E28 Alpina B7 Turbo/1 #0083

pldlnr · Post by **pldlnr** » Jan 01, 2013 4:59 AM

I am really enjoying watching this process unfold. Replacing that tail panel was a great decision, by the looks of it. The quality of the work here looks top notch. I can't wait to see some pictures of the car with some paint on it.

Dinan e28 · Post by **Dinan e28** » Jan 01, 2013 6:39 PM

Looks great Chris.

oldskool · Post by **oldskool** » Jan 01, 2013 7:59 PM

First class. Perfect storm of artists.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 01, 2013 10:46 PM

Thanks for the comments. I'm feeling more comfortable, though I still am very concerned.

Today, I completely stripped down the original doors. Everything is out of them. It was somewhat therapeutic. So, next up is to clean everything that will go into the "new" doors.

I was very happy I didn't listen to people that suggested the old doors were "fine" or "fixable."

Ted in T.O. · Post by **Ted in T.O.** » Jan 02, 2013 11:39 AM

Lookin Good Chris. Git er done.

Brian D · Post by **Brian D** » Jan 03, 2013 6:59 PM

Looking forward to seeing this Chris!

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 03, 2013 8:27 PM

A new year, a new update.

Since Mike said he'd have most of the bodywork done by the end of the week, I figured I'd do my regular Thursday visit.

The rear panel is in and seam-sealed, primed, etc. Everything is in the right position. The panel sits behind the lower parts of the quarters, and everything inside the trunk is exactly as it was done by the factory. Aside from the slightly neater seam-seal, the replacement should be virtually undetectable.

There's a couple more spots that need seam-sealer around the center of the panel on the trunk floor and the seams under the tail lamps aren't finished yet, but it came out damn nice. Close the trunk lid and there's a perfectly uniform gap all around and underneath. I'd have a photo of that, but it doesn't stay down.

Here's a couple shots of the seams:

According to Mike, the factory seams were filled with brass, but they still cut the seam line into it. That's why he's doing it this way. He his hanging onto the old panel so he knows exactly where to end the texture (the rear valance is not entirely textured). Also, the roughness you see on the quarters in the trunk channel is factory. He didn't touch that.

The dent from the RR quarter has been completely removed. No filler there. Shot from inside the trunk, of course.

You may notice the hole for the antenna has also been filled, as was the hole for the antenna in the roof:

The left inner fender has received it's base coat and the style 8 has also been cleaned.

Here's the underside of the hood. It's been shot with the basecoat and cleared using a dulling agent, so it will stay protected, but look correct.

Not much left to do and then stuff will get painted, I guess. I think he's looking at the weekend to jamb all the doors. Wow.

That's all for now!

vinceg101 · Post by **vinceg101** » Jan 03, 2013 8:51 PM

Two

Two Thumbs up!
Between this and Pedi's thread, I've got my vicarious restoration jollies covered.

Seriously though, this is looking awesome Chris. (I now know where to send my car for restoration when that time comes.)

pldlnr · Post by **pldlnr** » Jan 04, 2013 12:55 AM

The attention to detail here is fantastic. Making sure all of the finer details are done right is what will set this car apart. Things like the right seem sealer and making sure the texture coat on the tail panel are the details that get missed with many people. This is what you get when you spend the time, money, and put in the effort to do it right.

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Jan 04, 2013 12:59 AM

Wow, I wish my painter was like yours....

Well, he could have - but then the paintjob would cost between 12 and 15000 dollars. Norwegian labour are far more expensive that US labour. Here we pay $200 plus VAT per working hour. If you have two guys working on the car, you can ofcourse double it

Nice work, I enjoy this thread!

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 04, 2013 9:21 AM

Nice update Chris. I echo the opinion that this car hit the jackpot when you bought her.

Coldswede · Post by **Coldswede** » Jan 04, 2013 9:36 AM

Dunno how or where you found his guy doing the work, but he seems to be the perfect man for the job! The welds alone are drool worthy.

This will be a gorgeous car when your done.

GaAlpinaOwner · Post by **GaAlpinaOwner** » Jan 07, 2013 9:54 AM

Looking good Chris....

What are doing with the Radio and Antenna out of curiousity now that the hole is filled?

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Jan 07, 2013 11:45 AM

I am so glad you got this car. There aren't many people that would do it up right.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Jan 07, 2013 1:31 PM

Great updates Chris; the car is very lucky to have you doing the restoration.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 07, 2013 2:39 PM

Thanks. I'm hoping the rest of the process continues to go smoothly.

GaAlpinaOwner wrote:Looking good Chris....

What are doing with the Radio and Antenna out of curiousity now that the hole is filled?

David - The antenna was originally in the left front fender. At some point, that hole was filled in and a new one made in the right rear quarter at the stock position. While I have never had a working radio in the car (there used to be a "big" stereo in the car but it was all removed by the time I bought it), we all know that the spoiler would hit the antenna. Plus, its not correct, so the old hole will be remade. All stuff that takes time and makes the job more expensive. It's not just like drilling a hole. The old patch has to be removed, etc. All part of keeping the correct original fenders.

So, given there is zero original wiring in the car, I'm trying to chase some down as it all has to go in before I can put the car together. If anyone has some non-premium sound stuff, please let me know!

GaAlpinaOwner · Post by **GaAlpinaOwner** » Jan 08, 2013 9:51 AM

wkohler wrote:Thanks. I'm hoping the rest of the process continues to go smoothly.

GaAlpinaOwner wrote:Looking good Chris....

What are doing with the Radio and Antenna out of curiousity now that the hole is filled?
David - The antenna was originally in the left front fender. At some point, that hole was filled in and a new one made in the right rear quarter at the stock position. While I have never had a working radio in the car (there used to be a "big" stereo in the car but it was all removed by the time I bought it), we all know that the spoiler would hit the antenna. Plus, its not correct, so the old hole will be remade. All stuff that takes time and makes the job more expensive. It's not just like drilling a hole. The old patch has to be removed, etc. All part of keeping the correct original fenders.

So, given there is zero original wiring in the car, I'm trying to chase some down as it all has to go in before I can put the car together. If anyone has some non-premium sound stuff, please let me know!

yes the left front fender....that is where mine is also...duh!

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jan 10, 2013 9:04 PM

So, yesterday (01-09-13), I got a call from Mike around 5pm or so telling me that he had the doors jambed and was going to paint the outsides this morning. So, the first load would be the doors and fenders, then the second would be the hood, trunklid, sunroof. This way all of that stuff could get a jump on the curing process while he finished up the little things on the body and got it ready to paint.

I told him I could swing by Thursday in the mid afternoon, so we agreed on a time. He figured he'd have the doors done by then, so I could see those. So, I showed up at the shop around 2:30, as promised.

He had some $180k sports car of sorts in there getting some quick work done before it gets auctioned off at Russo and Steele:

Here's some info I found on the car:

http://www.russoandsteele.com/collector ... -GTM/32472

So, on to my car. He painted the inside of the tail panel and such.

Here's the cleaned inner fender on the left rear. The shock/spring will get masked off and it will be painted with the base in here, too. The right side has been completed, but no photo of that as the wheel is back on.

The valance is done, as is the front spoiler. The sunroof has been primed and blocked.

I was going to take the spoiler with me today, per our conversation, but he hadn't gotten to cutting and buffing it yet. The valance needs the black texture applied, too. Sure, it will be covered up with a spoiler, but it's supposed to be black.

Next up, it was time to go into the booth to see the doors and fenders. The third coat of clear was about 60 minutes old. Dry, but no toque. This paint is right out of the gun, but everything will be cut and buffed. Mike asked me, "Have you ever seen silver glass?"

So, that's it for now. Hood, trunklid and sunroof are up next.

We discussed a few details pertaining to getting the headliner installed and it doesn't seem to be a problem to get it done there. He has a client that has an upholsterer that can come there and should be able to handle it.

Kyle in NO · Post by **Kyle in NO** » Jan 10, 2013 9:15 PM

FAK.

clangpap · Post by **clangpap** » Jan 10, 2013 9:15 PM

Chris,

Since you're never bringing it to Portland I'm going to have to find an excuse to come to Phoenix to see the finished product. This just looks amazing.

Craig

pldlnr · Post by **pldlnr** » Jan 10, 2013 9:42 PM

Wow. I love where this is going. One thing is for sure, they blocked those panels well. Color and depth look fantastic in these shots, as well.

With all of the anxiety that comes with painting a car of this stature, these results have to make you feel good.

vinceg101 · Post by **vinceg101** » Jan 11, 2013 12:24 AM

clangpap wrote:Chris,

Since you're never bringing it to Portland I'm going to have to find an excuse to come to Phoenix to see the finished product. This just looks amazing.

Craig

I think this would be an excellent excuse for PhoenixFest later this year.

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Jan 11, 2013 12:43 AM

Speechless.

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Jan 11, 2013 1:14 AM

wow.

Thats top notch work.
So jealous

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Jan 11, 2013 1:22 AM

Lovely!!!

Das_Prachtstrasse · Post by **Das_Prachtstrasse** » Jan 11, 2013 2:37 AM

That blockwork certainly is excellent. Great progress.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Jan 11, 2013 8:56 AM

Looks great!

gray635 · Post by **gray635** » Jan 11, 2013 9:49 AM

One of the all-time great threads on this board.

Chris, I've been following your progress on this car with much interest. This is all very exciting and I'm happy - for both you and the car!!! Can't wait to see it finished.

Rich in Tupelo · Post by **Rich in Tupelo** » Jan 11, 2013 10:01 AM

After that nice of a paint job, I'd be afraid to drive it.

Great work by your paint shop.

clongo · Post by **clongo** » Jan 11, 2013 10:03 AM

It looks great Chris! That painter has some serious talent. Good choice and glad the car is coming out as you planned. I hope to own a bmw that nice one day.

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E28 Alpina B7 Turbo/1 #0083