Good evening from 25 15'S 044 49'W... Brazil

[Sailorbaz]

Hey Guys and Girls,

Thought I'd introduce myself before going rooting around your forum for all sorts of interesting info to help put my Z3M back on the road.

I'm down working offshore in Brazil right now but actually hail from Northern Ireland.

Bought a Z3M in 2001, damaged and left it in storage since. Recently dug it out over the winter to prepare it for the summer.

I have a few photos of when we got the car home back in 2001 but can't put my finger on them at the moment. Here are some photos of more recent times, now we've bitten the bullet and started working on it.

I got it home to Northern Ireland and started the task of pulling it apart. Needless to say, a hammer and some decent sized crowbars were needed.





And this is how she sits now after cleaning and pulling out all damaged stuff other than the look


Got all the parts I need gathered up now including blue/black dash, dials, centre consoles, carpets everything but forked out for a brand new loom from BMW which come in on Monday.
Final photo for now...


See you guys around.
Barry

 

[billz]

Looks like you have been busy. Good luck with the rebuild.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome @Sailorbaz,

Looks like one heck of a project you've got there! What was wrong with it when you bought it, because there isn't much left inside it.

Look forward to more pictures a you progress.

Gary

 

[bonzo]

A great restoration project, hope it goes smoothly, looking forward to following it.

All the best,

Bonzo.

 

[zedonist]

Welcome from me, please keep a good photo diary of the rebuild for us Z perverts!

 

[bonzo]

Welcome from me, please keep a good photo diary of the rebuild for us Z perverts!

Mr. Zedonist, lie back on this couch and describe your perversion to us. Close your eyes and take your time.

 

[Sailorbaz]

It looks a lot worse than it actually is.

It was a dashboard fire, caused by what looks like a old Cobra alarm installation that went wrong.

I've left the old loom in for now, to allow me to trace everything that's in place with the new loom and what's not there, I'll be chinning you guys for photos and guidance.

I'll start another thread but unfortunately it'll be the same post with the same photos since I'm using an offshore ISP, that doesn't allow photos or photobucket.

I'm on another couple of forums too, some of you may recognise the handle, ;-)

Cheers,
Barry

 

[hard top]

Welcome from me too. Looks like one hell of a job.
Did someone bodge the alarm installation or was it just bad luck?
Saying that you got the car back to NI did you buy it on the main land?
Good luck with the project and I guess that you will have about a month to work on it when you get your R&R.

 

[zedonist]

Mr. Zedonist, lie back on this couch and describe your perversion to us. Close your eyes and take your time.

Start a new thread called the couch, and I will be happy to

 

[board]

Looks like a good project, are you going to add anything extra which was not on the original spec while you have it all in bits?

Do you spend any time on shore in Brazil?

 

[Sailorbaz]

I was thinking of adding a couple of choice things, Harman Kardon, Cruise and maybe Xenons but I think of rather get the thing up and running before spending more money. I'm doing all the work myself, so will know the interior inside out (literally) so if after the summer I decide to add a couple of things, it'll be no problem removing some of the trim pieces.

Spend a day or two in Rio before joining, and to Lapa last time which is a good wee area for bars, Restaurants, live music and stuff but like a few places, is quite dodgy so you need to be on your toes. We were 4 lads so no problems but I wouldn't be so keen going with wife.

 

[board]

I think you would probably be best going with a custom system than spending the money on a HK unit. The cruise is easy enough to add afterwards so probably worth waiting on that one as you say.

I was in Rio a few months back for a break but live in the middle of Brasil. My wife is a local so makes it easier, it's just me that's the gringo

 

[Sailorbaz]

I will wait, would rather stick to OEM but I suppose all the speakers are well hidden so other than sound quality, you wouldn't know those parts weren't OEM.

You live down here? Very good mate, the women are something else.

You learnt the lingo? I'm trying, have been down here 8 years now, on hire to Petrobras, bit of a nightmare to work but pay decent rates.

 

[board]

The OEM main speakers are ok but the sub is just a box that rattles and I really wouldn't waste your money on one. I removed mine and put an aftermarket speaker in as it just sounded rubbish.

We're in the UK at the moment (avoiding the world cup mess - they have destroyed Cuiaba) and will be here through the summer but will head home again after the UK summer. I really struggle with the lingo, getting better at understanding it but speaking is still just the odd words. My issue is we speak English at home, I speak English while working, the TV is in English and when we go out my friends like to practice their English. How about you, have you figured it out yet?

Petrobras seems to be in the news a lot recently with the President pretty much screwing the company but then that's another story

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome from Canada!! Looks like you'll have something to occupy your time for a while. JIM