FS: 1981 euro S, 5 spd - SOLD!
03-07-2008, 07:45 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
FS: 1981 euro S, 5 spd - SOLD!
I've decided it's time to let someone else continue this project. My kids have gotten into so many activities, there's just no time for tinkering.
I'll try to get some exterior and interior pics up soon.
Here's what I know about it.
I bought the car non-running about 8-9 years ago as a project since I knew the euro 300HP 5speed was a very sought after car. It’s been garaged the entire time I have had it.
I bought it from a mechanic who was selling it for a friend of his’s widow (you’ll have to think about that for a minute), but basically the friend of the mechanic died and the widow asked the mechanic to sell it for her. The mechanic knew all the history and had worked on it for years and said the owner had a lot of toys and let the car sit too long then it wouldn’t start. It has a conversion plaque in the door sill, and you can see it has side marker lights installed, but it has no cat’s in the exhaust. (it’s over 25 years old, so no emissions testing, at least in Texas). The warning lights are in German, but the speedo, which shows 54,000 miles, is in MPH.
The body is in great shape with no dents, but there is some cracked paint on the front bumper.
The mechanic I bought it from said the CIS fuel distributor was probably the issue, so I got a used fuel distributor from 928 Int, but that didn’t get it running right, so I replaced all the fuel injectors with new ones (2004). I had lots of kids activities during these years, so sometimes months, even years went by between work on the car. By the time I got the new injectors and intake gaskets in, (and polished the intake tubes) it had no spark. It sat for a couple of more years, then last year I hauled it on a trailer to another mechanic who fixed the spark issue which turned out to be the coil, and the engine would start but run only for a couple of seconds, probably off gas from the cold start injector. This mechanic said the fuel distributor was the issue, so the used one I put on probably sat too long with fuel in it, and gummed up like the original. Anyway, the car comes with both fuel distributors.
YouTube Video:
(you can hear it run smoothly for a couple of seconds, so I think the roughness described below is due to some cylinders getting fuel and others not. The cold start injector provides a short burst of fuel to all cylinders evenly right at startup)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWLdvN016Eg
After I got it home, it improved and would stay running if I pumped the throttle, but very roughly. This was all in March/April 07. Not wanting to invest any more time or money, it’s been sitting since. I tried it recently and couldn’t get it to start, but if a little ether is sprayed in the intake, you can hear it fire and run smoothly for a second or two.
Other issues:
The clutch felt normal for many years but recently went to the floor when I pushed it. The mechanic says it’s the clutch master cylinder. This can be rebuilt with cheap parts through the fire wall without removal according to RennListers.
It also developed a leak in the gas tank in early 07.
The dash pod is currently out, and there’s an issue where the ribbon cable connects to it. Some old plastic got brittle and broke off. May be able to rig it back or replace the cluster board with a used one. (this does not effect the engine running)
The car has been repainted but it was not a great job, and it’s a bit hazy, especially on the roof.
There is leather everywhere in this car including the dash, and none of it is cracked, which is rare. Dash pod also not cracked.
Seats are well worn, but there are no holes in the leather. The driver’s seat near the power controls is missing some internal support and trim around the switches and the switches are hanging out.
Carpet is in decent shape.
The condition of the brakes, transmission and all other electrical accessories is unknown, since I’ve never driven the car, and never focused on testing and repairing electrical stuff.
The car is pretty much complete except the front spoiler and air compressor for the spare. I even have the original luggage cover.
The tires have lots of tread but are very old and cracked and I would not recommend putting them on the road.
Engine does not leak any oil (wish I could say that for my 86).
I have clear title to the car. I have never registered the car, and the county courthouse made me turn in the plates when I transferred title since I could not show proof of insurance.
The car will be sold as-is, but I am not selling it because I have discovered anything major wrong with it. I think the car has a lot of potential for someone with the right skills and some time to work on it (extra cash doesn't hurt either). The engine internals seem to be all there and functioning as they should.
This is a true euro with the ZZZ vin, rear fog lights and all the other stuff that goes with a euro.
I will try to get some interior and engine shots on this thread soon.
I'll try to get some exterior and interior pics up soon.
Here's what I know about it.
I bought the car non-running about 8-9 years ago as a project since I knew the euro 300HP 5speed was a very sought after car. It’s been garaged the entire time I have had it.
I bought it from a mechanic who was selling it for a friend of his’s widow (you’ll have to think about that for a minute), but basically the friend of the mechanic died and the widow asked the mechanic to sell it for her. The mechanic knew all the history and had worked on it for years and said the owner had a lot of toys and let the car sit too long then it wouldn’t start. It has a conversion plaque in the door sill, and you can see it has side marker lights installed, but it has no cat’s in the exhaust. (it’s over 25 years old, so no emissions testing, at least in Texas). The warning lights are in German, but the speedo, which shows 54,000 miles, is in MPH.
The body is in great shape with no dents, but there is some cracked paint on the front bumper.
The mechanic I bought it from said the CIS fuel distributor was probably the issue, so I got a used fuel distributor from 928 Int, but that didn’t get it running right, so I replaced all the fuel injectors with new ones (2004). I had lots of kids activities during these years, so sometimes months, even years went by between work on the car. By the time I got the new injectors and intake gaskets in, (and polished the intake tubes) it had no spark. It sat for a couple of more years, then last year I hauled it on a trailer to another mechanic who fixed the spark issue which turned out to be the coil, and the engine would start but run only for a couple of seconds, probably off gas from the cold start injector. This mechanic said the fuel distributor was the issue, so the used one I put on probably sat too long with fuel in it, and gummed up like the original. Anyway, the car comes with both fuel distributors.
YouTube Video:
(you can hear it run smoothly for a couple of seconds, so I think the roughness described below is due to some cylinders getting fuel and others not. The cold start injector provides a short burst of fuel to all cylinders evenly right at startup)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWLdvN016Eg
After I got it home, it improved and would stay running if I pumped the throttle, but very roughly. This was all in March/April 07. Not wanting to invest any more time or money, it’s been sitting since. I tried it recently and couldn’t get it to start, but if a little ether is sprayed in the intake, you can hear it fire and run smoothly for a second or two.
Other issues:
The clutch felt normal for many years but recently went to the floor when I pushed it. The mechanic says it’s the clutch master cylinder. This can be rebuilt with cheap parts through the fire wall without removal according to RennListers.
It also developed a leak in the gas tank in early 07.
The dash pod is currently out, and there’s an issue where the ribbon cable connects to it. Some old plastic got brittle and broke off. May be able to rig it back or replace the cluster board with a used one. (this does not effect the engine running)
The car has been repainted but it was not a great job, and it’s a bit hazy, especially on the roof.
There is leather everywhere in this car including the dash, and none of it is cracked, which is rare. Dash pod also not cracked.
Seats are well worn, but there are no holes in the leather. The driver’s seat near the power controls is missing some internal support and trim around the switches and the switches are hanging out.
Carpet is in decent shape.
The condition of the brakes, transmission and all other electrical accessories is unknown, since I’ve never driven the car, and never focused on testing and repairing electrical stuff.
The car is pretty much complete except the front spoiler and air compressor for the spare. I even have the original luggage cover.
The tires have lots of tread but are very old and cracked and I would not recommend putting them on the road.
Engine does not leak any oil (wish I could say that for my 86).
I have clear title to the car. I have never registered the car, and the county courthouse made me turn in the plates when I transferred title since I could not show proof of insurance.
The car will be sold as-is, but I am not selling it because I have discovered anything major wrong with it. I think the car has a lot of potential for someone with the right skills and some time to work on it (extra cash doesn't hurt either). The engine internals seem to be all there and functioning as they should.
This is a true euro with the ZZZ vin, rear fog lights and all the other stuff that goes with a euro.
I will try to get some interior and engine shots on this thread soon.
Last edited by Don Carter; 03-12-2008 at 06:59 PM. Reason: change subject
03-08-2008, 09:42 AM
#3
Race Car
Euro headlights by the looks too. My '83 has similar dash in re: warning lights/speedo. Too bad about the repaint, great mileage!
Great project for someone that knows what they are getting into- if it were down the road I'd grab it in a second, but the distance is the thing for me.
Hope it gets to a good home!
Great project for someone that knows what they are getting into- if it were down the road I'd grab it in a second, but the distance is the thing for me.
Hope it gets to a good home!
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03-09-2008, 01:16 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
The car does have A/C, but I doubt it's in working condition.
Here are some interior shots. Not as good as I would like but good enough to get a feel for the condition of the interior. It's a bit rough here and there but I've seen much worse.
The steering wheel is not bolted down currently since the pod is not fully installed. I do have all the parts though.
If the stereo looks a bit unusual it's because it's a BMW!
Here are some interior shots. Not as good as I would like but good enough to get a feel for the condition of the interior. It's a bit rough here and there but I've seen much worse.
The steering wheel is not bolted down currently since the pod is not fully installed. I do have all the parts though.
If the stereo looks a bit unusual it's because it's a BMW!
Last edited by Don Carter; 03-09-2008 at 12:21 PM. Reason: Remove dup picture
03-09-2008, 08:45 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
FS: 81 euro, 5pd - $2500 - More pictures added
I moved the euro out of the garage today and washed it and took more photos. I took more interior pics since the light was much better today. Maybe overkill on the photos, but I figure more pictures is always better when you are looking to purchase a car, and I don't want anyone to be disappointed or misled.
I looked for about the 10th time since I've owned the car, and still cannot find the engine number. I've always been satified that it's the original 300hp engine based on the shape of the intake tubes and all that, but I know it's important to some to find the number. If anyone wants to help direct me to the number I'll be happy to try again. I found a flat spot right next to the plastic timing belt cover on the top of the block near the front that looked like where it should be but there were no numbers on it.
I looked for about the 10th time since I've owned the car, and still cannot find the engine number. I've always been satified that it's the original 300hp engine based on the shape of the intake tubes and all that, but I know it's important to some to find the number. If anyone wants to help direct me to the number I'll be happy to try again. I found a flat spot right next to the plastic timing belt cover on the top of the block near the front that looked like where it should be but there were no numbers on it.
03-09-2008, 09:07 PM
#13
Three Wheelin'
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I must be confused------
you're selling this, why....?????
--Russ
(and to think I'm only thirty minutes or so away----Geez I need $2500......my wife will kill me over this.)
you're selling this, why....?????
--Russ
(and to think I'm only thirty minutes or so away----Geez I need $2500......my wife will kill me over this.)
03-09-2008, 10:38 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I'm glad you guys think it's a good deal, that's why I'm saying the price is firm, at least for now. I think it's a fair price for a non-drivable euro that you can at least hear fire for second or two. It's not priced higher because it can't be driven, it won't stay running, and there are a lot of untested systems, that I just don't know the condition of.
I'm selling it because I'm finally accepting that I just don't have the time needed to spend on it, and probably never will. I tend to spread myself too thin and take on too many projects so I just need to thin the heard a bit. I currently have 6 V8's to maintain (3 running cars, 1 non-running (this car), a boat and an RV). Then there is the 4 wheelers, the tractor, generator, powerwasher, weedeater, mower, chainsaw, etc.... Just keeping all the batteries fresh is a huge task.
I'm selling it because I'm finally accepting that I just don't have the time needed to spend on it, and probably never will. I tend to spread myself too thin and take on too many projects so I just need to thin the heard a bit. I currently have 6 V8's to maintain (3 running cars, 1 non-running (this car), a boat and an RV). Then there is the 4 wheelers, the tractor, generator, powerwasher, weedeater, mower, chainsaw, etc.... Just keeping all the batteries fresh is a huge task.