[pathung]

I'm very happy to report that the biggest development in the past week has been my getting the gauges back from Palo Alto Speedometer. I'm very pleased with the results, though there were a few matters to tend to: the "dust caps" on the back of the speedo/tach went AWOL, as did the rubber gaskets that cushion the outer chromed rings against the dash. I took them back to PAS, who found the caps, which for some reason became too small to fit after having been plated. They promised to find me a good, working set. I was also given some rubber rings to cushion against the dash; the old ones were apparently glued to the housing when new, and disintegrated after time and having been dislodged. I'm very happy with PAS, and would recommend their service to anyone looking to refurbish/restore their gauges. By the way, it doesn't hurt to haggle a bit for a lower price. They do good work and they know that, so you get to pay for it. I've posted pictures elsewhere, but here they are again for your convenience and completeness of this thread.

Shifting gears away from gauges, SeekGTV and I visited a powdercoating facility out in San Carlos as it was recommended by Craig Morningstar (a 750/101 Yahoo Group regular). Craid had gone over the powder palette with the owner, and had apparently found a close powder substitute to the BMW Polaris Silver paint - all that was needed was an actual test. We dropped off SeekGTV's spare wheel to test the recommended powder. The quoted price was reasonable: $65/wheel, including a clear top-coat. We'll know in about two weeks.

I also had a local painter come look at the car, and provide an estimate for some panel repair (two rearward floorboards and battery support), a few layers of Bianco paint, and clear-coat. This guy did a great job on a local Alfisti's '61/'62 Giulietta Spider (see attached picture of silver Spider under restoration), which I've become familiar with. The job will include sealing the car immediately after bare-metal stripping with PPG's DP90, which I hear works quite well. In any case, he wasn't able to give me quote right away, but soon, I hope. Poll: would you ask your painter to quote by project or per-hour? I'm inclined to go with per-hour to ensure high work-quality, but I'd like to know your thoughts - thanks!

Next up: strip the doors of all trim/window mechanisms, then attemp uninstalling the windshield if there is enough time before the car's trailered to have its engine/tranny pulled out on the Monday after Thanksgiving.