsM3]

ICY is short for Icky as in gross. Good luck with the project, looking forward to your updates.

[99M3Riverside]

Good luck, that looks like fun.

[the bear]

Hi Jason,

I wished my dad had bought me a e30 m3 when I was a boy, you are a great dad, the eyes must have been painted in the person that done that to a m3 they need there ass kicked.
Good luck to you and your son with that build.
Cheers,
GARY.

[Jason90m]

Hey Jason. I forget, but someone has to remember a build on here where a guy sent his out for acid and a subsequent anti-rust dip. And, actually, I think he was from IL and he brought it up to Racine or someplace near us.

Let me know, if you're garage is heated, i'd love to come check it out next time you guys are out working on it.
-Turk

hey turk - very interested in info for the acid / anti rust dip. i pm'd elephant motorsports (i know they've done it) but havent gotten a response. we putts around with the car a couple nights a week. pm me, feel free to swing by.

might have some free time this winter to come help out also. Let me know.

much appreciated. car is almost completely stripped down. fenders, doors, sunroof and bumpers are now off. interior is completely gutted. now its time for the knife.....or rotary cut wheel. time to replace parts of the floor boards / battery tray.

Yes, go for the engine swap to an s50/52 since there is no motor, keep us updated on the progress!

ive had a few converted e30's. dont get me wrong, they are a LOT of fun. but, seeing that this will be a dedicated track car, i will need something that results in better weight transfer. (that extra 100# cantilevered over the front axil DOES change how the car drives.) have not committed on the power plant just yet.

Hi Jason,

I wished my dad had bought me a e30 m3 when I was a boy, you are a great dad, the eyes must have been painted in the person that done that to a m3 they need there ass kicked.
Good luck to you and your son with that build.
Cheers,
GARY.

ya, the previous "restorer" does diserve a swift kick. heck, after seeing the big chrome "M3 BMW" door panels, the paint didnt look that bad. i wish i had pics before the chrome panels were taken off. they were priceless.

thanks EVERYONE, the moral support is much appreciated. Cheers, Jason

[LeeVuong]

Great project. You're lucky that ABS plasic doesn't rust. That's that much extra work you won't have to tackle. Beadblast the underpinnings and prepare yourself to cutting panels from a donor car. at least, if the car is straight, that's a good start. Keep on shooting us pictures.