I had started a build thread on the car but for various reasons, mostly lack of time, I'm probably not going to continue it. But I did think I'd share the finished pictures with you. The car runs very well now, after buying my own burner and burning my own chips for it. Lots of helpful folks at thirdgen forum and emails from the DIY-EFI and GMECM groups helped me as well.
So, here are the pictures.
For those of you that want, you can easily see where these are hosted, feel free to look through the construction pictures.
It's actually a House of Kolor 3 part system, custom mix, and, to be blunt, I won't use it again. You don't want to hear the nightmare I went through with it. It's Dupont for me from now on.
John Stricker
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Originally posted by AutoTech:
Can I ask what color that is and the paint code? Very nice.
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11:41 PM
srat110 Member
Posts: 860 From: Lubbock, Tx, USA Registered: Aug 2005
That car looks awsome. Nice work. The color really adds to the re-body.
My only dislike, and yea I am ashamed to knock the car even the least little bit as it looks killer, but the interior just looks too plain compared to the rest of the car. However with that said, it's still a bad azz car. Congrats John on a job well done.
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11:48 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
Smooth was the goal on the interior and, to be honest, half of it's appeal is when you turn the key on and everything lights up. The switches are even smooth. They are touch sensitive and embedded in the dash. Push once, lights are on, again and they're off. HVAC controls are simplicity. Push the fan button, it runs wide open. The other button selects from heat outlet to defroster. Theory was, a/c is a waste in a car with no roof and if the time comes you want heat, you're going to want all the heat you can get. Many things on the dash are hidden. Radio remote control is on the steering column and can run all radio functions including the built in XM satellite. The car also has a full size glove box and a three receptacle 12V cigarette lighter panel below the dash on the passenger side, easy to get to but almost invisible.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by srat110:
That car looks awsome. Nice work. The color really adds to the re-body.
My only dislike, and yea I am ashamed to knock the car even the least little bit as it looks killer, but the interior just looks too plain compared to the rest of the car. However with that said, it's still a bad azz car. Congrats John on a job well done.
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11:54 PM
Jun 5th, 2007
srat110 Member
Posts: 860 From: Lubbock, Tx, USA Registered: Aug 2005
Smooth was the goal on the interior and, to be honest, half of it's appeal is when you turn the key on and everything lights up. The switches are even smooth. They are touch sensitive and embedded in the dash. Push once, lights are on, again and they're off. HVAC controls are simplicity. Push the fan button, it runs wide open. The other button selects from heat outlet to defroster. Theory was, a/c is a waste in a car with no roof and if the time comes you want heat, you're going to want all the heat you can get. Many things on the dash are hidden. Radio remote control is on the steering column and can run all radio functions including the built in XM satellite. The car also has a full size glove box and a three receptacle 12V cigarette lighter panel below the dash on the passenger side, easy to get to but almost invisible.
John Stricker
That's pretty cool. Bet it looks awsome all lit up.
Seriously John, car looks killer. I'd be happy to car sit anytime
[This message has been edited by srat110 (edited 06-05-2007).]
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12:20 AM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
I need to take newer pictures of the engine, it's been cleaned up as well as the engine compartment. There are still a few things I need to do yet back there that I want, but they might take a bit of time.
John Stricker
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01:33 AM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
It's too shiny, and too sexy, and too burgundy, and too topless, and... and... and... and I'm gonna have to send you my doctor's bill because those pics just blew about three lobes of my brain.
Good grief, that's friggin' gorgeous... well done. Well done...
Well you're gonna need a new project now. How's about I swap you a very nice 85 notchie for it
Absolutely beautiful. I should show my wife the pics. She might let me do another engine swap after all (I could sneak the body swap in, she wouldn't notice !!).
'98 Camaro tail lights and yes, those are custom. If you look very closely, you'll see we redid the inset on each side to match the curve of the tail lights. Yep, you can drive it. If you don't wuss out and baby it around like you did the copper Finale. What a weenie. "I might break it!!! WAAAAAAAAA!!" Some people's kids, I swear.
John Stricker
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Originally posted by blakeinspace:
Beautiful John. Beautiful.
You going to let me dirve this one to the cigar shop too?
The tailights, are those camaro? And is that what the light panel called for, or is that just a Stricker unique touch?
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12:55 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
How nice is the Notchie? I'd prefer it be an '85 GT, but I can always put the aero on it, or put a Norm's nose on it (they're kind of growing on me). Of course we're talking a little cash in addition to the Notchie.
John Stricker
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Originally posted by ltlfrari:
Well you're gonna need a new project now. How's about I swap you a very nice 85 notchie for it
Absolutely beautiful. I should show my wife the pics. She might let me do another engine swap after all (I could sneak the body swap in, she wouldn't notice !!).
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12:56 PM
DanFiero Member
Posts: 2815 From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Registered: Jul 2002
I'm sure he's already got a new project lined up by now.....I may just have to come down and help him with just so I can have an excuse to take a ride in this project
Dan
[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 06-05-2007).]
Yes, they are from a Solstice. Came out of a wrecked one with less than 30 miles, along with the belts.
John Stricker
is there a shoulder harness worked in somehow? i just have lap belts and with seat belt laws tightening up here i may need to look for a shoulder belt solution.
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04:05 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
Yes, it uses the Solstice belts/harness with a modified stationary buckle. The Solstice male end will not latch in the Fiero Buckle. It is not a simple swap. We put it in when the car was gutted with the retractor inside the B Pillar. The anchor loop is mounted through the firewall as high as practical. It's not perfect, but it's legal.
John Stricker
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Originally posted by Philphine:
is there a shoulder harness worked in somehow? i just have lap belts and with seat belt laws tightening up here i may need to look for a shoulder belt solution.
Also could you add a few pictures showing how you mounted the mesh grilles?
Thanks Nolan
This is the best picture I have
The mesh was cut oversize for the opening. It was sandwiched on the top between the mounting bracket we made and the front grill opening. The ends were then formed tightly around the opening and some dry, thick flox mixed up. The flox was spread over the mesh and onto the grill through the openings, then covered with peel ply. When dry, the peel ply was pulled off and it was painted black like everything else under there. Hopefully I made sense with that explanation.
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Originally posted by Fino:
John
You definitely out did yourself on this one. Absolutely gorgeous, unbelievable.
Ed
Ed, thanks for the compliments. Coming from you, they mean a lot.
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Originally posted by Daredevil05:
Love your dash, very different. Did you do it yourself or is someone making molds?
The dash and interior is all completely one-off and made with glass over foam. It could be better, I was pushing a deadline to get the car to the WOW show in Omaha. We talked about pulling molds but decided not to because to sell them would probably be well over $2000 and there simply isn't a market for that much expense, IMHO.
John Stricker
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06:34 PM
Patrick Member
Posts: 37966 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
A mixture of cotton flox strands and resin/hardner mix. It's used as a structural adhesive in bonding fiberglass panels of the same type of construction. Google "flox fiberglass" and I'm sure you'll find more than you wanted to know.
John Stricker
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Originally posted by Sourmug:
Thanks John, One more quick question what the heck is flox??
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12:05 AM
Austrian Import Member
Posts: 3919 From: Monterey, CA Registered: Feb 2007
I also love the extra attention that you gave the interior. If you get at chance, could you demo (or post pics) of the B&O (Bang&Olufsen) style "buttons"? I'd love to see how they work and light up.
and I'll be down next week to pick it up 
More pics please.
