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I knew the day would come when a project would arrive at the asylum and a client would be just crazy enough to ask us to do the unthinkable for a "detail" company.
Well, as many of you already know, we don't just have "anybody" as a GP client, and we're not your "normal" detail shop, and this 964 was anything but ordinary.
When I was sent photos, I honestly wasn't ready for it in reality. Upon assessment, I didn't even know where to begin. I was asked to "just clean her up a little". How do you just "clean her up a little" when this is what you see as a patient:
As you can imagine, the thoughts in my mind, I took a deep breath and just began assessing more and more. I then had a game plan to either just do a simple old-school detail, no ceramic or correction, or go BIG.
With all the things needing proper attention, I pitched the BIG idea to the client....full repaint, redo calipers, get rid of the John Gotti tint job, refinish wheels, and much more. Then came the cost that had to be delivered to client "delicately".
I know my clients well and build a relationship by understanding THEIR priorities and habits, then I learn what's VALUE to them. I see us as more of an adviser, than a salesman.
It was no surprise client chose the BIG project scope...he's from Texas AND he appreciates quality and doing things right...this was the project of a dream...it would take ALL my skills accumulated in past 25 years to pull it together.
A/C project:
Client knew something was up with AC and it didn't blow cold air well. Being in TX, I wanted to make sure we addressed this as one of highest priorities. Turns out, there was a leak in evaporator and someone had also removed the heater at some point. Some venting was done crudely cutting up the wheel well liner. After careful analysis by a local Porsche icon, Dieter from Andial, we ordered new wheel well liners.
Everything was put back to OEM spec by Steve at D&S...he's a legend with these Porsches and actually made his own aluminum fittings since it's no longer available from Porsche:
Dieter stopped by and explained the correct way to install ducting with his own OEM Porsche parts.
Since client isn't going to track the car, Dieter recommended going back to stock and freeing up much-needed airflow to the AC fans. I didn't argue and learned a lot from this man
Thank goodness Steve's shop was just around the corner. We just drove it over
New A/C evaporator
A LOT of work just to get things sorted
Old evaporator...you can see where the A/C leaks were
Good as new and cold air blowing nicely for client in summer, and a heater for the winter
Disassembly:
For myriad of reasons, paint work, ppf, restoration detailing, we began disassembly to gain access to areas needing TLC:
Not the first, or last time, we see things like this. Why people don't properly remove pins is something I still don't understand.
We redid all this later properly and got rid of all the connectors
We weren't a fan of using a 991 decal on this amazing legend
Paint project:
With the A/C sorted out, we began disassembly and prep for paint. Once properly disassembled and all parts stored and cataloged, we then transported to paint shop.
Along every step of the project, my shop manager and I oversaw the smallest detail. From prep,masking, color matching, rust repair, painting, and post finishing work, this 964 project was given the most attention to make sure no detail was overlooked:
Existing bumper that's properly prepped and we maintain originality
Wait til you see these seats when they're done
No more rust!!!
We wanted to brighten up the black interior and tie in the exterior...nice subtle touch accomplishing both objectives
Caliper project:
You could say, this might have been tip of the iceberg. Seeing the yellow calipers upon initial inspection, I knew the beginnings of the history behind anyone that's owned this 964.
I wanted to take her back to former glory and get the proper caliper she was born with. We could have easily just ordered new calipers from Porsche, but that's not how we do things here.
We decided to completely restore the original calipers back to OEM spec:
Proper anodizing of the calipers...just as Porsche did it three decades ago
Suspension/engine/drive train project:
Some safety and mechanical issues with this car were my next area of attention. Being in Costa Mesa CA, I have some amazing partners that truly are Porsche specialists.
When it came to the suspension and wheels locking and stalling the car when steering was fully turned, I turned to my friend Joey Seely of E-Motion Engineering.
I met Joey years ago and remembered his expertise in 911 suspensions. Joey has come a long way since then and I knew he was the right person to address the many things we knew, and didn't know, about.
Following repairs and enhancements were performed:
1. Repaired the make shift short shift modification and installed an actual short shift kit and replaced the bushings 2. Swapped the spring rates 3. Replaced the worn out axles 4. Installed a Cat because it was catless 5. Door check straps 6. Replaced and powder coated valve covers and fan 7. Spark plugs and valve adjust 8. Replaced the ruined wheel studs 9. Built some BBS E88s and new Michelin tires 10. Eliminated the awful tire rubbing by adjust camber and caster appropriately 11. Added steering rack limiters
Audio project:
Simplicity in design, yet such advanced wizardry...to make a sound-stage that truly of audiophile expectation from 4 speakers in the doors and at stock location...that's where form and function meet
Nice before/after to give the amplifier a more stealth and custom look...many hours and extreme technical knowledge went into this transformation
We're fortunate to know some of the best in the business. In this case, Gary Bell from Define Concepts. A true legend and amazing can-do attitude
PPF project:
With paint completed, we focused on a proper paint correction to perfect the paint, and next order of business was PPF, or clear bra, to protect the front end. No full patterns exist for this 911, so we performed a custom hand-trimmed installation.
A little-known fact...I started out doing custom installation because I couldn't afford a plotter when I first started installing ppf. Fast forward to now, we have a state-of-the-art Graphtec plotter from Japan, cutting-edge software with most up-to-date patterns, dedicated staff to print and install material. It's fun to go back in time and know the skills are still there:
Many hands make for small work
One-piece fenders...very tricky, but we love a good challenge. Been doing these for years
Headlight upgrade project
If you've got an air-cooled 911, you know how the lights leave much to be desired. Client turned us on to 9ELEVEN headlights. To say these are the best quality fit-and-finish upgraded lighting for the 911, is an understatement. Lee del Rosario is a hands-on and extremely passionate individual that I've had the pleasure of working with. I don't impress easy, but his headlights are pure art and function:
Let's not forget the main reason this 964 came to the asylum...the DETAIL :
All black trim deep cleaned and nano coated
Wheel wells steam cleaned and repainted
New wheels polished and ceramic coated
Actual Oetiker clips installed...just like factory, decades ago. It's the smallest details that truly make the job a pleasure
Voila
Full tank of gas for the road trip
Two projects, different generations, same owner. Truly an epic back-to-back experience
Not a bad road trip to brake in the 964
__________________ Specializing in Porsche/Ferrari since 1995
@911 jared car is in Texas for now - likely back out when life gets back to normal.
In the meantime, a few other details that weren't noted above. Snapped a few pics today, finally got it cleaned up from the roadtrip.
car sits on these custom E88's now. Cup1's were refinished and will serve as a second set of wheels. big thanks to Joey Seely at eMotion Engineering for the setup, wheels and a bunch of misc bits noted above + more. He's phenomenal. This custom shelf/sub was fabricated with the help of a former Audi designer in Germany and houses two down-firing subs in place of back seats. Because there's no point half-doing stuff... lol The Porsche classic radio was procured early and hides the fact that this car does in fact house an audiophile level sound system - it's brilliant. driver's view, just a glimpse of the rothsport shifter one of many small details (moe hasn't even seen this)... formawerx special edition.
04-15-2020, 11:37 PM
wru's 964 - Repaint/Rebuild/PPF/Audio/Ceramic Transformation
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