TWR 335i

[e21-Mark]

It's nothing to do with money. It was the companies being used going into receivership etc that has caused the delays. Auztec are a race car prep service only hence the need to use a 3rd party to do the body / paintwork to the required standard. Or so I understand anyway.

I also managed to trace, and make contact with, some of the previous registered keepers today. After the guy who bought it new, it passed to a few members of the same family up in Norfolk. They all seemed to be ex-directory so I have had to resort to these letters and stamps things.

[dannyboy]

the service manager met him on the M4 with the car and then followed him in his C1. Well tried to anyway.

Where's yours?

sorry rav.. its now just sitting in the garage awaiting paint...

[e21-Mark]

Just had confirmation that my TWR started off as a German factory built C1 before being imported into the UK by TWR and ultimately being converted from C1 too 335s specification. It seems they built 2 335's and a single 2.8 and it's that final car that no longer exists.

[dannyboy]

hi mark, so theres only 2 TWR 335i's ever made...? if so darn you got lucky with this one mate.

[lemonayd]

Just had confirmation that my TWR started off as a German factory built C1 before being imported into the UK by TWR and ultimately being converted from C1 too 335s specification. It seems they built 2 335's and a single 2.8 and it's that final car that no longer exists.

WOW this story keeps getting better


....ayds


ps.. are you your your names not Sherlock by any chance

[e21-Mark]

No, but I did go buy a magnifying glass!

The biggest help has been speaking to the service manager who actually worked at TWR whilst the cars were built. He has been extremely helpful in tracing the cars exact specifications. He was able to tell me things that most people wouldn't have known. An example of this being the gearbox and the fact that they ended up using internals from the Hartge units as they were the only other tuner offering a 3.5 conversion.

Anyway, I am going over to see Dave on Monday to get the car up on a lift and inspect it. We are going to start doing some of the work needed and I imagine that will start with removing the old engine bottom end and fitting the M535 engine from Jason. Obviously, it will be far easier to do that with the front panel removed. Once it's in and bolted up, we can re-fit the front end, wings, bonnet, headlights & grills. I also need to look at rust protection and may well use the same company as Silver Surfer did as they did a quality job. Anyway, once it's up on the lift I will take extensive photographs and document exactly what we are doing. Eventually, the original engine will go back in but I want to be sure it has been blueprinted & balanced as per the original specification. I want to have the new head flowed too and the Schrick camshaft fitted. Apart from the headlining, most of the interior is in really good order. The Recaros are spotless anyway.

[Mobster]

Are they the original Recaros the car came with ? I think possibly the interior and the steering have been replaced along the line somewhere. I don’t think you will have too much problem getting the original steering (W&N still sell them), however the interior might be more tricky. The one in the car looks very tidy. Are the rear seats the same material ?

[e21-Mark]

All the interior is original.

[Mobster]

Well preserved by the previous owners then. Just the steering to get which is easy and fairly cheap.

[e21-Mark]

Well I was able to get over to M-tech this morning and Dave got the TWR up on his ramp so that we could go over it with a fine tooth comb. Apologies for the picture quality and poor light and an i phone camera are a bad mix.

Anyway, the whole shell is 100% rust free. In fact, it has to be one of the most solid E21's I have come across personally. The fact that a previous owner has laboriously
removed all the underseal with a scraper means that there are no hidden surprises.



This is the only blemish along with a rear corner of the bonnet that has a little ding that's happened whilst in storage. Certainly nothing to worry about.



The metal around the diff remains rust free and the cover and fins should clean up nicely. Obviously the LSD with get fresh oil.



The suspension all seems to be in good order and looks to have been fully refurbished in recent years. The springs are progressive rate.



The brakes look awesome too. I'm guessing the fronts were taken from the 635 that donated its engine. The hoses with be replaced with braided items along with new fluid & pads.



The gearbox will obviously get fresh oil too. The internals are a combination of 6 and 7 series ratios combined with the standard 3.45 diff.



The bootlid has been replaced for some reason but this is also mint so just needs painting. Apart from this and some localized repairs, that should be about the only paintwork needed. The gutter trims, rear windows etc all need to be replaced and / or re-fitted.

All the wheel arches are spotless as are the doors. In fact, the doors look factory fresh inside and out.







The boot currently contains a load of parts. There's a brand new head, polished rocker cover, polished inlet manifold and assorted other bits and pieces.



There a brand new cam and the original Alpina strut brace remains too.



There are certain bits I am still in need of but that's mainly interior trim. Dave @ E21 Revival has supplied me with a decent carpet ( thanks Dave ) and I have an early Alpina steering wheel as was originally fitted.



The staggered Alpina wheels will get new rubber once the wheels themselves have been refurbished.





Rather than just fit the engine I got from Jason, we have decided to rebuild the original, blueprinted TWR engine instead. If, further down the line, it looks as if it's too far gone we can always revert to the original plan. It just makes sense to get the original engine up and running again. As soon as the cars running we can get the front end on and think about the first M.O.T in 21 years!

[Jason_323i]

Mark you git a Alpina C1 and TWR that's greed.

Also those calipers are not 635 possible m635csi but they wern't made till 83 the other option is e23 735 as Jeff Cook's Kumho e21 ran those on the front

Jason

[tyson 320i/323i]

i have already said it but im gonna say it again- that is one sweet find and youre one lucky guy

[e21-Mark]

Just managed to track down the guy that bought the car as a brand new Alpina C1 back in 1982! I spoke with his wife and have arranged to have a chat with him in the morning. Even though it wasn't her car she said she still remembers it more than 25 years later!

[e21-Mark]

Well I had a chat to the guy who bought my car new back in 1982 and he confirmed that it was originally an Alpina C1 before being returned to Tom Walkinshaw for converting to 335 spec. He said that he always thought that it was a cracking car and only sold it when his kids came along and he needed something a bit more practical. His main memory seemed to be of how hard it was to keep it going in a straight line whenever it rained. Anyway, I have got his e-mail address and will ask him if he might have any old photos? I realize tracing past owners isn't everyone cup of tea but I'm pleased that I have been able to confirm my cars authenticity. He was also kind enough to invite me down once the car is back on the road.

[nas80]

this car doesn't have a e12 diff?! didnt jimi say that alpina used this diff on all the high power e21's they made?