I hope it is okay to put this here. This post should serve as both a log and specific questions regarding my car.

Background story: I bought a 1997 Del Sol Si about a month ago. Nice car overall but just has a few rough edges.

The interior had a few damaged and a couple of missing pieces. The cover for the cup holder assembly in the center console was missing, the floor mats are the universal type and are worn. The shifter boot had collapsed into the console and upon further inspection, it was discovered that the plastic ring inside the boot had broken. To make matters worse, bots of the plastic had fallen into the shift gate and was jamming the shift action intermittently. A brand new Civic boot and shifter **** remedied that portion of the interior. Both seats were bolted down loosely.

The seats and the carpet need to be cleaned badly and the vinyl underneath the targa top has a few deep poke marks in it. Apparently the prior owners brother decided to transport a mountain bike inside the car and took the passenger seat out to fit it into the cabin. Sheesh. I still haven't found a solution for that yet. Thoughts are welcome for a solution.

The body is good overall but had a little damage to the front drivers fender and bumper. Apparently the prior owner was sitting at a red light when the person sitting next to the Del Sol decided that it was the right moment to make a right turn. This resulted in a low speed side swipe of the drivers fender, turn signal and front bumper as well as the bumper reflector. The prior owner also managed to back up into a mailbox and smashed the left taillight. Not too bad overall. The fading of the paint encompasses the hood, roof, sails and trunk lid. They are all turning a really nice hue of Milano Pink. The front bumper is in particularly bad shape. There are a few door dings but otherwise, there is no rust or major damage.

The exhuast is supposedly only a year old and the car appears very clean underneath. Th

Mechanically the car seems to be healthy overall. She starts easily and idles relatively quietly. I changed the oil/filter, coolant, flushed both the brake fluid and the clutch fluid. Fuel mileage seems to be about 265 miles before hitting the reserve light with a heavy foot on the throttle. Any input as to whether that's appropriate?

I acquired an Injen Ram Air intake but the car should stay mostly stock with the exception of a catback (preferably one that isn't too loud) until the engine or transmission begin to give me any big problems.

So what are the plans for it?

I acquired a brand new OEM bumper for it today. Got a used drivers fender from another Del Sol as well as replacement lenses for both the damaged front and rear units. The car is going to the body shop in a couple of weeks to be stripped down and have all of the dings repaired as well as getting a full respray in Milano Red.

 

GOOD LUCK, I had a bit of a success with mines. I bought it from a friend for $900, its a 96 Del Sol S shell. It was sitting on bricks for a year outside in the hot florida sun.

The interior is mint but the exterior needs immediate attention.

Its in the garage getting fumigated right now to get rid of bugs and spiders.






I added the seats.

 

/\/\/\/\ What seats are those?

 

Stock Del Sols with some nice wrap's, good stuff man.

 

They look like Stock del sol dont they? lol but no they are the AP2 seats. Installed with stock Del Sol Seat Pans/Brackets/Rails

 

OP post some pics!

Those seats look nice. I didnt realize that they changed the seats for AP2s? I like those better than the ones my AP1 had.

 

Pics? Tomorrow morning for sure. I didn't get a chance today. I need to find time to clean the engine out with some degreaser as well before I send it off to paint.

 

Well, I am a liar about the pictures today. Maybe tomorrow my schedule will ease up. I met with the painter this evening. He told me it may take a little longer to get the car back but that's okay with me. He normally paints higher end cars (Read: Mercedes, Bentley, and BMW's). So this weekend she is off to be painted.

I asked for pictures during the painting process and he gladly agreed to do so. And I will take pics of it prior to it going in.

 

Also should I paint the factory black side skirts red? Really need input here.

 

I think you should leave the side skirts black IMHO having owned 3 del sol's in my time and one of them being red... GL with the restoration

 

Shouldnt this be moved to the appearance build forums? what happened to all the moderators here? this place is kind of a mess....but good luck on your build

 

I will have mechanical questions throughout this thread as well as technical questions regarding the suspension, wheels and interior.

Here's one now. I noticed the idle seems to be a little high. 12-1300 to be exact. She does settle down to a smooth quiet idle around 600rpm but rarely. I suspect it's the IAC. Any thoughts?

 

This is another question I had.

 

The exterior of the car:

 

what happend to that fender!

 

Explained it in the first post on this thread. Car is going in for full paint and body on Sunday. I should get it back in a couple of weeks.

 

new bumper and fender will fix that

 

Nice del sol. its gonna look FRESH!

I would get a new fender/bumper if possible. I would like the least amount of bondo used on the car as possible.

 

Thank you. I ordered a brand new oem front bumper and acquired a used drivers fender from this board.

 

Pics of my buddies car and my car at the shop. Mine is on the right. He just had his hood repainted.

 

The shop sent me pics this morning. There were plenty of dents, and dings on this poor car. Nothing a whole lot of $$$$ can't cure. I thought I would share:

 

Talked to the shop owner this morning and the car is going in for final paint today. I am really excited about getting my car back within the next week.

 

nice pics.

 

Hmmm... S2000 seats or save for a mild drop in ride height?

 

Unless you absolutely hate your seats then I'd say drop it