4/83 Hartge H5s Revival

[wkohler]

The bumpers I bought for my 535is had that kind of bar in them. It didn't fit over the Hartge spoiler properly. That ridge on the top of the spoiler hit the bar.

[TheE28Ranch]

The bumpers I bought for my 535is had that kind of bar in them. It didn't fit over the Hartge spoiler properly. That ridge on the top of the spoiler hit the bar.

Interesting. It was a tight squeeze getting it on there left-to-right, but nothing seemed exactly ill-fitting front-to-back. I will have a closer look when I get back to the car. I also haven't bolted the bumper in place yet - maybe the spoiler "holds it out". It slid into place, very snug, but not rubbing anywhere.

[MicahO]

This car will be driven. As far as it needs to go, wherever it needs to go. While it will be kept in a garage, it won't be any garage queen. It wasn't designed for such business. It was designed to do the business of spirited driving. Bring it.

That's what I like to hear - very quoteable, and how I feel about all of our cars.

[Blue Shadow]

There was a question about which wheels would be the correct BBS for this car, an earlier Hartge than the intro time frame (mid-84 or so) of the 11-spoke wheels.

Early Hartges has staggered (generally) BBS RA wheels with Hartge stickers on the hub caps.

I'm sure Trey figured that out in the time since his question, but here it is in print...well electrons.

[TheE28Ranch]

There was a question about which wheels would be the correct BBS for this car, an earlier Hartge than the intro time frame (mid-84 or so) of the 11-spoke wheels.

Early Hartges has staggered (generally) BBS RA wheels with Hartge stickers on the hub caps.

I'm sure Trey figured that out in the time since his question, but here it is in print...well electrons.

Thank you for mentioning, Blue Shadow. Those are on my wish list...eventually finding these wheels in good shape with the Hartge stickers in blue would be epic... but as we discussed at Vintage, I'm saving my dollars and sense for a special part. Just patiently waiting...over here...for someday...hopefully soon!

[wkohler]

I have to say that as much as I like the Hartge wheels, I think the RAs would be the ticket on this car. Doesn't Jeremy have a set of those with the Hartge emblems still?

[TheE28Ranch]

I have to say that as much as I like the Hartge wheels, I think the RAs would be the ticket on this car.

I concur. It would be period-correct for this car and complete the look.

Doesn't Jeremy have a set of those with the Hartge emblems still?

Well, you don't say! Paging Jeremy....

[Justin_FL]

Glad I have a set, I really like the RAs but no Hartge emblems for mine . Was going to get mine refinished and use them on my blue car before the wreck. Might get them re-done for the 518i, the steelies are different but not many narrow 14" tires available in this country... the 65 series tires on the steel wheels are too short as compared to the original 175R14 so a set of tires is in the car's future anyway.

Justin from CT had the RAs on his H5S years ago. These are the set that Jeremy owns, IIRC. I thought they looked great, especially on darker cars.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Ill second Chris' sentiment in that if you're going to do it, do it right and run with the BBS'. They'll look tremendous on this beauty.

[TheE28Ranch]

Looks like Jeremy sold them back to Justin. Back to the drawing board there...finding a clean set of RA's, then dealing with sourcing or replicating the wheel decals /emblems, most likely.

I am fine with the existing style Hartge's in the meantime, I think they compliment the car well. But the RA's would do it right. I'd probably swap them back and forth if I had the fortune to have that flexibility, anyway.

[Drew in NYC]

Looks like Jeremy sold them back to Justin. Back to the drawing board there...finding a clean set of RA's, then dealing with sourcing or replicating the wheel decals /emblems, most likely.

I am fine with the existing style Hartge's in the meantime, I think they compliment the car well. But the RA's would do it right. I'd probably swap them back and forth if I had the fortune to have that flexibility, anyway.

Try Paul Ladue (alpinass)? I think he had these once, still might.

[TheE28Ranch]

Try Paul Ladue (alpinass)? I think he had these once, still might.

That's a thought. I should ring him up.

Anybody have any experience/suggestions on how to refinish badges like this to their former new-like glory?

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Try Paul Ladue (alpinass)? I think he had these once, still might.

That's a thought. I should ring him up.

Anybody have any experience/suggestions on how to refinish badges like this to their former new-like glory?

Pm'd dude.

[TheE28Ranch]

Pm'd dude.

Right on. Thanks.

[landspeed]

Anybody have any experience/suggestions on how to refinish badges like this to their former new-like glory?

I'm also interested in this information

[Blue Shadow]

All those stinking badges and all I have is the one on the back of my car.

Looks like you have the correct ones for the grille, rear end left and right sides. Nice collection. Hopefully the refinish goes well.

[TheE28Ranch]

It took me years to assemble that collection. YEARS.

But you know, while all these (somewhat) shiny objects and pretty paint and such are nice to look at...I am still lacking a definitive source in one department: engine build. I know what I want...but I don't have the actual builder lined up. This will be a very important decision to make. The last time I trusted sources on an engine build for this car it went ka-blewy. It's not overly-complicated, but it takes experience. I'd be willing to take a crack at it, but this probably isn't the engine to cut my teeth on. Again, 12 years after my best laid plans went wrong the moment I purchased replacement pistons from a "professional".

I am now accepting applications (discussion) from qualified engine builders for consideration in carrying-out the build. PM me with any ambitions to do so, or if you know of a source who would be interested in handling such a build. References required. Thanks.

[adrian in florida]

[qu6x12e="landspeed"]

Anybody have any experience/suggestions on how to refinish badges like this to their former new-like glory?

I'm also interested in this information[/quote]

Me x2
There are color variations with the badges. Ive never been clear about the period correct colors??

[m-racer]

It took me years to assemble that collection. YEARS.

But you know, while all these (somewhat) shiny objects and pretty paint and such are nice to look at...I am still lacking a definitive source in one department: engine build. I know what I want...but I don't have the actual builder lined up. This will be a very important decision to make. The last time I trusted sources on an engine build for this car it went ka-blewy. It's not overly-complicated, but it takes experience. I'd be willing to take a crack at it, but this probably isn't the engine to cut my teeth on. Again, 12 years after my best laid plans went wrong the moment I purchased replacement pistons from a "professional".

I am now accepting applications (discussion) from qualified engine builders for consideration in carrying-out the build. PM me with any ambitions to do so, or if you know of a source who would be interested in handling such a build. References required. Thanks.

I have had good experiences with two engine builders: 1) Memphis Motorworks. Leo Goff does the headwork and is well known. If you drove the 535i that Tim K had at the vintage, they built that engine. 2) Thomas Boylan at Cars and Concepts in Tampa. He did the re-build of the M88 in my former Euro M5 and built an evo3 s14 for me. He is quite meticulous and isthe technical moderator for s14power. Neither are cheap. Both are excellent. Good luck.

[Mark in Toronto]

In addition to Tim's response, I'd recommend Marcus Glarner Motorsport.

17300 Simcoe Street
Port Perry, Ontario
L9L 1B2

Not only is he a first class engine builder, he owns two M1's, one of which is a Pro Car and an e9 CSL Batmobile.

[e30 Alpina B6 3.5]

Very sweet Hartge H5 you have.

I have a 1983 Hartge catalog with pics of Hartge cars and parts. Sorry about bad pics.

DSC03838 by m3raul, on Flickr
DSC03840 by m3raul, on Flickr
DSC03842 by m3raul, on Flickr
DSC03843 by m3raul, on Flickr

[TheE28Ranch]

Good stuff! Thanks guys. I will take all of your engine builder suggestions into consideration. I have been in contact with a fellow who can manage the build I am looking for, and he has already built one similar with Paul Burke blueprinting and pistons. The engine run by the other chap, that being the forerunner modernized M30 Hartge-spec engine in his car, hasn't broken it yet - and not for a lack of exploring the outer limits, I believe. I'm going to be discussing the possibility with the shop further, just as soon as I can take a break from work to do so and get serious. That equates to funding as well, I'm tapped from round one. I'm saving up the duckets to move the engine phase up a notch, working diligently at my job. 'Tis the season up here in construction, and a short one at that!

Meanwhile back at fort fun, I have the car back home in the garage, snuggled between the M5 and 528i. I had a 36-hour visitor in the form of geordi, George, and we had some good times working on interior odds-n-ends and squeezing in a short trip to the pub. While he was on door card detail treatment duty with a tooth brush, I was thoroughly greasing up the window tracks. Then we double-teamed the front seats revitalizing them a final time, followed by installation. That was a week ago today. I had to check my calendar because it feels like two weeks ago. Regardless, it was a great time but too short a visit. We didn't even get the two-wheelers out and about, or a drive in the Hartge, for that matter. Thanks for the visit, pal! Next time I'll come to Comanche country!

But the car...there's still a couple body things to button up, and I've decided to re-dye the white door cards in the same. Have you ever read up on / carried this leather re-stain business out? The job calls for sandpaper. Scary.

Nice Hartge catalog Alpina B6! I have a copy of that one myself! It's the goods!

Adrian, I'm thinking to find a place that will replate the chrome finish, then tape off and paint the colored areas with my modeling spray gun setup. I might as well put that equipment to use. Who has time for models? I hope to someday! Maybe during retirement in the winters? A long time away that will be. As for the colors, the blue scheme was earlier and that's all that I know. The grey came along later and matches the classic Hartge wheel center decals. There are two other color schemes I know of, and of course they changed the font at some point, but I can't say when.

Speaking of decals, I'm working on having wheel center decals reproduced in the early blue. Thanks to RonP for sending me one of the grey decals to work from. Incidentally, Ron was the first person ever to place a name to the color of my car years ago - and he was right! But I'm considering having more badges made up as well, as soon as I can find a source or method. CNC? A molded cast? Who knows at this point... Hartge GmbH might not like it, but too bad! I sent them a polite correspondence and they never responded. So ha! I'm going rogue!! Honestly I don't think they really care about such things. But the badges are just the little detail thingies...the eventual proverbial cherry on top.

Pictures of the car will be forthcoming, when more of it is together and closer to how I want to present it.

[e30 Alpina B6 3.5]

I would interested in Hartge badge in blue or grey. That is if you want to sell and make extras.

I have badges but not in the best shape. Would like to find mint Hartge badges for my clone Hartge H35 m30 itbs build.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Unpacked a few more boxes today and found the rest of my coffee table material. Figured these few pieces may be of interest to you.

The brochures and Birds/Hartge documentation to support the original inquiry of the conversion done on the now deceased H5S that donated a lot of the bespoke parts to my car, including the options and the prices at the time. I particularly enjoyed reading how Hartge justify it's pricing and options by the 'consequential resale value increase' you'd be treated to. Great stuff!

[wkohler]

Any updates? After looking at an old picture of the car for a whole month, I'm hoping to see something new!

[TheE28Ranch]

Any updates? After looking at an old picture of the car for a whole month, I'm hoping to see something new!

Thank you for your interest, Chris. Leave it you, one of the most prolific car-work guys on here to put me on the spot about the project progress, or lack thereof. I haven't accomplished too much over the past few months car project-wise. Lots of excuses/reasons ranging from busy at work, to a divorce in June and learning single-parenting, to other summer hobbies, to spending time with a new girly I met.... I may have been gone (while still lurking), but this place, and you you fellas, are not forgotten!

The plan as it is, that I've been thinking about a lot lately again, will pick up with finishing the leather re-dye now that things are turning indoors up here. Good inside work to do now that dirtbiking and such will be hung up for the year and work won't be as crazy. I still have plans to do an engine, and I believe the timing for that will work out well this winter. I still have to get that ball rolling with the intended builder. If it doesn't come together for next year the current engine is just fine, but there's room for improvement.