Restoration coming to a close
Christopher Albers (Christopher.Albers(at)bubbs.biola.edu)
Mon, 2 Mar 1998 21:26:05 -0800
Well, my nearly nine year odyssey is coming to a close. My '67 SV
was my first restoration project and a real eye opener. I really had
no idea what I was getting myself into when, on a whim, I decided to
restore my car because "I've always wanted to restore a car." While my
project was ill conceived, I did find another car to drive before I
began and in the process found a complete, albeit weathered, parts car
for $100. Then one day I just began tearing my car apart thinking that
the miserable photos I had taken would be sufficient. Of course I only
took about 10 extremely undetailed pictures.
Needless to say I've had an interesting time getting things back
together. Thank God that Alpines are not too complicated. And also
many thanks to Smitty, who, while a little odd, provided boundless
knowledge, use of his shop at no charge (though I paid him anyway), and
good service at a reasonable price (though I did have to dicker with
him at times). He even let me sleep in his shop when I would come down
from LA on the weekends to use the tools I didn't have. Thanks to him
I was able to do most of the work on my car myself.
I got my tax refund today and only moment after visiting the mailbox
I was on my way to the plating shop. I dropped off anything and
everything in my car that requires plating, from finish screws to
bumpers. I went to many shops in my area and got estimates ranging
from $800-1500. I finally settled on Central Plating in Buena Park on
the advice of a friend and also because of the $850 quote. I'll get my
stuff back in two weeks. Then begins the final phase of my project.
All that remains is to rebuild the engine and install it. With any
luck (and more $$$) I should be on the road by summer. Then maybe I'll
actually get to meet some of you guys at an event.
Christopher Albers