Spitfire 1500 project end BMW2002 start.

Someone once said with every end there is a new beginning.

Well after 2 years with the spitfire it's finally time to focus on something else. The spitfire will stay and be used in the summer months. However there will be no more development apart from screwing bits back on when they fall off.

So what next - Well this story starts back in the early eighties. As a very young lad i saw a BMW2002 in pale yellow, no considering i was used to the family VW Beetle the BM was very futuristic. That image has stuck with me all these years, and thanks to Retro car magazine and picture of a 70's race car i just had to get one.

That decision was over six months age, tomorrow i will go and collect 02. The picture below is definitely the start.

Now the plan

Theme Race car for the road.

• Lower front by 3 inches and re-engineer the front suspension.
• Lower the back by 2 inches and modify the rear subframe.
• Restore the car, paint colour is TBA. i have a few ideas.
• Big brakes E21 rears turbo brakes front, with race/road pads.
• Engine, Aftermarket ignition, CBR600 throttle bodies, M40 injection rail, high compression pistons, Schrick 292 cam, hand made tuned intake system, Turbo manifold and exhaust. In short i want 160BHP.
• Interior, might be rolled caged.
• 5 Speed gearbox, (Easier that the spitfire 5 speed conversion).
• Electronic gauges in old pods with old dial faces.
• Body - turbo wheel arches. might have turbo front spoiler or something else. havn;t decided yet.
• Strut braces.
• Bling.

First jobs to do

• Assess how much rust this has and what welding needs re-doing.
• Make a parts list of anything needed to get to MOT standard.
• Get it back on the road.

The plan is get it back on the road. Then mod the engine for fuel injection and suspension, exhaust, strut braces ect. When i am happy i will strip the car to the last nut and bolt and restore the car to rude health. Last of all strip the engine and rebuild it from the bottom up with the tuneup goodies. Thats easy to say but i suspect that this is 2 years of work.