Post-clean up pictures

[mckellyb]

I posted pics right after purchase, but this is after I've put some time into compounding/polishing the outside, and taking some time/soap to the inside.

My wife commented, yesterday, as we were driving over some particularly cratered roads...like those are hard to find here in the Valley..."this car rides smooth." For those in-the-know, this was Industrial/Dean Martin north of Warm Springs...perpetually under construction...along with Valley View in the same area.

I agreed wholeheartedly, and thought to myself, in actuality, it rides better than her Lexus when presented with 'whoops'. I define these as large mounds/dips in the roadway. Bumps/holes sound worse than they feel, but I'm certain a portion of that is caused by me having the front tires at 38 PSI, the rears @ 42.

I dig on cushy, but I want to feel the road and be able to corner at twice the posted limit. Plus, I'm all for max MPG and min tire wear due to heat.

Given how warm Vegas gets in the summer, tires should wear out without so much as moving....

Oh, and in what should be the last picture, this is what I have after a couple of scrubbings with a shampooing vacuum, and believe me, this is new-looking compared to what I started with.

Also in this picture, at the right side of the floor mat, you can see the Mat-Loc I referred to in a prior post. I have only one which is complete. You can see the 'mount' for the other is under the left part of the driver's seat. I'm going to search to see if I can find either replacements for these specific parts, or buy a newer style of device which holds the mats. I know my wife's Lexus has a hook attached to the floor of the car, and a matching hole in the mat to hold it in place, but I've never done any welding or metal grommet construction.... I kinda want a truly period car, but if something was significantly improved upon, I'm all for it.

Where's my Mr. Fusion?!

[420 SE]

Looks very nice!

Just put up with the old mats until you can get new ones, that's what I reckon anyway.

[mckellyb]

Originally Posted by 420 SE

Looks very nice!

Just put up with the old mats until you can get new ones, that's what I reckon anyway.

Thanks! That's a helluva compliment.

I'll likely live with these mats, indefinitely. The rears are just fine, and the passenger's side is in pretty good shape, so it'll be fine.

[smack]

These mats are available from the stealer at a not too outrageous cost. When I bought mine, they came with the mat clips.

[Cirrus2]

That actually looks really good! I Like the tint, it's Really nice. Not really Gansta, but tastefull. All you need now are some Euro's and some H&R Lowering springs, then your car will be really nice.

[mckellyb]

Thanks! Big compliments from folks on this board.

FWIW, Euros are a given, I've been shopping as it is. Lowering...dunno yet. I'd rather keep the suspension travel for the truly wicked roads around here.

If the car is a 'keeper', which my wife defines as a year without major issues, and it'll pass, even if I get the job with the FAA which will have me racking up a solid 25K/yr., I'll likely have the tint redone, as the existing tint is tired. Several areas with chipped areas, and it's starting to turn color. While I don't have any urge to have 'gangsta' tint, in Vegas, dark as you can get away with is optimum, especially if you have a dark colored car. This was almost a no-sale point on this ride, as I was really wanting silver/white/chrome as a color. 120F in non-existient shade is rough come July. Overnight lows of 102F is interesting to experience, first-hand.

[500ezin]

That car is very nice!!! that car would look perfect lowered euro headlights... i love the look of a stock chrome wheel dropped!!!

[nomada]

Fantastic
The whole car looks great but, I especially love the interior
It's in what I consider the best colour for interiors, especially with that particular pattern leather upholstery...looks very luxurious

Well done

[AxelWulff]

That is a very nice color combination and it looks like it cleaned up real well.

I'd suggest you get some Euro headlamps and the dark amber Euro indicator lenses.

I've had good experience with Leatherique products for the interior. I got a complete kit from them a few years back and their cleaners work well, but their leather rejuvenator oil is the main reason you buy their stuff.

The rejuvenator oil can take parchment dry and stiff leather and turn it nice and supple. It just needs time (and heat) to do its magic.

[mckellyb]

The cool thing is it already has euro tails and the RF signal lamp is euro amber. Still looking for a LF one. I have two US LF ambers, one with a pencil lead sized hole in it, which I couldn't see until I removed it.

Euro headlights are definitely in the cards, after it's finished its probationary period to make sure it's not a complete money pit. I don't think it will be after having it a few weeks. Sometimes you can just get a 'vibe'. This one is good.

I'm gonna have to invest in some Leatherique stuff. I've surfed their page, and it seems pretty amazing. The dash has a crack in it by the left speaker cutout, but I'm not sure if the dash is leather or vinyl. It's minor, but there. None of the seats have tears or cracks, just creases, as you'd expect. The center armrest has a worn/cracked spot where your right elbow would go, but that's to be expected after 20 years. I'd like to put a new piece on there, as they come up on eBay periodically.

Lowering springs... Hmmmm. Well, I guess an inch couldn't hurt. For those in the know, how much would look 'right', how much are springs, typically, and how difficult it is? I have spring compressers, so there's a $100 savings already.

I really don't want to lose the cushy ride, and I damn sure don't want to bottom-out except over the worst terrain. I have to admit, I like the long, low, Russian mafia car look to this color/tint combo.