Wtb E21

[PeterY]

I have a 1979 323i. Unfortunately the body is too rusty to be economically rebuilt so I am looking for a good donor E21. Mechanically I don't care as everything is going to be rebuilt and moved over but I do want a rust free, straight body, any year will do. Show me what ya got. Oh yeah, I am in Victoria but will travel to Van to get the right car.

Cheers
Peter

[Initial D.oug]

Best bet is to hit up the buy and sell. I don't think anyone is selling e21's here unfortunately. I think I am one of the few that still has one as a matter of fact. How were you able to get a 323? Did you import it yourself. Too bad about the body. What are you going to do with it once you find another?

[PeterY]

Thanks for the advice. I always tend to try forum members first because often they are enthusiasts who know their cars and aren't out just to peddle some piece of junk disquised as a car. However given the lack of responses that is what I will try next.

No I did not import the car, but bought it about 10 years ago, enjoyed it for a while and then parked it with the intention of restoring it, so that is my summer project. Unfortunately like a lot of cars from this era that spent the first few years of it's life in Germany, rust is a major issue, or at least to the point where replacing the fenders, rocker panels etc would cost way more than swapping into a decent chassis. I am still of mixed mind here because I would lose the unique aspects of the 323i : smaller European bumpers. lighter weight, German switch gear. the outlets for dual exhaust etc. I have kinda wondered if the 323i has any particular value because of it's relative rarity, but prices for decent examples don't seem to command a huge premium over a 320i.
It should just be fun to swap all the components, subframes, rear suspension , Recaros seats , the list seems endless but I'm gonna tackle this if I get the right chassis.

Cheers
Peter

[Initial D.oug]

Yeah that will be awesome if you can find a clean chasis then swap everything over. And you can be glad to know if you don't go through with it, I'll buy your euro parts off of ya ;)

Keep us updated on how it goes.