+blu73 You cant put a price-tag on the value of what he learned. He took the same path we did in the late 60's early 70's ....... a kid you can talk to without having to pause to explain
+pfflyers1 I've not really ever done what he has really but i plunge loads of money into my cars, i do it for the love of the things.... whether something is financially sensible never really comes into it. If the car needs it then i buy it, if i really want it i save up and get it. :)
pfflyers1 I wish. It's a late '73 that would have come with the CIS fuel injection but like I said, I bought it with no drivetrain. Now it has a later 3.0 twin plug, a 915 tranny with LSD, brakes from a late 80's Turbo with a host of suspension and chassis upgrades. Wonderfully reliable but I just can't stop "improving" on it. It's my money pit. I have my eye on a low mileage 3.6 at my local salvage yard.
Thank you everyone for the positive comments. I didn't realize so many people would enjoy my story! It's truly been a life changing experience and something I can hold onto for the rest of my life! -CKK
+Carter Kelly Kramer Loved your story! Im on a similar journey and had goosebumps at the end of the video, I have rebuilt my own motorcycle and it has truly changed my life! Thanks for sharing, greetings from Sweden!
I feel you guys, cars in denmark cost 180% and have the highest car taxations in europe. With that being said we are allowed to upgrade a MK IV Golf to 500 Horsepower if we want, no restrictions on that happily.
Did you just watch the same video I did? Dude fixed the thing using a tree and chain... it took time to get in the shape it's in now, but this is the video you're refering to. You don't need staggering amounts of money. Just patience. Don't bubba it.
Car enthusiast yes. True petrol head? No. When you own different cars, bikes, all sort of engines. Maby even race or drift in some amateur or pro series, then you truly are "true petrol head".
paid 4500 dollar for a Caprice wagon in same condition which was orange aswell, quite rare now adays in Norway. and everything here is expensive fixed it for another 4500 and its a new car literally its as new as it gets all stock tho but still brand new.
Hossein salamat Sweden is too far away and i did everything myself and bought good parts from abroad which is cheap.and still it cost that much. if i where to do it in a shop probably like 20 000 dollar i don't know a lot more expensive atleast.
that's the thing us gear heads see whats done it reminds us of when we first started we know the pain the satisfaction the blood sweat and tears that go into cars I have never bought a car private sale with out learning the story and I will raise what I offered just because of the story
I fucking hate when people say somethig like, "why are you putting so much money into your car? You're never going to get it back." They generally are just Joe Smoe who sees a car as an object to get from point A to Point B and don't understand. Like he says in the video we don't care about resale value because we build the car we want, not a car to sell.
Maybe because Joe Smoe has already been down that path and seen the reality of making a living in this time and age. Its easy being a 12 year old and getting a boner over a project car, when you get your licence kid then talk.
Usually when someone says that the car is a piece of shit, can i see dumping two grand into a nice car like that? of course, can i see you dumping 2k into a rusted 96 chevy lumina? fuuuuck no
I say that when I see someone dump money into a complete crap, that will remain crap. When they could've bought a much more rewarding car for that money. Rewarding being, faster, better suited for drifting, or whatever they actually want to do with it.
"This car has taught me how to build, how to drive, how to appreciate automobiles...you can't put a price on that." Perfect. I love REAL car guys- they build the perfect instrument for themselves without thinking about resale value.
"Every teenager thinks that they're the best driver in the world when they get their license, and they all learn quickly that they're not." **Insert Takumi Fujiwara**
from the pictures, he matures in a lot of ways as restoration are in progress. The editing captured it beautifully. I respect him not just because of his car, but his mindset evolution through restoring his car. good job Cramer.
+Carter Kelly Kramer He said it better than I could. This really gives me hopes for the projects I have in mind for the future. Thanks dude, keep on keepin on!
+Carter Kelly Kramer Believe me, 2002 enthusiast would pick your creation over a stock 2002 any day. I had a very nice Tii and you cant really enjoy it 'cause it would loose too much value if it crashed or got hit by a careless driver. As nice as my 2002 was I think yours is a beauty that resembles a 2002 Alpina which in my opinion was the pinacle even compared to the 2002 Turbo.
It is a beautiful story presented by the good folks of Petrolicious - beautifully told by Carter. I really hope he sticks to his attitude and keeps the car. What many people not understand when seeing a vintage car modified with such a history as his and see it sitting "improperly restored", wearing their aristocratic noses high up is: A car is just like the human who lives with it - it evolves over times, it ages and it goes through the very same stages in it's life as the owner does if the car stays with the owner. Carter's story is absolutely sweet - the car being crashed and manhandled in teenagers attitude and lack of knowing better at the time. It looks beautiful now and surely gives the owner all the pleasure, it's value indeed priceless to the owner I am sure. Who knows - it might even stay around to be given a concours restoration by Carter by the time he hits his 40's Thanks for telling the story Carter and thanks to Petrolicious for presenting it with the style we all love these stories to be told as true car nuts.
+TonyisGaming I had a 1972 2002 Tii....it weighed 2084 lbs. with 2 Gals. of Gas in the tank, I checked it many times on a Scale made for Trucks for shipping.
+Carter Kelly Kramer Such a beautiful story mate. And I really liked it. Specially when you said how much the car is worth to the rest of the world and how much it means to you. Keep revvin!! Cheers from India :)
Part of this is true. My best friend's car got rear ended, insurance company declared it salvaged. They paid him on it and offered him the car for an additional $300 at the time. He didn't want it because it broke his heart that his car was wrecked. I paid the $300 to him, registered the car as salvaged, and actually drove it around for a bit because while the frame was bent, the car was driveable. I couldn't ever sell it, as in my heart I felt he gifted me the car. After a few years, I only took it out occasionally, but it was mostly garaged. Almost 20 years later, as middle aged men, both of us are restoring it in my garage. As we were happily gutting the car recently to access the frame damage, I said, "if this car hadn't gotten into that accident, you would've probably sold it by now". Both of us felt it was a blessing that we got a second chance with this car.
+Petrolicious LOL - I have sprayed a car with rattle cans. I found a place that was selling lots of gloss white (marked Export, I wonder why they wanted it all out of the country?) at $2 a can, so I bought about a dozen of them. I learned a lot...
OMG ..I'm a car guy ..have a 04 Chevy Tahoe ...96 Volvo 850 turbo ..both modded and cuztomize ..I work on them myself ....have gotten offers but I just love my cars so much ..they're my kids ...I cried with your story because I know that for some people they might look old or not great ..but the passion for cars Its just a wonderful thing ....great story
I watched this video a little over 2 years ago and my dream car has since been a orange lowered 2002 turbo BMW and I think this video set my dream for the rest of my life. If you don't think you caused an impact on people trust me.you did. I admire the living fudge out of this and have an enormous amount of respect for you ! Thanks
"You killed the value of your car" yeah but it looks nice and smooth and clean and you can use this as your runaround car for the rest of your life. Love it. thanks for sharing your story
This is so great in so many ways. The car itself is wonderful. His story is heart-warming and shows that there are still younger people who appreciate real sports cars and manual transmissions and analog stuff.
belived m know about this car...use to have one in Germany same body style but was 1502 bmw 1976, my was blue I pulled from a junk yard the body and the eng from another junk yard and put it together...I did bring to USA but I bought a 318is 1991 I am stilll have it...with 279,699 miles and still running...fun car to drive....I am 61 yrs and still in joined.
Awesome restomod there! I was so impressed he kept the original engine and just gave it a buff. I never understand folks who take a 2,000-2,500 pound chassis and drop in a 500HP fire breathing engine.
+daft mell i saw one with a black racing stripe in a book, and i liked it. I don't see the problem with it, the stripe is just for appearance. The 2002 turbo is another dream.
+0hjaa No judging from his name he's an illegal immigrant. But don't call him an illegal immigrant as it will hurt his feelings to be referred to as an illegal immigrant even though it's the proper term. These illegal immigrants even have Hillary Clinton (their savior) shamed into calling them "undocumented". Now that's funny! But whatever you do, do NOT go into their country illegally or their police will arrest you and deport you immediately (which is typical of any country around the world except the United States). Of course the Democrats will see that he and his entire illegal family can stay here because eventually, when they receive legal status, they will consistently vote for Democrat political candidates.
I was 15 when I got my first car. I learn how to drive and fix my own vehicle. Today it has saved me thousands of dollars on repair cost on my vehicles through the years...
Has no value, said by people that never built dreams. Fantastic job Carter. She is beautiful and choices you've made on YOUR 2002 is tasteful and nothing you touched on YOUR 2002 is ugly, even down to paint job. Let the haters hate because that's what haters do best. You're an inspiration for sure to younger generations. Cheers
We need more young people like this young man, with a passion for classic cars, he sold it and missed it and then had the grit to buy it back. I hope he does keep and use the car for the rest of his life.
to mutch to go wrong and you need a degree in computer programming to fix it they dont make em like they used to some modern cars you need 2 people just to change a fucking headlight bulb give me an old school muscle over most of these modern cars anyday
“You can’t put a price tag on that” sounds like my motto brother “always value and add more tools to the toolbox between your ears”. Awesome work lad 👍🏼
BEAUTY! There is something to be said about planning to keep your car forever. It's liberating when you make that decision because you have all the time in the world to work on things and you're not restricted about it not appealing to others down the road. Just got myself an FJ Cruiser that I will be building up and went through the same revelation. It was an interesting change of approach compared to how I felt about my previous cars\trucks
This is beautiful, the car looks great, and he should take a massive amount of pride in the fact that he did it all himself. I always find it to be more satisfying when you do something yourself. This is awesome.
I’m currently looking for a 2002 or a 635csi either one must be a stickshift and sunroof car, cars that we love always make great stories. People are hung on keeping them original and think it affects resale value but not everyone looks to buy all originals, some people love the shape but want the power and amenities of a restomod as well and they also fetch big bucks. Eleonor is a restomod and worth a lot of money.
Love love love this thank you for sharing your experiences. My father’s first Beamer was a 76 2002 and I’ve often thought back to those days. I currently have a derelict Mercedes W124 and your account is inspirational!
Someone told me the same thing about my car being worth nothing and I said that's fine because I don't want to sell it. Project cars man... Piece of work
Well done. It looks and sounds amazing. Build it for yourself - the best way! This 2002 was probably a cheap old 15-20 year old car when Carter started. Now they are classics and desirable, people pay thousands. Who cares about resale - this never if ever thought about. It is a journey and not just a physical one. Having done this myself I completely understand. Anyone can just buy a car. But having the only one of its kind, a true 1 of 1, which you turned nearly every nut and bolt on? Made to look, handle and feel the exact way you want it be it 90 or 900hp? You never lose it in the parking lot. It always gets that second glance.
Bringing a car back to life, making it your own, and ending up with a presentable piece is truly a work of art. I have done the very same thing with a few cars in my life and again I am in the middle of an E30 build as I type this. Good on you and you have something to be proud of
Carter, absolutely love the car, I think it looks fantastic!!! Enjoy it. Thanks for sharing your story, glad it all turned out. Glad you brush off the criticism so many are willing to shell out, the way I look at with what I’ve done with a few builds I’ve done is, “well I didn’t build the car for you”!!!!
What a beautiful car. Nicest 2002 I've seen. I hope you keep it. I've had my E30 for nearly 20 years and I love it more now then ever. I hope you enjoy many happy years motoring. All the best!!
Very nice looking 2002 and a great story to match. Somehow I think he will have more fun if it was running more bhp but power to weight will no doubt make this fun in the current form. Well done on the build 👍
This car makes me depressed. When I was 16 I wanted to get it as my first car. It was about 200-300€ cause nobody wanted them. When I turned 18 they were already at like 5000 and now its 10000 just for a rolling chassis...
Which car? I'm placing my bets on the car being the Datsun 240Z, cause I'm pretty much in the same boat, except I'm 17 and the prices are already sky high... I'm afraid to see what prices will be when I'm ready to purchase a car to build.
I love how this is the true story of learning, doing stuff wrong and then having to redo it, the fact that its hard work and not some fairytale build like its notmally depicted... People dont understand the value of old cars, Its not measured on a monetary basis. He could get an offer of millions of that car but nothing will ever replace it or be worth it.
That's not building. That's just buying. Building is research. Joining forums. Patience. Looking at classifieds, junkyards, ebay, craigslist, paycheck to paycheck, saving for bigger/expensive parts, waiting and looking for sales, sure maybe a loan once in a while be it friends family or a bank. Sometimes you get the rarest parts for dirt cheap - I got an SVO strut brace for $90 and a Top Town body kit - only one I've ever seen for $122. Other times you pay the regular price, then it goes on sale. Happens. Don't need millions.
It's not about the amount of money you put into a car or how good you are in creating a masterpiece out of it, The only thing that matter to you is a dream that keeps popping up in your mind and when it's done you just sit in that car and think about the faces you've gone through and the sound of the engine is like a symphony to your ears bcoz now that car is your part just like a kid.
pavel1809 Hard to build a car when you have no money to put into it even if it's little by little cause you can't get another car to drive while fixing the one you want
I am proud to say that at the age of 22 I will finally be able to buy stuff to mod my car, Ima start with simple exterior mods and If I don't sell It, Ima add some power. I have not been able to until now for financial reasons regarding me having to help someone out for a while but that person Is finally getting a better job so I can start saving for mods 😁😁
