JPP

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 ..

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 ..

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 ...

And a quick bath ...:

and off to surgery ...

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:

As soon as the sills were complete, the new quarters were fitted .. these boys don't mess around!

Off the bench, doors on and prep for seam sealing:

Much easier to get to all those welds on a Rotisseree ..

Soon, she was in one of many coats and types of primer ..

Next came the color coat.. Arena Red of Course!

And then the shiny coat .. :-)

And off to assembly .. literally that week ...

Rebuilt Engine and suspension in already (cant' wait to fire her up ..)

In the mean time, other bits were getting finished as well ..


Painted Dash comes together ..

New black leather interior bits start getting put in ..

And new carpet and color key'ed belts ..

Then, of course, the best parts start getting bolted on ..





And ... 5 and a half months later ..... Introducing SpeedArena!







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 ..


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 ..

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

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!!

Rinty

Dazzling...

ryano

Oh my.

AOW162435

x many numbers.


Andreas

Spidey 993

Someone send me a Bayer aspirin stat, I think I'm having a heart attack'

Stunning

NEK

That is one heck of a job--wow. Surprising that BHP's work was so shoddy. I wonder if the other 4 cabs fared any better. Sounds like you had the work done right--truly beautiful!

Cactus

I can't take it......

AOW162435

Andreas

goofballdeluxe

Holy Toledo that looks good!

This is the thread that this icon was made for:

FisterD

It's about friggin' time! The car looks fantastic JP. I can't wait to see it in person.

sdcabrio

All I can say is,.........wow! Like the painted dash, very cool.

I hope you bring it to Carmel in August so I can admire it in person.

kaktis993

absolutely stunning. Damn it now I want one... it's beautiful, and you have a brand new car now! Congrats and enjoy!

bbs993tt

That is simply spectacular! Congratulations.

JPP

Thank you, they really did a nice job ...

Indeed!



Yeah, well, you should have been there when Colin sent me the pictures of Marc cutting off the windshield frame ....

Thanks. I can't speak for the other BHP cars, but if I were looking to buy one, I'd REALLY look at the longitudinal welds and rear quarter supports ...

.. you were my main motivation for doing this ..



Thanks goof.

Well, when's that Frickin' BBQ you guy's keep talkin' about?? (not July 19 through the 27th ... won't work for me .. )

Thanks! I really wanted the dash to be a tribute to the old 356 Speedster and I think it worked out really well. Honestly, in person, it looks like a piece of jewelry ..
I won't be in Carmel in August, but I will have SpeedArena at the Rennsport Reunion at Laguna Seca in October .. are you going to that as well??

Yes... this cost so much, it became my last Porsche by default .. so it better run forever!

Chuck W.

That is an amazing journey and resulted in an amazing car. Amazing! I look forward to seeing it in October.