The rebirth of LIL (again)

[Diver944]

I just had to post the following pics after hearing that Simon had popped into Croft Coachworks today for an update. Work started last Monday using brand new panels from Porsche after the 'very good' second hand ones from Douglas Valley turned out to be very rotten at the bottom [:'(]

The new panels were all in place by Thursday but then a slight problem with the original S/H door lost us some time. Then Mrs Jon Mitchell came to the rescue and kindly donated the door from her own 944 (not sure how willing this was []) so her car is now off the road minus an offside door - oops [:-] I fear a bunch of flowers may be in order

 

[Diver944]

Work resumed this week, but then Croft called to report that the sill repair panel from Clubautosport did not fit and was not suitable at all. A quick half hour panic ensued in the Smith household as I was sure that genuine sills were very hard to find and were a stupid price. Exeter OPC came to my rescue again, not only was there a sill in stock in the UK but they delivered it to Croft within two days for a fantastic price of £120 including vat and fast delivery []

Here it is (its the bit on the floor )

 

[Diver944]

Finally a shot from the front showing the prep to the badge panel, bonnet and popups that were heavily gravel rashed. Once the sill has been fitted and the door hung then it's ready for the paintshop. I am very impressed with how quickly they have got this far even with the delays caused by me trying to find parts as cheaply as possible [8|] They originally estimated two weeks from start to finish and I think they would have hit that easily if I had given them all the parts needed on day one. I'm going to stick my neck out and hope that it is ready for me to go down and inspect next Saturday [8D][8D][8D]

 

[Fen]

Looking good again.

Parts from Club Autosport not fitting - you do surprise me...[8|]

 

[Diver944]

Yeah I know, I can't think why I tried to save a few pennies when the original was only £120 [&:]

 

[SimonP]

Although there was some rust on the inner sill, it was really only the beginnings and on the surface.
I did drop strong hints that it should be well treated and protected before the outer sill was fitted, I was assured this would be done.
Great to see LIL coming back together again..

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

Hopefully it'll look as good as new again afterwards and LIL can get back on the road like it deserves.

 

[951Torqing]

I'll 2nd that ! these cars are meant to be "on the Road" hope you'r not missing LIL too much - but the wait will be worth it (again). I've just topped 2,200mls in Simons ex "PUA" (Pure Unadulterated Adrenalin/Acceleration !!!) with average outings 90miles - I just love this Turbo, can only imagine what LiLS like cos this ones a dream.
Beast of Luck
Clive

 

[MarkK]

That bodyshop sounds superb -really efficient,pics when painted please!![]

 

[sawood12]

Really coming on. It's interesting to see the innards of the infamous sill.

 

[944Turbo]

Good to see LIL coming back together again, wont be long now
Tony

 

[DivineE]

I'm so glad you made the desicion to keep Lil its lovely to see her coming back togerther so fast and looking so well after what was really quite a nasty shunt! I was worried you'd find many more bent bits but the frame looks untouched[]

Three cheers for Lil.

Regards,

Ben

p.s. Can't wait for the moment my car comes back, so so glad I chose to take the car off the market. Can't sell it now.

 

[steve 944t]

great news Paul - see you at Silverstone on the 21st then []

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

Work resumed this week, but then Croft called to report that the sill repair panel from Clubautosport did not fit and was not suitable at all. A quick half hour panic ensued in the Smith household as I was sure that genuine sills were very hard to find and were a stupid price. Exeter OPC came to my rescue again, not only was there a sill in stock in the UK but they delivered it to Croft within two days for a fantastic price of £120 including vat and fast delivery []

Here it is (its the bit on the floor )

That's nice to know, thanks. I have a bad rust patch at the back of my drivers side sill. I think it is likely better at 120 quid a panel to replace the whole panel rather then weld in a new piece and spend all the time on filler'in it in to get it looking nice.

There was a rear quarter on ebay a little while ago that looked a bargain only to see in the picture that it didn't include the front part that rusts.

 

[333pg333]

Nice work Paul. Great to see the progress. You'll have her back in no time. Are you rebuilding her completely stock though? I guess you are judging by all the stock parts.
Best of luck.

 

[Diver944]

Yes she will be coming back looking exactly like she did beforehand (hopefully a little better []). No doubt there will also be a few mechanical changes as well once she get's back to Jons place and depending on what he finds.

 

[Hilux]

Good news Paul............

A super shiney engine and a super shiney body to go with your super shiney wheels [8D][8D][8D]

It`ll look a peach when complete.

 

[MarkK]

Paul,
How is LiL doing??Is she Shiney- Shiney again??[]

 

[Diver944]

No not yet, my delays with the door and sill put them back a bit [] She was all primed and prepped ready for the spraybooth on Friday so should be ready for collection this weekend []

However we are away for a long bank holiday weekend in Wales so I won't be able to get down there even if she is ready until the weekend after

 

[dlknight]

Great news Paul

Have a great weekend in Wales ! - btw did Chris mention if they had anymore sills in stock ?

Dave K.