RESTORATION OF a 1975 B.M.W. 3.0 CSI COUPE in Scotland

 

Registration Mark: ATS 1C (Cherished Transfer)
Original Registration mark: JSL 98N
Chassis No: 4350046

The restoration began in August, 1992 and was carried out in the main by Central Autoparts, Arbroath. I got to help with the easy bits!!

The vehicle was completely stripped out, with interior, glass, doors, bootlid and trim parts being removed. All parts were bagged and labelled. Numerous reference photographs were taken during the strip down stage.

 

CHASSIS AND BODYWORK

The chassis was examined and found to be in good overall condition. No problems were discovered.

The bodywork had suffered from extensive corrosion, with many parts and panels requiring replacement or repair. The following parts were replaced:

Front wings, rear wings and wheelarches, inner sills, outer cover sills, rear corner repair sections and rear valance. The boot floor, which consists of a spare wheel holder and fuel tank holder was also replaced.

Repairs were made to the following areas:

Inner wings, wing mounting rails, turret repairs, front lower panel, ŒA‚ posts, sill to floor panels, frontal floor panels and front splash panels. The bottom 6" of both doors were also replaced and a large dent was taken out of the roof. Genuine B.M.W. parts were used when available. Very few pattern parts were used.

All cavities, box sections and the underside were treated with Waxoyl preservative.

Any old loose underseal was scraped off and the floor and underside was painted with several coats of black ŒHammerite‚ paint. The rear axle was removed from the vehicle and the road dirt removed with a wire brush. The axle was also painted with black ŒHammerite‚ paint and replaced.

The entire under surface of the vehicle was later given several coats of new underseal I stone chip. G.R.P. front wheelarch liners were fitted.

 

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES

The suspension required replacement of several parts to return it to original specification. Two new standard coil springs were fitted to the rear and new Bilstein gas filled shock absorbers and inserts were fitted all round.

Also replaced at this time were the front strut mounting bearings and a new rear anti-roll bar.

The complete braking system was overhauled. New copper brake lines were fitted, along with new flexi-pipes and Mintex pads. The brake discs were skimmed. The calipers were shotblasted, repainted and reconditioned with new seal kits fitted.

 

ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM

The engine required only servicing, as it had been Œturned over‚ regularly and not allowed to seize. Tappet adjustment was all that was required. Engine and fuel injection systems were set up by the local B.M.W. main dealer (John Clark (Tayside) Dundee Ltd).

New copper fuel lines and a new fuel filter were fitted. Also fitted was a new stainless steel fuel tank (with a 25 year guarantee) as the genuine B.M.W. tank is no longer available.

 

EXHAUST SYSTEM

A new ŒLangford; make stainless steel exhaust system was fitted. This also carries a 25 year guarantee.

 

WHEELS AND TYRES

All five wheels were rejuvenated by shotblasting, then etch primed and spray painted with alloy wheel paint and then lacquer.

Yokohama make tyres, Serial No. A 509, size 205/60 x 14 were fitted and the wheels were balanced and the alignment checked.

 

PAINT WORK

The vehicle received a bare metal respray. All panels were stripped of paint using Nitromors. It was then repainted in its original colour of ŒGranatrot‚ (Garnet Red) metallic, by Keith Galloway, Golden Lion Garage, Arbroath, who is a former 3M

ŒGolden Gun‚ U.K. National Spray Painting Champion.

 

EXTERIOR TRIM

New halogen headlight units were fitted and the original rear units repaired. Bumper overriders (front) and under-riders (rear) were replaced, along with some badging, rubber and chrome trim. A new vinyl roof was fitted as original specification. Also fitted at this time was the front air-dam spoiler.

 

INTERIOR TRIM

All seats, head rests, door panels, arm rests and rear shelf were re-covered in mid-grey coloured Scottish leather. (Leather trim was an original option at time of manufacture). Carpets were removed, cleaned and replaced. The vehicle‚s headlining also received this treatment. Electric windows were stripped down and serviced.

 

MUSIC SYSTEM

A Pioneer make stereo radio cassette player, Model No. KEH-M6500 was fitted in the centre console. This unit features a removable full front panel. Two 200 Watt Pioneer make invisible mounted speaker, Model TS 1702 were fitted beneath the rear shelf An Audioline electric aerial is fitted on the rear offside wing and wired via the ignition system. A Pioneer make 6 Compact Disc multichanger is fitted in the boot.

The reason for the installation of this system is two-fold. The concealed items help to retain the vehicle‚s originality and also deter any would-be thief

 

SECURITY AND SAFETY

Two independent burglar alarm systems have been fitted to the vehicle. One operates solely on voltage drop and the other is an ultrasonic device. Both were fitted by a qualified Auto Electrician I Alarm Engineer.

Locking wheel nuts are fitted to each wheel to prevent the removal of wheels and tyres.

Two fire extinguishers are fitted. One is positioned under the driver‚s seat and the other is in the boot area.

 

COMPLETION

Restoration was completed at the end of June, 1993. It was conservatively estimated that at least 500 man-hours went into the job.

It passed its M.O.T. on 3 July, 1993. The mileage at that time was 67,898.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Literally hundreds of photographs and some video footage were taken at various stages during the restoration. Please feel free to contact the owner, David Black at dblack8824@yahoo.co.uk for more information or higher resolution scans of the pictures.