Back in the Saddle

Chip Hutchinson · #1 11-27-2011, 09:23 AM

Howdy folks,
Since losing my red '96 to a drunk driver on 10/6 I have been looking for a suitable replacement. I found a one owner red '97 here locally and I am now the proud owner. She has almost 81K on the clock and will be my daily driver.
That means I will continue to lurk in the background here with the occasional contribution for quite some time. I am very happy to be back. Feels like I was never gone...

Chip.

svxistentialist · #2 11-27-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip Hutchinson

Howdy folks,
Since losing my red '96 to a drunk driver on 10/6 I have been looking for a suitable replacement. I found a one owner red '97 here locally and I am now the proud owner. She has almost 81K on the clock and will be my daily driver.
That means I will continue to lurk in the background here with the occasional contribution for quite some time. I am very happy to be back. Feels like I was never gone...

Chip.

Hey Chip

You are welcome back. That sounds like a nice car you have there. How has the red paint held up? Has it faded, or is it still looking good?

I've turned into a bit of a lurker myself, having once been a heavy poster. I have a new job now which is keeping me phenomenally busy [Thank God!] and keeps me off the forums.

Also although I have a few SVXes none of them are on the road at present. I need a wagon for work, so I have got myself a Forester Turbo. It's a JDM one which would walk all over the SVX for speed, but is not as comfortable nor is it as good to drive. I do need the extra room for equipment though.

To paraphrase Ron from California with his Tom Cruise/Top Gun strap line:
"I feel the need, the need for more carrying capacity?"

Joe

Chip Hutchinson · #3 11-28-2011, 06:42 AM

Hello svxistentialist,
The paint is generally in excellent shape. It spent its off time in a heated garage out of the sun. However the grill and upper quarter panel plastic pieces are faded. Strangely the mirrors haven't. I asked if they had been re-painted and she said "no".
If I ever repaint it, the color will be Corvette Yellow with a black top/trunk/spoiler.

Chip.

svxistentialist · #4 11-28-2011, 02:43 PM

Sounds like a well cared for car Chip. Keep her in good nick.

In a way I am not completely surprised the side plastic panels are faded while the mirrors are not, and I'll tell you why.

When the cars are assembled some panels come painted and ready to fit. Two of these would be the rear three quarter plastics and the mirrors. The company or factory division that supplies these units paints them and supplies them ready to fit. Consequently they need to be painted in a very repeatable process so they will match the original factory paint on the metalwork.

We have all seen how different parts fade from sunlight, sometimes at different rates. It's my theory that with these bought in pre-painted units what causes advanced sun fade is the quality of the top coat, or rather the lack thereof.

I think these suppliers are cheapskates and they do not use proper UV blocking top coat, or possibly not enough layers of it, or maybe even both.

Well, it's just a theory; but a grain of truth in it I'd imagine.

Joe