**Updated pics post 17**


I figured it'd be fun to chronicle our build for our 24hrs of LeMons entry. We will be competing in the race being held on October 18-19 at MSR in Houston.

We did find a car and have begun working on it feverishly as this build is being done in conjunction with our Grassroots $2008 Challenge car. We wanted a car that was pretty much running and could get done relatively quickly. Well we didn't really hit any of those milestones. We picked up a 71' Bavaria from a group of guys in Atlanta that had started working on it for the 24hr race already.


The car had previously begun a restoration and luckily came with a full rebuilt clutch/flywheel and its trans had apparently been looked through. So that was nice. We also were lucky enough to find a parts car at the local Pick and Pull that we cleaned the suspension out of. Both very big pluses in our quest. One of the problems right now is getting the carbs rebuilt but once it is warm it pulls pretty strong. The previous owners bought the kits to rebuild the dual webers. They never actually rebuilt them but only cleaned one. So currently we have one that is blocked up and another that is spitting gas so that will be first on the agenda once we get to fixing stuff under the hood.

Another problem is the brakes or lack there of. These old cars actually came with 4 wheel disks with 4 piston calipers in front and 2 in the rear. Another pleasant surprise. We dipped back into the car at the Pick and Pull and snagged all 4 calipers for 40 bucks.


And then there is the rust. Apparently there was only supposed to be a small rust on the front frame extension. Well as with most things bought on ebay that was the least of our worries. The car basically has no footwells left. What footwells there are, are held in by sound deadening and carpet. Luckily the seat supports are still firmly attached so we just plan on replacing the footwells with sheet steal. We also found 2 rats nests when taking apart the interior but luckily no rats.

I'll be updating this as frequently as I can if anyone is actually interested. Here are some pics before work started.

 

What a kickass project. I'll be watching, thanks for sharing!

What's the total $ spent so far?

 

We spent $300 on the car and I spent an additional $75 on getting an x-ray for my foot when the strut fell on it. Luckily it was just a really bad bruise.

 

lol, thanks for the laugh and sharing!

 

Good luck with the project and race! I remember reading an article in SCC about their team and experience in last years event. Great stuff. Are you going to be a driver?

 

What a neat project. THis is going to be a terrific thread. Post often and we will be reading at least as frequently! Good luck too.

 

Yeah

 

Awesome man, keep us updated.

 

Update: Tires have been purchased. We went with Dunlop Direzza Z1's for a set of 540i wheels that came with the car as well as a set of Hankook R-S2's for the factory wheels. Also picked up some brake pads but I am having a hell of a time finding rotors in stock anywhere. The rotors are ridiculous you have to actually take the hub off to get the rotors off. The front struts are also attached to the spindles not unlike the rear suspension on a 240Z. So apparently this is a period sort of design.

Pictures will come this evening when I get home.

 

I'll be driving this puppy as well. It should be a real blast. As soon as the ole' wrist is healed(hurt racing a different car) I should also be involved more with turning the wrenches.

The fast driver.

P.S. That is how I drive LOL!

 

sheesh this has been a chore to edit pics to get them up here but i should have some more updates by weekend. We have the interior out and are about to skin the doors and send her off to get caged. Like I said pics will be up later in the week.

 

looking forward to cage pics!

 

Our local team just finished the race at CMP. They built an E30 and had a LOT of fun. We have plenty of pictures and a blog about it if anyone is interested.

 

I am

 

Awesome project! I've been reading GRMS for a few years now and love their 24hrs of LeMons coverage. Are you going to do a "Theme" for this car and your team?

 

http://doriftodogs.com/

 

Here is the stack of tires for the car taking up even more space in the shed. The trunk has some 528 wheels that will be used primarily.



Here you can see the rats nests that I had to deal with when taking the interior out. Up by the C pillar there was some areas that were laden with pee and hair.





Some interior shots. Its a pretty big mess.



Here you can see the fine craftsmanship of a previous owner. We have an aluminum panel pop riveted to the floor sealed with about 2 tubes of silicon sealer. Thats going to be fun to remove. It covers a foot long spot of rust.



Yeah you can see through the floor. Its pretty bad.


Here is the Kirkey Int. Road Race seat. I had to bend in the shoulder tabs to fit inside the door but its in and the sliders work. I'm pretty happy with it.

 

So today I got the seat installed but still haven't gotten to the brakes yet. I'm going to be switching out the front calipers with some I found on a Bav at the pick and pull. The car goes to get a cage next week. During the week I'm going to try to remove some of the sound tar that is the areas that will need to be welded. I'm probably going to have to stitch in some panels so the cage has something firm to attach too.

 

that is sooo awesome

make sure u weld in a place to rig a camera to the rollcage

vids and pics

 

We've now been formally accepted. The car is currently at the cage builder. Carbs are also being rebuilt. On a side note we also found the choke button stuck up under the dash. She starts right up now. LOL