I dropped the car off at a Body Shop in late October and told the owner to take his time.
I like having an empty stall in the garage to put my truck for the winter.

When the car arrived at the shop,
I went down the next day to go over what was to be done..
He went on and on about hidden surprises and finding hidden
collision damage and bondo and many layers of paint to get through.

I have owned the car since 1973, so I told him....
No Collision Damage, 1 repaint in the 80's and no bondo.

He sent me this picture yesterday, after the car got back from being blasted..

He was so damn proud he found some bondo and collision damage on the car he couldn't wait to show me.

Yeah, I did totally forget my father in law backed into it once in the late 70's with a Buick..
He did say he would like me to get a different front trunk also.. Some rust in the seams..
He is just afraid of it coming back in a few years...

Anyone local to Massachusetts have a good front trunk ??

Click to view attachment

You mean trunk floor? If so, RD has that piece brand new ...

No, front trunk lid.. Seems the weatherstripping held moisture and it crept into the seams...

He said it was the worst panel on the car and and it unbolts...
quick and easy to replace.

I might have one. It's been outside for about a year, so I'll have to check for rust. No damage on it though. Email me at matt@trailbrake.net and I'll send you photos.

He could unfold the seam and remove the inner frame, then sandblast the rust.

It's going to be rusted on any lid you find.

It will be rusted on any lid you find unless you have access to some unknown stash of factory lids that have never seen the outside and been stored in a humidity controlled, temp controlled environment for 40+ years.

Have him peel back the seams and blast. Spray some rust converter in there after. Reseal.

This guy (not me) just listed a front lid (no pic though)
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/pts/4788608540.html
There is another guy in Milford that I bought some stuff from
recently, he is not advertising anything now but probably has
a front lid, keep looking.

What Damage & Rust?

Lenny has lids also....just saying

My mechanic and the Body Shop are checking the usual places local..
I saw the ads for the guy in Milford... but the one in Ashland is interesting..

I'll call my mechanic today and see if they have made any progress.
I'm pretty sure he would call Len.
As long as Len doesn't know it is for me....
otherwise the price would likely double.
A lot of history there....

I ordered the lower chrome strips for the targa bar from Pelican..
Body shop wants them to check the contour of the panel.
I had the attachment holes welded closed
and will find a way to epoxy the trim on.

So, how is the project going?

I dropped off my daughters car at a local body shop who came highly recommended, and the guy seems very nice.
I wanted an estimate.
That was almost 4 weeks ago, and he has yet to put it on a frame machine to let me know the cost to fix it.

Sad that there are so many poorly run shops out there.
He has till the end of the week....then I will go get it.

Rich

Everybody wants the business but they do not have time to do the job.

So, how is it going?

Body shop found and bought a trunk that was in Florida.
Greyhound lost it in transit. {how do you lose a trunk lid ?}

They found another one locally... Maybe from someone
on here.?
I'm trying to not bother them.. The longer they have the car the longer
my truck stays in the garage this winter.

I sold a rusty POS to some sucker guy in Natick recently.

John

If push comes to shove I have one that I need, but not anytime soon.
It's yours if you need it and then just find me another one in similar condition!

Scott:
Thanks for the offer.. I'm pretty sure they got one somewhat locally..
I know it sounds crazy that I don't know for sure if or where they got it..
I basically dropped the car off and haven't thought much about it since Oct.
For some reason, my interest in the car has dropped to the point where
it just represents a whole lot of work once I get it back..
Guess I need some motivation.. maybe once I see it painted and looking good..
I'll get back into it. Seeing it bright tangerine again might help....

Must be I'm getting old.....

Beer, burgers, party...weekend.

There are enough of us monkeys to get you jump started and all the big stuff done.

Then you can take your time on the little stuff.

We could install engine and tranny in a weekend.
Have another two people do the air crap up behind the fuel tank and the tank.

One more weekend to get the wiring all done.

Then draft your designated heir to help do all the rubber seals and interior to make sure they are invested in it.


Rich

We will get you motivated Al.

When that car comes back all shiny, and we are all standing around drooling over it, you will get motivated.

And, if you have a party all the better!

John