So, I made the decision to have Michel cut the lower portion of the rear flair so as to not make it so low AND to extend the rocker panel all the way through the rear wheel well. In order to do that, he had to cut out both the flair and the rear portion of the rocker panel. But while doing so, he was going to make that rear portion be identical in appearance to the front (a-la- 993GT2), which I was very happy with. So, he had to make a mold of the front portion of the rocker panel, then inverse it, and then graft it to the rear of the rocker panel.

Yes, he does make it look easy and no, it was definitely not easy to do.





http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578654.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578683.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578764.jpg


Like anything truly special, the strength comes in the details. Please look at the magnificent workmanship of Michel at the picture below. Notice how he was able to eliminate the shark fin ALL together be extending the front portion of the rear flair to incorporate the groove and contour of the body line yet, make it unnoticeable. Isn't that just killer?


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578742.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578790.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578822.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578843.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404578874.jpg

Did you sell the 500E?

I'm not really understanding what your trying to achieve with the rear flairs. As it is now it looks like a piece of the rocker is missing.

The work into unchartered territories continues and turning back is no longer an option, so we forge ahead with fingers crossed that the concept in my head will pan out. All I knew was that I didn't like how the rocker panel stuck out half way underneath the flair and that a modification to that area was necessary - again, not being able to rely on any else's car/pictures as there are none around for this. So, creativity and improvisation - will the outcome be not just satisfactory, but friggin' great like the rest of the project?



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404588622.jpg

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404588742.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404588763.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404588663.jpg

So, more pictures illustrating the changes undertaken in order to appease my preference in detailing the lower portion of the back flair as all 3 other parts of the front & rear flairs had pretty much been buttoned down.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608315.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608280.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608298.jpg

Because we needed to maintain the functionality of the rocker panel, Michel used the already existing points of installation on the body of the car in order to replicate how to attach this new piece. In other words, should the rocker panels and flairs have to be removed in order to access the lower portion of the drivetrain, we could do it versus having bonded it to the body or cutting corners. Everything was done in a precise manner so no gaps would exist nor would there be any issues about detaching from the body after wear and tear/prolonged use.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608335.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608346.jpg

Although I easily could have done away with the factory groove within the rocker panel that comes from the factory on all C2 models, I felt it necessary to show everyone that this was always meant to be a modified C2. Therefore, I asked Michel to incorporate the existing groove throughout the entire length of the rocker panel. After paint (and final pictures), you will see why it was important for me to insist that this be done...

In any event, everyone knows a straight line doesn't always appear to be straight, especially when dealing with things that curve. Here, Michel used a guided laser to ensure that the groove maintained factory straight appearance - he's so bada**!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608387.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608360.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608373.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404608397.jpg

The light at the end of the tunnel is barely visible, and we're headed towards it at this part of the project.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404609466.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404609481.jpg

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404609524.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404609539.jpg

Its finally starting to look good, after many hours of sanding, grinding, and measuring - so paint with a flexible compound was applied so as to prevent cracking took place!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404609552.jpg

One of the shop's foremen taking a break from all the action!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404609563.jpg

Otto HUGE kudos to you for making it the way you want. Too many are too nervous to change a speaker let alone a body mod for the sake of originality and depreciation.

Now on that rear flair. Are you going to go pass the rocker with the flair?....as in the pics below(I know not the same car but similar idea)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404610161.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404610179.jpg

I did a very bold move with respect to the direction I took with this project and I've been reading this forum far too long to post a pic of how the car looks now, at least not for the immediate future. I do appreciate the 934 pics but this car is one of a kind and I cannot expect everyone to embrace it. To answer your question - no, little to any resemblance to a 934 takes place within the next 15 + pics.

Rather, I can attempt to have those interested in the car to step into my shoes, see what I saw then, and gain some perspective as to what drew me to get the car done the way I chose to direct a path for it. I will always appreciate the heads up and encouragement from everyone to be candid about me deviating from ALL standards. I can't, however, justify those who opine that their perspective is somehow far more important or superior to everyone else's - God bless them but this thread is clearly not for the faint of heart.

If you are patient as I have been (other than 'driving' 500 miles in it in 6 days last month), the car has really been stationary for a year this July 11th, which is almost borderline absurd.

I hope those of you who see the pics in the first page of this thread continue to follow the car's progress because although I'm only doing this thread for my own sake, I do believe there may be others who might follow this with some degree of interest. All I can say is - hurry up and wait for pics of the continued work In progress because this car is insane...

And yes, I sold the 500E to Al from Vertex who is now opening up his own shop in Miami ( soon ) to dedicate to specialty cars like this which he was directly involved with for the better part of the last year. I replaced it with an even more sick XJR that no one has ever seen, but I won't post a pic on it in this thread.

I will reserve judgement until I see final pictures. I don't really understand where you are going with it.

Just read the entire thread. Gonna stick around to see the finished product. Lot of skills on display here.

I believe this pic shows where he is going pretty well.

Love the commitment to your vision, keep it up!

So, here are the first pics of the rough flairs being mocked up in the car. At this point, I was hesitant in feeling entirely comfortable with what had come out of them, but then again, I truly reckoned the options as to how to shape the flairs on all 4 ends were limited to the C2 body lines and of course, the vision in my head.

Tomorrow, back to work so I'll do my darnest to upload pictures later in the week - I still have so many and various different issues and areas of the project that remain to unfold. Stay tuned!



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404697046.jpg

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404697232.jpg

OK, I see now. To me it looks like the rear flare is backwards if you understand what I mean- the tire should be visible from the rear not the front, for aerodynamics.

But it's your car so don't mind me. :)

The work looks fantastic, but its a bit strange to me. It looks like you just reversed things. The rear flair is short in the front and long in the rear. It just seems odd and doesnt look right to me. The rear bumper and rocker were not designed to flow "into and underneath" the flare. It serves no purpose either aesthetically or from a functionality standpoint. Just my honest opinion, I'm sure others will chime in.

Great job, OttoB!

I've been eyeing this car pretty much since it arrived at Vertex. I think one of the first items I saw were your seats. If I'm not mistaken, they were sitting on the back desk inside the (old) office for some time. Guys, pictures do not do those seats justice. They are beautiful! I asked Al if it was for sale as I've always wanted a 965, but he said no, and keep an eye on it, as it was going to be bad-a$$! So I kept an eye on it. I have to say, it's not for me, but damn it's nice! It looks mean as hell in person. I saw it the last day it was there and was blown away by it!

Can't wait to see it cruising (tearing up) the Miami streets!


By the way, yes, I was kinda stalking the car, but only because I sold Vertex my '77 Turbo track car, and my engine was being built there :D

These recent pics...are 6 months old...

Bet there was a battery changing on the camera, and the date wasn't updated.

1) Otif, thanks for the heads up! The car is still there as I only took it out last month for 6 days of driving and racked up 500+ miles for its first oil change. But, too many things still left to sort out and when I do pick it up, hopefully soon, it will be 100%.

2) As to the new sport hard back seats in the pics posted in the thread's first page which Otif references and can personally vouch for, they are for sale and pm if you are interested.

3) All of the pictures with dates on them are accurate. The pics I posted in the first page as a sneak peek are from when I started this thread in March of this year. A LOT of work has been undertaken and still continues. The car in the pics above on this page do not resemble how the car looks now, except that they're both white and wide. I have not gotten around to doing a whole lot these past few months because between a busy work schedule and some personal issues in the home front, plus having 2 other cars also concurrently undergoing restorations, and having a young child, time is scarce.

I will be posting something like 100+ more pics as time allows that will show the transformation of this car from a 1991 Porsche 911 Turbo to a Radical RetroMod 965 RSR...

I ain't gonna lie... What you are about to see is enough to get anyone ostracized, tarred and then feathered, etc. This is painful to see, even months later, but it had to be done. Once the flairs were test fitted and they came out pretty damn good first time out, then we had to cut the turbo flairs off the body - yes, I know - blasphemy and off with my head!

So, Michel once again meticulously marked off the areas to be cut after measuring enough times, and then also finding the spaces, all symmetrically and purposely outlined, for where the stainless steel bolts were going to be located to hold the flairs in place a-la- 934 racers.

Proceed to see these pictures at your own risk!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404953602.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404953627.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404953611.jpg


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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404953695.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404953707.jpg

One side down, one to go - I will spare the pictures of the passenger side showing the cutouts of the entire factory flairs, and instead, show Michel's remarkable and perfectionist talent with the install of the wide 934 style flairs...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1404954071.jpg


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