More progress made on the body : )

[David]

Hello All.

I decided to log in and see what was going on in the world of Factory Five and to say hello.

I'll stop by again soon. I hope you're all doing well.

Mike

Hey Mike, I got notification of your reply to this thread. Been a long time... Hope you guys are doing great! David

[beeman]

Hi, Mike!
Did you end up getting another car or project?

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Great to hear from you, Mike! How's the C1 coming?

[The Stig]

Hey Mike, I got notification of your reply to this thread. Been a long time... Hope you guys are doing great! David

Hi David,

Pam asked me a couple of days ago whether or not I had heard from you guys. We've been working and staying close to home as much as possible. I saw a video that you posted of a Tesla that you bought for Mary. How do you like it? The same idea has been playing in the back of my head, but we'll see.

I bought a 1962 Corvette that I had planned to use as a resto-mod project. I drove it in stock form for 2 or 3 months, and decided that I didn't want to cut that car up. It was just too nice for that. So I placed an add on E-Bay, and it sold in 5 hours. The guy that bought is seemed like a good guy, and wanted to keep it strictly stock. He came to Charlotte to pick it up on 8/17.

That happened about 4 hours prior to me being placed into an ambulance for a bone jarring ride to the hospital. (I think they hit every bump they could find on the way).

It turned out that I had a Gall Bladder full of Gall Stones, and Pancreatitis that resulted from a Gall Stone that was stuck. I have never hurt so bad in my life.
My nurse told me that she had previously been a professional clown... I thought she was kidding, but she wasn't. She was a great nurse though.

A week of IV's, Pain Meds, and Intense Antibiotics, got me to the point that I could have surgery... Couldn't eat or drink anything at all for 4 days; but I don't think I could have anyway.

I had surgery to remove the Gall Bladder, and allow the Pancreas to finish healing. I am just now starting to feel that I'm back to some version of normal... Trying to get my strength back. It really took a lot out of me.

With all that, I haven't even thought of finding another Corvette to use as a project car.

And for now, I'm ok with that.

I hope you guys are doing well. If Pam and I get out to the West Coast in the near future, I'll let you know. It would be great to get together.

Take care!

Hi, Mike!
Did you end up getting another car or project?

Hi Beeman,
Sold the C1, and so far I haven't looked for a replacement for the project. I still want to, but I'm in no hurry at this point.
I'll be sure to post something here when it starts back up.

Great to hear from you, Mike! How's the C1 coming?

Hello Shane, as you can tell from the previous posts, the C1 Resto-Mod project has been put on hold. I'll get back to it, but I'm in no rush.
Turns out that these 62 corvettes are pricey, and just keep going up in price. Project cars are few, and when you find them, the owners want as
much for them as though they were in pristine condition. So, since I have time, I'll wait them out.

It's great to hear from all of you! Take care, and I hope to talk to you again soon.

Mike

[Nitetrain]

Geez Mike. Hope you get well soon. Dave

[LCD Gauges]

Nice to see your message. I hope your recovery is speedy and well!

[jamesfr58]

Had some of the same issues in the past no fun, hope you are better soon know it take some time to recover. Good Luck and Speedy Recovery

[KGTM]

Hi Mike,

Wish you speeding recover, it suchs beeing old, everything down from my kidneys is mass up, four years ago did quad bypass and now going for biopsy tomorrow.
will have to do surgery soon, biopsy is just to define how bad and what type, keeping fingers crossed.

car is almost ready. just it seems like I am not now ready.

[Taz Rules]

Hey Mike

Jeez... sounds like a rough time!
Having your gall bladder out will lead to some lifelong, er, effects... especially if you eat fatty food. (Had mine out a few years ago).

We gotta get on the phone and chat again one day!

[The Stig]

Hello All. Just checking in to see how things are going around here. I get to the point once in a while where I miss the GTM. I keep thinking that who ever bought it would surface here and make a couple of posts about their new car.

I'm getting the itch to build something again.

I really loved Dave's 20th Anniversary Cobra (Dark Blue with Dark grey "ghost" stripes). That is a Beautiful car.

I've also had a thing for the Type 65 (now Gen III), with a 427-IR Roush crate motor, with a Tremic 6-spd in it if it'll fit. Probably using the same colors as Dave's Mk-IV Cobra.

And now to make things even more complicated, He's designing a new car (F9) that from what I've seen, is going to be very nice.

I can imagine it with a Coyote crate engine, Headers, and Magna-Flow exhaust with a nice low rumble.

Champagne or Taupe with a light beige interior, and the wheels that they had on the chassis at SEMA.

I'm really looking forward to more updates on the body design of the new car.

Just dreaming for the time being, but I think I'm coming back around.

I do know that this build will definitely be from a new kit, and not a rescue like my GTM was. (It did turn out pretty well though).

I hope everyone here is doing well, and prospering.

I'll check back in again soon.

Mike

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Hey Mike....great to hear from you! Hope that things are going well for you. Yeah...I'm looking forward to seeing the first F9 to see what they've come up with. From what I've seen so far, it looks very promising! Take care!

[The Stig]

You too Shane. Stay busy until this F9 comes out. I have a feeling that you're going to be building A LOT of them. It reminds me of a cross between a Ferrari 812 Superfast and an Aston Martin DBS. (In street version). The Race version looks like a Dodge Viper. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Thanks, Mike!! That's what I'm hoping!

[The Stig]

Crash - Started a thread asking GTM builders/owners to give a History of their GTM, since it appears as though production of the supercar is winding down. I posted on that thread, but thought that I would also post it herel, to sort of cap off Pandora'a build thread.

Build Thread for “The Stig’s GTM”
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...e-on-the-body-)

I went through the build process until I got to a point that I felt I was getting in over my head: electrical/wiring, body work, and paint. I spoke to Jeff Collins of Whitby Motorcars, and told him what I would like to do. Wiring was started, and the Body and Paint was completed.

Whitby Motorcars – Jeff Collins
https://youtu.be/eovwIUakKJo?list=FL...Dn3qanwxLkTPDA


When the car was delivered back to me, I started more chassis work and clean up.

It was time to have the interior designed, fabricated, and installed. I met Steve Kurzman of Custom Stitching Co., a Good-Guys car show in Charlotte. He came to my house to see the GTM, and agreed to take on the project. I had seen a few cars that he had worked on, and was extremely impressed. He and his team, produce high quality interior work. Everything in the GTM was fabricated from scratch and installed by his shop.

Custom Stitching Company – Steve Kurzman
https://youtu.be/NgIDjQmnRAU

When Steve and his guys finished their magic, I decided that I wanted to have the body and paint reworked. There were some updates that I wanted to have done on the body that included the Rear Hatch, the door/window fitment, the shape of the wheel openings, and how the hood fit the fenders and body/doors.

Tony Kutas of Charlotte Speed Shop performed that work that I requested, and did a great job. It soon became obvious that so much work was being done that the body would need to be resprayed. I figured that if I were going to repaint the car, It would be a color that was closer to what I wanted originally. Dark, Dark, Dark, Pearl Blue. Tony suggested a BMW color that was being used at the time, called Carbon Black Metallic. He did a couple of sprayed samples, and I fell in love with it. It was exactly what I wanted on the car. This work ended up taking about a year and a half to complete.

Charlotte Speed Shop – Tony Kutas Owner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzh0w0BCyU4
Moving the car around at the paint shop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6a9QOvhyxw
Moving the car outside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b60GWyiCmhM
Showing the reflection and clarity of the freshly painted rear hatch.


When Tony and his guys finished the body and paint rework, the GTM went to its first car show. Caffeine and Octane, in Jekyll Island, GA. It got a ton of positive attention, and was fun to see people's reactions to it as it sat next to Ferraris, Lamborghini's, and Rolls Royce's. I had a tag made up with the name "PANDORA". It was really funny when a couple of kids walk behind the GTM, saying that "They had always loved these Pandoras"...

The Next Car Show was the Charlotte Auto Fair in 2017. Pandora had come full circle. Tony had reserved 4 slots for cars that he and his shop had worked on. While we were talking to people about the GTM, and listening to them tell me what kind of Ferrari it was, I was approached to do an impromptu interview. I've never been interviewed, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I guess it turned out well enough.

Charlotte Auto Fair – Car Show Interview
https://youtu.be/hJJowl3ngIY?list=FL...Dn3qanwxLkTPDA

During that show, I learned how much the GTM terrified Pam. She loved the build process. She loved the way it turned out. She loved the way it sounded. But sitting so low, and realizing how fast it accelerated (pins you back in the seat), scared her too much to want to ride in it with me. Since that sort of defeated the purpose of building it, I decided to sell Pandora.

I spoke to RK Motors in Charlotte, who agreed to sell her (the GTM) for me. It took a little longer than expected, but it sold for the price that I told them that I wanted for it.

Sold by RK Motors – Charlotte, NC
https://youtu.be/nETknDLDD44?list=FL...Dn3qanwxLkTPDA


I do not know who actually bought it, but I was told that they were from Maryland...

It would be great to know who bought it, and whether or not they are enjoying owning it. Oh well.

Maybe the F9 will come to life in much the same way that the GTM did. Here's hoping...

[crash]

Good to hear from you Stig.

I have been wondering about your "other projects"?

[The Stig]

Hi Mike,

I check in from time to time. Like many, we were hit pretty hard by the whole Covid shut-down and everything since. As well. we've lost family members that hit pretty hard. We're getting back to a more "normal" environment, but the projects have been left on the back burner: for a couple of reasons.

1st: I have been watching the development of the F9 (as much as we're able to see anyway), and thinking that it may be the next big projet that I dig into. I could see going "all in" on that one. I like where the design seems to be headed and think that it could be a strong seller for Factory Five. Hopefully they will be able to make it work. They sure seem to have a lot invested in it already.

2nd: I have also wanted to build a Roadster that pretty much mirrors Dave Smiths 20 anniversary car. (Dark blue metallic with dark silver gray "ghost" stripes. Beautiful car.

3rd: I would like to buy another 62 Corvette to drive around from time to time. Something to tinker with and enjoy.

Who knows which one(s) will end up in the garage, But I hope to be working on something before too long.

Take care,

Mike B (Stig)

[The Stig]

Hello everyone.

I was curious to see how the builds were coming along and who was still posting.

After reading through a few of the threads, I started reading through my build thread again; and I have to say, it brought back a lot of great memories.

I am very glad to have made that journey. It taught me a lot about myself and about people. More importantly it taught me about friendships.

I hope that everyone who is still in the process of building your dream, keeps at it and sees it to completion. You deserve it for yourself.

Take care, and enjoy the process.

Mike

[Power Surge]

Hello everyone.

I was curious to see how the builds were coming along and who was still posting.

After reading through a few of the threads, I started reading through my build thread again; and I have to say, it brought back a lot of great memories.

I am very glad to have made that journey. It taught me a lot about myself and about people. More importantly it taught me about friendships.

I hope that everyone who is still in the process of building your dream, keeps at it and sees it to completions. You deserve it for yourself.

Take care, and enjoy the process.

Mike

Good to see you checking in. I'm one of the new GTM build guys. I wish more GTM owners were active here, but I understand once the car is done, most people stop coming.

[WIS89]

Mike-

It's great to "see" you again! Sorry for the challenges you have had to face, but pleased you came out the other side safely! I love the idea that you are considering the F9 -- if it comes to be. I think your attention to detail and resources should make it a true one-of-a-kind example. I hope it all works out!

Stay safe and stay well. Hit me up in a PM if you want to chat. It's really good to see you!

Regards,

Steve

[beeman]

Good to hear from you, Mike! Hope you are doing well. Your build still stands out as one of the most impressive.
Dave

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Great to hear from you, Mike! Let us know if you get into any other projects! Take care.

[crash]

Too bad we all haven't seen more on the F9.

I hope FFR gets it refined and released at some point. From what I saw it is a great example of a truly FFR unique build. I think FFR is getting better and better at unique builds as they go. Hopefully the F9 provides another stepping stone in that evolution.

[VD2021]

Hello everyone.

I was curious to see how the builds were coming along and who was still posting.

After reading through a few of the threads, I started reading through my build thread again; and I have to say, it brought back a lot of great memories.

I am very glad to have made that journey. It taught me a lot about myself and about people. More importantly it taught me about friendships.

I hope that everyone who is still in the process of building your dream, keeps at it and sees it to completions. You deserve it for yourself.

Take care, and enjoy the process.

Mike

Mike,
It's been a long minute since I've even logged into this forum. Life and many other projects..... Was thinking that I really need to finish this build and came here for some motivation. So here we go again......

[beeman]

Mike,
It's been a long minute since I've even logged into this forum. Life and many other projects..... Was thinking that I really need to finish this build and came here for some motivation. So here we go again......

I'm in the same boat. 4 kids in sports and more projects than I need.

[The Stig]

Hi Vidal,

I has been quite some time. I stop by once in a while just to look around and remind myself of that chapter.

I hope that you and your family are doing well; they are always the number one priority.
But if you're building the fires to jump back into the GTM, I wish you the best of luck.
I'm sure that when you finish, you'll have something that you're very proud of.

Take care, my friend.
Mike

[The Stig]

Thank you Dave. All I did was color inside the lines while trying to stay sane.

I'm not sure that I would have had the courage to redesign the car the way you have.

I wouldn't even know where to begin. You've shown some very nice skills to the rest of us here.

Mike

[The Stig]

Hello Steve,

We all deal with whatever is thrown at us, in the best way that we know how. I told my wife that I had logged into the GTM forum and spent some time looking around... She looked and me and asked what we're going to build now? I told her that I'm not planning anything at the moment, but you never konw what tomorrow might bring. Who knows?

I truly hope that you're doing well, and have always appreciated your friendship throughout my period of GTM Build insanity.

Take care,
Mike