I am in love with the consule

Greg,

I'm REALLY surprised you didn't do the art deco design on the column drop! :wow:

I'm PM you my address so you can send the $5! :lol:

Marty..... How many fingers am I holding up??



:woot:

Oh sure.... yeah... and I'll send you one of those cast emblems so you can plug a particular round hole with it.



:woot:

Hey Marty........... Greg is still NEW to this!!! :rofl: :rofl:

from here it looks like ONE

I should have.... the car deserves it. :rofl: :rofl: :woot:

Here ya go.... call it "the flipper" --- those nice half shafts flipping round and round.

Yeah, she's a sweet ride.

:D

The gas is the pedal on the right...

:lol: Will say it looks like it rides nice, especially for a 32. :thumbsup:

Sounds good too. Nice!

:lol: I know - but this was maiden voyage - still in tuning mode... so was just driving to hold a certain load while the EFI dialed in.

By the time I sorted enough issues in Santa Barbara - she did see 6000 on the tach... and it gets there REAL quickly!

I had SAR switch the quick change from the 3:90's over to the 4:30's...

Jody -- I don't have lots of seat time in '32's but the couple I've ridden in would make me NOT really want one... This IRS / IFS car however is a completely different experience and I like it!

Good call on the dash console Greg. That is a HUGE improvement. Looking good bud!

Well.... :rolleyes: I picked up the '32 from Steve's Auto Restoration yesterday... it's been there for a LONG honey do list of screw ups after returning from Santa Barbara (it's maiden voyage - although that trip should be thought of as a honeymoon night with your virgin that turned out to be a worn out whore - scabs and all).

There was some issues with the parking brake that cropped up when I drove it a mile or so just to check out that everything was now "okay"... They attempted to fix it while I was there - and of course my issue with trying a quick fix - after months and HUGE money to remodel a car - is that this is more than ridiculous. Particularly since they knew it was an issue! It's not something that just showed up - and in fact - this issue is NEW since returning from Santa Barbara where it WAS NOT an issue.... but showed up with their test drives and subsequent re-work on the car. So to me - it should have been worked on and test driven BEFORE I got there to pick it up! If it wasn't ready - they should have called and said so... as I'd have been even more pissed if it showed up while I was down in Pleasanton - and had to spend another weekend working on my high dollar (not highboy) car in the parking lot!

The hydraulic throw out bearing is squealing like a pig.... not sure how anyone can mess up this simple system - but they managed to do it. I've done about 5 of these now (it's like owning a pick up - all your friends call... I have a lift and a air driven tranny jack.... so guess what... LOL) and not one has been an issue. There's a clearance to be checked and a minor amount of plumbing. Big whoop.... as in - super easy to do.

They did manage to fix the other issues - and they got the StarDrive installed (it had been removed in favor of a key for Santa Barbara trip).... it's "okay" -- and might be perfect - but all the instructions/paperwork/dyno sheets etc weren't in the trunk as I expected it to be - so I can't read the instructions to see if I'm doing something wrong. They'll send all that stuff as asked - but my point is that this is just one more little "detail" that is another epic fail on a long list of epic fails.

The car drives fantastically -- can't tell you how happy I am with the level of fit and finish - but as I just told the foreman (Chuck) it's like a great looking chick but you have to strap a 2X4 to your azz to keep from falling in... I don't care after that what she looks like - we're DONE!

Chuck just called - and, of course, they want it back to do whatever is required.... my response was hell no! It's been there for months - it's been returned for rework - and you still can't get it right?! So I'll fix it myself. I'll have it done in one day - and it will be right on the money. They can shape sheet metal and make fancy doodads.... but mechanically the shop is in the epic fail category.

They should be seriously embarrassed... and this kind of work.. coupled with the high prices... just might explain their having to layoff most of their employees. When you go from 20 down to 5 or 6 -- someone ought to be looking around and asking what's wrong... and if they're delivering cars like this - it explains everything. Building show cars is one thing - building cars that actually run and drive and work... well -- that takes a LOT more talent and actual project management.

Most of you already know - this was a no budget - cost no object - build. This was not the typical "how much can you do for "X".... I just want to make that clear to anyone reading this post down the road... this is not bragging - it's just a simple fact. When a shop gets that kind of customer -- they should kiss the sky. Well... they can kiss my azz now. :D

sorry man. This is exactly why I've learned over the years to do virtually all the stages of a car build from wiring, engine building, tuning, fab, assembly, and paint and body. Well that and I cannot afford what you can.............. :lol:

You are correct, for the money charged the car should have been perfect the first time, and absolutely embarrassing that it wasn't the second time........ :mad:

I realize you are pissed but you took it to a place that specializes in show cars. That's my understanding from your posts. Great craftsman aren't always great mechanics and it goes both ways. I don't think many shops exist that can do both WELL. I actually enjoy the fine tuning and honing in a car. That is one of your strong suits. It sucks that you paid someone already, but I gurantee it will feel great to dial in that clutch and parking brake and go for a ride. :thumbsup:

Sorry to hear that Greg. I hope you get it straightened out soon and nothing else pops up later.

im just glad to see the heads got painted !

:lol:

Finsihing and debugging is everything to me. I am not driving my convertible right now due to some minor issues I have not had time to check out and driving me crazy since we are in prime show season. It can take weeks to get one right, but your caveman highboy should have been simple and straight foward. Sucks to here that Greg, but I am sure you have already got it figured out. .

I'm more embarrassed than they are that I got taken to the cleaners.....


It's also the reason I have a fabulous shed right in my own back yard... after having repeated failures of shops doing minor work in the past... I, like you, can do all of this stuff 30' from my own back door. I choose this shop because they built the car originally.... and like a Boyd Coddington car etc... there is supposed to be some panache that separates a home built car from a pro build... Add to this that I had promised my BIL to do his car over and have it done for this season.... so wouldn't have time to do this one. I would have just fixed some of the issues it had but would never have done all that I had done. I would have just made it a nice little hot rod and had some fun with it. Now I'm going to change the license plate to something more appropriate -- like "SLUT" -- or "HASBEEN" --- or "A MESS"....

Or........ drum roll............ AMATEUR HOUR :woot:



TODD ----


I will fixeedededeededd it properly and in fine fashion. It'll take me half a day to straighten out what the "pros" couldn't.

Nothing an amateur mec-a-neck can't fix with a couple of open end wrenches and a screwdriver. It ain't rocket science.

MIKE ---

YOUR point is the one I've made repeatedly to STEVE.... "DUDE!" this is the simplest f'n car in the whole wide world to build! It has no power steering - no power brakes - it's a stick - it has no A/C - it has no windows - it has no top! - it has a motor - a body - minimal wiring - one electric fan - a radiator. So I ask you.... (rhetorical question).... can't a shop like this build a BASIC car? I know I can! My Nomad has every conceivable electrical device on the planet (thanks AL). It has A/C = big azz multi amp multi speaker stereo - remote door looks - power everything - automatic overdrive tranny... Trick chassis... I'd drive it ANYWHERE and HAVE for like YEARS....



I actually hesitated to post up my 'issues' -- because I don't want to cast a pall on the other very fine - very talented professional shops on here... well... that... and the fact that it's just plain embarrassing for me personally. But I also think that these things should be aired out so that others might avoid the same problems. And maybe others will raise their game and thereby avoiding not have this light shined their way...

DETAILS -- DETAILS -- DETAILS.... in the end -- all the fancy paint and chrome and doodads don't mean sh*t when you fail the details because that is what will be remembered the most.

If a shop sells something - takes the money - then they've got to ship on time when they say they will..... BTW -- I recently bought some stuff from YOU and it arrived SUPER FAST -- was the right stuff - and I can't thank you enough for that! We all witnessed what happens when you don't. It's sad - but it's the RIGHT THING to do. Ditto if a shop - any shop - can't perform... and puts out a shoddy product or does poor work.

If a shop wants to make it in this industry - and they want to charge top dollar - and they want a reputation.... well then... they have to deliver or suffer the inevitable fate. The death of a 1000 cuts. Dude... my knife is open and I know how to use it. :rofl:

Let's add to the list ---

The trunk lid won't stay closed....

They put residual valves in a car with the master cylinder that is UP under the dash.... no need for residual valves dude <spicolli style>.... it's the 21st century -- try reading up on some of this stuff.... DOH!

They don't "hurt" anything - but why bother with all the plumbing and the added fittings and time etc....

to add to the bill :D

Dang "DUDE" you beat me to the punch line.

Damn, when I read your first post (today) I was really hoping that you took the car - glad to see you did. No sense in prolonging the agony. Looking forward to hearing your reports on the car, after you get everything sorted out. Still a super sweet ride... :thumbsup:

I'll give you $5 if you put "SCABS" on the plate. :_paranoid

All kidding a side, this is an absolutely sh!tty thing! I think this type of thing happens way too often in the industry. (A version of it has happend to us) I know you can handle these repairs/fine tuning but had you been an average schmoe...

Poke! Perfect plate buddy! Oh gawd -- I almost peed myself laughing at that!

With me -- you know EXACTLY where I'm coming from -- I wear my heart on my sleave - and if you're on the wrong side - there's no question about where ya stand... I'm not saying anything here that I haven't said to their faces... and or emailed directly.

SCABS it is!


I totally agree that this seems to be the industry 'norm' -- and I also agree that a lot of the people (customers) have no clue how to fix this stuff - and or the time or the tools etc so they're completely at the mercy of the builder... Frankly - to me - they're not really "car guys" in the first place.... they're just buying themselves a trophy. Half those bozos can't even tell you anything about the car - except what shop built it... or they can spout "facts" - but ask a detail or about something similar or whatever and you draw a blank face. :lol:

I've been under the car a couple times this morning - which is when I noticed the 2lb residual valves -- and that just gave me a chuckle and a "oh well WTF".... but it is a tell tale for me. Clueless... and if you're clueless about systems that are actually quite important - then I start thinking "what else did you not do right"? Or "what else don't you know about"? DETAILS.

I will give credit where credit is due. The paint - chrome - fit and finish - details are 100% fantastic on this car. The welding - the styling clues - the "doodads"... 100% top notch can't get it any better perfect.

Too bad I'm embarrassed to drive the f'r down the road or take it to the drop in show at the local Harley shop tonight. My buddies would drop their jaws on the ground when they hear this thing grinding and whirling and screeching. To them - I could explain it all..... but to the 100 other hot rodders that heard it pull in -- all they're going to "see" is a giant bright red POS with some clueless bozo at the wheel. What I'd like to do is paint a sign on the door or trunk lid (that won't stay latched) is "Hidollar hiboy built by Steves Auto Restoration and "finished" just this week!

In fact that's a damn good idea -- I could leave it as is and hit every show with it just like that. Except I don't have the cojones to drive such a pile of crap, so I'll just have to get 'er done.

BTW -- The latest email from SAR is it's all those lousy f'n parts that are made these days.... nothing they can't fix! HA! Good luck with that.

JUST FOR YOU KENNY --- and STEVE (HRBS)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMG_1007-1.jpg

AND THEN FOR OUR OTHER "STEVE" (S.A.R.)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_1028.jpg

And after a 10 mile drive this morning........ YES! That's right --- 90W gear grease on a hot exhaust pipe... Don't cha just love it?! <said in the "Guy from Boston" style>




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_1012.jpg

Maybe switch to synth, might smoke less. :D

Sorry for all your troubles GW, just getting caught up on your thread.

Greg,

Sorry for the troubles you have had but thanks for posting because it let's others know they are not the only ones. I am always amazed how most shops always have the car back for "refreshing" which I believe to be code for nagging problems. Even here you will see shops with cars they built that are always in the shop background. I am pretty sure they are not there for storage ;) .

Greg - sucks to hear of all the continued troubles with the car. We all know bugs need to get worked out with new/refreshed (or in your case "Redueced") cars, but that is not the case hear. Hopefully this is the last of your troubles so you can enjoy it for the summer. BTW - the heads look better painted! I'm sure Kenny & Steve will agree! :rofl:

Skip - Lurch video...LMAO! Classic!!

Those HEADS are the prettiest thing on that car...... and probably the cheapest "tweak" or "mod" on the whole invoice too !!!!
BooooooYaaaaaaa

Rob! Where the heck ya been buddy?


BTW -- If they'd have just paid attention to the details a LOT more, someone's pooper might smoke less... 'cause it's gotten another good reamin'....

That's what you get for putting your name on the tail pipe. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Yes they are - and I truly THANK YOU for making the car look WAY WAY better.

Amazing what such a simple detail can do.


Since you're a pro shop -- and mention the invoice.... I never looked at ANY of the invoices until the end when things went so south. I really didn't care what they were doing or what was being billed... it looked good when I'd visit - it was making big headway to completion so I KNEW they were working on it - and "work" costs money and parts cost money.... no quibbles there. It wasn't until I found all these issues that I started to take notice.