So I did a thing.

"Nikola Tesla" (NikolaTeslaIsAHero)
12/12/2013 at 19:38 • Filed to: None

This is mine now. 73, carb'd model. Hopefully this winter I'll have it sorted enough that triple-digit miles won't be an absolute pain in the dick (it's one of the water-choke models, which I'll be tossing for an electric unit as well as a slightly larger carb and intake manifold.

I named him Willy.

DISCUSSION (44)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 19:49

Boss. '02 or 1600? I never can tell with these.

Kickass little things. I expect more excellent photography :)

Nikola Tesla > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
12/12/2013 at 19:51

2002, thankfully. Can't imagine this thing having less power than it does now and still being able to, say, ascend a hill, or have fun on a back road.

I didn't take the pictures, a friend did for me. I can post more up though, in all his rust-bucket glory.

Louros > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 19:53

This fuckin' guy.

Still haven't ditched those silly wheels yet?

wacopalypsenow > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 19:54

Looks like good condition. Rust you say? How bad? Awesome purchase BTW.

Nikola Tesla > Louros
12/12/2013 at 19:57

Eh, you know the score. Running bits before pretty bits. You get that E21 down the road yet or what?

Nikola Tesla > wacopalypsenow
12/12/2013 at 19:59

It's pretty solid overall, but there isn't a panel that doesn't need work. Rain gutters over the doors, both rear quarters, hood in particular. Only perfect ones are the front fenders and the trunklid, and I think they were pulled off another car.

Brian, The Life of > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:00

Neat neue car, super klasse-y!

;)

Nikola Tesla > Brian, The Life of
12/12/2013 at 20:01

The puns in here are downreich hysterical.

wacopalypsenow > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:02

I found one just like that '73 withno rust, new paint,but....painted bright orange

For Sweden > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:04

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Party-vi > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:11

I feel like I haven't seen you in forever.

Which makes sense since this is all anonymous and online.

Sup?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:12

I'm guessing it's not a Tii then :)

Twincarb or single? Cool little retro runabout even if it's a little anaemic.

Rust can be fixed. It just takes graft, which is why people get worried by it. You seem pretty calm though, so that bodes well :)

Any plans for it, or is it just something for tooling around in?

Frank Grimes > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:18

Those wheels make it look like one of those cars made in mexico or some obscure place. You know some brand new car noone knows they are still making that has been slightly updated over the years.

Nikola Tesla > Party-vi
12/12/2013 at 20:19

Eh, not too much. Lurk the front page occasionally, but between school, work and everything else it's rare I get a minute to properly sit these days. Not a bad thing at all, though.

Nikola Tesla > For Sweden
12/12/2013 at 20:19

Are stars back again?

Nikola Tesla > Frank Grimes
12/12/2013 at 20:20

Yeah, they're off an E30 I think, not really sure. Borbets though, so at least they won't explode.

Frank Grimes > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:21

They dont look too bad and they fit well. congrats on a cool car.

Nikola Tesla > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
12/12/2013 at 20:23

No, sadly not. Two-barrel, single carb. Debated switching to twin-carb, but that's a pricey change that should go with a new cam as well, so I'm putting that off until I have to crack the motor open.

Plans are loosely defined. I want to autocross it, so basically I want to fix anything running-related. When I get the rear quarters done, I plan to get the Turbo overfenders and front skirt, and once all the rot is chopped out I'll get it painted (the current paint on it is an amalgam of nonsense). Debating a cage.

Nikola Tesla > wacopalypsenow
12/12/2013 at 20:25

Ah, Inkarot. That's the color under the black, but I'm pretty sure it was originally silver, hence the blue interior.

Nikola Tesla > Frank Grimes
12/12/2013 at 20:27

Fit's the big issue with these. Until I can get some fender flares on it, wheel choices are basically limited to factory due to the weird offset.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:35

Sounds as good a plan as any :) keep us updated. You can have a lot of fun in a car that's sub-100bhp. There aren't many people who will believe you, but it's true.

Burt > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:40

That's awesome! How do you like it so far?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:45

Have fun and enjoy yourself. I have a 71 2k2 and it's a blast. You mentioned in this post about the power and how it is lacking. That's interesting because it is well balanced and although I want more, I have never seen +-100 hp move so well. You will soon find out how easy it is to spin the tires and get the back out. It's a damn gocart. Best of luck fellow Oppo'er and 2002 owner.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:48

Congrats man. She's beautiful.

Nikola Tesla > Burt
12/12/2013 at 20:49

It's a ton of fun, when it wants to run. Just enough pickup to have fun, great chassis, and the lack of assists make it a hoot. Also helps that you have half a dozen conversations every time you stop, people love checking it out.

For Sweden > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 20:49

sadly no

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 21:16

lovely lovely lovely. Is that a dark green or a black? I can't tell through all the hipstermatic.

Nikola Tesla > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/12/2013 at 21:19

Oh, no doubt it has the moves, I just wish it had longer legs for, say, getting on the freeway when I need to, or otherwise. I absolutely love the thing, but it's limited to back roads.

Nikola Tesla > For Sweden
12/12/2013 at 21:20

Well, what a time to bring it back.

Nikola Tesla > wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/12/2013 at 21:20

Black, though I plan on painting it green at some point.

Burt > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 21:28

Consider me jealous. What beastly motor is it running?

Nikola Tesla > Burt
12/12/2013 at 21:32

1990ccs of four-pot fury! 32/36 carb (for now, want a 38/38), four-speed.

getchapopcorn > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 21:56

You did a GREAT thing!

Louros > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 22:02

Yeah, I've taken it out a few times. Runs and drives fine; thinking I might sell it though since I really don't have a plan for it.

Nikola Tesla > Louros
12/12/2013 at 22:03

Would you be willing to trade wheels before you pass it on? Mine are merright-condition and the tires are balding.

Burt > Nikola Tesla
12/12/2013 at 22:29

Excellent! I'm currently rolling with 1,368ccs of fury (and up to 18 psi of boost...)

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Nikola Tesla
12/13/2013 at 00:24

Agreed, although I usually roll onto highways in third rev it out to push ahead. What plans do you have for it?

911e46z06 > Nikola Tesla
12/13/2013 at 04:33

Good for you man. I'm super jealous.

Louros > Nikola Tesla
12/13/2013 at 11:31

I'll probably sell it with the alloys I bought, you can have the steelies for a nominal fee if you want them.

rabidpenguin > Nikola Tesla
12/13/2013 at 11:58

Really nice man, it looks pretty clean.

JEM > Nikola Tesla
12/13/2013 at 13:43

Nice!!! I miss my '74tii

Put dual carbs on it!!!

Nikola Tesla > Louros
12/14/2013 at 10:18

What's the size on those/tires/all that BS.

Nikola Tesla > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/14/2013 at 10:33

Honestly, just keep plugging away at it. If something needs to be replaced, upgrade it. If it needs a repair, do it properly so I don't have to think about it again any time soon. But he'll end up a bit of a road-racer and autocross car, with distance capability. So a little more grunt, sort the chassis and add some Turbo bodywork for a little extra tire. After that, everything's gravy.

Louros > Nikola Tesla
12/14/2013 at 10:50

13x5.5 ET18 175/70R13. They'll fit. Tires have full tread but are obviously old, I believe they are BFG touring tires.