Eight years ago, I traveled to Michigan in the dead of winter and bought this:
The interior had seen the ravages of time as well:
I drove it to the 2005 Parade in Hershey, with what I now realize were five broken compression rings, and the temperature skyrocketed, like this:
I came quickly to the conclusion that this car needed a total rebuild from top to bottom, so I tore it apart.
Eight years later, the car was finished. Those of you who have been following the saga know that I took it to Series900, where under Damon's expert care, the car was completely stripped and blasted, extensive new metal welded in on the Celette bench, new single stage Irish Green paint was applied, followed by seam sealer (with a brush), schutz, and satin black. He's one part artist, one part historian and one part metal bender, and I can't thank him enough for his guidance and patience over the four years we worked together on this project.
The rest of the car was a compilation of the efforts of some of the best in our community: check of my rebuild and Dyno work by Peter Dawe; Wood by Bruce Crawford; gauges by North Hollywood; Carbs by Harry Bieker; interior by Tony Garcia; Radio by Wilfred Wilkes, Sr., steelies by Harvey Weidman, and the list goes on and on.
Finally it was nearly complete, and I thought there was no better catalyst to drive its completion, or to share the passion and enjoyment of bringing it back to life, than at the PCA Parade Concours.
Let me say one thing right at the top before the eye candy: the folks I met at Parade were some of the nicest, most complimentary, most down-to-earth and most knowledgable I have ever come across. The support and good wishes I received were overwhelming.
I left before sunrise with the car loaded down by boxes of parts, detailing tools and supplies.
Departure (not the book by Bob Tilton!)
I arrived in the Concours Prep Area, which was the enclosed Tennis Court/Exhibit Hall at the Grand Traverse Resort, around 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
The level of preparation and dedication was great. I basically spent every day until 11:00 p.m. in the prep hall, and at least half the competitors were there the whole time. The prep hall was open to the public, and so a steady stream of folks came by, from people asking "what year?" to guys saying, "I own a '68 912 that's Irish Green, great color!" Probably a hundred people came by with positive comments and pleasant things to say-- I took the time to talk to everyone.
I started with the undercarriage, figuring that would be the hardest part. The mud and road grime from my 900 mile drive there came off pretty easily. Some oil stains on the heat exchangers were a bit tougher. Fortunately for me, fellow competitor Dave Seeland lent me half a red scotch-brite pad, which made quick work of the stains. Dave also lent a hand around midnight on the final day when I needed help with the hood shocks and was always there with a great story.
Reply With Quote
