Sophie...

After having so much fun fixing up Kitty, I decided that there's no such thing as "too much fun"... So in March of 2006, when my ex-husband found me a cabby for sale in Oregon for just $300, I just couldn't pass it up.

When I called the guy to ask about the car, I asked a few questions, and he basically said, "Well, it's definitely a $300 car." So I wasn't really sure what to expect. I figured if I showed up, and it was nothing but a rust bucket, that would be fine, because I figured if it wasn't salvageable, if nothing else, I could just part it out.

And while the car is still in serious need of TLC, it's not NEAR as bad as I was expecting.

Here are some before pics of Sophie from the trip to Oregon to pick her up. (click to enlarge images)


Here I am on the right, after picking up my new baby.

Yes, I realize she needs A LOT of work...but this is one of the reasons I wanted this car...there's simply something very satisfying about turning something like this, into something really nice. I'm looking forward to every drop of blood and sweat, and every tear I will put into this project.

Updates...

Here's a taste of the mess Sophie is/was in when I bought her: (click to enlarge images)



Since bringing her home, Sophie has since been completely gutted, ripping out the entire interior, including carpet and padding, etc. She has also had some mechanical work done on her, including having her fuel pump replaced. I also replaced her top with a top from an EA parts cabby I purchased shortly after.

Took off the door cards to get them ready to be pimped, took out the kneebar, and all the various dash vents and pieces to clean up/replace...Took out all the seats...

Then I ripped out the NASTY carpet...Got out the power washer...Hosed the entire thing out...

This is the oddest item I found while gutting her out. (see pic on right)

I found a steak knife shoved behind one of the side pieces in the back seat, and I'm hoping the car isn't carrying some bad omen from a previous owner committing some sort of a crime, and then hiding the murder weapon in the car or something. Yes, my imagination goes a little wild sometimes.

She's got 125k miles on her, and I only paid $300 for the car, but as I gutted the car out, to start preparing for the restoration, I found $1.11, so I figure I got one hell of a deal for $289.89!

So now she's all gutted out, and the work has begun.

Performance Mods     • 5/06 Tune up, fresh fluids, etc.     • 6/06 New fuel pump     • 6/08 New battery

Cosmetic Mods     • 7/06 New windshield     • 9/06 Temporary new top from a parts cabby

Hopes and Plans...

  Purple and gold are colors that bring "royalty" to mind for me, and since my cabbies are like little princesses to me, I figured I should give one of them a very regal appearance. However, with all the purple metallic flake, and blingin' gold, it may end up looking more like "pimp my ride" than "royal princess"... heh.

Performance...     • New seals, filters, belts, etc.     • Bigger brakes     • Get her running to optimal performance     • New tires Tunes...     • New speakers for door panels     • New head unit, amp and subwoofer

Cosmetic...     • Complete body work and paint job.     • Shave side markers     • New top and headliner     • Complete custom interior including carpet     • Gold side trim     • Swap grille to early chrome trim quad grille     • 3-chamber headlights ?     • Custom gauge faces     • Add various gold blingy bits     • Gold wheels

Here are a few pictures of Sophie getting her new (used) canvas top, and as she sits now...