Rebody 250 California build thread for dummies

[Pond]

I had a few issues with the bodyshop today, regarding money and they killed my car's battery, but here are a few pictures they sent over of the car in prep and paint..........

EDIT: which I can't upload because the files are too big. FFS.

 

[Pond]

Spent most of the week 'mending' the bits that the bodyshop either broke, lost, or just didn't bother putting back!
Today, though, I re-fitted the rear bumper for (hopefully) the final time. All electrics tidied, insulated, waterproofed (!) and bound with fabric loom tape.

 

[Zephyr]

The colour deserves the ultimate Greek exclamation: καύλα!

 

[Duncodin]

Hey @Pond when you look at your car now do you still see a hopeless money pit or do you actually like where it's at now.

How are you getting on with the interiour?

 

[Jam03]

Looks great! Can’t wait to see it all done. Do you still have to drill holes to fit the rear plate

 

[Pond]

Hey @Pond when you look at your car now do you still see a hopeless money pit or do you actually like where it's at now.

How are you getting on with the interiour?

It's still a money pit!
There is still so much to do that I can't get excited anytime soon.
I need to re-fit the GRP interior mouldings, make sure they all fit 100% then it goes off to the upholsterer.

 

[Pond]

Do you still have to drill holes to fit the rear plate

I am going to use tape for the rear plate. It's too difficult getting to the inside for nut and bolting it.

 

[Pond]

All interior pieces fitted again and fine tuned ready for the upholsterer on Tuesday.
Seat frames have been given a lick of paint, even though most won't be seen once covered.

 

[Zephyr]

Maybe this is a good time to think about sound deadening.
No need to cover everything, just some strategially placed pads will reduce the sound waves by 70%.

 

[Zephyr]

Ex. Center of door skin, two one the rear floor, two big ones on the footwell area etc.

 

[Duncodin]

Your dashboard and centre console - they're DNA parts? Was the glove box already part of the dash or did you cut that out?

Is your upholsterer doing some material/leather on the dash? A couple weeks ago weren't you talking about some weird wrinkly paint for the dash?

I can see where this is going and it's going to look great. If ever we end up in the same place at the same time please don't park anywhere near me

 

[Jam03]

Have you got a piece of tape with instructions not to break, damage or lose anything and not to charge any extra?

 

[Pond]

Have you got a piece of tape with instructions not to break, damage or lose anything and not to charge any extra?

After the experience with the bodyshop, I shall be having words to that effect, yes!

 

[Pond]

Your dashboard and centre console - they're DNA parts? Was the glove box already part of the dash or did you cut that out?

Is your upholsterer doing some material/leather on the dash? A couple weeks ago weren't you talking about some weird wrinkly paint for the dash?

I can see where this is going and it's going to look great. If ever we end up in the same place at the same time please don't park anywhere near me

The dashboard and all GRP pieces are taken from DNA parts, yes.
The glovebox is moulded in but the lid is fixed with a piano hinge and a chromed catch.
The dash is not going to the upholsterer, I am going to paint it with wrinkle paint (it's in primer ATM).
As the dash will need to come out a few more times yet (wiring etc) I am waiting until the last minute to reduce the risk of damaging the finished paint.
The glovebox lid and front part of the dash (the cut down Z3 bit right near the windscreen) have been painted with wrinkle paint already and are finished.

 

[Pond]

Maybe this is a good time to think about sound deadening.
No need to cover everything, just some strategially placed pads will reduce the sound waves by 70%.

All the sound deadening from the Z3 is still there, or will be once all re-assembled.
To be honest, I don't want it quiet. I don't want rattles or squeaks, but I want it as 1960s as possible.

 

[Duncodin]

. . .
. . . but I want it as 1960s as possible.
. . .

and we expect you grow a mullet and sideburns to match

 

[Pond]

All interior parts and seats dropped off at the upholsterer this morning. I told him I want the best job he has ever done.
Door locks re-attached (fiddly job that is), front end all back together.
I fitted some bonnet rams yesterday, but took them off again. Due to the shallow angle (there are only the hinge brackets to fix to) you have to pull too hard on the bonnet to get them moving which I am not comfortable with.

Next job is completing the dash wiring, installing the engine sensors (not looking forward to those), re-installing the bootlid locking mechanism and adjusting the bootlid (for the umpteenth time).

 

[Rich355]

All interior parts and seats dropped off at the upholsterer this morning. I told him I want the best job he has ever done.
Door locks re-attached (fiddly job that is), front end all back together.
I fitted some bonnet rams yesterday, but took them off again. Due to the shallow angle (there are only the hinge brackets to fix to) you have to pull too hard on the bonnet to get them moving which I am not comfortable with.

Next job is completing the dash wiring, installing the engine sensors (not looking forward to those), re-installing the bootlid locking mechanism and adjusting the bootlid (for the umpteenth time).

Hi this is a picture of my Gas ram on the bonnet , I copied from Ian Fife and I think he copied from Steve Smith . They have fitted two rams but I only fitted one as my car is a 3L the intake pipe is larger and doesn’t leave much room for the ram. I have found one is ok as the bonnet stays up on its own without gas rams but it’s only if it is windy you need a bit of assistance to stop it blowing down.

 

[Pond]

Hi this is a picture of my Gas ram on the bonnet , I copied from Ian Fife and I think he copied from Steve Smith . They have fitted two rams but I only fitted one as my car is a 3L the intake pipe is larger and doesn’t leave much room for the ram. I have found one is ok as the bonnet stays up on its own without gas rams but it’s only if it is windy you need a bit of assistance to stop it blowing down.

I copied mine from Steve Smith's. I bought exactly the same rams and brackets. Mine is also a 3 litre; didn't have a problem with room but to pull the bonnet down put a lot of stress on the bonnet hinge brackets (that fix to the car). I have left the mounting brackets in place and may look at them again later.

 

[Rich355]

I copied mine from Steve Smith's. I bought exactly the same rams and brackets. Mine is also a 3 litre; didn't have a problem with room but to pull the bonnet down put a lot of stress on the bonnet hinge brackets (that fix to the car). I have left the mounting brackets in place and may look at them again later.

I found the drivers side ram sat on top of the intake pipe when the bonnet was down, I have also added an extra brace from the bonnet bracket straight down to the existing BMW bodywork on both sides ,it makes the bracket a lot more solid.
You maybe able to just see them in this picture driver side comes down from rear hinge bolt and passenger side from front hinge bolt