Ok, so update time. Wes and I went to go and collect the car yesterday (Saturday) and were greeted by a relatively large crowd at the house of the owner. It was truly an epic experience, felt like we were in an episode of Chasing Classic Cars!
We spent a good hour or so pouring over the car and were given all the papers and information about the car. It is indeed, as you will see, a one owner car.
The goodies included a full service history (up to 93000kms) with the owner's details etc. There is also a full owner's handbook, and what we would now call a supplemental service book. The original invoice, with the optional extra Kenwood radio/tape was also part of the documentation,with the salesman's name clearly marked, the same salesman (in a private capacity) who facilitated the sale of the car to me this time.
We had a long and colourful chat with the guys about the car and BMW's in general. I had organised for a flatbed to come and collect the car, and at this point I have to say that the guys I used, Carbon Towing, were phenomenal! I HIGHLY recommend them. The guy who came and assisted was Claas, and he was epic, Wes can attest to this.
After a lengthy stay where we inflated tyres, moved the car and chatted, it was finally loaded, the final bits and pieces done, and the car hauled to my home. When I got it home,Wes and I poured over the car for a while looking for any specific issues that may arise. With regards the flat clutch pedal, we found that there looked to be a hydraulic hose missing from the clutch slave or master cylinder,which, crossing fingers, should be easy and inexpensive to repair. We then looked through the documents and found it to be 100% complete and original. The car is unreal. The only thing missing is the electric aerial, which I would like to replace with an OEM one.
All the stickers and labels are in place, none missing. The tool kit will need to be replaced,so if anyone has one from an E12,E28,E24 or the like lying around,drop me a line. The car also came with an ultra rare replacement windscreen,as the one fitted is badly cracked, but still has the original running in sticker in the top left attached,which I would like to keep,so the windscreen will be replaced in due course,but it's not top of the list.
The exhaust system will need to be replaced,as it is rusted and full of holes,so will be part of the restoration.
Today,I got down to cleaning the car,and was absolutely amazed at how good the paint,chrome,interior,wheels and body are.For a 32 year old car,it has very little wrong with it. My wife got stuck into cleaning the interior and the wheels,and we were amazed at how good the interior was,save for a couple of places on the carpets and seats.
So the car is now shiny,but will need a good buff and polish to bring the lustre back into the paint.
Otherwise,I have to admit I am absolutely blown by just how good this car is,it is completely original and doesn't look its age. I am very impressed with everything,and have no plans to respray it,as I would like to keep it 100% original. So below are the pics that I have taken over the last two days,including an EPIC clean today!
Arriving on the truck after the long trek from Muldersdrift:
Original sales invoice:
Original service booklet:
Original Owners Handbook:
Service History:
Pre-wash
The engine,which is going to need some minor work....:roflol:
Halfway through,just wanted a comparison:
After the wash,using Maguires:
As the restore goes on,I will keep the thread updated. I am going to stay true to the car,no respray (except on the boot lid and the front spoiler skirt),no recovering of the leather,no replacement of any of the knobs and switches unless absolutely necessary. Oh,and there isn't a single crack n the dashboard, which in itself is absolutely amazing.