89 TR going to Rehab

Finally, after spending the last 12 years in a garage, this 89 TR is seeing the light of day. Mid 2003 a fluid change and a new set of tires were put on my Uncle's car. We got a few friends together and went for a day cruise. Unfortunately, hefell very sick after that and was never able to drive his baby again. He passed away back in 2009, and a few years later I was able to make a deal with my Aunt and buy it. I am glad I could keep it in the family. The car currently has just under 13k miles clocked. He flew to Oregon in early 1989 to pick this beauty up, and drive it home. I'll post some pictures of him taking delivery on it when I get them from my Aunt.

I searched the net and specifically here, to find the best place to bring her for her first ever major service. This is fully an unmolested car! Ask anyone in the Bay Area and they will tell you that Sal "The Ferrari Dr" Garcia from Waterfront Automobili is the man to see. I also stumbled upon an article from Automobile Magazine on Sal. When I saw it, I remembered reading it a few years prior. I called Sal and he was great. Spent a good 20 minutes on the phone with me going over what the service entails, and what will probably need to be done to get the car back on the road.

Fast forward to 02/12/15. Our schedules finally matched and the car was towed into his shop in SF. I am so excited to get her going. I bought a set of OEM 512M wheels for her as well. Of course I will be holding on to these originals as well.

I'll be posting pics as I go by the shop to take them. He tells me about 3 months and we'll be good to go. Crazy thing is I have never even driven the car before. My uncle never let anyone drive her.
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More pics. Can't get them to go on the same post.
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Thanks everyone.
Brad- I am sure it is going to need a lot, so am mentally prepared for the big bills. Lol! Unfortunately I am not one that can do the work myself. I am trusting Sal to bing her up to road worthy, and drive her like she should be. Been told the best medicine is to drive and drive like they were built for. Once this one is sorted, I am bringing Sal my Father's 90 348TS for the same treatment. She is also a very low mile, I believe 17k. She was taken to a shop for her first major in 2004, and has been there ever since. That's another story! I told my dad that I won't let him sell her to anyone else, so whenever he feels, I want it.

Ozz- actually I was extremely nervous, lol, so had the tow truck driver load it up. I will drive it once Sal has test drived and says she is good to go.

Chabh- Thanks. I do plan on joining the club again and putting some miles on the cars. They will not be garage queens for sure.

Sim- yes I did. It was down to him or Sal. Once I called Sal, I was sold. I just felt very comfortable with him right off the bat. Did hear that Patrick Otis was more into the older models and specifically restorations.

Big- she really didn't need the money, so was fine with it being there. I think the car leaving was actually harder for her, but these a sense of closure.

 

Sorry, it's been a while. The last few months have been crazy, so I didn't post these pictures when I took them 2 months ago. Durring this time, I was able to get the smog and registration all cleared up, so we are now rocking and rolling. These pics are the before of the underbody. Unfortunately, my phone died so only got 2 pics.
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Here are the after images taken yesterday. It really cleaned up well, right? Sheldon is off to Italy for his annual trip, so the engine won't come out until he comes back next month. In the meantime, the calipers, master cylinder & booster are being sent out to be rebuilt. I bought a set of OEM 512M wheels as well, so those will be mounted as well. Of course I am holding on to the original wheels for Concours entries.
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Simsko- thanks. No rust, just a bunch of overspray of the undercoating. I was told that when these cars got stateside, the dealers just went crazy under there with the spray gun. I guess they figured more is better than less.

Rpissm- I really like them. I know some really hate them though. Lol! The main reason I wanted to get another set of wheels is that the original size tires are so difficult to find. Though the set on the car only had about 300 miles on them, they also say in the same place for about 10 years when the car was in storage. Unfortunately that ruined them so I have to replace. The 18's will make for a little better handling as well.

 

Kdross- the car was taken to a shop that specializes in powerwashing the underside and engine compartments. They just put it up on the lift and blasted away the mess. This process not only makes it look good, but helps to spot trouble areas that may be starting to leak. Since the car was sitting in a garage with 3 cats for 10 years, there was all kinds of fur and mess caked on to the gunk under there. The engine and compartment will be detailed when it is pulled out.

rifledriver- thanks for clarifying. I'll have to correct Sheldon next time I see him.

 

lear60man - thanks, it is a tough wait, but exciting at the same time. it's funny that you mention the mice because about 15 years ago, the cats actually brought a mouse in and didn't finish the job. little bugger made it's way into the car and chewed up some wiring, part of the trunk carpet and the tool bags. I am looking for a replacement pouch for the toolkit emergency light and a replacement tool roll if anyone has one.

 

So after long waited anticipation, my I finally got my first drive today, and she is now parked in my garage. I planned on keeping up with this thread and posting progress pics, but I never had time to get over and check on her. Sal has photo documented the whole process and I will post those pics when I get them.

For now, here she is sitting on my garage, parked next to my Son's super car (he turned 1 yesterday).
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Indeed, it was there for 2 years. One of the main reasons is that I actually didn't really have a place to park it, so I asked Sal to take his time. I have since moved, and now have a full 3 car garage, so that is not an issue.

So far, I am loving it, and can't wait to take it out again!