B3 3.2 Touring No.36 Bodywork time, 13 style

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:01 pm

Yes i should of mentioned the whole point was this car is the same colour!!

Tourings in Boston green aren't too common either

i bought this while back for beer money with a blown engine and again the body on this one was just as good but not the same colour. Swapping panels would of made sense but i'd of incured the repaint costs. So i fitted an engine and sold it as a going concern to a mates mum.

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 3:23 am

I had an idea that this was the kind of thing you had in mind Simon

And it is the best and cheapest way to keep your old girl on the road. I am going to enjoy reading the progress as you make the transformation.

greenelekta · Post by **greenelekta** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 12:17 pm

Its a lot of work but I like your cunning plan .

Another option would have been to create the first Harlequin Alpina

Mickl · Post by **Mickl** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 8:09 pm

Great solution Simon

I have been on the lookout for a calypso red saloon for some time to swop over the wings and nose cone on the B3, I have looked at a few but never good enough to swop.
I had also applied a similar man maths equation to the idea!!
Good luck with this and I look forward to seeing the transformation.

Mick

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 10:26 pm

Thanks its a major spannering operation as everything has to be done twice and lots and lots of swapping as we shall see.

I'm getting a headache at the thought. As always i'll start with tailgate and rear doors and work towards the front of the car is what bodyshop guys tell me in the past. The joy of adjusting panels!!

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:30 pm

Mickl wrote:Great solution Simon

I have been on the lookout for a calypso red saloon for some time to swop over the wings and nose cone on the B3, I have looked at a few but never good enough to swop.
I had also applied a similar man maths equation to the idea!!
Good luck with this and I look forward to seeing the transformation.

Mick

I wish I had known you were looking for front wings Mick. I came across a guy back in the summer who was breaking a mint bodied calypso red touring with a blown engine. I just bought the tailgate from him. But every body panel was completely straight and rust free. I will keep my eyes open for you.

Elan · Post by **Elan** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 2:00 pm

There is a lot time and effort gone in to this car, would you still want to sell it after the work is completed?

Mickl · Post by **Mickl** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 7:04 pm

MCB wrote:
Mickl wrote:Great solution Simon

I have been on the lookout for a calypso red saloon for some time to swop over the wings and nose cone on the B3, I have looked at a few but never good enough to swop.
I had also applied a similar man maths equation to the idea!!
Good luck with this and I look forward to seeing the transformation.

Mick
I wish I had known you were looking for front wings Mick. I came across a guy back in the summer who was breaking a mint bodied calypso red touring with a blown engine. I just bought the tailgate from him. But every body panel was completely straight and rust free. I will keep my eyes open for you.

Thanks Terry

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 9:27 pm

Elan wrote:There is a lot time and effort gone in to this car, would you still want to sell it after the work is completed?

its not hard work when its a hobby, and i'll enjoy this bit. This is Alpina motoring at the cheap end, infact i doubt you can run one cheaper than this way!

I like the thought of the 318i badge on the back!

No point selling it just yet. I'd need to have given the interior the clean its had and i'd have to make the body better to even make it a proposition for most buyers i guess? 99% wouldn't want a car like this as milege gives people the jitters

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:08 am

simon13 wrote:I like the thought of the 318i badge on the back!

Hmmmm. Can I have your Alpina and B3 3.2 badges to go on the back of my 318i wagon then Simon

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 11:29 pm

MCB wrote:
simon13 wrote:I like the thought of the 318i badge on the back!
Hmmmm. Can I have your Alpina and B3 3.2 badges to go on the back of my 318i wagon then Simon

you'd look a right tit so no, think of it as a favour

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 12:57 am

simon13 wrote:
MCB wrote:
simon13 wrote:I like the thought of the 318i badge on the back!
Hmmmm. Can I have your Alpina and B3 3.2 badges to go on the back of my 318i wagon then Simon
you'd look a right tit so no, think of it as a favour

Ooo, matron!

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:30 pm

I've not really had any spare time as per usual it seems but i've done a few snaps so we can see whats on the cards

First in some idea of the state the B3's panels are in!

Grim tailgate

Grot in doors, amazingly the drivers front door is ok but i dented bottom corner the corner of it a few years ago reversing, the donor door is similar so i'm not sure which one to use at the moment!

Thats a good jist of it, nice hey!

Then a few more of the donor car

Tailgate wowsers its great

Drivers door iffyness, but the rest is just lovely no grot

I'd wager this things never been apart barely and no seen much of a paint gun in its life either, shame but its only a 318i right?! For a good cause!

I've starting stripping it down but its going to be fairly mega as i need to swap doors over, and also door looms on all 4 doors. My car had electric rear windows, 318i doesn't. B3 has upgraded stereo 318i doesn't. Joy

As some will know in BMWs wisdom e36 window regulators are riveted in, and yes they love to fail on the fronts. Stupid bmw.

I'm hoping Christmas to maybe get on a bit but its always bloody dark!

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:10 am

Is there any colour variation Simon. Or will it just be plug and play?

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:01 pm

well i'm fitting the wings, doors so they'll all be the same! Theres a break with the tailgate and the rear arches when sorted will be blended up into the rear doors. At a guess.

I was planning on getting the bumpers done so it shouldn't look like a patchwork quilt