The BMWs were imported in kit form and assembled by frazer Nash. I think FN were the first Bmw importers and eventually ended up being owned by Porsche,. small world innit?
This is possibly a variation of the Dixi one of bmws first saloons. It was based on the Austin 7 - I think? Most interesting project I have seen on tlb ever- Thanks for sharing those pictures I have enjoyed looking at them!
Hi Pop, Its a shade bigger than an austin 7 probably around the size of a 10 ... maybee a smidge bigger... Its away having the wood done. meanwhile im making the repair sections, lower rear quarters, rear wings, rear luggage box, door skins, grille shell and floors... including inner rear wings and front wing repairs... I make the panels so its just time and materials .. Im also doing a late 20s Austin 7 coupe.. which is apparently very very rare ....which was in worse condition than the FNBMW.. so started from the ground up .and making everything based on the remains of the original.. built this a couple of years ago from an Alvis silver eagle chassis and speed 20 six... everything is aluminium from the floor to the grill etc.. Ive got 60 odd files filled with build pics.... or you could drool over this which I done some work on for a fella who has a museum filled with 50s lemans style sports racers and other beautiful stuff ....
Loads of other stuff like above but its getting a bit off the original topic... Its the stuff I have to do that keeps me from completing the van.. or the ghia .. or the square..
Sorry to but in , have you asked the guy if he's chopped anything on the body to make the V8 fit ? Also I've done the 2 radiators with electric fans in the engine bay and it doesn't really work as there is nowhere for the hot air to escape.
Im going to ask him to drag it out of its corner so I can have a proper assessment of it ... before I go any further ... Ive kinda got involved in buying a new mountain bike so might need most of the cash for that now .. but its still worth a look... If it is a messy conversion then that might make my mind up.. if its a tidy conversion I might make an offer.... It comes with a spare V8 too, could recoupe some cash buying it and flogging both engines and retro fit an aircooled lump.... its an idea im mulling around ... solid vans make good doe and I can do with shifting something to make some bucks to throw at my own van to get it finished ... I actually asked this fella to complete the welding on mine while i did work on the Fraser Nash, I trust his welding skills so much and appreciate the quality of his work, I trusted him to do the welding finishers on my own van ... unfortunately hes too busy.. so I have to plough through the other stuff I have here before I can make any progress//
very nice work thee RE proper motors too. Thanks for sharing. Meanwhile back on topic. Have you bought the bay yet?
I managed to get around by my mates workshop today for another look at the van as I am still mulling it over... It turns out the redoxide is only there to protect the body as he had bare metaled it. It tuns out its all original and has never seen a welding torch. The fella that previously owned it had been maticulous in its preservation by re rustproofing it every 2 years.. I was dubious but after a wee look at the rear arches, door steps doors etc its all solid original bus... he had scraped off the years of rust inhibitor to reveal factory fresh orange paint paint on the floor and chassis.... Ive asked him to fetch it from its corner, wash it down and shove it on a ramp so I can get a good look... roll on Saturday
