Help! starting this project

[rockyrhoads]

The raven has landed

she is a beauty but more work than I expected at first. the fender well will have to be replaced along with the bumper(behind cover) struts on hood are blown as is the rf tire(Pirelli run flat works LOL) found headlights from a 07 along with bumper cover lower grill drivers front fender passengers rear fender and passenger tail light .... back to the parts guru with another list Rocky

 

[rockyrhoads]

inspection

Hello all; did a detailed inspection and have spent some time with the rocket talking about this project(thanks Rod). The car starts and runs great, got the top to operate after putting the luggage divider in place. All of the glue on stuff is going to have to be replaced and since that is critical I am looking for someone with the knowledge and skill to do that for me. Will get some pics and post today so you can follow the progress. Rocky

 

[airmike]

Pictures the more the better. I am very interested in seeing this project.

 

[XLRATING]

. All of the glue on stuff is going to have to be replaced and since that is critical I am looking for someone with the knowledge and skill to do that for me. Rocky

I'm curious - what's the issue with the glue - what happened that you need that re-done?

Fantastic that it runs well & the top works!

 

[rockyrhoads]

the story

I'm curious - what's the issue with the glue - what happened that you need that re-done?

Fantastic that it runs well & the top works!

at some point this car was hit by a simi truck by the wheel into the passenger door and that wreck continued forward thru the front fender destroying the fender and wheel well. Then the front bumper cover and bumper was involved riping that loose and sending the car spinning into a concrete barrier glancing a blow which took out the drivers fender and breaking up the left front fender and well. It continued to spin blowing out the right rear tire and throwing the rubber thru the top of the RR fender and taking the tail light with it. A great salute to the design of this fine car is due because the chassi was never bent the air bags did not deploy nor any steering ,suspension or drive train damaged as the body parts absorbed the force. The problem is that all the fender wells are glued to the chassi at the factory with a jig for alignment. These broken parts have to be removed and new parts glued back in place precisely so the fenders ,hood , bumper cover ,lights and grill ect come together so this beautiful V car may live again and be enjoyed by the people of the world forever .. not to mention I have wanted one of these for many years and this restoration will be a labor of love

 

[XLRATING]

at some point this car was hit by a simi truck by the wheel into the passenger door and that wreck continued forward thru the front fender destroying the fender and wheel well. Then the front bumper cover and bumper was involved riping that loose and sending the car spinning into a concrete barrier glancing a blow which took out the drivers fender and breaking up the left front fender and well. It continued to spin blowing out the right rear tire and throwing the rubber thru the top of the RR fender and taking the tail light with it. A great salute to the design of this fine car is due because the chassi was never bent the air bags did not deploy nor any steering ,suspension or drive train damaged as the body parts absorbed the force. The problem is that all the fender wells are glued to the chassi at the factory with a jig for alignment. These broken parts have to be removed and new parts glued back in place precisely so the fenders ,hood , bumper cover ,lights and grill ect come together so this beautiful V car may live again and be enjoyed by the people of the world forever .. not to mention I have wanted one of these for many years and this restoration will be a labor of love

Thanks for sharing that, it's really interesting. And wow - after all that I too am impressed that it survived at all! Even more impressed you are taking on this project - I love my XLR but it would be way beyond my capacity to show that love by putting one back together.

Thanks for saving this one and I hope your project goes well!

 

[ChicagoDave]

well I guess I have to sped the big bucks to get it right. no sense in putting up with the blemish if I don't have to. The local dealer wants $1306 each for new ...anyone know a chaper place to get new ones?

www.newgmparts.com has these for $884 (right) and $802 (left). But watch the shipping - some charge a % of cost of order (no max) and others max out at $50 - $60 (newgmparts maxes out at $59.95).

Good luck with your project - looking forward to seeing progress pictures.


... for advice on assembly (glue experts) - maybe heading to Bowling Green at the end of Sept (for our big XLR get together at the Assembly Plant club's Car Show) might allow you to talk with some folks that actually worked on the XLR assembly. Just a thought.

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

at some point this car was hit by a simi truck by the wheel into the passenger door and that wreck continued forward thru the front fender destroying the fender and wheel well. Then the front bumper cover and bumper was involved riping that loose and sending the car spinning into a concrete barrier glancing a blow which took out the drivers fender and breaking up the left front fender and well. It continued to spin blowing out the right rear tire and throwing the rubber thru the top of the RR fender and taking the tail light with it. A great salute to the design of this fine car is due because the chassi was never bent the air bags did not deploy nor any steering ,suspension or drive train damaged as the body parts absorbed the force. The problem is that all the fender wells are glued to the chassi at the factory with a jig for alignment. These broken parts have to be removed and new parts glued back in place precisely so the fenders ,hood , bumper cover ,lights and grill ect come together so this beautiful V car may live again and be enjoyed by the people of the world forever .. not to mention I have wanted one of these for many years and this restoration will be a labor of love

Hey Rocky I'd be interested in seeing some pictures of this XLR before its taken part ! Unless it to late for that?
I wish for you a great rebuild as other said what a project to take on and to have the love and ambition to even do this!
Good Luck!
And we look forward to seeing you in Bowling Green if you decide to trip on down!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks Dan

 

[rockyrhoads]

The project begins

A rainy day here in San Antonio gave me some much needed time to absorb the info I have gathered. Today will start with taking the 944 out of the shop and putting it on the back burner( my back yard is full of the restorations I am doing LOL) as this project has now become my obsession. I will take a bunch of pictures and post. I do not think that the assembly will be sent to anyone. If I remove all the broken parts but not the glue I will retain positioning from the factory. I came to this conclusion after many PM's with the rocket. I plan on following his lead and clamping all the parts in place and then filling voids with the epoxy, much like putting a model car together back in the day. Ordered the 3 manual shop books for $350 (again thanks to the rocket) which I hope will give insite to placement of electronics. Also found that the power steering cooler was compromised and by passed so am on the hunt for a replacement. Off to the salt mines..will post later. ROCKY

 

[Victor-V]

Wishing you the best on getting her put back together. Seeing what Rod did with his baby, I'm sure he will point you in the right direction. Welcome to the forum.

Mike

 

[rockyrhoads]

more news on the project

had to do some work on the house remodel and that put me off the project. After getting my new manual set I found that the cooler was the transmission cooler and have new one with lines on the way. Also have new wheel houses , turndowns and crosspieces coming so as soon as all components get here I will start the project. I have to go get a new data cable to download pics so as soon as I get a break I will get all that posted. With any luck I will see all of you in September ROCKY

 

[rockyrhoads]

finally the pictures of before

 

[rockyrhoads]

more pics

 

[mtrocket]

Doesn't look NEAR as bad as mine was when I started. Should be a piece of cake in comparison...

 

[rockyrhoads]

cosmetics

Doesn't look NEAR as bad as mine was when I started. Should be a piece of cake in comparison...

This is mostly cosmetic although some electronics in the right front fender and the wiring in the front might be the worst to deal with only place I can find structure damage is the front bumper right extension torn off and left caved in but no visible torqueing . no brakes so looking for a damaged line. trans fluid smells a little burned and a little dark. radio searches but no sound rocky

 

[rockyrhoads]

the project begins

pulled the remaining front end off the car today and it was picked up and delivered to the frame shop. Just a quick check to make sure all is square. I have given myself 6 weeks to have her back on the road so I can drive to the September meet. Anyone out there that can give me some details on sept( accomodations ect)would be appreciated. I suppose everyone stays at the same place? Rocky

 

[cubby558]

Rocky,

This link has the hotel info. All the hotels listed are close or next to one another, so it doesn't matter where you stay.

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/even...-green-plant-homecoming-sept-28th-2013-a.html

pulled the remaining front end off the car today and it was picked up and delivered to the frame shop. Just a quick check to make sure all is square. I have given myself 6 weeks to have her back on the road so I can drive to the September meet. Anyone out there that can give me some details on sept( accomodations ect)would be appreciated. I suppose everyone stays at the same place? Rocky

 

[standby-V]

I have a theory

just bought a 06 v series out of Brooklyn, unit 2156, and have located all the body parts for the restoration. the car is being shipped as we speak. This car has a salvage title but no bags deployed. the scuffle destroyed both front fenders, nose cone and all the lights, the upper grill remained in place and who knows how a hole got blown out of the top of the right rear fender. Will not know if any support pieces have been damaged until it arrives. I am a disabled vet living in san Antonio Texas. This is a car I have always wanted and wonder if any one has any input on this project....trouble spots, assembly advice ect. Rocky

Rocky, Sounds to me like the XLR of yours had a rear tire blow out, watch (NASCAR when a tire blows out) and the rest took place after that. Thanks for your service my friend. I have a history of screwing up my front end and because my front end sits lower, I don't match up with other bumpers and everything goes into the grill, fenders, hood, etc. I had the front end raised after the last one.

 

[rockyrhoads]

raced for the allison bros for 8 years

Rocky, Sounds to me like the XLR of yours had a rear tire blow out, watch (NASCAR when a tire blows out) and the rest took place after that. Thanks for your service my friend. I have a history of screwing up my front end and because my front end sits lower, I don't match up with other bumpers and everything goes into the grill, fenders, hood, etc. I had the front end raised after the last one.

normally I would agree but the wheelhouse is intact, the wreck started at the passenger door(visible door mark) and the rear fender must have been taken out by contact with something else. have experienced most of the tire problems during my stock car racing life. Drove my first race in a 1952 ford at 14 years old and ended with the Allison legacy racing series after 2 Texas championships still have 2 Allison cars and may jump in again for 2 races this year. and on a final note most of the paint is missing from my stock cars front bumper " rubbin is racin" rocky

 

[standby-V]

Fiber my b*^$#

I'm probably gonna say something that will be very unpopular here, by saying that these cars come apart cosmetically because that fiber is so thin, I've been there and done it and I'm in wonder when I see one of these gorgeous cars just come apart. It's not always pilot error either. I have pictures of my exploits and hate to look at them when I run across them. The first time was my 04 and I quickly learned that the fenders are glued onto the frame and you need a pneumatic chisel to get it off. When it's done it will look like a bright shiny nickel. It's just tough to see the first time around and then with the 06-V. Bumpers too low and all rear bumpers don't match up and it just takes out the grill, fenders, lights, hood and stuff you can never see until you tear it down. Bob

normally I would agree but the wheelhouse is intact, the wreck started at the passenger door(visible door mark) and the rear fender must have been taken out by contact with something else. have experienced most of the tire problems during my stock car racing life. Drove my first race in a 1952 ford at 14 years old and ended with the Allison legacy racing series after 2 Texas championships still have 2 Allison cars and may jump in again for 2 races this year. and on a final note most of the paint is missing from my stock cars front bumper " rubbin is racin" rocky