The past week was busy yet fulfilling because I was finally able to address some major issues and more importantly, see and feel the difference in the car. Nothing like progress to keep one's spirits up.
First, some of the parts I ordered from European Motors have arrived. These are mostly for the lights as I intend to replace all the lenses and fixtures. They are showing signs of age. In my opinion, changing them will have the single biggest dramatic effect on the appearance of the car. Nothing beats a full set of crystal clear lenses which sparkle in the sunshine. I was also able to get a copy of the Owner's Manual, albeit a bookbound photocopy. Bear in mind that this is no longer in print, therefore in very limited supply and difficult to get (meaning expensive) which is why a lot of older cars no longer have them.
Second, I finished having the suspension raised. The car was lowered by the previous owner, and while it indeed looked very sporty, I felt that the constant scraping of the underbody on humps, bumps, and even going in and out of my garage was not worth the aesthetics. I brought it to Cruven Sucat and had it raised 1" by adding lifters instead of going back to stock coil springs. In doing this, I am able to keep the Eibach Pro-Kit springs which came with the car. On the way home, I could immediately notice that the harshness of the suspension and steering feedback was gone making the car much, much more pleasant to drive in Manila's less than perfect streets.
Third, I checked in the car to the paint shop where it will stay for the next 6 weeks or so. I have decided for the work to be done by Carchitect, a specialist car paint shop in the BF Paranaque area. Painting will be the single biggest task of Project E34. I am keeping the original color, Orient Blue, as I have always been partial to dark colors. I think they give highest possible shine to a car, a very high priority item for me. It will be a complete repainting, in and out, and it was welcome news when the shop advised me there was no need to totally scrape the old paint off. The underlying basecoat was still good and this saved me a little moolah for other things. The next few posts of this blog will concentrate on how this portion is coming along.
Lastly, the transfer of ownership process has been completed. I was very much surprised earlier this morning, a Sunday, when a courier delivered my new Certificate of Registration from the Land Transport Office. I thought it would arrive later on in the week and the worrier in me feared it might even be lost in transit. Now that its with me, I couldn't help but admire my own name in the space labeled Registered Owner...
First, some of the parts I ordered from European Motors have arrived. These are mostly for the lights as I intend to replace all the lenses and fixtures. They are showing signs of age. In my opinion, changing them will have the single biggest dramatic effect on the appearance of the car. Nothing beats a full set of crystal clear lenses which sparkle in the sunshine. I was also able to get a copy of the Owner's Manual, albeit a bookbound photocopy. Bear in mind that this is no longer in print, therefore in very limited supply and difficult to get (meaning expensive) which is why a lot of older cars no longer have them.
Second, I finished having the suspension raised. The car was lowered by the previous owner, and while it indeed looked very sporty, I felt that the constant scraping of the underbody on humps, bumps, and even going in and out of my garage was not worth the aesthetics. I brought it to Cruven Sucat and had it raised 1" by adding lifters instead of going back to stock coil springs. In doing this, I am able to keep the Eibach Pro-Kit springs which came with the car. On the way home, I could immediately notice that the harshness of the suspension and steering feedback was gone making the car much, much more pleasant to drive in Manila's less than perfect streets.
Third, I checked in the car to the paint shop where it will stay for the next 6 weeks or so. I have decided for the work to be done by Carchitect, a specialist car paint shop in the BF Paranaque area. Painting will be the single biggest task of Project E34. I am keeping the original color, Orient Blue, as I have always been partial to dark colors. I think they give highest possible shine to a car, a very high priority item for me. It will be a complete repainting, in and out, and it was welcome news when the shop advised me there was no need to totally scrape the old paint off. The underlying basecoat was still good and this saved me a little moolah for other things. The next few posts of this blog will concentrate on how this portion is coming along.
Lastly, the transfer of ownership process has been completed. I was very much surprised earlier this morning, a Sunday, when a courier delivered my new Certificate of Registration from the Land Transport Office. I thought it would arrive later on in the week and the worrier in me feared it might even be lost in transit. Now that its with me, I couldn't help but admire my own name in the space labeled Registered Owner...
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