1987 pro-touring grand national, from the ground up

[bob86gn]

Lot of great ideas in this build. Car is very cool.

 

[jlat]

hello dsappear; Since the car's in the body shop and I think you went for GNX fender vents? Have you thought of a differant style? I've seen some on SUV's and cars from exotics to everyday ones that would look cool and differant. IMO
IBBY

 

[Hot Air]

I am curious to see how the TCI tranny works for you. I would love one for my GN.
Conrad

 

[dsapper]

I like the gnx vents a lot, so they will stay. The tci tranny is one of my favorite things about the car

 

[Wld87GN]

dsapper - I am completely knew to the GN scene, but I read through this entire thread last night... What else can be said for this build that has not been said? However I will congratulate you for sticking with it and building an awesome machine!

I do have one question for you... looking back at what you started with, speaking honestly, do you regret anything you did along the way and if you had the chance to start over would you attempt to build what you have? I mean that in the most curious non-judgemental way possible.

 

[Red C5]

One of these times I'm out your way I'd love to see the car in person. Glad to hear you're back on the crazy pace.

 

[dsapper]

If I did it again I'd start with an art morrison frame and go turbo LS. Unfortunately they were not making the frames when I started and I thought the buick motor was a cool change of pace.

 

[dsapper]

here are a few pictures of the handles and trunk lid, and the new handles going in its place

 

[T-CHRGD]

here are a few pictures of the handles and trunk lid, and the new handles going in its place

When I shaved my door handles (Long ago), I couldn't find a nice door handle option.
Those are going to look Great!

 

[Scott Atk]

Bad Ass! Glad to see you're finishing the interior. The curvy new stuff wasn't working with the "blocky" original stuff IMO.

 

[novaderrik]

those door handles make me nervous- i assume they are merely electric switches that pop solenoids, correct?

if so, what's your backup plan for getting in the car if when the battery decides to die or to get out of the car in a hurry if you find yourself upside down and on fire in a ditch somewhere? far fetched, yes- but plan for the worst and hope for the best and sometimes a good old fashioned mechanical linkage is the way to go..

 

[dsapper]

Thanks Scott. With the new console and door panels it should look better and btw hackers needs those accessory braces if you still have them.

Your way off. No solenoids, they are factory handles off an Aston Martin vantage. You push them in by the LEDs then pull them open.

 

[Red C5]

I've never been a fan of shaved door handles but I like those. Should look real nice.

 

[dsapper]

Small update, my ridetech coil overs came in and got installed. They look awesome and the car got dropped an inch or two and it looks the way it should have to begin with in my opinion.

 

[jlat]

hello; I agree as that's the way it should look as in a little lower. Now what springs did you install and all coil overs will do is give the ability to change ride height for differant tracks as it would effect handling? Probably different road conditions would effect things also.
nice
IBBY

 

[trailinjake]

Nice looking coil overs. The stance does look great. Any progress with the shaved door handles? Very interested in the final product with those...

 

[dsapper]

Jlat. Coilovers replace shocks and springs as one unit

TrailinJake. The door handles arrived from England yesterday and they will start fitting them up monday

 

[jlat]

hello; I didn't know that about coil overs but I had a friend who put them on a car and kept the springs. I guess it would help in a car whos springs are toast.
you learn something new every day. hopefully
IBBY

 

[dsapper]

Small update and quick preview. Converting to C4 side view mirrors

I didn't like the chrome sill plate against the black and didn't like the old school logo in the middle. Newer cars have just a trim piece there and paint. So I cut the sill plate down to the size of the normal trim and powdercoated it a semigloss wrinkle finish. Its hard to tell in the pictures but it matches the black plastic almost perfectly, you couldn't tell it was metal without a close look. Its just set in there in the pictures

and a little teaser for things to come

 

[jamericaniSS]

Your car has come a long way since i last saw it which seems like yesterday when it was completely stock.