CptTripps' Restoration 2 - The Grey Matter Build, Back in Doug’s garage Options

[RonW]

Looking forward to the drive report!

[914forme]

Oh you tease, no pictures of the swap meet loot?

[CptTripps]

Swap meet loot for the 914 consisted of a 5-lug space-saver spare (that only ended up costing me $15), some 1" spacers, and stainless kick-panel plates. I'll take pics as they're installed. :-)

I'm on a plane to ATL right now and them head to SFO tomorrow. I'll be back in the garage Thursday to start on the home stretch.

I DID get the brake lines made up for the Boxster conversion last night...so that was cool. Now all I need is the set I ordered from Eric to show up, and I'll be stopping like a boss!

[CptTripps]

I did a ton of work this afternoon...but only took a few pics.

Made and bent the clutch line from the master to the slave. Needed to use 3 different thread ends and 2 flare types, but it's all good.

Made the double flares on the brake lines I made for the Boxster brakes to the soft lines. Those are good to go now.

Blasted and painted the seat rails, battery tray, and the gas tank. Those will all go in tomorrow.

The radiator tube was more flexible than I was expecting, spin was able to go through the longs there. I'll close up the hole I made to get them into the tunnel tomorrow.

I also filled in the exhaust cut-outs that the PO made in the bumpers. My exhaust will be very different. I'll work on that tomorrow too.

[CptTripps]

Picked up the dash plates today from the "The Metal Shop" in Maple Heights.

1/16" brushed stainless. I MAY paint these, or cover them in suede or vinyl. Haven't decided just yet. (photo of a quick test below.)

I made a couple of the holes just a smidge too small, so I need to open a few of them up, but that's not a bog deal at all. Especially considering that the other 100" holes are perfect.

I emailed a CAD file and picked this up a few days later. A+ in my book!

[CptTripps]

Here's a refresher of what I mocked up for the center console. The only difference is that I'll have an 8" sub in the back of it. I need to get in there to see where it'll fit and how I'm gong to seal it up. Other than that, the plates are the same.

[914forme]

Since you where going for the aircraft theme I would paint them car color. Most fighters are painted the same base color inside and out. Or a matte black. But that is just me,

[Moneypit]

Here's a refresher of what I mocked up for the center console. The only difference is that I'll have an 8" sub in the back of it. I need to get in there to see where it'll fit and how I'm gong to seal it up. Other than that, the plates are the same.

Really digging the aircraft theme, especially the gauges! You literally beat me to what was rattling around in my brain about 10 years ago before I went in. I wish you could find an old radar or Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) screen to mod, if you could rig a radar or MFD surround with your GPS it would really complete the look!

Here's an example based off someone's home flight sim cockpit:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.simpits.org-5360-1398437057.1.jpg)

[Dr Evil]

Doug, what gauges are those? I like them a lot. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

I am also considering suede for my /6 (someday).

[Qarl]

If you go suede, make sure it's an automotive grade that can handle the heat/sunlight.

I've seen too many guys on my Lotus forums spend $$$$ on custom suede interiors only to have them deteriorate within a year.

[CptTripps]

Doug, what gauges are those? I like them a lot. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

http://www.newvintageusa.com/1940.html

He did a custom tach for me that's 1/3 larger than the normal gauges. I also had green LED lighting done, so it matches the bulbs I have in the other parts of the car.

If you go suede, make sure it's an automotive grade that can handle the heat/sunlight.

I bought 4-yards of charcoal Alcantara. I'm using it in a lot of other parts of the car. (Check out the pics of my seats.) It wasn't cheap AT ALL but I think it'll be worth it in the long run.

[Dr Evil]

How did you contact the gauge folks? All of there "contact us" links are dead. I need to find a place to make a custom gauge for my bike projects. I found a few places I liked, but they were not interested in motorcycle gauges due to weather proofing.

[Dr Evil]

Never mind....one of their links on home page worked (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[CptTripps]

I flat out cranked today.

Spent some time cleaning the garage and getting organized, then started on the painting that needs to get done. Also did quite a bit of sandblasting of parts.

Painted almost all the trim a darker version of my dove grey. Painted all the plates that color too, and built a few of them up.

I'll start on reassembling the doors and windows tomorrow.

[CptTripps]

Not much visible progress to report. Just a lot of wiring work and getting the interior measured out to install starting tonight.

The dash has been cut up and glassed in so I can cover it in vinyl. I still need to work out how I'm going to cover the tup of the gauges...that part can wait though. I'll clean up the tack welds soon. I'm planning on using some Bondo to make those transitions a lot nicer before I cover it in vinyl or Alcantara.

I (finally) got the steering wheel back from Alan Gun in Plantation Florida. I think he did an "OK" job on it. Not worth the money I paid to have it done, it looks decent, and is a better job than I'd have done.

[Moneypit]

I'll just leave this F4 Phantom ejection seat handle here, because you could totally mod this into an e-brake lever...

F4 Ejection Handle


Or you could get a pair of full Ejection Seats for like $2200 a pop. Really complete the look! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

[76-914]

Doug, it looks like you are 90% done with 90% to go. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Looking nice!

[CptTripps]

90%: totally agree! That's what it feels like too.

I've had a lot of personal stuff to deal with this week, but I'm going to start hitting it hard tomorrow.

That ejector handle is awesome. That's how I already have my e-brake and seat movers painted up.

[Moneypit]

90%: totally agree! That's what it feels like too.

I've had a lot of personal stuff to deal with this week, but I'm going to start hitting it hard tomorrow.

That ejector handle is awesome. That's how I already have my e-brake and seat movers painted up.

Like I said, the same site apparently sells legit Ejector Seats from F4's, F16s, and other stuff. Way more than a Recaro, but damn if that wouldn't look HOT!

Really dig your aircraft theme man, I used to dream of a layout like this in High School. Later I shifted gears towards a more 917/904/90x series racer interior.

[CptTripps]

I actually looked at aircraft seats. Everything I could find was way too wide, or way too tall. They'd be awesome for racing though. Real high bolsters.

The interior is important, but right now I need to concentrate on all the little crap that needs to get done. Wiring. Radiators. Intercooler. Those are the top priorities.