LimeMist at sunset..

As one may suspect Larry DiStefano is one very excited man..

I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

 

#2

 

#3

 

#4

 

What a sweet car Jim. :TU: I noticed that it has new tires since the paper marking is still on them. Love the color - looks awesome in the sunset.

 

#5

 

Thanks Hans, and yes, this is for all intents and purposes a brand new 1971 GS STG 1. Very interesting driving it today..

Of course, one has to have the right milage on a new car.. odometer was at 00002.8 when built.

 

#7

 

Supernice restoration on this one. Was it a nice car to begin with? It looks stunning from every angle - congratulations. :beer

 

#8

 

Hans, I really don't know what it looked like before this was started, it arrived at TSP in boxes. It was an 8 year journey on this car, 22 months of which was at our shop here, to piece it back together. While it was here, the project when from a "nice driver" to a concours deal, which required quite a bit more effort since this car was missing dozens of pieces when delivered to us in August '04, and much of the previous work was not done with that type of restoration in mind. That's about twice as long as we are now taking on a full frame off concours deal, that we actually start with a mainly complete car, even in pretty rough shape.

From the look of some of the parts, I would say it was in pretty tough shape.


Those days, and the nightmare for Larry is now over.. It was definately a challenging project for us, and is our first concours offering. We are very pleased with the results, and have a couple more such cars currently well underway, scheduled to be completed yet this summer.

It's late, and I will post some underside pictures later, but I have an 8am appointment at the alignment shop, so I will leave this off with a few thanks.

First off to Larry, who soldered thru a lot of BS thrown at him in the last year or so, and saw the project thru. I won't go into the stories, as they don't merit discussion, but his reward is the product you see in these pictures.

Couldn't have done it this well without the help of our longtime customer and friend, Jim Lore (Flynbuick on the board here). When we needed that super hard to find part, Jim was up to the task. NOS radiator hoses, belts, radiator and dozens of other parts were located and shipped to us, by his efforts. He is truely a great asset to us at the shop, and the community here on V8 Buick.

Have to thank Cole and Beth Smith, couldn't imagine running the shop without you guys.. A couple of the best friends a guy could ask for. Beth helps in the office, and Cole is the "go to man" on just about everything supply related for the shop and office, as well as our apparell.

Brad Conley and Duane Heckman-- The concours guru's, whose knowledge and willingness to share the knowledge really sets this community apart from the other makes.. thanks guys, directly and indirectly, you had a great influence on the project.

And of course, to the crew at TSP. I am blessed to have a great group of guys, who worked long hours and really got the job done. They are pictured below,

(Front row Left to Right) Rick Wardrope- (knicknamed "Locust man" for his ability to strip and assemble a GS in record time, as well as for his ability to power thru a ton of parts to restore, not unlike a flock of locusts attacking a wheat field).. Rick does the transmissions, Rear ends, all manner of mechanical restoration, assembly and dissasembly)

Next to him is Joshua Norris (Kicknamed "Metal Man" for his ability to astound you with what he can do with a sheet of steel, a welder and a grinder. Josh does all our metal work in the body shop, as well as Assembly and dissasembly, and restoration of various parts.

Back row, Left to Right.

Yours Truely, aka "Dr Weise, Chief, Boss" (and whatever else they call me when I am out of earshot :laugh: ... My job is not only to run the business (which includes this board) but also as chief engine builder, Painter, bodyman, and assembly/dissassembly, and of course all customer relations, and that fun office work.

Next to me is Rob Senkyr (AKA "Brutus")- Rob is a great asset in Paint/Body preparation, as well as dissasembly and final assembly. Not to mention a good "muscle man" to move those heavy objects around the shop.

And next to Him is Gil Esterby- We have not found a knickname for him, since he usually is back with his head down, final prepping for paint or color sanding and buffing body panels and shells, as he is our head man for these very important tasks.

Not pictured-

Justin Bumgardner- our upholstery, convertible top and interior specialist. - He gets the all important interior items "dead on"

Bob Bonin- Our Stainless Polishing and Pot metal replating guru.

Thanks for looking, and come out to the Buick HP nationals this weekend, and check Larry's 71 out in person. Love to meet you all there.

JW

 

Wow

What a beautiful car Jim. Excellent job. I am sure Larry will be so excited. :TU:

Now Larry, when are you coming to pick me up for lunch in that beautiful car?? o No:

 

Beautiful, well done. Congrats Larry, its been a long time coming :TU: :TU:

 

Good things come to those that wait. Nice job Jim. :TU:

 

Beautiful car, Jim. Must be hard to let her go when finished. Thanks for the pics! :TU:

I'm already studying the few pics you posted and will archive them for correctness in doing my car. Although Larry's car is an auto, it is optioned similiar to mine. I'll be interested in how she fairs in concours class.

BTW, the speed alert set at 58 mph ain't gonna cut it! :3gears:

 

LOOKS GREAT JIM, JOB WELL DONE!

 

That is beautiful! :TU:
Congrats to Larry for waiting.
Doesn't matter who's smiling more, there all smiles. :grin:

 

The engine compartment looks like the STANDARD all others may be measured by. Great Job!

 

Very Nice!

Congratulations to the crew on what I'm sure will be the first of many completed projects. :TU:

 

How cool to go and pick up your "NEW" car with two miles on it, must be a real dream come through after eight years. Looks super nice!