She's looking real good Frank!!

Phil

Thanks Phil ~ gotta change that paint and dress up the engine bay, but that will all come after she is sea-worthy and dependable.

I just gutted her and sent her to a VERY reputable speed shop with a laundry list of work which I can't do without a lift and special tools. Would prefer to do the work myself, but I ain't too proud to send it out. The rezultz will NO DOUBT be better than I could do, anyway.

It's been a year, now, since I first brought it home. Spent that time cleaning about 9 years of barn grit out of every nook and cranny, inventorying what's 'new' about the car since I owned it last, and fixing up small stuff I could do myself. Overall, the PO did a wonderful job. Considering what he inherited, he performed small miracles. I even put a small dash plaque on the car, crediting him for saving it from the crusher.
He saved my car, plain and simple. I will always feel indebted to him.

Frank your Z now has a twinkle in it's headlight...looking good!

_________________
Keith Hultmark
2009 370Z Touring - Sold (5 years owned)
1993 300ZX - Sold (5 years owned)
1976 Porsche 912E. #163 of 2200 - SOLD (3 years owned)
2018 BMW 330i GT xdrive daily driver
2004 BMW Z4 3.0i ….it is a Z

I can't wait to see the CTZCC's "Rosetta Stone" of all Z's.

I noticed the same twinkle. Then I looked at the other headlight and realized that he's got headlight covers installed which must be reflecting in the flash. The car looks great to me and I can't wait to see it in person some day (under it's own power)! Keep plugging along with the progress Frank. I know your going to paint it but I'm even getting used to the color. So are you thinking British Racing Green? Ross

Uh, no sir. Pewter, in pearlescent paint. It will sort of reflect light changes as you move past it, like an oyster shell does in the sun.

Your car looks hot Frank, we will be street racing against each other in no time!!! (I suspect you will win every time...)

Uh, NO ~ you will win every time. I don't street race anymore! I consider myself BLESSED not to have wrecked my Z or hurt any innocent bystanders during my Careless & Reckless days. Thank goodness my Reckless days were "Wreckless", but it had more to do with my Angels than it had to do with my driving skills!

I have Morphed into the Old Age syndrome, where it no longer makes good sense to me to risk people's lives for a spot of fun.

BORINNNGGG!

Hahaha, I was just kidding Frank. Trust me I am waaaaaaaay past that point myself. I am equally lucky given all the crazy things I did when I was younger and equally wreckless.

Plus the last thing that I am going to do is mess up my Z!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I've been trying to Post some progress pictures in here forEVER, but only one of my DigiCams lets me access this site ~ the other one takes good flash shots but for some reason I can't make the pictures from that camera leave the computer and enter the website.

I did manage to get these progress shots on #02807, just so you know what stage it's in:

Looking good Frank. .

_________________
Keith Hultmark
2009 370Z Touring - Sold (5 years owned)
1993 300ZX - Sold (5 years owned)
1976 Porsche 912E. #163 of 2200 - SOLD (3 years owned)
2018 BMW 330i GT xdrive daily driver
2004 BMW Z4 3.0i ….it is a Z

Peweter is going to look great on that Z. I think you should have a special event for the unveiling when finished so you can go through the restoration for us in person. Jim

Frank. Looks great. More pictures please! Can't wait to have this car as part of our regular line up at meetings and events. Tell Vinny, it MUST be done by our Fall outing!!

_________________
Ross Williams
1978 280Z Black Pearl Edition 38k Original Miles

Thanks, guyz ~ I'm 'hoping' it might be done by the end of this month, so I can take it with me to the CART event at New Jersey Motorsport Park. Vinny refuses to cut any corners (I like that) and insists on doing everything correctly. He might have the engine detailed and back in the car this coming week, but I just complicated everything by ordering an airconditioning unit for the car. I guess I'm getting soft in my old age. Decided it was easier to install it now, while the engine was out and the underdash was accessible.

Vinny is going to get the biggest VENDOR RAVE I have ever written when this is finished. I can't believe the detail this guy goes to on each car he works on. Common sense stuff, always looking for a way to save his customer money in any area except safety ~ NO SHORTCUTS there, and if he puts his name on it, it has to leave his shop safely built and correctly done.

I was somewhat stunned to learn what an icon Vinny is among the racing crowd. Some of the engines he built back in his racing days STILL hold national records which have yet to be broken. It seems like every big-name racer has sought him out to build their cars for them over the years. (Hey, if Bob Sharp trusts him, what better endorsement is there?)

The paint shop will be the last stop for this project. I almost don't care if it gets done this zeason or over the winter, except that I would certainly prefer to have it painted in time for our Club Calendar this year!

What began as a project to make a safe daily driver MIGHT end up as a pretty good looking car, after all.

Frank

Engine's painted and back in. All manifolds are ceramic coated inside and out and Twice Pipes are ceramic coated block to bumper. Awaiting A/C unit from MSA.

Frank