[flash]

yeah - got back yesterday afternoon



i wanted to let everybody drive the car during the brief period of good weather we had, but you all left for the museum - next time i'm out there (parade) make sure you bug me to go for a run



as for the paint, make sure you find out exactly how he is going to do the job - many paint shops will cut corners everywhere and you end up paying thousands for less than what you want - in the end though, it's always a compromise between time and money

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[happysails2you]

Congrats, Anchor, on the pennies from heaven!!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I must say I'm glad to have seen your 968 pre-restoration, as we'll all be able to properly appreciate the beautiful finish later!!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wub.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Huskydog recently had his car repainted, he might have some ideas for you.



Get the new top AFTER the paint if you can, NJ inspections notwithstanding. Don't want to risk dust and fine particles on the new top or window. Might have the top taken off completely before your paint job, leaving bare bones during painting, less chance for a problem.



Be sure to take photos pre-paint and pre-top...I didn't think about doing it til afterward, and wish I had taken the time to document it. Duh. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Flash, glad you made it home safely! It was great to meet you and try to keep up with you on the Fun Run. Thanks a bajillion for coming across the country, we all loved seeing the Flashmobile. It ISN'T an urban legend, it DOES exist!!! Absolutely gorgeous (the car, but you're not so bad yourself!). You'll have a long line of folks who want to drive it next time...and the fee is?????



And for anyone following this thread, we decided not to have a window de-fogger/cleaner 'bake-off' in Hershey with my old plastic window, ran out of time.

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[flash]

lol - thanks - yeah, it runs and everything



fee? hmmm - this could be an opportunity to stock the wine cellar

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[Anchorman]

I started taking steps on the respray and top replacement. Some research on the NNJR PCA site suggested that DJ's Auto Body in Morristown, NJ was one of the best places to use. I met with Dave Jenkins and described what I'm looking for. He'll do the (thankfully few) body repairs, strip most (but not all) of the existing paint, and respray for $3k. He'll do the third brake light customization I want for another $200 and, if I decide to change color from the standard black that's currently on the car to Anthracite Black, he'll do the door jambs for another $250. I am not having him do things like the underside of the hood and trunk lid, engine compartment, etc. New seals will be used except around the front bumper cover where the seals were replaced three years ago and are still "fresh".



He recommended Pete at Maximillian Classics in New Vernon to do the top replacement. I went to see Pete, who rents a bay from New Vernon Coach & Motor Works. Parked in front of the Motor Works area were vintage Rolls, Jaguars, Mercedes and an MGB. In Pete's bay was a 1958 Jaguar on which he was doing upholstery and top work. No techs, no helpers, Pete does all of the work himself. $1,650 for the new top installed (including a little extra labor to remove and reinstall the "chassis stiffener) + $395 (his cost) for a new headliner.



Comments? Questions I should be asking?

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[Blucabnj]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='35067' date='May 5 2007, 11:16 AM']I started taking steps on the respray and top replacement. Some research on the NNJR PCA site suggested that DJ's Auto Body in Morristown, NJ was one of the best places to use. I met with Dave Jenkins and described what I'm looking for. He'll do the (thankfully few) body repairs, strip most (but not all) of the existing paint, and respray for $3k. He'll do the third brake light customization I want for another $200 and, if I decide to change color from the standard black that's currently on the car to Anthracite Black, he'll do the door jambs for another $250. I am not having him do things like the underside of the hood and trunk lid, engine compartment, etc. New seals will be used except around the front bumper cover where the seals were replaced three years ago and are still "fresh".



He recommended Pete at Maximillian Classics in New Vernon to do the top replacement. I went to see Pete, who rents a bay from New Vernon Coach & Motor Works. Parked in front of the Motor Works area were vintage Rolls, Jaguars, Mercedes and an MGB. In Pete's bay was a 1958 Jaguar on which he was doing upholstery and top work. No techs, no helpers, Pete does all of the work himself. $1,650 for the new top installed (including a little extra labor to remove and reinstall the "chassis stiffener) + $395 (his cost) for a new headliner.



Comments? Questions I should be asking?[/quote]

Anchorman, I actually live in Morristown...wish I'd known earlier about DJ's place I took it took 6mths and did a crap job...long story...anyway I now need the top done. How'd you make out?

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[Mark]

Glad to see you found your way over here, Jim (Anchorman) was the member I referred to on 968.net

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[Anchorman]

Blu - as noted in my previous post, at DJ's recommendation, I had the top replaced by Pete at Maximillian Classics. Pete is located on Rt 202 south of Morristown, near Bernardsville. He ended up taking more time than anticipated (partly my fault, partly DJ's) but the result is lovely. I'll be talking to DJ in a couple of days about his schedule for painting my car. Once I get that defined, you'll be able to see the car in Morristown at DJ's shop - where it will be for several weeks.



Mark - is 968.net still alive? I haven't been there in months.



One more comment. I've also found something to help protect the rear window when I put the top down. I was about to have my son's "significant other" sew a length of flannel when he told me that he thought BMW made something for the Z3 for this purpose. Sure enough, there's a specially-made "blanket" that I now lay over the window before putting the top down. It comes with a carrying case and - get this - with tax was less than $25. If anyone's interested, I'll take a couple of photos and post the part number.

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[flash]

jim - glad to hear it's coming along - i know you have been waiting to do this for a long time now



i've seen the pillow, but not the blanket - i use a towel

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[Mark]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='37496' date='Jun 26 2007, 08:23 PM']Mark - is 968.net still alive? I haven't been there in months.[/quote]



LOL A couple of people besides me still check it so we can redirect people where they can get help.

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[happysails2you]

For a whopping $4 at Value City, I bought a navy blue fleece blanket (to match my top and not have lint showing), cut it to size (doesn't unravel, so no edge stitching required), put in a bit of a roll (with one line of stitching to hold it in place) so that the window crease won't be flattened and leave a mark, and voila, a window blanket! I had seen a BMW one on eBay (with logo) but decided to make it myself. I just throw it on the window and ensure the window folds nicely when I put the top down.



Because my top and window are brand new, I didn't want a terry cloth towel because it can actualy leave minute scratches in the plastic, so went with fleece.



So Anchorman, what's the update on the paint job? Sounds like the new top is coming along nicely. That's about what I paid for my new top.

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[flash]

every owner of mine has been using a towel since the car was new - no scratches yet - fleece is better though



i think mark and 2 or 3 other people have posted on .net in the last couple of months - dead for all intents and purposes (not altogether unlike the other sites) - most everybody has figured out that this is the only site worth paying attention to



thanks again eric

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[Anchorman]

The BMW "blanket" does have a logo (pretty big, at that) but it's only visible for the few seconds between when I put it on the window and when the top goes down, so it's not an issue.



I'll be talking to the paint shop later today or tomorrow and (hopefully) firming up the schedule. I've decided to go with the Basalt Black - one more step into the modern era.



And, yes, kudos to Eric for having the foresight to set up Forums - and for having the dedication to stay with it after exiting the community of 968 owners.

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[stu2000]

[quote name='flash' post='37512' date='Jun 27 2007, 05:12 AM']- dead for all intents and purposes (not altogether unlike the other sites) - most everybody has figured out that this is the only site worth paying attention to



thanks again eric[/quote]





Hey Flash, I hope you're not including 968uk.com in that <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Blucabnj]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='37516' date='Jun 27 2007, 09:29 AM']The BMW "blanket" does have a logo (pretty big, at that) but it's only visible for the few seconds between when I put it on the window and when the top goes down, so it's not an issue.



I'll be talking to the paint shop later today or tomorrow and (hopefully) firming up the schedule. I've decided to go with the Basalt Black - one more step into the modern era.



And, yes, kudos to Eric for having the foresight to set up Forums - and for having the dedication to stay with it after exiting the community of 968 owners.[/quote]





Thanks all, I'll check in with Pete. I need to get her on the road!!!

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[flash]

lol - no stu - sorry - i was only referring to the other ones in this country - you guys are sort of in a category of your own

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[Mark]

[quote name='stu2000' post='37554' date='Jun 27 2007, 05:59 PM']Hey Flash, I hope you're not including 968uk.com in that <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]



Love your site Stu!

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