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Home > Speed > Stories > 911 Makeover |
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Before
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After
the interesting 2003 season, ole #88 was a bit tired,
feeling frumpy around the edges.
All the E class racers were casting lustful glances at the
new gal in the paddock, the C2's. |
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It's
been a hard life. One of the many trials and tribulations evident. This from
a race at CMP. |
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"Ooohh,
look at that sophisticated suspension" they
cried. "Look at that
torque as it pops off the corner!" |
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"Hurump!
Just a tarted up 911 that stayed too long at the all-you-can-eat buffet. I
bet it tips the scales at over 3000 lbs. (3031 lbs if you're counting) Can
you imagine that? Look at the size of those hips" huffed #88 and went
back to sulking in the garage. |
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I tried to molify her: "Come on out.
I've got some nice Michelin decals to cover those dents." Stony silence from
the depths of the garage. I tried again. I'll paint your wheels this
winter." Now
the sounds of soft sobbing could be heard. "Ah, don't do that.
You'll rust. You're not galvanized, remember." The
sobs renewed louder. |
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"Okay,
okay!" There's something about tears that gets us
guys. It's unfair really. "I'll
take you in and get you a full makeover! How's that?" |
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"You're not just going to take me over to Uncle Harry at
ECI Motosports and have a quick alignment and call it a day are you?"
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"No, No, a full cosmetic renewal. You'll be the belle
of the paddock!" And
that's how me and my 911ended up in front of J & J Paint in Elsmere
on a cold and wintry day.
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Prep
Work
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I
removed as much as possible before the car was delivered to the paint shop.
Bumpers, lights, rear deck, door handles, all came off.
(click on any picture for a larger version if you're
really bored)
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Dents and bondo removed, the worst
areas taken down to the bare metal. Quality assurance provided by Blackie
the shop dog, who also left his signature dog hair in the final hood paint.
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At the Shop
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more
sanding, more grinding, and then, the 2004 bondo layer arrives. |
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The
Carolina's door T-Bone is gone, yellow scrape marks from the CMP apex markers
are gone, the tire rubbings from MidOhio...gone! |
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The
hood was a special case. Besides all the abuse the front takes at the track,
it was in pretty sad shape. Jim said at minimum, it had 15 layers of paint
on it. And he wasn't going to be happy until it all came off. So I let him
strip it to the bare metal. Since he's a perfectionist, it didn't make him
happy, but at least he stopped glaring at the dog or me. Now its time to prime
the car. |
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Next
up, some quality time in the paint booth ... wait a minute, there's been a
horrible mistake here - that's not silver, I said make it drop DEAD gorgeous,
not RED! |
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Okay
back to the gararge and time to put the bits back together. You know, the headlights,
door handles, etc. It shouldn't be too bad, it's a least 25 degrees in the
garage now. Practically balmy. |
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Re-assembly
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In
a fit of color induced dementia - is this car red or what? - I decided to powder
coat the wheels and redo the chrome section. Boy was that a miscalculation.
At a minimum of 3+ hours a wheel (with 8 wheels), just sanding was going to
take all winter. Glad I'm unemployed, otherwise that work stuff would cut into
my quality time with my Fuchs.
TheFuchs were pretty trashed with gouges, curb rash and corrosion all over
them. But they turned out pretty good for race wheels, not concours. |
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Final
step was applying some Carrera script to the sides. I decided to start simple
with the graphics. The red is statement enough. Of course, as the racing season
progresses that concept may be revisited: Knock, knock.
Hey Mr. Michelin Tire Guy, got any Michelin Man decals? Sure! What's you looking for? Oh, something
about "this" big ... |
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The Final Result
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Looking to the future
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"So," I asked #88, "are
you happy now? You don't look a day over 1975! " |
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"Its'
perfect! And I have something for you. Something to remember in the upcoming
race season. I know I am. Go ahead, take a peek at my dashboard." |
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Home > Speed > Stories
 Send
mail to
with sympathy, or money. I'll also swap #88 for a new GT3-RS, but don't tell
her that.
(c)
2004 Cris Brady - All Rights Reserved
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