512 BBi Resto

Mark,

I was just reviewing your suspension work and chassis photos, and I am beginning to feel that Michale's old BB may look like it needs a detail next to your car! After I buy it from Steve Barney's this weekend, the elbow grease is going to have to start...

Congrats on a Gorgeous project progression.

Forza,
David

 

wow thats amazing good job

 

I love this thread. Any update?

 

I have been in San Francisco a lot lately - which is not where the Boxer is - yet.
A few updates. Engine bay is coming together.
I'll post a lot more images in about a week.
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Very nice work Mark, I have a question. What did you do to the engine during the project? Any mods internally? Did you rebuild it at all or is it a cosmetic restoration for the powertrain?

I can just imagine the cost, lol it sure is fun though!

 

Holy fritoly. This is mind numbing. Are those the final wheels?

 

Oh My God, Unbelievable!
But man, you're going to get a big point deduction for those seats and all that carbon fibre!
However she's gonna be one hell of a driver!
Mark, I'm almost speechless..... That's beautiful!
Green with envy, John

 

We did not do a total rebuild on the engine - but quite a bit. Mostly the basics. I'll post an accurate list when I talk to the builders next.
Next February, I plan on a titanium Modena trans / diff and Motec FI, so we'll do a rebuild then. I want to run it this summer and fall so I can see the difference. I wasn't sure if I should have Norwood or Carobu do the engine mods. Carobu at least returns my emails - so I'll probably go with them - unless you want to take a crack at it Paul With the work I see on your 308 - I'd be in good hands!

A few more shots.
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Ron, these are not the final wheels. I'm still waiting for those. I will have 2 sets. The Kinensis pictured and F40 style that they are still making. I'm sending the Kinensis out to have the polished lip changed to a satin finish. I hate the chrome look of the high polish. The F40's will also be polished in a satin finish. Bling and Ferrari's don't work for me.

In the picture below, we placed the rim in the rear well without suspension for measurements - we have the opportunity to make a lot of adjustments and I want this thing to sit perfect. I feel the gap pictured is still to big - and I want to lower it further.

I will post images of both wheel types when the others come in - curious to see which ones will look the best.
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Wow! Just wanted to say you have done a superior job. Looks Breathtaking!

 

Send it up or ill meet you at the border, do you want 500 or 1000HP? i can do either

 

I'm officially hooked. When I see an update to this post, I hurriedly open it, waiting exptectantly while I HOPE the page jumps and adjusts for new photos (yippee!) Soon as I read, slobber, and over-indulge in the details, I'm sorry the event is over. I fear I have premature infatuation.

I then re-read the last few to make sure I haven't missed anything. Mark, any parts that are just 'too grubby' to get near that masterpiece, please send my way - shipping collect - they're perfect for a scavenger like me.

Great, great work. I need to get out more often.

 

Great job, looks great!

 

i am getting to the point that i would prefer to mod my car a bit...i'm less convinced that i need to keep the car stock. this is a very inspiring thread!

mark, no detail left untouched! please photograph extensively when you complete her. i would actually suggest you have a professional do the photos and submit to all the mags that you want to feature the car.

selfishly, i want it to get lots of ink as it will make the world aware of how incredible these cars are. you will have the best in the world but it will tow our values up as well.

yours will be the first $200k car!!!!

 

Thanks as always Peter,

Interestingly there has been quite a bit of attention towards the project as of late - much because of this thread. I have been contacted by 3 different editors interested in publishing an article, one of them being a very high profile title. They asked if any other pubs had contacted me as well as they seemed to indicate it has been discussed in their circles.

I have also been contacted by a producer from a group that has a major cable TV show and another in development. They are also very interested and asked for a rather complicated and lengthly array of images and information.

Seems the general shared point of view is the emerging interest in modifing vehicles from the 80's. As boomers have reach saturation on modifing vehicles from the 60's and 70's - there is interest in what's next. As we all know, Detriot fell off the face of the earth in the 80's as we all went Euro.

Who's modifing Euro, how and with what attention to engineering changes. Whats tricky is their are obvious mods for old Detriot, Euros are different because the engineering level was so much higher to start. Seems mine is looking like a great example for a great topic of discussion.

I just wish mu EFI was done - such an obvious upgrade.

Great suggestions about the photography. I have arranged for a shoot in early August with a well know photographer and car enthusiast. We are going to shoot it all on black like the Rob Report shows collector cars.

More to come.

Also, by the way I have now had 3 fairly solid offers and one very soft offer for the car - and it's sti;; not done.
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With the photo of the Kinesis wheels, you have demonstrated how totally timeless the Boxer design really is. It looks like it could have just hit the showroom floors last week.

Yes, it needs to be lowered a bit more. Remember this photoshop you did:
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This is my other ride from the 80's. An 86 560 SL. We put almost 2 years into it, and in many ways this inspired me to want to do the Boxer. I get more compliments on this car than any of my newer ones. People want to remember cars from the 80's fondly, and they get excited to se a really great one.
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Awwwwwww.......Now you're gettin' me all misty-eyed for my old 450SL. I've been thinking more about it lately as one recently came out of hiding in my area.

 

Good. i've found a new thread to keep me entertained! Excellant stuff!!

 

Congratulations on an amazing project and for building the car exactly as you want it. I have a similar non-Ferrari project going right now budgeted at 1,500 to 1,700 labor hours and your project looks even more involved than mine. The level of detail is amazing. The seats remind me of the 599 seats, only better looking.

 

Wow. The suspension looks perfect. Again, great work. Can't wait to see it in the Bay Area. Norwood installed the Motec in my car -along with the turbos. The new fuel management alone -with some simple exhaust mods- was enough to give the car major performance gains. Totally uncorked the motor. Highly recommend it.

 

Do you have more shots of interior ? Car is gonna be stunning !

 

Just had a first hand look at Mark's baby. This car is going to be something special. Just by looking at the level of detail, you know a lot of thought went into the process. Aside from this car being an amazing achievement with some very special craftsman working on it, what I really admire is the individuality and integrity that Mark has displayed in making this car as he wants it. He does not care what some F-guys may say or think, he does as he wants and I respect that. Life is too short, why try to blend in?

 

What a great resto project - this car was lucky to fall into your hands. I like how the mods are more modern etc. but do not take away from the spirit of the original. Great job. This car is going to be really nice.

 

Thanks guys,
Gene - you have a beautiful Boxer - and it was great to see one put together again. It's been a few years since I've seen a whole one - live and in person, such great cars.
Can't wait to see your Lambo roadster!!

A few more engine bay shots. I'm sure some of you are just cringing at the blue hoses - sorry but I think it will look really good when it's done.
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