Today in Restoration Nation

"Anthony Miller" (ahmille4) 08/09/2016 at 13:25 • Filed to: None

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I have a thought for a recurring “piece” that I’d like to torture all you opponauts with. I love scouring Craigslist for drivable restoration projects. Basically, things that I can tell my wife I can restore while I just drive them and they rust into that good night. But I think the community here is creative enough to put some really good spin on some of these jalopys. So naturally, instead of working, I thought I’d start a running column.

So here goes, I’ll post some sweet sweet CL iron and you all fight it out in the comments with what you A) might like to turn it into, B) what kind of work would that take, C) determine if it would be “worth it” (that’s very relative, I know) and D) elaborate on what imaginative backstories YOU would give this car.

Everyone talks about “barn finds,” let’s see what we can come up with from a little closer to the street.

So, for my inaugural offering, I present to you a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !

According to the seller, we’ve got an all Bavarian original here with horsehair(?) interior and front-wheel drive....

Needless to say, I think this one might be in need of a little enthusiast love! I’d try to bring her home myself but the wife has placed a moratorium on cars built before the Berlin Wall came down. Doesn’t know what she’s missing if I say so myself. Especially with the sweet sweet exclusiveness of a Euro only model.

But if we’re looking at drivable restorations, we’ve got to get the full picture! So let’s take a look at that horsehair!

Also helpful for those not inclined to memorize their shift patterns, there’s a helpful graphic placed right above that delightfully 70's veneer dashboard. Nope that’s not a dogleg first you’re looking at, it’s an honest-to-goodness four speed transmission straight from Munich! Also, note the consistency in instrument cluster design from then all the way up to the models of today.

Last but very not least, we can’t forget the backseat, especially for those of you who like to get your Hofmeister kink on in your classic cars.

Alright! So let’s get to it!

* Price is Right Voice*

Starting price is a affordable $4500! What might you like to turn it into? What kind of work would that take? Is it worth it annnnnd what awesome backstory would YOU give this car!?!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Anthony Miller 08/09/2016 at 13:38

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FWD is an oops - other than that, very nice. As to the exterior/paint needed/what would you do question, the dash has inspired me and I think it needs to be made into a woodie of sorts. An E3 Squire, because why have a reason for anything? Fake wood vinyl is out, so it’s either a question of finding an adaptable repro steel wood setup or having it done properly. A capable carpenter can probably get the pieces done/made for under a grand, and with a fresh paint job and appropriate deck coating on the wood, voila.

LongbowMkII > Anthony Miller 08/09/2016 at 13:50

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I can’t bring myself to care about it tbh.

Anthony Miller > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/09/2016 at 13:54

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An E3 Squire, that’s not a bad answer.

RallyWrench > Anthony Miller 08/09/2016 at 14:04

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Dammit, this car is an hour and a half away, and I’ve lusted for one for years because my dad had a ‘71 when I was a kid. Unfortunately for us, this is now a nice price, because project status Bavarias are now at least $3k, and complete drivers are more.

I’d just turn it into this, an ass kicking family hot rod with a triple Webers on a 3.5 and a 5-speed.:

Jonee > Anthony Miller 08/09/2016 at 14:31

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I really dig it and would just drive it as is to be honest. I like a little patina especially on something like this. I’m curious about those doors, but wrong colored doors always complete the effect.

Anthony Miller > LongbowMkII 08/09/2016 at 16:59

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This is good Kinja.

Anthony Miller > Jonee 08/09/2016 at 17:00

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Of course the doors in question on are on the other side not pictured.

Anthony Miller > RallyWrench 08/09/2016 at 17:00

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That’s sweet!

Tohru > RallyWrench 08/18/2016 at 22:54

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First things first, you have to fix the front end.

Much better.

RallyWrench > Tohru 08/18/2016 at 22:57

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Don’t blaspheme me! Don’t you blaspheme me!

... I... like it?

Tohru > RallyWrench 08/18/2016 at 23:04

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Twin kidneys are an styling affectation, nothing more. Simplify, and let them go.

RallyWrench > Tohru 08/18/2016 at 23:20

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True, but I have a 2002 in the garage so that’s not going to happen. They are arguably much less central to the look of later cars but I think the classics look a bit bland up front without them.

Tohru > RallyWrench 08/18/2016 at 23:29

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I’ve got 02's as well.

RallyWrench > Tohru 08/19/2016 at 00:05

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Trigger warning! That just doesn’t look right.

Tohru > RallyWrench 08/19/2016 at 16:55

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Yeah, it looks a lot more East Germany than West Germany.

Unless you mean the octo-headlight version?

RallyWrench > Tohru 08/19/2016 at 16:59

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The octo-light is just funny, I remember that one coming up before. It does remind me that BMW built a few custom 2002s called the Diana, with four lights.

The others do look a bit East German.

Tohru > RallyWrench 08/19/2016 at 17:03

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I just need to shop ugly squircle headlights on them and badge them Wartburg.

I’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re going to do tiny useless grilles, you need more than two. As shown by this Jeep sports car.