Kevin at Automotive Innovations - they don't come much better than this...

[dd74]

By late, I've been battling a driver's side door handle which would, on occasion, not open the door. I emailed Kevin (KevinP73 on this board), who owns Automotive Innovations in Van Nuys. Kevin is well aware of my mechanical acumen (zilch), but was keen, nonetheless, to show me how to fix my door.

Well, I pulled the paneling off, and it ended up that we had to pull the window frame assembly out as well. The door handle needed an entire new mechanism, which Kevin had on hand. In short, he led me through the steps to remove and replace the mechanism, and button back up my door. He was extremely patient.

And that's the best part about Kev. He dileneates the 911 voodoo down to a simple bolt-by-bolt process and shows that there is no magic with these cars. But that's the gift of a good teacher. Like Tyson at TRE, Kevin is exactly that.

BTW: while there, three Pelicanites showed up: 1) a rock star; 2) an Art Center student who may be designing your next mode of transportation; 3) and an escrow officer; the type of professional everyone in L.A. should be friends with - they're more important than agents.

Anyway, thanks for all your help, Kev. It was a great learning experience.

[Matt Holcomb]

Kevin sounds a lot like my late mechanic.

[Jack Olsen]

Kevin sounds a lot like my late mechanic.

Except that he's alive.

I agree, though. Kevin is a great asset to the Porsche (and Pelican) community. A skilled craftsman -- minus any annoying 'skilled craftsman' attitude.

[Porschekid962]

those damn pesky art center kids. always trying to make cars look cooler than whats under the hood. Alas i am doing my best to change that. anyway, i really liked your car, like to see you out on the track soon, wait, i would like to be out soon myself if all goes well. i must agree, kevin is a great guy, knows a wealth about the car and wants to help on my next project.

i vote kevin snags that shop around the corner if it opens up.

[KevinP73]

Thanks Guys, it's nice to be appreciated. But as for that "no attitude" thing, you have to spend just a little time there to see the shop phone fly across the room, or see a pair of channel locks skip off the floor and take out a passenger door window. I have my days, don't even get me started on the neighbors cat's.

[dd74]

Originally posted by KevinP73
...you have to spend just a little time there to see...a pair of channel locks skip off the floor and take out a passenger door window...

Channel locks? Is that what's still in my ear after it flew through my passenger door window? I swear I (wasn't) nodding out on the job; I just thought I saw a quarter on the ground.



EDIT: I really wasn't "nodding" out...

[KevinP73]

hands off my lunch money boy !!

[nostatic]

that's OK...you can always plug in your 220v gear and go to town when you're upset.

oh, wait a minute...

[Porschekid962]

so thats why my windsheild was replaced. i had a great idea kevin, go to the market and buy some wet cat food, bill will see it and be impressed. this is where we get devious, put out a couple cans of the stuff but stick poison in it and watch the results.

ps, get that damn house!!!!!!!! i can imagine a nice 550 clone in the driveway

[Fishcop]

Careful with the poison... I note there is quite a few cat lovers on this board. Poison is a very inhumane form of dispatching an unwanted animal.

[MotoSook]

I just wish Kevin was close enough so he could shoot my car!

Kevin, you wanna come to Chicago?

I'll trade you Cali guys one Chris Streit for one Kevin ... com'on

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by Porschekid962
this is where we get devious, put out a couple cans of the stuff but stick poison in it and watch the results.

I considered that. But the restaraunt down the street poses a problem. I wouldn't want to be responsible for intruducing contaminated meat into the market place. Anyone know for sure whats in the "Hello Kitty Lunch Platter"? Aside of that, sick and dying cats have a habit of getting into the most inaccessable places to croak. If you think mice in your heater tubes are a *****, you don't want to experience a dead kitten decomposing in your 911.
Souk....we can work a trade but it will have to wait untill summer in Chicago. I've lived back there (Westmont) and not real fond of winter in the mid west.

[dd74]

What? You got a cat problem? Why don't you borrow one of those in-bred mongrels from next door to TRE? Those "things" look like they could tear apart a rhinocerous!

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by dd74
What? You got a cat problem? Why don't you borrow one of those in-bred mongrels from next door to TRE? Those "things" look like they could tear apart a rhinocerous!

Wayyyyy too messy. I'm thinking a couple pythons or boas. They're quiet, don't take up much space and a lot easier to clean up after.

[dd74]

I'll take the mess. I like to see results.

[Porschekid962]

hey fishcop, it wasnt a serious comment, just a joke between kevin and i. i myself have a cat that i am very fond of and would never considering killing any animal unless it was necessary. that area is just overrun with the little fuzzies from the great engine tuning mechanic next door!!

acid dip the best way to strip a shell down???

[KevinP73]

Acid dipping gets the base about as clean as it can be. The only drawback is that you have to remove every element of the car which is a little time consuming, but worth the effort considering the results.

[Porschekid962]

well now i just need to bug bill about that shell or get a good price from dave on the longhood he has sitting at the shop then work on the beast can commence. you know i have way too many ideas i just hope half of them make it to fruition. are you at the shop all day today? i was thinking of swinging by since my class gets out son.

[KevinP73]

Here all day, come on by

[singpilot]

Kev is DE MAN!