Those CF fender liners are really nice, they dress up the car well, as you mentioned before they are one off pieces too bad. Looks like you are having a lot of fun, you can really tell the handmade aspect of these cars, the front sub frames just square tubes cut and jigged together, very time consuming, the same with the rest of the car. Any plans for mod to the motor such as a Motec or other FI system?
Paul: I paying for you to come to Florida when its time to take out and replace my windshield. Mark: Where my Photoshop with the 20" rims?
Sorry to say little visible progress in 3 weeks. I will post interesting pics as soon as they become available.
mark, the interior looks remarkable. can you give us an idea of how much was spent on the interior? break it down by: 1. dash 2. leather...include door panels and center console 3. carpet 4. headliner again, i cannot believe how good it looks. i really think this could be a $200k car when complete ...to a buyer that wants the boxer best!!! thanks, pcb
No problem Peter. Without looking into my files to give you exact figures, it went something like this: I bought 3 of the tan hides (each hide is about 45 sq feet). I sent out for sets of samples in numerous shades of tan from many companies (including from Connelly, I guess they're back in business) and carefully looked through the pile. I chose the hides from Reoriginals as they seemed to be the closest to original and felt and smelled the best. I believe they were a little over $700 each so around $2500 with shipping. I paid roughly another $2800 for upholestry covering of all the items you saw grouped in the pic with tan parts (I guess about 22 pieces). I wanted to do the dash and headliner in black Alcantara. I sent for larger sized samples as I wanted to see and get a better feel for the brush of the suede. After choosing the ideal sample, I bought probably the size of 1 hide for around $600 and $250 for the samples. It was enough to cover the dash, headliner, visors and all pieces you see in that shot grouping. I believe I paid about $2200 for the covering. The seats are Milano Cobras with aluminum billet trim and carbon fiber backs. I think they were around $6000. I had them cut to fit me exactly which entailed mostly trimming the base side bolsters, lowering the back part of the seat about an inch and raising the front about an inch. They feel like a glove. Absoutely the best fitting seat I've ever sat in. They are covering them with the classic Daytona pattern in the center inserts. The costs are not in yet but I expect it to be around $2500 for the covering. I am recovering the stock seats after we finish the Cobras and I believe I'll have enough tan left to do them. Should cost around $1500 - $2000 for this. The carpet is Wilton wool and I want to say around $1500. The shop doing the interior upholestry gives me what I'd like to think of as a good price. They have done quite a bit of work for me in the past (including 5 rooms of a decent sized boat) - and most importantly they do excellent, excellent work. I do not have final assembly costs for installing all these parts into the interior yet. We did so much work there. Total strip - all glass out, all trim and seals. It was a ***** to find the fuzzy rubber door seals, and it was a nightmare to replace the seal in the window door frames. The entire cabin is also now insulated. We blew up the electrical chart and rewired / fixed so many sins. New evaporator in the dash. The guages are still at Redline for refacing and upgraded the bulbs. Every single part has been either replaced or redone. I think the car will probably be worth some serious money as well when complete. (I call my insurance agent every other month and up the value another 25k) Honestly however it's not really the issue. I can't imagine selling it. I wanted the original parts redone because the builders and I have discussed many times where the car will be in 50 years and will it be more valuable as I designed it or original - obviously I won't own it, so somebody will have options. As much as I've come to respect the Concours examples - side by side this was more fun to build, I got to think more fun to drive and I'm thinking will draw bigger crowds. I seldom post but I read this site absoutely everyday and as I have said I listen and have been influenced significantly by all of you guys. I'm anxious for everyones feedback when I post the engine bay shots. Obviously we've spent the most time and $ back there. I have to say I think it's killer. Probably another 3 weeks. I am going to run the motor stock this summer, I have to drive this thing. This winter mostly because of Buzz, it's getting FI and the Titaninum upgraded trans / diff.
Absolutely superb. You are doing an admirable job. Better than the original. The shots of the subframe in progress were cool. Your carbon fiber, brakes, and radiator are beautiful and effective improvements. I really like the alcantara dash too. What an investment. All the best in your continued work. The fruits will be sweet, I'm sure (keep a toothbrush in the glovebox).
side by side this was more fun to build, I got to think more fun to drive and I'm thinking will draw bigger crowds. Bravo!, thats what makes life worth living...Example to all, follow your dreams! IMO, the days of strict concours are over, top condition is what counts...
[[I have actually thought about the mirrors from a 3rd gen RX7 or BMW Z8 as more fitting to the overall lines and contours of the Boxer. Just an idea, however blasphemous.]] The factory mirrors are junk - not fitting to the car. My recollection is that they were generic mirrors added when the cars were imported to the US and were not part of the original design, which gives some insight as to why they're so ugly. A gunmetal grey 512BB with (I believe) RX7 mirrors was in last month's issue of Forza or Hemmings Sports & Exotic. It looked really nice.
i have seen the car in the flesh...the mirors look a bit out of place to me. the vitaloni californian mirors (a la ferrari 312 t) look the best!!! they have a similar mounting platform as the later model bbi mirors if i recall. they would then be interchangable for mark if he wanted to go back to stock w/o the need for any more drilling. just a thought.
mark, thank you for the nice account of the interior project. my interior is in very nice condition but seeing yours is pretty inspiring. i am so impressed w/ the level of detail your are addressing both mechanically and cosmetically. i will not doubt want to see this car in person as the details will really shine in person. further, i cannot wait to hear how the drive is after all the heat insulation and the dyna mat insulation. it should be solid and quiet (e.g. zero rattles) wow! pcb
Mark, Very impressive, I live 5 blocks south east of that shop, and have been watching your progress through casual stops to look in the window during the evening, in fact saw it up on the rack about two hours ago... Looking forward to seeing your efforts come full circle. Let us know when it is close to completion, I do not want to miss the finished product before you take it home.. Greg
How funny Greg, I drove by he shop last night as well and for the first time since it has been there (almost 2 years) realized you can see it through the window. The target date is early June. Not sure if we'll make it but it should be close. I'm sure it will spend most of the summer in and out of there adjusting, fixing and chasing details.
Peter, I painted the stock mirrors to match the body. I'd love to know more about the Vitaloni California mirrors. I'll see if I can figure out what they look like. The paint is very nice by the way. I'd love to say over the top amazing but I don't think those words come out of my mouth to easily about anything. A great deal of hours went into the paint - I'll say that. I approved every stage, and I'm sure was perceived as a difficult client. I made them do more of everything. More sanding, more blocking, more color sanding etc. The doors went back so many times they were really sick of me. The details are nice - the horns look like pieces of art. I had them on my desk for awhile and so many people commented on them. They would pick them up, study them closley and say - how cool, what the hell are these things? I painted the car Scuderia instead of Corsa. After reading many posts about the 2 colors, and looking at cars painted in each, I liked Scud better. It feels more current and fits the body style better. I actualy lost sleep wondering if I made a mistake. Seeing it come together again now, I love it. I considered the satin black bottom so many times I can't tell you. I finally went with gloss only because when I was young and I'd see a Boxer - I just didn't get it. I loved the 2 tone - didn't understand the dull black. Kind of a tribute to the obsessions of my youth.
Mark, is there a date of completion, where we can all come out to see the finished product? I would love to fly over for the weekend to see this masterpiece. I will bring the champagne, you supply the snacks. I missed this, where is the car during this process?
You're too kind sir. I am not sure of the "somewhat finished" date. I have been gently pushing my builders - (good friends at this point) to get it ready for the summer since early Jan. While it feels close on one hand - we have so far to go in reality. Where's "Overhaulin" when you need them? There seems to be a slim supply of great events in Chicago from what I'm reading. I need to create an ideal wish list of where to send it to. I would like to get it around and get some feedback on it. I thought I'd send it by you at some point - I'm there a lot as I have a client in Delray. If anybody has suggestions on the cities and events I should attend, please advise.
I am with Ron, I would love to see your car when I am in Chicago in July. As far as events, with the buzz you created around here you could have your own event and sell tickets!
Mark, schedule Cavallino and also Palm Beach Super Car Weekend next January. These might be on different weekends in 2008. Fly it to Pebble Beach in August.
Front suspension almost done. Notice the difference between stock rotor and caliper and new ones. They are 14" rotors and 6 piston calipers. Also a pic of painted mirror. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
