Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums - Confessions of a Speedsterholic ...

Hi, my name is Jon Paul and I'm a Speedsterholic. I've tried over the years to quit, but I just keep digging myself deeper into addiction ...
I'd LOVE to tell you that this is all Jäger and Graham's fault, because believe me, if it wasn't for their passion in the pursuit of a 993 Speedster they could call their own, I wouldn't be writing to you now. But, the truth is, I've been in deep Speedster trouble for 40+ years ... I'm surprised I'm not dead from Scirrosis of the wallet by now .. :surr:

So, here's my sad story. As many of you know, last July I purchased one of the 5 Cabriolets that Beverly Hills Porsche converted to widebody 'S' spec through Porsche Exclusive. When I went to inspect the car at the PPI in Seattle, several things became apparent ... the car had been abused by it's previous owners and there were various 'Problems' on the body and engine that would eventually need addressing. I didn't know at the time how extensive they were, but I hammered out a deal anyway that I thought was fair if it all came to worst case scenario. Long story short, the widebody work that BHP had done in '98 was NOT done correctly, many factory welds had been drilled through and not re-welded, proper Turbo kidney bowls and fender supports had not been fitted and as a result, the car was literally flexing itself apart. Also, what at first appeared to be weeping at Cylinder 1 turned out to be a really bad repair done to cover up an overrev ... SOoooo..
I had some decisions to make, but I knew I could drive and enjoy the car for some time before I had to do anything .. she really did run and look pretty good considering.
Then, an entire set of 94 Speedster parts came up on eBay and went around and around until the reserve was taken off and the low bid became unresistable .. SOooooo, I bought them. Then I started interviewing bodyshops ... I looked in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Colorado, Texas and Florida ... and NO ONE really knew how to do a conversion or had the tools or desire .. but they sure would take my money :-) SOoooo .. I emailed Graham and Colin and started talking to them ... Long story short, I put the car into a container along with all the Speedster parts packed into 5 big boxes and sent it all to Liverpool last Christmas ..
First, Graham and Mark took her out for a look around with the Bluesuvius... I kept thinking 'My f***ing car gets to go to England for Christmas and I'm stuck in Petaluma .. :crying:
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/ar...edy2_front.jpg
As expected, when the boys got back from the holiday break, things started quickly ... A little strip, at this point the engine was sent off for a top end rebuild at the hands of 9m's engine builder Marc ...
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/st...se_shell_1.jpg
And a quick bath ...:
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/st...ts_a_bath2.jpg
and off to surgery ...
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/st...r_welding3.jpg
Quarters were so badly damaged they had to come off and of course the sills were removed for Turbo Kidney bowls and the Proprietary 9m Longitudinal Stiffeners to be welded into place:
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/quarters_off4.jpg
As soon as the sills were complete, the new quarters were fitted .. these boys don't mess around!
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/fi...quarters_5.jpg
Off the bench, doors on and prep for seam sealing:
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/door_fit_6.jpg
Much easier to get to all those welds on a Rotisseree ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/ro..._sideways7.jpg
Soon, she was in one of many coats and types of primer ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/ch...rime_coat8.jpg
Next came the color coat.. Arena Red of Course!
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/fi...l_discuss9.jpg
And then the shiny coat .. :-)
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/fi...nt_right10.jpg
And off to assembly .. literally that week ...
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/as...is_edges11.jpg
Rebuilt Engine and suspension in already (cant' wait to fire her up ..)
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/fi..._install12.jpg
In the mean time, other bits were getting finished as well ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/cl...n_paint_13.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/se...ed_rear13c.jpg
Painted Dash comes together ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/as...stalled13c.jpg
New black leather interior bits start getting put in ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/interior14.jpg
And new carpet and color key'ed belts ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/interior15.jpg
Then, of course, the best parts start getting bolted on ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/clamshell_on16.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/ca...lamshell17.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/top_fitted18.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/to...wen_work19.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/to...or_shot_20.jpg
And ... 5 and a half months later ..... Introducing SpeedArena!
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/speedarena1.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/1_speedarena_rear.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/2_...sters_rear.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/speedarena5.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/speedarena6.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/speedarena7.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/speedarena8.jpg
SOoooo ...
I went to England in April and visited 9m to see my car and meet the wizards that build these wonderful machines .. and I'll post another thread on that later. Suffice it to say, the best part of that trip was meeting these great people and being treated to their gracious hospitality for a very short and very fun week ....

So, mid-May, back to Liverpool, into the container ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/7_...unloaded_2.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/liverpool2.jpg
and I'm happy to say that Finally, after a total of 8 and a half months, today, my car finally cleared Customs and I got to pick it up at the port in Oakland!! Of course, the battery was sooo dead, that the immobilizer wouldn't allow the car to start even after being on jumper cables for 20 minutes ..
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/at...ning_copy1.jpg
But, eventually she got juiced and engine fired on the first crank .. :-) happy ...... AND by the time I got to San Rafael, the Marine Layer had burned off so ... down came the top
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/sa..._stop_rear.jpg
I have to say, this is what this car is made to do ... drive topless. It's wonderful! I'm going to spend the rest of the week putting break-in miles on the engine and getting a few bits and bobs sorted .... then, I'll be seeing you on the road!!