Ruby Redux III

douglas bray · 03-17-2014, 07:09 PM

Some of you may remember the car Ed Hughes owned for many years named Ruby. She's an '84, 911 Targa that underwent many iterations from a $14,000ish stock 3,2L all the way to a $50,000ish track/canyon carving twin-plug 3,4L beast.

About two years ago Ed and Ken (Race911 on Rennlist) got together and somehow, and I can't fathom it, but somehow, Ruby changed hands.

Well, through no fault of her own she has wound up in my hands minus all, And I Mean ALL of the bits that made her a beast....Well, the roll bar and the Patrick Long signature are still there.

My thoughts are to backdate with full on RS interior bits, yada yada yada, but first I gotta make her a roller.

First stop today was at Einmalig to see if we could work out some sort of deal to help keep my costs down. I'm happy to say that a deal has been reached for this next leg of the journey.

Front and rear suspension will be ready to go tomorrow. I've dealt with them several times in the past months as I've finished up my other car so I know this is going to be awesome. Nuts and bolts will come already plated in yellow zinc, brackets and bits that can be plated will be, but I'm actually looking forward to painting struts and brake backers and such.

All this comes on the heals of seven years of restoration work on my '88 cabriolet that has turned out very much to my liking and as a bonus to the joy of my wife. Last weekend we drove the cabrio from the Inland Empire up the 101 and the 1 to Monterrey's 17 mile drive, and back without a hitch. We added 828 miles to the +/-80,000 ODO. I'm not saying I'm done working on the cab, it's just time for a playmate.

Anyway, lets see if I know how to post photos here.

rusnak · 03-17-2014, 07:16 PM

DB, about those ratchet straps.....

JQ911 · JQ911's Garage

Congrats Amber! Now the Cab has a playmate.

Let me know if you will let go of your front valance and rubber spoiler.

douglas bray · 03-17-2014, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JQ911

Congrats Amber! Now the Cab has a playmate.

Let me know if you will let go of your front valance and rubber spoiler.

Rubber chin has had a bite taken out of her. It's headed for the scrap pile. The valance has two really good lights on it that may go on the cab if I decide the clubsport is a bit over the top.

....and Rusnak, you again? the strap over the hood is/was looser than loose, and the one over the doors is just hanging there so it didn't get wet. Ken had about 4 inches of bath towels under them.

I've gotta find a picture of the two cars together.

Here it is. Keep in mind this was 5 or 6 years ago. Both cars have changed a bit.

rusnak · 03-18-2014, 10:46 AM

Geeez!!! Was it that long ago??? I remember that like it was yesterday.

kshafer1 · kshafer1's Garage

Looking forward to seeing the build progress!

BTW: I recognize that location... (Lake Henshaw in the background)

gtc · gtc's Garage

Wow, seems like a shame to me to take apart such a nice car.

Matt Monson · 03-18-2014, 01:30 PM

Good to see Ruby rise from the ashes.

douglas bray · 03-18-2014, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

Geeez!!! Was it that long ago??? I remember that like it was yesterday.

No kidding. Ed and I had that mountain to ourselves that particular day. Needless to say I have been hooked ever since.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kshafer1

Looking forward to seeing the build progress!

BTW: I recognize that location... (Lake Henshaw in the background)

Yep, New Years morning and not another soul was up at the top. I don't think we saw a single car anywhere. My wife and I stopped for apple pie in Julian like we always do. Fantastic place to drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc

Wow, seems like a shame to me to take apart such a nice car.

Broke my heart, really. Ed and Ken are dear friends that have inspired me every step I've walked down this Porsche journey I'm on, so lets just say I am emotionally tied to the car and moving forward without dwelling on what is done. Let's just go forward. Please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Good to see Ruby rise from the ashes.

Yes, very good. Today I handed over a large wad of cash for bananas, rear brakes, rear shocks, spring plates, hopefully all needed nuts, washers, and bolts, and the front control arms. Figured this would keep me busy for at least a week, but will most likely call and let them know I'll be in again on Friday to pick up the rest of the front suspension. ....and yes, I'll take some before and after pictures of everything.

The smart thing to do will be to bring up the PET and make a list of all nuts and bolts. That isle is just simply Pr0n on display to walk down.

I've gotta find some Meadow Green rattle cans.

....anyway, thanks for the encouragement guys. This is going to be a fantastic journey.

boba · 03-18-2014, 02:32 PM

I remember the first time I met Ruby, I was on my way out to Motorsports Ranch and Ed was just in front of me when we turned onto 377. She sounded so good, it was a joy to just hear that car run down the road. I was surprised when Ed decided to sell Ruby and just a little sad about the change that was coming for her. I am pleased to see that she has ended up in good hands and has a bright future.
Best of luck to you and wherever you take Ruby.

douglas bray · 03-18-2014, 06:34 PM

This is where all the go-fast parts went. It's a '73 RS tribute

douglas bray · 03-18-2014, 06:59 PM

....and the first of many piles of parts:

Craig_D · Craig_D's Garage

Looks like fun!

Can't wait to see the progress on Ruby III

douglas bray · 03-19-2014, 06:50 PM

Hey, look what I found.

show me hot impact bumper 911s...

douglas bray · 03-22-2014, 05:12 PM

Absolutely can't believe everything is cleaning up so nice. Underneath all the cosomline is a really clean set of bananas that look to have an '86 date stamp. Even the A-arms have an almost brand new set of balljoints and keepers. Should switch them out.

....now I've really gotta go back and rebuild the blue car again. Just look at the brakes. Who has such clean bolts and springs and such, yet forgets to release the parking brake?

Was a fun couple of hours. Several things ready for paint. several things ready to go on the car.

strudelwagon · strudelwagon's Garage

It's funny how people with similar interests think the same! Good luck with your Ruby

Ruby's Big Adventure-87 Carrera redux

Steve

douglas bray · 03-22-2014, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strudelwagon

It's funny how people with similar interests think the same! Good luck with your Ruby

Ruby's Big Adventure-87 Carrera redux

Steve

Man you are jumping in as deep as I am.

douglas bray · 03-25-2014, 02:14 PM

Picked up a few more things today:

Hubs, rotors, calipers, backer plates, struts, toe plates, tie rods, rack and pinion, and a few odds and ends.

That'll keep me busy.

At the rate I'm going she'll be a roller by Christmas.

douglas bray · 06:52 PM

I've been distracted so let's catch up.

First two pictures were taken today....well, all the pictures where taken today. LOL. When I tell you he's got the good, just trust me, he's got the goods.

This is the box of goodies I picked up today.

Finally got under Ruby and started fitting parts.

douglas bray · 07-15-2014, 04:36 PM

Well, It's time to come clean. After paying out nearly $9,000 in green cash toward my mother-in-law funeral, my chevy breaking down after 13 years as my DD, my wife insisting I get a brand new Toyota PreRunner 4 door long bed with everything, the heat of summer kicking my butt, and my wife also telling me we could ship my '88 cab to Hawaii for our next vacation IF I got rid of Ruby, I have sold Ruby.

I've got to get a few parts sent off to Ken and pick up some of the parts at Einmalig that I paid for and never picked up, then she is headed off to Carlsbad.

Let the firing squad commence firing.