Kit is here......Really!!....

[Westfield_XI]

Well, after just over 3 months, my replacement kit made it to Calif. They used the same crating method as the 1st time with only a couple of my suggested improvements and the car arrived with some slight damage. I had warned them of boards being knocked loose and falling onto the car inside the crate, which happened last time, and I suggested nailing on the planks from the outside of the crate. But they decided to use the method they were comfortable with, the result is that 2 end planks fell into the box and scratched up the gelcoat on top of the front fenders. But having learned a bit about fiberglass since the last time, I am not too worried. The gelcoat has to be polished anyway, and scuffs will come out with no trace left behind (or so I have been assured).
I have only opened the top so far since I am waiting for a friend to come by and help. A 12 foot wooden lid is heavy!! Also, this time I am trying to re-use the crate to send the old kit back to Texas. So no taking it apart piece by piece either.
Anyway, the main thing is: my waiting is over and I get to finally play with my new toy! It's like getting something great for Xmas, but being told you can only read the manual until Easter.

 

[drooartz]

Glad it made it (mostly) intact. I just can't figure out why some folks won't take a small bit of effort to make needed improvements. Not like the extra nails and screws would cost all that much more, after all!

Enjoy your new present, hope it works out. Oh, and don't forget those pictures! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[Westfield_XI]

I plan to start a site documenting the build-up, I just didn't want it to be all about my busted up car for months and months. I didn't think it would be fair to Westfield to start off that way. Now I will be able to show progress on the new car while beginning the story with the shipping damage to the old car.

 

[smcmanus]

Sound to me like it would be fair to document all the problems. Especially so since they did not improve the packaging since the first debacle. How much of a discount/refund did they offer you? Not my business I know, but interesting to know.

Good Luck and have fun. Remember, every day is a good day when the door unlocks from the inside.

Steve

 

[DrEntropy]

Let the FUN BEGIN!!! YAY!!!

 

[Westfield_XI]

They didn't offer any financial compensation for the UPS damage. I felt like they bore some responsibility for the poor crating method and it's failure during shipping, but they were only willing to build my new car in advance of the insurance payment. They still insisted upon full payment prior to shipment.
My ideal solution would have been for them to mfg. and ship my replacement parts ASAP and sort it out with UPS afterwards. However they decided not to respond that way. Be that as it may, I now am good to go ahead with my project.

 

[GB1]

Glad to hear, how's Dave doing with the engine?

Patrick

 

[Westfield_XI]

Engine will be ready on about a month, maybe sooner. There is no one else "in front" of me so mine is getting all the attention. I just got back from the plater, picked up the alloy coolant pipes. They polished up nicely, aluminum takes a shine as nice as chrome in my eyes.