engine and drivetrain Crushed & Saved, how I did it in 3,786 easy steps:

[eastsidebimmer]

Some know of my saga, some don't--but I wanted to share what I've been up to on the restoration project for my 1968 2002, (1661250) I've owned this 02 since 2005 when I had it shipped from LA to to Indpls. In October 2008 I was rear ended while stopped at a red light at the exit of a freeway ramp. After the collision, I opted to keep the car in the settlement, (clean title) and just sat on it and collected parts for 2+ years; this was the easy part. Almost everything I needed came from FAQers from coast to coast, Blunt and my local dealer Dreyer & Reinbold BMW. Lots of friends and FAQers pitched in, Schwartz75, Indy02, my friend Will, and countless others gave advice from afar. Reggie's Motorworks handled all of the structural and mechanical repairs last year and were invaluable during the rebuild. It was worth it, but took a lot of time, resources, energy and support from some of the nicest BMW people in the world! I did this on a budget, selling parts to fund other purchases, trading a 73 Ford truck for labor, paying someone else to do what I stunk at and disassembled and reassembled everything myself. I hope you like it, here we go:

Pre-Collision 2007, graveyard - Indpls, IN (errie/unfortunate forshadowing?)

Accident Day, October 2008

Deconstruction Begins 2+ years later, April 2011 www.reggiesmotorworks.com

Metalwork mostly complete in June 2011

Engine Swap, IE Stage I & HDs - still at Reggie's shop near Indpls, IN.

July 2011 - Bodywork, Engine and Suspension Complete

Sept. 2011 Gutted, kept the 3 piece dash.

Nov/Dec 2011 Prepped for Paint and resprayed in single stage Chamonix by a "friend of a friend" using 100% OSHA approved methods.

Dec 31, 2011 - Heading home from paint on a borrowed trailer pulled by my trusty Dodge

Jan/Feb/March 2012 - lots of little things, opening the bag-n-tags, sorting piles based on project areas, some cursing, door seals anyone (Thanks Pat!) My pal Will pictured during several long hours of trunk adjustment.

Early April 2012, original carpet back in, door panels, interior followed later that week

Mid April 2012, lots of finish work, wheels on, lights on, exported FLA Yuengling's were fueling our work

April 26, 2012 running on beer fumes and very little sleep Will and I installed the seats, filled the tank and headed west, overnighted in Hermann, overlooking the MO River.

April 28, 2012 - MidAmerica 02 Fest - we made it

Roadside Arkansas

Approximately 1 year since the big project began, my 02 lives again! 1,350 miles complete in 4 days, and picked up the "Oldest BMW" award at MidAmerica02 Fest.

[wegweiser]

Truly inspiring! Well done! Bring 'er to Winston-Salem!

[auggiemize]

Outstanding Ben! Look forward to seeing it...Are you coming down our way in a few weeks?

Dave V. in NC

[Guest Anonymous]

Great story,great work. Congratulations!!

[gracer]

Wonderful job. My 72 TII was hit inthe same place,about the same time. It is back on the road thanks to a friend in a body shop. G

[beammmer]

I'm truly sorry I didn't know your story. I was at 02 Fest this year and would have loved to have "checked" out you car.

Congratulations,

Don

[ray_]

What Don said.

Nicely done!

Cheers,

Ray

I'm truly sorry I didn't know your story. I was at 02 Fest this year and would have loved to have "checked" out you car.

Congratulations,

Don

[cj]

Great job. Nicely done!

Cris

[eastsidebimmer]

Truly inspiring! Well done! Bring 'er to Winston-Salem!

Paul & Dave, this little guy was at the Vintage back in 2006 & 2007 but I took 2008 off for the birth of my daughter. Well, as luck would have it, the same kid is now turning 4 over that weekend so Vintage 2012 is not in my cards this year. I'll be there in 2013!

[NickVyse]

fantastic story and a great save, love it.

[jgerock]

Ben -

I have known about your accident and have wondered how the progression was going just based on your short updates. Glad you have a great bodyshop, assistance and a nice garage to perform your work. Certainly inspiring for my '69 project. We will miss you at Vintage this year but look forward to 2013. Are you going to toss a coil to see which car gets to travel to NC?

Jim

[BillWilliams]

Wonderful, just wonderful

[adawil2002]

That is awesome... that is a loved '02. The pic of you(?) in the trunk is very funny.

Wish you safe roads and many miles of smiles.

[eastsidebimmer]

The pic of you(?) in the trunk is very funny.

The trunk dweller is one of my hired hands...and by hired I mean complimentary beer and busted knuckles.

[jmon0261]

Great news Ben. Good to keep the early ones on the road. One of the high lights of my trip accross the U.S was driving into N.C. with you and Vince.

Will mke it back one of these years.

Joseph ( Chico Jo )