Figured I’d update this post since I haven’t picked up the car yet. Turns out there were some weather delays that kept a few of the final bits from arriving on time. That combined with a wiring issue and Christmas vacation led to delivery being pushed to mid January.
Either way, it gave me a chance to finally order the 123 Distributor with Bluetooth which I just dropped off to the shop yesterday. Should be put in today before the snow arrives and pick up should be early next week.
Out of town this weekend for a football game but the shop had a display set up for the autoshow- Kyle asked if he could take my car and since I wouldn’t be using it I had no objections.
Car is just about complete - all that remains is to put on the new rear bumper and resolve an odd ground with one of my turn signals
After finally coming home from an impromptu 3 month underway, I actually have a chance to upload photos that have been on my phone. While grateful for my wife snagging some progress shots, I had all of the early progress stuck on my phone with me while out at sea. Enjoy.
Finally made it back to land yesterday so I've been going through all of the photos on my phone. Came across the time when my car was used for an episode of Destination America's A Haunting
Since I'm still out to sea with no return in sight - there has been no pressure to get the car done. I guess this is a good thing as the shop has time to ensure everything is done to perfection. Car is back from the upholstery shop and I'm digging the new black headliner. Can't wait to be home and see everything in person.
I was really hoping the car would make its debut at the PCA Air and Auto Classic 8 show today in Virginia Beach. Some last minute rain delayed finishing work and my restoration guy (who was taking the car on my behalf) decided to opt out. I can't fault him for that.
Since I'd paid for the registration, my wife went to the show and enjoyed the sites. She was kind enough to send these to me - looks like quite a few 2002s made it out, which is always a good sign.
Car is on its way to a local shop to get the new headliner put in. Once it comes back the remaining trim and glass will go in, followed by a full polish of the paint and detail of the interior.
My wife was kind enough to stop by the shop and send me some more pictures. New headlights are in and the blacked out trim pieces are starting to go back on.
It is satisfying to see everything come together, even if I'm not there to see it in person. Shouldn't be long before it is back on the road.
Of note, those are the original headlights that are back in the car for fitment - I'm replacing them with LED switchback lights. Headliner should be replaced late this week or early next week as well.
I may be out to sea, but my wife was kind enough to stop by the shop and send some progress photos. Things are coming along nicely. Still a lot of color sanding to do.
Pulled the sunroof panel out into the sun to check it out and I couldn't be happier with the paint choice. There are still many color/wet sandings to go and a few buff sessions, but the picture can't show how awesome it looks.
With the engine out of the car and the panels off and prepped for paint - what remained went up on the lift to take care of the previously noted body issues.
The engine got partially disassembled for ceramic coating and paint
And all of the panels started getting some color
Things were coming along nicely
It wouldn't be a restoration without growth work. At the recommendation of the shop - I decided to drop out the engine and front subframe for painting. This allowed us to dive into the front body work and see their full state. Turns out the front valence wasn't attached in a few spots and there were some other questionable previous metal work spots, nothing some welding can't fix.
Work began a few weeks ago as the body was sprayed with epoxy coat, the trim holes were plugged, and all of the problem areas patched, smoothed, and addressed.
Not long after I dropped off the car, the shop went to work removing all trim, glass, rubber, and anything in the way of the paint and body. Paint was chemically stripped, mechanically where needed. Doors, hood, and trunk lid were sent off to a blaster.
Progress was being made.
And as a bonus - I found my trophy from the last auto show I sent to.
The decision to remove all of the trim took me some time to make. When I say trim I'm talking about the waist trim, the mid door trim, and the lower door trim. The trim around the windows and lights is staying as they're a bit more integral to the car.
Bonus - theres the lighter passenger door that I had to live with.
In the end, give the amount of work that'd be going into the trim just to say it, combine with the cost needed to buy new bits - I
I moved to San Diego in the summer of 2015 courtesy of the US Navy. I made the most of my time by driving the 2002 around as much as possible. In a car without air conditioning, near constant 75 degree weather is a godsend. I made the normal runs throughout the area - never venturing too far as I still had lingering questions on reliability in a 40 year old car. While there, I did take it to La Jolla Independent for a tune up and got some new tires as well. I tried to arrange for LJI to do some
Between the time that I purchased the 2002 and when I decided to start the restoration, I enjoyed making minor modifications and taking it to various car shows. One of the first things I did was get a custom license plate, which should be a requirement for all owners. I ended up choosing BTR 02 ("beater") as I wasn't sure I was ever going to embark on a full restoration job and while the car was far from falling apart, the term "beater" seemed appropriate.
Next up were window motors an
I can't remember how long I've wanted a NK. When I was in high school, I remember visiting my older sister outside of Asheville NC and her boyfriend at the time drove a sweet NK (roundie if I believe) but I do remember during my first tour (2007 or so) that I spent considerable time searching the web in a lazy search to find a car that spoke to me. Tons of restored race cars, including an awesome one with wide body flares and a roll cage out of Tampa, and loads of project cars, but nothing that
