Yes Tim I am thinking we should smooth door handles and locks. Therefore would only leave the boot lock on car as the mechanical over ride in case battery went flat. No mirrors at all I think Tim. This will maintain that smooth look to the car. Well done great job. Wish l was closer I would come and help remove all the tar.
Dirtbagging a BMW : )
Started by
_dirtbag_
, Aug 11 2012 12:59 AM
236 replies to this topic
#127
_LS1 Hatch_
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 09:03 AM
You need exterior door handles by law in Vic, don't you ?
Incase of accident they need a way into the vehicle. (electric poppers and such could not work after an accident, hence needing a mechanical handle.)
Not to say you couldn't go with something more modern/sleek...hmmmmm..
Incase of accident they need a way into the vehicle. (electric poppers and such could not work after an accident, hence needing a mechanical handle.)
Not to say you couldn't go with something more modern/sleek...hmmmmm..
#128
_Macka_
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 10:01 AM
I actually ave no idea Jeff. I will follow up with my engineer. Thanks for heads up.
#129
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 10:16 AM
I've come across it a couple times over the years shipping vehicles for customers with no door handles, so just thought I'd mention it 
#130
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 10:23 AM
What about push button door handles, flush with the top of the door?
#131
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 01:38 PM
Macka/Dirtbag, Compliments first of all.. this is going to be a fantastic project.
Love the direction you’re heading with it. Silvers do the most for the shape of these cars so glad you’re sticking with it. Dark blue (or red) interior sounds hot. I personally reckon leaving the front seat headrests off is the way to go, the lower the fronts are the better with this car I think. and +1 for the black and chrome grille, gotta stick to those classic bmw roots (somewhat lol).
Smooth is sexy, and bumper overriders/rubber look better in the bin. .
To say I’m excited seeing this project underway is an understatement!
Love the direction you’re heading with it. Silvers do the most for the shape of these cars so glad you’re sticking with it. Dark blue (or red) interior sounds hot. I personally reckon leaving the front seat headrests off is the way to go, the lower the fronts are the better with this car I think. and +1 for the black and chrome grille, gotta stick to those classic bmw roots (somewhat lol).
Smooth is sexy, and bumper overriders/rubber look better in the bin. .
To say I’m excited seeing this project underway is an understatement!
#132
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 02:16 PM
Yes there will need to be a mechanical door opener/handle of some kind. Same rules apply in Qld. Either a flush push button or something would be the go. You can have elecreic door poppers as well, but they can't be all it has to open the door.
#133
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 02:18 PM
My hilux just has door buttons, but I think something nicer would be more appropriate for the E9.
#134
_Macka_
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 02:50 PM
Ok Tim. Leave that up to you to use your creativeness!!
#135
enderwigginau
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Posted 18 August 2012 - 03:35 PM
You can put a handle hidden under the sill can't you? Or elsewhere? So long as there is a handle.
Ms_Cameo_Gold's Charger was like that I believe........
Ms_Cameo_Gold's Charger was like that I believe........
#136
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Posted 19 August 2012 - 01:57 AM
Another option would be to modify the original set up.
The outer handle has the section of side trim integrated into the handle, so with out the trim the handle look really out of place. The good news is the outer handle just screws onto the inner mech with 2 screws. If I were to make the finger hole (slot) under the handle smaller and less conspicuous, then make a new handle that followed the exact shape of the outer panel of the door then they wouldn't stand out much at all, and all the stock mechs could stay as it. Just a thought.
Here's the stock handle, you can see how it juts out with the side trim removed. The piece of trim above the handle actually IS the handle.
Also imagine if I made the slot under the handle much less of an opening, but still just big enough to get your fingers in to lift a new handle that followed the doors shape. Does any of that make sense? It's late and I can't sleep so probably just sound like a mad man hahaha.
Here you can see where the handle was. If I made a new outer handle that had the same little swage folded into it that the door skin has, then there'd just be a small seam around the handle and a small recess underneath for your finger tips but nothing would stick out past the door skin.
Well that's a thought anyway, just in case the door poppers or buttons etc don't work out.
OK, I'm giong to bed now : )
The outer handle has the section of side trim integrated into the handle, so with out the trim the handle look really out of place. The good news is the outer handle just screws onto the inner mech with 2 screws. If I were to make the finger hole (slot) under the handle smaller and less conspicuous, then make a new handle that followed the exact shape of the outer panel of the door then they wouldn't stand out much at all, and all the stock mechs could stay as it. Just a thought.
Here's the stock handle, you can see how it juts out with the side trim removed. The piece of trim above the handle actually IS the handle.
Also imagine if I made the slot under the handle much less of an opening, but still just big enough to get your fingers in to lift a new handle that followed the doors shape. Does any of that make sense? It's late and I can't sleep so probably just sound like a mad man hahaha.
Here you can see where the handle was. If I made a new outer handle that had the same little swage folded into it that the door skin has, then there'd just be a small seam around the handle and a small recess underneath for your finger tips but nothing would stick out past the door skin.
Well that's a thought anyway, just in case the door poppers or buttons etc don't work out.
OK, I'm giong to bed now : )
#137
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Posted 19 August 2012 - 02:21 AM
OK, I'm giong to bed now : )
Come on, it's only 9:20 in the morning...plenty of time to work today still
#138
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Posted 19 August 2012 - 11:22 AM
I like Tims door handle idea
I don't like the idea of running seats wth no head rests :(
Headrests are a safety item and I just can't get my head around why anyone would want to run without them, but its your neck (literally).
Maybe Tim can branch out into interior trimming as well and come up with a removeable headrest that doesn't look like it is missing when it is removed for shows or slow closed road cruises ??
I don't like the idea of running seats wth no head rests :(
Headrests are a safety item and I just can't get my head around why anyone would want to run without them, but its your neck (literally).
Maybe Tim can branch out into interior trimming as well and come up with a removeable headrest that doesn't look like it is missing when it is removed for shows or slow closed road cruises ??
#139
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Posted 22 August 2012 - 09:51 PM
I have two cars already with no headrests.
I hear what you are saying and don't disagree with the safety aspects. However as it is not a daily driver it doesn't really worry me. Not that that makes it ok/ safe!!
I hear what you are saying and don't disagree with the safety aspects. However as it is not a daily driver it doesn't really worry me. Not that that makes it ok/ safe!!
#140
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Posted 22 August 2012 - 10:53 PM
And what fine cars they are macka no headrest is the cool look since when has safety come into it lol
#141
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Posted 23 August 2012 - 06:18 AM
While I am a massive fan of shaved customs I personally think the stainless moulds look great on this body shape,
and the door handles look stylish the way they are incoporated into the body line.
They will be hard to improve on,I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
and the door handles look stylish the way they are incoporated into the body line.
They will be hard to improve on,I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
#143
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Posted 26 August 2012 - 09:46 AM
Wot79 and Bomber l don't disagree with either of you as l like the stainless trim around the car and the way the door handles are incorporated into the trim. However l really like these cars smoothed even more like this one.
So it does create issues in regard to door handles and l haven't got my head around how we do it yet. Tim's theory of keeping a handle but smoothing it in more sounds good but l will have to work with him on understanding the final look in more detail.
So it does create issues in regard to door handles and l haven't got my head around how we do it yet. Tim's theory of keeping a handle but smoothing it in more sounds good but l will have to work with him on understanding the final look in more detail.
#144
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Posted 26 August 2012 - 10:58 AM
i havent really been watching this thread as i was finding it hard to get into, not being much of a bmw fan but after seeing that last picture i think im sold.
#145
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Posted 26 August 2012 - 12:25 PM
Stinga stick with us mate. I know what you mean as l reckon l would have walked past one of these cars 100 times and not really had a second look in stock form. Especially the way in original form most sit really high in their stance. However after seeing a few that just had the stance changed and good wheels l realized they actually have great lines and a lot of potential. So staying true to the cars body lines but improving on it with some Dirtbag magic l reckon/hope this will come out brilliantly. Actually hope is not a strategy here as l don't want to spend money on this thing and be the lucky owner of something that looks sh*t. Stance and wheels will play a big part in getting it right. Oh and just to add some muscle and brilliant sound an LS1 and 6 speed should help!!! I want this to be the cruiser that l would be happy to drive every day. As much as l love my Monaro and Torana l could not say that about them.
#149
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Posted 27 September 2012 - 09:48 AM
Seriously Stop bumping Dirtbags threads, You get my hopes up then I see nothing is done but a BUMP :(
#150
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Posted 27 September 2012 - 12:21 PM
Sorry boys this will be a slow build. Dirtbag has got plenty of other projects on the go and has done me a favour to do what he has done to date. I am also happy to have a slow build as l need to keep being nice to the Minister For Finance on this one!!
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