Sunday Gazette article on the 501

My friends in Germany just sent me a link to the latest Sunday Gazette. It is featuring the BMW 501.

There is a nice video of the car driving on the first page.

Here is the link:
Sunday Gazette

Brake Reservoir

The brake reservoir is not easy to replace. The current one is too old and weak to repair. A new one will cost 350 EUR. I will find a creative solution. 2 plastic ones would work. Or 2 aluminium ones would also work.

I just ordered a set of aluminium screw top container that are just the right size. The lids have silicone rings to create an air tight seal. These are normally for spices or other such things. I think they will be perfect as brake fluid reservoirs.

Registration

I send off the papers to get the car registered in my name. This should take about 4  to 6 weeks. The DVLA are not the quickest bunch in the shire.

It is strange that there is no records of this car with the DVLA. I have an original V5 certificate. I guess it has been off the road for a very long time.

The car will be registered with modern plates. When I get the heritage certificate, I will be able to switch it to classic plates.

Brake renovation

I sent all the brake parts to a company called Past Parts. They did a great job rebuilding them.

Heritage Certificate

I just sent off the paperwork for a Heritage Certificate. I am not sure how long it will take. With this certificate, I will be able to switch the registration of the car from modern to classic. Then it will be tax and MOT free in the UK.
The certificate costs 60 EUR and I ordered it direct from BMW.

Engine number

I found the engine number. It turns out the engine number on the registration is different than the actual engine number. I think they made a dyslectic mistake when copying the number down (16952 vs 16592)

Battery

I bought a massive new battery that barely fits in the tray. The old Acolyte battery looked too small.

Carburettor

The carburettor is simple and single. It will be easy to clean. The design is very similar to American cars.

Body panels and frame

There is very little rust on the car. The underside looks great. The previous owner spent about £10,000 on body work. It is very sound and well preserved.

Interior

The interior needs a LOT of work.

The original fabric seats are corroded and falling apart. They were tan in color. There are now covered with temporary seat covers.

The room lining is OK, however, in the back corners it is heavily faded.

The carpets are long gone. From fragments I can see they were tan in color.

The dash board has rust around the radio. Otherwise it is fine. It is a two tone gray (dark over light).

The base of the steering wheel is missing the ivory enamel. I wonder if this can be fixed?

Radiator/tubing

The water tubing and radiator is completely corroded. It will all have to be replaced.

Wheels

I removed the wheels and tires. I discovered they don't need inner tubes. The wheels can safely take tube-less tires.

There are currently 165 SR 15 tires on the wheels. Dietmar in Germany (my new source for parts) has the same car with 185 / 80 / 15. I will buy the 185 to replace these.

I will have the wheels blasted and powder coated before buying the new tires.

The current hub caps are not so attractive. The simple chrome covers are far more beautiful. I can't find any used ones. New ones are bloody expensive!

Brake System

The brakes system must be completely rebuilt.
The brake reservoir has 6+ hols in the thin aluminium. The servo look dead. Etc.

A good wash and cleaning

After washing the car it looks much better. Aside from a few dings and scratches, it is in decent shape.

1958 BMW 502 Renovation Begins

I found this car in the corner of a garage covered with dust and plastic. It has not moved in over 12 years. I contacted the owner.  

In mid October 2012 we met at the garage to discuss the car. I made an offer and bought it.

I am now the owner of a big piece of metal that cannot move.