Update, December 12, 2013 (See Post #207) - 91 S4 Turquoise Metallic "Refresh" Part 4
#91
Nordschleife Master
Dan/Sterling,
I was thinking the same thing! Those two cars are (and are going to be) some of the NICEST 928's in the world really!! I look forward to seeing them side by side some day!
I was thinking the same thing! Those two cars are (and are going to be) some of the NICEST 928's in the world really!! I look forward to seeing them side by side some day!
#92
Archive Gatekeeper
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Dan-
Give a shout if/when you're in town- the GT's at a body shop getting a rust bubble attended to, but should be done by next Wednesday. Office # is nine four nine 824-8576.
Give a shout if/when you're in town- the GT's at a body shop getting a rust bubble attended to, but should be done by next Wednesday. Office # is nine four nine 824-8576.
#95
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
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Thread Starter
Update March 17, 2010
Since my car is sort of green (Turquoise Metallic) I thought I'd give an update on the project on this St. Patrick's Day. In the last update in September Greg Brown had pulled the engine and transaxle to work his magic in terms of increased displacement, strength and reliability. After pulling the engine the car was sent back to the paint/body shop for some minor work waiting for Greg to finish up his work.
After a couple of weeks of looking at the empty engine bay Ron Ruff, the paint body person, called me and told me the front end damage previously repaired was not done well and indeed he had concerns about the car getting a good alignment. He also pointed out some evidence the front end was still bent somewhat. The first pic shows where the headlight bar across the front of the main support has etches where it rubs against the small finned cooler. I asked him to take some measurements of the critical points along the frame. Sure enough, the left front was still pushed in about an inch. Though the previous front end repair looked good, all panels aligned pretty well, the sub structure was not properly repaired. This also explained why the car still pulled a bit to the left immediately after a full Hunter alignment at a reputable Porsche shop here in the Bay Area.
After extensive discussions with Ron and Greg Brown we decided the best course of action was to remove the affected section and replace it from a donor car. No small undertaking. Basically the entire driver’s front area and the full support across the front of the car needed to be replaced. There are a couple of before pics and then after. Ron did a fantastic job of a) finding a 928 JIG to set the car up on and then performing the repair. He should have been a neurosurgeon. Last pics are of test fitting the panels. Many thanks to him, Greg Brown and Mark Anderson and crew at 928 Int'l. So we are still a few months from completion but I thought you might want to see some progress. Yes, the wallet cried quite a bit more to fix this.
After a couple of weeks of looking at the empty engine bay Ron Ruff, the paint body person, called me and told me the front end damage previously repaired was not done well and indeed he had concerns about the car getting a good alignment. He also pointed out some evidence the front end was still bent somewhat. The first pic shows where the headlight bar across the front of the main support has etches where it rubs against the small finned cooler. I asked him to take some measurements of the critical points along the frame. Sure enough, the left front was still pushed in about an inch. Though the previous front end repair looked good, all panels aligned pretty well, the sub structure was not properly repaired. This also explained why the car still pulled a bit to the left immediately after a full Hunter alignment at a reputable Porsche shop here in the Bay Area.
After extensive discussions with Ron and Greg Brown we decided the best course of action was to remove the affected section and replace it from a donor car. No small undertaking. Basically the entire driver’s front area and the full support across the front of the car needed to be replaced. There are a couple of before pics and then after. Ron did a fantastic job of a) finding a 928 JIG to set the car up on and then performing the repair. He should have been a neurosurgeon. Last pics are of test fitting the panels. Many thanks to him, Greg Brown and Mark Anderson and crew at 928 Int'l. So we are still a few months from completion but I thought you might want to see some progress. Yes, the wallet cried quite a bit more to fix this.
#96
Addict
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I can't wait to see the finished product. The people working on the car and the things being done should make this a masterpiece.
Has you're wife seen it yet?
Has you're wife seen it yet?
#97
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
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Thread Starter
Just pics. She is pleased with how much has been done and the excellence in choice of people to finish this project.
#98
Archive Gatekeeper
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Has your wife seen it yet?
EDIT: Asking out of complete ignorance: Is that a dedicated 928-specific frame jig? I can't imagine how a body shop could keep a reasonable selection of specific jigs around- is there some sort of warehouse of these in major metro areas that shops borrow/rent?
Guess I know where I'd go if I needed bodywork on either car.....
Last edited by Rob Edwards; 03-17-2010 at 11:11 PM.
#99
Team Owner
thats some serious body mods to get things straight,
its great that you picked a skilled body man to make these repairs, good luck with your project
its great that you picked a skilled body man to make these repairs, good luck with your project
#101
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Rennlist Member
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Thread Starter
Rob - Ron Ruff is the Greg Brown of Porshe body and paint. He hunted down that jig over a few weeks. He knew it was somewhere in the Porsche body/paint universe and he found it. Not sure where he found it but glad he did. The car is better than new in the way he repaired the front end.
Greg noticed the not so clean initial repair when he pulled the engine. He tipped Ron off to it and the deep scrutiny began.
Greg noticed the not so clean initial repair when he pulled the engine. He tipped Ron off to it and the deep scrutiny began.
Oh shizznap...
EDIT: Asking out of complete ignorance: Is that a dedicated 928-specific frame jig? I can't imagine how a body shop could keep a reasonable selection of specific jigs around- is there some sort of warehouse of these in major metro areas that shops borrow/rent?
Guess I know where I'd go if I needed bodywork on either car.....
EDIT: Asking out of complete ignorance: Is that a dedicated 928-specific frame jig? I can't imagine how a body shop could keep a reasonable selection of specific jigs around- is there some sort of warehouse of these in major metro areas that shops borrow/rent?
Guess I know where I'd go if I needed bodywork on either car.....
#103
Nordschleife Master
Dan, you not shaving the front or rear side markers? I think I might do that if it were up to me...
Man, I LOVE what you are doing though! AWESOME WORK brother!
Man, I LOVE what you are doing though! AWESOME WORK brother!
#104
Chronic Tool Dropper
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Dan--
Next time (like SHE will ever let there be a 'next time') would you consider starting off with a car that looked somwhat less than perfect as a starting point? The car looked amazing in pics before you started on it. The amount of effort going into this one is the same as needed for starting from a rolling wreck. I'm in a bit of 928 awe at the process and I'm sure the results. A new standard is being set.
Next time (like SHE will ever let there be a 'next time') would you consider starting off with a car that looked somwhat less than perfect as a starting point? The car looked amazing in pics before you started on it. The amount of effort going into this one is the same as needed for starting from a rolling wreck. I'm in a bit of 928 awe at the process and I'm sure the results. A new standard is being set.