OK! 1 month later update... wow that went by FAST. The Alu-Innovations poptops arrived in Cali a couple days ago. I have one good lead but much help that has been offered to me. My one good lead is from a great friend of mine who is OM606 swapping an 80 series (its already on 1 tons and has a 6 liter LS in it lol) he has a friend overseas in Aus who said it should be no problem for him to get a rust free windshield frame cut out for me, gonna have him cut out a left rear quarter panel since mine got crunched in by a rock and then kicked out by me looking like it has 10000 pimples on it lol. Only issue is the guy is on vacation in Greece, should be getting back this week. Will keep yall updated if that plan falls thru or not.
I appreciate the wealth of information, I just don't think I have it in me to try and fail 10000x with bodywork especially with a frame that is so far gone. Even if I got it somewhat looking good I bet the windshield would leak like a siv. Still tho great knowledge to know, thank you
Yea... I'm 22 now and too old for all the welding and grinding

I can't thank you enough for reaching out, this is the route I will go if I can't get a graft from overseas to weld in, the new parts stuff is just VERY pricey for my 22-year-old wallet. However if it comes to it, I will save up and fork the cash out. May be in touch soon!
That's an awesome bit of info I bet none of us would have known, thanks for the German knowledge
yup wish it was a 5spd but I doubt it would have enough power to even use an overdrive efficiently haha. I'm starting to feel like just a younger version of you, it seems like every car I acquire, you have also owned in the past and have tons of stories about them. I love it
As mentioned above, yes it would be the best way. As a reoccurring theme with this thread since I started it when I was 17, my money has always been stretched thin, primarily due to the Red Rocket. 5 years later and ITS STILL EATING THRU MY MONEY hahaha. I will go this route if there isn't a cheaper (but still good) option to choose from. Just hoping this buddy of my buddy is Aus can pull through for me.
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A few quick updates with photos since everyone loves photos not just 10000000 words to read through
The troopy has looked like this for about a month now as it was wasting space just sitting in the shop doing nothing. Primered it and now its under a car port outside, gonna be lots of little creatures living in it whenever I'm finally able to resume progress.
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I've put about 1,500 miles on the 240D now, got a new interior, averaging 35mpg. Need to do tie rod ends badly and the remanufactured alternator has failed (big surprise) Still been driving it for the past week with the alternator not charging, just push start it and I'm good to go. Has enough voltage to make some dim turn signals and headlights when needed.
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and helped my buddy swap the engine and trans out of his old Rabbit pickup truck
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Thats really about it, this summer has sadly been extremely uneventful and just really hot and sweaty. Wake up at 7am get off work at 5pm and work on cars on the side till about 9pm, rinse, repeat, every day... wish I had more adventures to talk about or update the thread with