DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I've been keeping this rolling on the IB forum but thought I'd post a summarised version here. Its not an early model but a late 80's 3.2, but most of the issues relates to the earlier models too.

I've had the car for a good few years now and the odd rust bubble was starting to show in the usual places, only small but just the tip of the iceberg.

Had to build a garage first, so put my GCSE woodwork to use

Then removed the sill covers to reveal the problem areas

Further cutting and grinding



Same story on the other side

Putting some good stuff back in, ideally things would have involved whole new sills and panels but I decided to focus on the problems and not get too carried away.








Skim of filler and epoxy mastic primer to seal it, hopefully for good

More smoothing and primer work and its beginning to look much better

At the same time I planned to strip and rebush the front and rear suspension components. After some good comments about Superpro and realistic pricing I decided to fit their bushes all round, all purchased from Nick Moss at Early 911.

Crusty spring plates prior to re-plating





Easiest way to remove the old rubber bushing was to put them in the log burner. Smelled a bit.


I used a local plater to me in Derby, very reasonable and the finish seems pretty good.



New spring plate covers and Superpro ready to fit

At the same time I had my fuchs polished, found a guy on VZi. Good finish, though not necessarily factory but a good price for two sets.


Before


After

Took a couple of goes to get the spring plates right, but at least it was new stuff and came apart easy.


Stance just about right?


Also fitted new oil cooler flexis, these were not much fun to remove, had to grind a flat off one side and pry open the nut so it free up



Cleaned arches with a fresh coat of Dinitrol underbody wax



Removed the rack and fitted turbo tie roads, new ball joints, new bushes, all parts powder coated or plated. New wheel bearings, new brake rotors.

I've had the bumpers sand blasted and powder coated in satin black, they will need the blue top coat at some point, but I wanted the car back on the road and ready in plenty of time for CLM. Also the bits that are left to do are easily achieved using it now.



Had to get rid of the awful yellow colour on the duck So just satin black for the time being, needs a lot more prep work too.


Taxed it yesterday and put a good few miles on, it feels much tighter with new bushes and tie roads, will need the geometry setting soon and plan to take it to Centre of Gravity when I'm more flush.









Still a few bits to do:
Finish the paint
Make or find a engine lid grill (anyone have a grill going cheap, any condition considered)
Re-fit the bumper trim
Suspension geo

I've also welded up the side repeaters on the front wings, MOT fail but see how we go.

Blimey Nige, you`ve been busy and there`s me winging about a bit of a carburetor problem

Nige wrote: Had to build a garage first, so put my GCSE woodwork to use

The pioneer spirit, I love it. There`s a joke in (American) wood working circles that to make a fine piece of furniture, you first dig a hole.
Then mine the iron ore, build a bessemer convertor, forge the tools.... you get the picture, it`s not actually that funny... even to American wood workers, let alone the rest of us. Nevertheless, prehaps you grasp the point, your determination is to be applauded.

Now, where`s that other bottle of Merlot.

Mike.

Good work, nice yellow colour on the ducktail [/list]

I quite liked the yellow ducktail Looking forward to seeing it at CLM

P

Nice one Nige, glad to see someone else has been busy this Winter

You got rid of the Belgian Racing yellow?! Maaaan!

Only joking: car is looking ace- wonder how it drives now. You taking it oop to Mike's?

Bert

As with most things I do it isn't finished yet, neither the garage or the car. I suppose I like to keep things evolving!?!

Yup should be up at Mikes in it Bert, I wasn't too sure as I was thinking I'd need to get the geometry setup sooner than later as I thought it might drive like a pig, but it doesn't seem too bad at all, goes in a straight line and doesn't seem as if its about to let go in a corner. A lot of bump steer though at the moment. Might shim the rack before I get it setup.

as I said on IB's .... the car is looking great Love the ducktail look on lowered IB's