P100DHG Build Thread - Gen 3 Coupe #138

She is back home and looking real fancy! I definitely can call upholstery (aside from the headliner) done. I had thought about upholstered door cards but now I am almost certain I am going to do something in metal to help balance things out.

Of course the next step is the body, it will really add balance to everything. The trunk will be framed in correctly and the roll bars will be a detail rather than the main feature. The seats and the dash will take center stage for the interior. That’s the hope anyway.

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The shop that did the upholstery including my seats is New Life Auto Upholstery in Reseda, CA (747) 265-6115.

You know what’s next? PAINT!

I got bumped one car (I say this actually with thanks) as I sorted out the headliner (lost the second mobile headliner guy but found a third). So that is coming up in the next few weeks. Jeff Miller is amazing, he has been so patient with me. So don’t count on it when you get there, he might have used all of it up on me. LOL!!!! Just Kidding, he’s a great guy!

So speaking of paint, Jeff doesn’t paint numbers and he told me that from the very beginning. But in my stubborn way I thought I could convince him. But then instead of being stubborn I got creative and I tapped into Los Angeles’ vast resources and car culture. Why spray these numbers on the car when I have access to the best pin stripers in the world. After all we have the low rider scene here that produces some of the best stuff out there. So, I spoke to Danny Alvarado one of the greats and he’s going to hand paint them on. It will give the car an authentic vintage feel and Jeff who has really helped me refine my eye loved the idea. And if it’s cost effective I might have Danny paint on the sponsorship logos possibly. We will see.

So for now I am going to refine a few things, seat position, steering column length and maybe even charge up my AC!

WOW! A one of a kind build. Nothing else like it. Great job.

Very nice. Can’t wait to see what Jeff does with it.
-Steve

looking great. And what's the Roller in the back? looks like a neat one, opposite to the Daytona
David W

Many thanks guys! Means a lot :o . I have such a tremendous amount of respect for this community of builders and enthusiasts and I am thankful to be apart of it.

Just to add, my upholstery shop did a fantastic job and I will have to say it was really reasonably priced for the amount work involved. Also the quality of materials is exceptional, it doesn’t get better frankly so I am very happy with it. It was a huge financial gamble, because when I asked him how much all my ideas added up to when I brought him the car he couldn’t put a number on it, (super nerve racking) so we just agreed to be fair to each other. When it was time to write the check and he told me how much it was, I smiled the whole time I wrote it, I have to say I got a great deal and I will be giving him all my future projects. The shop I used is New Life Upholstery Inc in Reseda, CA and Andrey the owner is a real gentleman. Can’t thank him enough.

So David the shot of the Daytona with the Roll Royce in the background was taken at the upholstery shop. It was a car that must have been from the late 80s or early 90s it was in fantastic condition, really a beauty. The Daytona was always in good company, Ferraris, Porsches, here is a shot of it with an Aston Martin in the background.

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Danny, it's looking good...real good!

Once completed and whenever you're comfortable let me know so I can come down and check it out in person.

Patrick

So, I literally hit the character limit on the horn button post of 10,000 characters and the picture limit of 10 pictures. But I can confirm it works very well and I am super pleased. That said if you notice Russ turns down the steering column by 1/2" more that it needs to be and that's to allow you to shorten it if needed. I did shorten mine, so I made a copy of the file I posted (as to leave the ones I posted intact) and I modified the length of the column isolator to be shorter with a few clicks of the mouse and strokes of the keyboard.

Also you can see I put on my homemade CNCed horn button. I’m super happy with the way it turned out.

Here it is in action.

https://youtu.be/2cNaUiDNZtE

I'd rate this advanced DIY, it's not easy by any means but it is doable. If you can't figure out how to modify the file for your specific column length, I will gladly help you just Private Message me (please DO NOT post your request on this thread).

So after 10 months on backorder my NRG quick release hub came. I ordered what they call “silver” to match the rest of the interior. I wouldn’t call it silver but rather polished aluminum. I used some acetone to remove the NRG logo. But left the open & closed print. The NRG quick release horn depression/area is 10mm deep and 55mm wide.

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That means the area I so crappily milled out wasn’t big enough. This time I took my hub to a machine shop who did the correct job for $25. But it wasn’t that I was being cheap the first go at it, I was worried about COVID at the time I milled mine and it’s a different world now. So better to do it right.

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So with the NRG hub installed I am basically done with everything. Just paint, headliner, final assembly and charge the AC. I did pull the vacuum on my AC so I can confirm there is no leaks. But I’m going to have a professional charge it.

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So one other fun item. I bought a 4 post lift and next weekend I’m going to build it.

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For those who think you need a lift, quick jacks, or any fancy stuff you don’t. Wheel dollies and some jack stands occasionally are all you need. Though here in earthquake country I am hesitant to work under jack stands even. In the Ridgecrest quake someone was working on their car and it fell on him many miles from the epicenter, he didn’t survive. Here is the Los Angeles Times article. Kind of grim :(

But why a lift now? I need the extra car storage space. I’ll post pictures of it once it’s built.

Did I say next weekend? LOL! I built it yesterday, with the help of my son & father-in-law who is super human, an award winning TV producer, wood worker, and real life hero, he currently does wildness search and rescue. He came over and using his amazing skills in rope systems, we knocked it out in a few hours with little effort and let the engine hoist do all the work.

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My garage door is getting adjusted to follow the roof line in 3 weeks so I can stack cars.

As to why I needed the lift & extra car storage? Well... for Christmas I gifted the Roush 427IR I bought from Galpin Auto Sports to my father-in-law & son to build a MK4 Roadster together. He has been wanting to build one since before I got my coupe and I think it will make a great bonding experience. Our son, who has learned to build a car along side me is turning 5 in a few weeks and he is not only smart but amazingly capable and ready for the challenge. Though almost 5 he is an old soul and really as smart as any teenager. We are blessed to have him in our lives, that's for sure. So I think it will be super fun and since I have accumulated all the tools necessary to build a car we'll do it in my garage. So with the lift completed we can look forward to a MK4 build on the horizon and knowing the FFR & vendor parts backlog we ordered our roadster two months ago for mid summer delivery just in time to finish the Coupe. I'll start a build thread on it when we get closer.

Speaking of coupes! Just got off the phone with Jeff and guess who's getting her colors this week. WOOHOO!

I had originally made this video for @Rsnake about the mounting hole positions of the bolts on the seat sliders, but then thought it might help someone else who is going to use the same Grid-Q seats or any Sparco seat for that matter. After I made this video I thought a good solution might be to have drilled the mounting bolts in the seat slider further back though this narrows the points of contact on the floor pan... But anyway if anything this gives someone some foresight and I hope it helps.

https://youtu.be/1Pn8U-mz68I

Thanks for the great video Danny! I am not at that stage yet and will try and figure out what to do.
I do weld so it might be part of the solution.

Wimbledon White over sealer:
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Taped & Ready for Body Color:
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Custom Formulated Blue painted on:
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Revealed and ready to clear:
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Clear coated:
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Photos & paint by Jeff Miller Customs, Temecula CA - (951) 676-0191
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Can you tell me what's the formula and paint type of the blue? Thanks. Looks really good.

Jeff took the liberty of naming the color after me.

It was formulated by:
Temecula Valley Paint
27641 Commerce Center Dr, Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 676-2943

Manufacturer: PPG
Name: Danny Goldman Blue
Color Code: 190918
Mixing Scheme: Envirobase HP (EHP)

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I also want to give a huge shout out to my wife who insisted I do the pinstripes. Looks so classy. Good call!

Cannot wait to see it outside in the sunshine. Looks black on my monitor

Wow, your car is coming along great!! Interior is outstanding.
You must be psyched about having the body painted, light at the end of the tunnel. It is very satisfying to bolt parts on the car knowing it is the last time.


John

Thanks Guys! I am so psyched to get this done!

So... Black vs Blue. Ask my 4 year old how many times I said, "I want a blue so dark it's almost black." That's a tough challenge without crossing into purple. Well... I can claim victory! @Rsnake, my Dad and several others have said. “Wait it looks black!” But get it out into the sun and it's a deep blue.

The rear "vents" Jeff painted black so you can see the differences.

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Indoors or in the shade, could be Black

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Out In the sun, deep dark Blue

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This Saturday the headliner gets installed, Monday, the chassis and the body meet again to become one.

I like it! Can't wait to see what it all looks like assembled

nice!!

Awesome color!

This looks great!

Thank the Mrs. P100DHG for putting on the pin stripes!!!

looking great
David W

Dude, I saw your car last week while taking delivery of a customer car. Trust me, It looks magnificent in person. Those are your doors in the back corner of the shop.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...3&d=1620452525

Thank you guys so much! @i.e.427 you’re the first person I know of that has gotten to see it in person, so I’m glad it made a good impression! My wife, son and I were in San Diego on Thursday and decided to stop by to see it in person and we were blown away by how great it looks. Incredible how color matching nail polish, a sample spray out, to a full car translated so well.

Today, I sighed a huge sigh of relief. The headliner is done and it’s amazing and somehow it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. For anyone who needs help with upholstery down in Temecula I can’t say enough good things about G&M Custom Upholstery - (951) 296-5336. These guys pulled off a miracle. I can’t tell you how many people turned down this job (over a dozen) and these guys knocked it out of the park. They came to Jeff Miller’s shop and did it onsite and squeezed me in at the last minute. I would have been seriously ****ed had they not worked me in, on such a tight schedule. (After all, my car is taking up limited shop space at Jeff’s and 6 roadsters are in the que, time was off the essence).

Now it might sound easy, but Jeff and I hung out for the day and watched these guys and we were both blown away at how technically difficult it was. It took 8 hours and the final product was excellent.

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I installed the rear lights to kill some time. So we can call it the first progress on final assembly. Jeff suggested I make some access panels in the rear wall, which is not a bad idea. So I’ll work on that tomorrow. Hard to say if I could access the wire harnesses from the fenders… But better safe than sorry.

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Just a cool picture of the roof

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A side note. I got to spend a whole day hanging out with Jeff Miller “da bat”. We grabbed burgers together, and I just had the best time talking with him and hanging out. It was a really great day. He’s a great guy, so generous to let me get this headliner installed in his shop and just a fun guy to hang out with.

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To quote Jeff: “Kind of sad really.... As good as that car looks it doesn't enhance us one bit. We'll call that picture " Two Putzes and a Bitc*hen Car " lol”

SO TRUE! Couldn’t have said it better myself. LOL

Home sweet home:
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Oh! And one pro tip. I made access panels for the rear tail lights per Jeff’s suggestion and I can tell you it’s a great idea. Made connecting them a snap and future maintenance super easy.

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On to final assembly! I’m going to take my time. No reason to rush. I am going to just do one item per day. This morning before work I connected the rear tail lights and tomorrow I’ll do the Le Mans Gas Cap and so on.

WOW that looks incredible!! Well done!!

***** **** ********* *************. ** ********* ****** ***'*****. ***************, * * * ***** * ****** ** ******* ...da Bat......Well! I tried to say something nice but guess I got edited ****

What an incredible build and final product. You have really raised the bar on premium builds!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheMole

What an incredible build and final product. You have really raised the bar on premium builds!!!

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Thanks! It means a lot. I put a lot of time thinking about how to differentiate the car. I am equally pleased with the way it's turning out.

Cause I feel the need to be transparent, the asymmetry of things mind ****ed me for a few weeks, I was bent on perfection, but Jeff gave me therapy (his knowledge and guidance are invaluable) and after a conversation with FRR I have learned to accept it for what it is. They are quality issues at FFR. I am seeing the full picture though, from the directions to some fit issues this car is just imperfect. I just needed to refocus on is the big picture. The car looks great, I knew basically nothing about cars and this learning experience has taught me so much and the product overall is looking great and I got bogged down in the details. Anyway another life lessoned learned and isn't what this is all about? Good Stuff! I am looking forward to an upcoming roadster build with my son and father-in-law as well.

I hit some speed bumps (figuratively) when my Braille battery took a **** on me. :mad: Not sure why but I rehabbed it started the car once and it died. It's definitely NOT the electrical system as I did a full analysis on it. I’ve gotta buy a new one cause it’s under partial warranty. Unfortunately my car is married to this specific battery from Braille cause the whole system is built around it. Needless to say it’s frustrating and their customer support has a very “oh well” attitude. Also out of nowhere, I have a leaky power steering hose, one of the AN fitting magically started to have an issue. So VF Sales is going to remake it at no charge.

Got the headlights installed and the drivers seat permanently mounted (hopefully LOL).

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Probably will try to do a monthly update from here. I have a full page punch list and cause it's all about fit and finish it's going to take forever. Plus life is turning back to somewhat normal so progress will be naturally slower. But I'll keep you guys posted.

The build does look really sharp! You're done great planning and work to get this far so it'll be great to see the final pieces come together and see it out on the road.

We’ll it’s been forever! I would have guessed the car would have been complete by now but I had some setbacks and life got in the way.

First the setbacks. I too had an issue with the provided acrylic being pitted and sized way off. FFR once again came through with new parts at no cost. But by the time they got here I was out the door on a 6 state road trip and though in New England you can do 6 states in a day here in the west it took us a bit longer. We did the Grand Canyon AZ, Santa Fe NM, Colorado Springs CO, Moab & Bryce UT, Hoover Dam NV, & back home to Pasadena CA. 2966 Miles & 12 days. My 5 year old was a champ! Lot of miles for a little one.

My battery had a total failure according to Braille and they are going to replace it, sounds like the cells or whatever inside failed. But the back order is very long. They had recommended switching to lithium but I’m not spending another $400. I’ll wait, I still have plenty to do.

Then my wife’s friend got kicked in the knee by a horse and so my wife had to go to South Carolina for 2 weeks to help her and I was Mr. Mom and I must say I did a great job at it. And while my wife was gone I surprised her by ripping the old wood deck off our pool area. :D My ultimate love is fixing up my home, gardening & BBQ so the deck is going to become a patio and a beautiful garden and a built in outdoor kitchen with a grill & smoker.

All this caused me to delay the roadster a month. But I’m very excited for that!!

But FINALLY today I got back on the build. I figured I’d knock out what I thought would be the most difficult and stressful part of the build, the headlight covers and the quarter scoops. Though the headlight covers aren’t done the quarter scoops came out great and the new parts require NO trimming, thank heaven. The headlight cover brackets I am going to chrome. So I am going to engrave the back of them so I know what goes where, take pictures, have them chromed and install them.

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To get the same spacing on the screws for the quarter scoops I made a template

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My goals is to get the car completed by end of September in time to register it for Huntington Beach. Hopefully I’ll make it fingers crossed. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying life!

Looking good!

Wow! It’s been forever and a day! What a summer! Business has been busy, and I started teaching at my college alma-mater over zoom and soon many in person classes. The Daytona has sat sadly on the lift neglected until this weekend.

My Braille battery is on indefinite back order so I bit the bullet and bought their lithium battery. Which is 6lbs vs the AGM which is 21lbs saving me the torture of going on a diet. :p But really the torture was the wait so problem solved.

This weekend I worked on the front lights, finished the covers which I attached with the provided hardware which I got chromed. The fog lights are in and I’m going to wire it all up next week.

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Once my battery is in I’ll be able to drive it off the lift, install the passenger seat, and get the windshield installed.

I am traveling a lot for my new teaching role in October so it looks highly unlikely I’ll make Huntington Beach this year. Kinda bummed about that but also I don’t want to rush the details. Better I get it done and enjoy the process.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying life.

Car looks great. Guess you missed the memo that HB was cancelled again. Pushed back to 4/30/22. Good luck with the new teaching gig.
-Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by P100DHG

Thanks! It means a lot. I put a lot of time thinking about how to differentiate the car. I am equally pleased with the way it's turning out.

Cause I feel the need to be transparent, the asymmetry of things mind ****ed me for a few weeks, I was bent on perfection, but Jeff gave me therapy (his knowledge and guidance are invaluable) and after a conversation with FRR I have learned to accept it for what it is. They are quality issues at FFR. I am seeing the full picture though, from the directions to some fit issues this car is just imperfect. I just needed to refocus on is the big picture. The car looks great, I knew basically nothing about cars and this learning experience has taught me so much and the product overall is looking great and I got bogged down in the details. Anyway another life lessoned learned and isn't what this is all about? Good Stuff! I am looking forward to an upcoming roadster build with my son and father-in-law as well.

I hit some speed bumps (figuratively) when my Braille battery took a **** on me. :mad: Not sure why but I rehabbed it started the car once and it died. It's definitely NOT the electrical system as I did a full analysis on it. I’ve gotta buy a new one cause it’s under partial warranty. Unfortunately my car is married to this specific battery from Braille cause the whole system is built around it. Needless to say it’s frustrating and their customer support has a very “oh well” attitude. Also out of nowhere, I have a leaky power steering hose, one of the AN fitting magically started to have an issue. So VF Sales is going to remake it at no charge.

Got the headlights installed and the drivers seat permanently mounted (hopefully LOL).

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Probably will try to do a monthly update from here. I have a full page punch list and cause it's all about fit and finish it's going to take forever. Plus life is turning back to somewhat normal so progress will be naturally slower. But I'll keep you guys posted.

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Yea, mine doing fit at all also. I received my side window kit finally. Was hoping on getting another set like it shows online under parts. Showing what we get with the kit. But it didn't come. I'm not sure if I'm gonna call FFR. It been a little stressful dealing shorts and back ordered parts. They have been overwhelmed in orders and its hard to keep up, communicate etc.

@automan for what it’s worth they shipped me a set right out

Update:
Big milestone today the windshield is in. And my new battery is installed. I had professionals do it and it was absolutely necessary as the windshield was too big for the hole.

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That leaves about a dozen items left. Since it’s important to have goals my new goal is to finish by end of December but who knows. So many details and lots of work right now. Plus I’m having a blast teaching at CU Boulder, it’s been so rewarding.

Here is what’s left.

- [ ] Headlight, Fog light, turn signal, running light wiring
- [ ] Wiper motors
- [ ] Interior panel covers
- [ ] Seat belts
- [ ] Seats
- [ ] Splash guards front and rear
- [ ] A pillar deflectors
- [ ] Door sound insulation
- [ ] Door cards
- [ ] Weather door Strip
- [ ] Wheel knock offs
- [ ] Side mirrors
- [ ] Rear view mirror
- [ ] Racing #5 on meatballs and rear

Quick update. Though I’ve checked off several items on the list, my battery woes continue. The replacement lithium battery has wreaked havoc on my engine computer. I am seriously hoping it’s not dead. Supposedly it has a slight increase in voltage I measure it at 13.5 which seems fine. But the car is just acting very bazar. Many of the items don’t work despite fuses being fine. When I hooked up a jumper box after disconnecting the battery things act normally except for the engine computer but since it’s a lithium jumper box I’m betting that’s an issue. and won’t start. I am going to try an old school lead acid battery before tearing anything apart.

Windshield is in. A pillar deflectors are done, side mirrors are on. Seat belts installed. I just need to install the passenger seat, wire up the front headlights and turn signals and fix this electrical enigma. I am almost certain this has everything to do with my power source. I am confident I can fix it though because it’s been so reliable until my AGM dropped dead. I’ll get some more photos and post soon.

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Life is one huge distraction. Way too much great stuff. My backyard project is also taking forever. Waiting on engineers but I think it’s going to be worth the wait. Should be an oasis when complete. My father in laws roadster is making slow progress but a build thread seems impossible because of the all the parts delays. We are struggling to get the basics so the flow would be disjointed. But it’s been really great to work together and create. Students at University of Colorado have made tremendous progress. They should be proud it’s been a grind but they are getting it. I’m proud of them. If you can believe it there is even more stuff going on all exceptional. I hope everyone is doing well. I wish I had a great video of the car driving but it’s all part of the journey. Can’t fight it just need to embrace it.

This just CAN'T be how this thread ends!! Please tell me that gorgeous car isn't just sitting there not running......
Rian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by P100DHG

I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves. I am just thrilled with the result.

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I keep the finished parts in a guest bedroom. Obviously that bed spread isn’t setting the right mood but to see everything together... well you get the idea. The best pictures will come when everything is put back together.

Couple items on the todo list and I’m ready for Jeff Miller to take over.

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If you don't mind me asking, what did those gauges set you back?

Thanks,
Brent

BEAUTIFUL!

Chris