corsachili
Well-Known Member
It's a slow rainy Sunday here in the Bay Area and I can't do much on any of my projects, so I thought I'd talk a little about my plans.
As you may have read, a few months back I decided to convert my beloved CSL back to stock. For those of you that have seen my car, you know that when I restored it I made several changes to the car, which while perhaps not changing the essence of the car, are a bit of a departure from the original vision. I chose to not install the wheel arch trim, which I still consider to be an abomination from both a styling as well as functional perspective. I installed 16" Alpinas, lowered the car's stance (although not excessively), a strut brace, relocated the battery to the trunk, and to the horror of some, replaced the original wood veneer with carbon fiber. At one point I was considering installing an S38 motor, and even bought one with this in mind.
The car drives well, has good handling for a machine of its vintage, and despite having pretty fat shoes, is almost painless to drive in parking lot speeds with its non power steering.
I don't know when it happened, but in the last 6 months or so I just got tired of E9s with lowered suspensions and 16 inch wheels on them. Don't get me wrong, I think they look great in that trim, but they're the rule rather than the exception. Cars with original ride height, the tall sidewall tires, and 14" wheels such as Tom Rakestraw's, look unique and aesthetically pleasing to me. I'm quite happy to give up some handling performance now that I have the M6 to drive, and I feel good knowing that I've returned the car to its roots. It also gives me something to do, but let's be honest, I'm in no shortage of things to do.
Step 1 was to get my 14" Alpinas refinished and tomorrow I pick up my newly painted wheels, shod with original size rubber.
Step 2 will be to install the original springs, which I plan to do in the coming week.
Step 3 will be to refinish a new set of wood trim, in original French Walnut. I've acquired a full set of wood and will begin that project soon
Step 4 will be to have the original wheel arch trim polished and re-installed, despite the fact that I think they're stupid.
Step 5 will be to revert to non-AC center console, which will require me to find a good one of these. If you have one in very good condition that you're willing to sell or trade for an AC center console, please let me know.
I may even go so far as to move the battery back to the engine bay where it belongs.
All of this will result in me having some parts for sale, including a W&N strut brace as well as some other bits. The 16 inch Alpinas are sold already.
I'll post the parts in the proper area of the forum, so if you're looking for anything for your E9 check in frequently as I divest myself of some of my parts inventory.
I'm hoping to have the car's "re-transformation" completed by the Spring and the coming car show season.
Now if it would just stop raining.
-tj in Los Gatos
As you may have read, a few months back I decided to convert my beloved CSL back to stock. For those of you that have seen my car, you know that when I restored it I made several changes to the car, which while perhaps not changing the essence of the car, are a bit of a departure from the original vision. I chose to not install the wheel arch trim, which I still consider to be an abomination from both a styling as well as functional perspective. I installed 16" Alpinas, lowered the car's stance (although not excessively), a strut brace, relocated the battery to the trunk, and to the horror of some, replaced the original wood veneer with carbon fiber. At one point I was considering installing an S38 motor, and even bought one with this in mind.
The car drives well, has good handling for a machine of its vintage, and despite having pretty fat shoes, is almost painless to drive in parking lot speeds with its non power steering.
I don't know when it happened, but in the last 6 months or so I just got tired of E9s with lowered suspensions and 16 inch wheels on them. Don't get me wrong, I think they look great in that trim, but they're the rule rather than the exception. Cars with original ride height, the tall sidewall tires, and 14" wheels such as Tom Rakestraw's, look unique and aesthetically pleasing to me. I'm quite happy to give up some handling performance now that I have the M6 to drive, and I feel good knowing that I've returned the car to its roots. It also gives me something to do, but let's be honest, I'm in no shortage of things to do.
Step 1 was to get my 14" Alpinas refinished and tomorrow I pick up my newly painted wheels, shod with original size rubber.
Step 2 will be to install the original springs, which I plan to do in the coming week.
Step 3 will be to refinish a new set of wood trim, in original French Walnut. I've acquired a full set of wood and will begin that project soon
Step 4 will be to have the original wheel arch trim polished and re-installed, despite the fact that I think they're stupid.
Step 5 will be to revert to non-AC center console, which will require me to find a good one of these. If you have one in very good condition that you're willing to sell or trade for an AC center console, please let me know.
I may even go so far as to move the battery back to the engine bay where it belongs.
All of this will result in me having some parts for sale, including a W&N strut brace as well as some other bits. The 16 inch Alpinas are sold already.
I'll post the parts in the proper area of the forum, so if you're looking for anything for your E9 check in frequently as I divest myself of some of my parts inventory.
I'm hoping to have the car's "re-transformation" completed by the Spring and the coming car show season.
Now if it would just stop raining.
-tj in Los Gatos
