i'm trying to make it to the dells. i just need a windshield and i can drive it but i also need a new roof over the garage. the tie rod ends are out on the eclipse also and that's what gets me to work at 40mpg. it's always something. i did get some pictures taken today so i'll get them sent, the background is probably going to start getting old, it will drive again someday.
i sent exoticse some more pictures. i got some close ups of the cracks and the brakes. i took took some of them farther away to try and give a better perception of what it looks like compared to the surroundings but they might be too far away.
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10:25 PM
May 6th, 2005
exoticse Member
Posts: 8650 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
i sent exoticse some more pictures. i got some close ups of the cracks and the brakes. i took took some of them farther away to try and give a better perception of what it looks like compared to the surroundings but they might be too far away.
Rims/brakes
Da cracks
far away
Some interesting things that Josh shared with me,....he thinks Archie's price of $4,000 is actually pretty low, and is definatly a good price for all the work involved.
He also said that while the job is doable on your own, it is most definatly a looooooot of work.
[This message has been edited by exoticse (edited 05-06-2005).]
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03:20 AM
May 9th, 2005
joshua riedl Member
Posts: 1426 From: watertown wi USA Registered: Jan 2004
just in case anyone is following this i thought i would give an update. i guess it's not really an update because i am going to rework a few things and pretty much forget about the dells this year. the roof is just too wavy, you can see it in the picture of the quarter window, and with the other cracks i just can't deal with it. i pushed it too fast and i got burned. next will be stripping the roof again to smooth it and fix the other cracks. it won't require a complete paint job since it's all the roof and driver side rear clip. the front end is still too high. with lowering ball joints and cut springs i think i should be at least an inch lower. the only thing i can think of is the bushings are binding, plus i know how rusty the front end is and since the back is all new and upgraded i am going to do the bushings and control arm bolts up front, slowly get the interior back together and if all goes well it will all be done by this winter and the spare 3.4 dohc in the back of my garage will be getting some serious attention. so that's the deal. i probably shouldn't have shared pictures in the first place because now i'm officially one of those never ending guys but i know if i keep pushing this project i'm just going to end up hating it. maybe next year. thank you to all those who liked the car and screw you who don't, just kidding, later.
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11:15 PM
Will-Martin Member
Posts: 1164 From: DFW, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2002
I am really glad you did share the pictures in the first place. MAN your car looks so good. Keep up the good work and once you get those little things fixed, it will be just about perfect. That red is way hot.
SNAP!
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11:19 PM
netpro55 Member
Posts: 761 From: pittsburgh PA usa Registered: Nov 2004
pretty much negative progress so far. i ground out some cracks and stripped the roof. it still needs blending and filling but i am already happy i did it over. i look back now and wonder why i just didn't do it right the first time. maybe i'll get some of the older pictures put on disk to keep the interest up but the current progress isn't much to write about.
Originally posted by joshua riedl: ...i look back now and wonder why i just didn't do it right the first time.
That's how many of us learn! I re-glassed most of the bodywork on my GT a couple of times - and it's still not "perfect" (but it looks damn good, especially considering I did it myself!)
Keep up the good work - are you going to make it to the Dells Run?
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05:51 PM
joshua riedl Member
Posts: 1426 From: watertown wi USA Registered: Jan 2004
i'm still debating just throwing in a windshield after i fix the roof. it definately won't be painted by then. the problem is i've been throwing a lot of money into this thing and have been neglecting things i shouldn't, like my daily driver. i think i'm still under 7grand for the whole project and will probably be less than $10,000 finished in case anyone was curious or wanted more reason to try this on their own. i bought the car for $2200, spent $1000 at WCF, $1200 on paint, $900 rims/tires, $1000 fierostore(probably),$300 for calipers from autozone and calipersonline. i'm sure i left out some small things but that's most of it.
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06:19 PM
Tabs31 Member
Posts: 2049 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Nov 2001
well i got my roof over the garage replaced. i had to remove two layers of shingles and replace a few sheets of plywood before the fiberboard went down with rubber on top of that. it took 3 days in 100 degree weather. it's funny how people always offer to help until the day comes to actually get to work. both my bravada and the eclipse broke down in the same week so i took advantage of the GM employee discount and got a 2005 colorado regular cab Z71 with the auto and 5 cylinder. i like it so far. it only gets 22mpg though. i also got the roof on the fiero smoothed out and am making arrangements for a windshield. my fastforwardperformance chip ate itself so i got a new computer and chip from another forum member. along with a new ignition module the car runs great now. i'm working part time in the mornings along with my regular job to keep the ends meeting soo i'm pretty busy. probably not the update people were looking for but there are canadians out there holding their breath to see a home made chop top get finished so i figured i better give some update. the fact of the matter is i am busier than 90 percent of you out there popping off at the mouth and i get more than a little irritated at some of the comments i read by people who talk more than they work. a few of you guys are really cool, Will and Exoticse specifically, i thank you for your interest. but a lot of you aren't, so this is my last update.
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08:20 PM
Aug 5th, 2005
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
...... the fact of the matter is i am busier than 90 percent of you out there popping off at the mouth and i get more than a little irritated at some of the comments i read by people who talk more than they work. a few of you guys are really cool, Will and Exoticse specifically, i thank you for your interest. but a lot of you aren't, so this is my last update.
Well I'm surprised to see you withdraw. I've read thru this thread twice & I didn't see all that many negative comments. You can believe me that I'm an expert on reading negative comments, so I'd know.
Well I'm surprised to see you withdraw. I've read thru this thread twice & I didn't see all that many negative comments.
Sorry, but I have to agree with Archie on this one... no need to remove yourself - we all love to see build up progress & updates (even if there is a time delay). Please do continue with your updates (whenever they become available) - and just ignore those who annoy!
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09:34 AM
PFF
System Bot
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I love chop tops, both Archie and home-built. You have my support. But no matter what you do to your car, there are going to be some people that don't like it. It's your car just ignore them. Please keep us up to date.
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11:38 AM
joshua riedl Member
Posts: 1426 From: watertown wi USA Registered: Jan 2004
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/048579-2.html this is what i was refering to but it isn't the only one. besides at this point it's a money thing. i'm getting a used windshield so that's covered but i still need carpet, insulation and side windows. plus a few interior pieces that aren't necessary and the roof painted. not to mention i'm an idiot when it comes to posting pictures. i heard there is a car show in illinois sometime in september, maybe i'll make that one.
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06:17 PM
MilleniumFiero Member
Posts: 1225 From: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USA Registered: Dec 2002
Thanks for the compliment, but i have to concur with some of the others,....there are jerks all over this world so no matter where you go, you will run into them.
You have a fantastic thread and project going, don't let a couple knuckleheads bring you down. Trust me you have a lot more people in your corner rooting for you than those out there taking shots.
Keep up the good work and hang in there buddy.
P.S. You know i am always willing to help you post pictures any time you need, just ask.
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06:33 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/048579-2.html this is what i was refering to but it isn't the only one. besides at this point it's a money thing. i'm getting a used windshield so that's covered but i still need carpet, insulation and side windows. plus a few interior pieces that aren't necessary and the roof painted. not to mention i'm an idiot when it comes to posting pictures. i heard there is a car show in illinois sometime in september, maybe i'll make that one.
Ok, so I read that page you linked to.
So what is this quote all about?
quote
i can think of one in particular that was "finished" by archie, been through 3 owners now and the interior is still multiple colors.
I can't think of a car we built that we didn't do exactly the amount of work the customer asked for. So technically none of them are "Finished" when they leave here. So which car are you talking about?
Archie
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07:35 PM
Fie Ro Member
Posts: 3735 From: Soest, The Netherlands Registered: Sep 2001
Some choptops have just a little too much "look it is really chopped!" look imho....but this one really looks natural with the right proportions so I say you did a great job !! Also please keep the body as clean as it is, it doesnt need wings and whatever.....thanks for sharing
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08:10 PM
joshua riedl Member
Posts: 1426 From: watertown wi USA Registered: Jan 2004
Archie, i appologize if that was taken as an insult. i prefer not to say which car i was talking about because i didn't want it to be taken as a personal attack. someone spouted off about how home made chops don't get finished so i came back with the professionally done chops don't get finished. personally, it's a hobby for me and i don't care much if mine ever gets finished, although i do miss driving it. don't get too mad at me Archie, i still need to buy your rocker panels.
Please post pictures of the cuts and when and were. The car looks great but some of use would like to see the tec part of it. It is hard to get the cut and weld pictures for some reason.
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09:04 PM
86GT3.4DOHC Member
Posts: 10007 From: Marion Ohio Registered: Apr 2004
I just wanted to say that it appears you have done a GREAT job with that car. It looks perfect, and you have every right to take pride in work like that. I would LOVE to see more pics (when you get around to it) , and keep up the good work!
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12:07 PM
doublec4 Member
Posts: 8289 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jun 2003
http://topimagehost.com/uploads/1114_.jpg i did get the cracks sorted out a while ago. these are pretty old pictures. i've been putsing around getting the mechanicals and interior straightened out. got the headliner done, tail lights tinted and installed. pretty much all the cheap stuff, trying to watch the cash flow so i can afford side windows.
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01:55 PM
FieroMaster88 Member
Posts: 7680 From: Mattawan, MI Registered: Nov 2000
