0EG@EnglandGreen

As always, full details of The Grond Chronicles are at http://www.grond.tv

Precis : Shattered Hammer, soon to be Reforged…

Part 1 of The Grond Chronicles : The Reincarnation, dealt with stripping the body panels and removing the entire drivetrain and engine. Details are here

Part 2 documented the complete engine teardown and looked like a scene out of Chernobyl. Details are here

I then auctioned off 2 of my melted pistons to benefit St. Jude Childrens Hospital on the Corvette Forum. That auction raised $2400 for the sick kids - here

Part 3 covered the interior demolition. Details are here

Along the way, I bought this – a JL Audio 18inch subwoofer. And a few amplifiers…

Part 4 documented how to install 4.5inch tubs on a C5 Coupe and a weld-in custom 6 point chrome moly roll cage (cage courtesy of Cajundude). Details are here

At the end of Part 4, I bought a brand new bare LS2 block - here and a stroker forged crank here.

Part 5 covered the build of the custom fibreglass enclosure for the mega subwoofer, false floor, the beginnings of the amp racks, and targa top storage. Details are here
During Part 5, I became a Corvette Forum Supporting Tuner - here

Part 6 detailed the installation of a ratchet shifter connected to a 4L60E transaxle transmission. This was a C5 first!. Details here

At the end of Part 6. I held my first annual Madness Mod Party – details here with all the pictures here

Part 7, that you are reading now, will cover the installation of shaved door handles.

“Shaved door handles” is an old street rod custom trick, where you remove the door handles, smooth out the sides of the doors to give the car a clean, slick look.

I first saw this custom mod on the Mod Meister, GB Vette’s FRV (Fixed Roof Vert) back in September 2004, and knew that one day, somehow, I would get this awesome mod. Little did I know at the time that the Mod Meister, GB Vette (Gary) himself would be doing this mod for me I am deeply in his debt for flying all the way from Virginia to install this for me. Thanks Gary!!!!

Parts 8, 9, 10, etc. I will reveal as time goes on. This project will stretch for several months – at least until April 2007. The goal is to be ready for Cruise In VIII.

So please pull up a chair, open a cold one and get comfy.

EG

OK. I have a confession to make….


So now that I have openly and publically admitted I have a modding problem, and that I obviously have serious “issues”, let’s move on to my latest mod.

Here is the Mod Meister, GB Vette, contemplating the installation of the remote actuators.


Obviously, without door handles, you have to get into the car somehow…


So remote controlled electric actuators do the work of the old door handles


More electrical work – testing the apparatus…


Remove the stock handles


Cut a template for the blank


And break out that Dremel!!!


Garage Queens – avert your eyes!!!!!!


Then get the grinder…


And go to work on the blank and surrounding area


A first coat of body filler and it’s starting to look


And speaking of Dremels….


This one is for the Catalogue Kings..


Not quite your standard issue Stainless Steel letter inserts….


To be continued….

garymilgrom

Great stuff EG. Are there any dial-up users left on CF? I doubt it.

EdsC6Z06

That last pic of the "Corvette" lettering would look cool if you left it like that but airbrushed it a bit. Nice to see a new update. We were going through withdrawl.

JeepTJ

WOW looking good Stephen.

bryanZ06

You are much braver than I am. I wouldn't trust myself to do that to my car. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Arcane1

EG and his dremel. I am going to start parking down the street when I go over there.

Stangkiller

hehehe, coming along nice Stephen!

RTSVET

Looks great Stephen

Hardhead

Im always suprised at the progress that you've made Stephen! I will be down in Merritt Island till thursday so if your in the area then give me a call!

Cajundude

That's what I'm talking about! Down with the Garage Queens!

Wicked Weasel

looks good

you know shaved door handles are not allowed at many tracks

Cajundude

Not to worry, that is what extra doors are for! And, he has one.

0EG@EnglandGreen

I know that and it is no big deal, Bob. I will just buy a drivers side door and swap it out for any sactioned event. This is a non-issue

Allzwell

Great Modding!!!!!

Let's see ... ummm April is just 4 months away

Benpup

Good Morning Stephen,
Looks great.

I think that the CF members should get together and call GM and tell them to get over to your place with a bunch of engineers and use the Grond a model for the 2010 Vette.

Wicked Weasel

Swapping doors - you are pretty effing smart

Curby

Steven, love the look of the shaved door handles. It really cleans up the side of the car. This is the one thing that I think looks bad on the widebody kits, the door handle area being recessed.

I don't know exactly what you are doing with the rear, but I saw a car at the local World of Wheels, where the owner cut out the "CORVETTE" lettering, and put a LED light bar behind it. He then filled in the stock 3rd tailight area. When he hit the brake, the "CORVETTE" lit up. It was cool.

Keep up the mods!

Z06-JIM

Very cool mod....and with Gary lending a hand, it's going to be done with perfection... ..

0Z06Joe@AutoBuffs

Looking good!!! But you might want to consider a name change from EnglandGreen to EnglandDremel!!!! Just a thought!!!! on the cool mods!!!

0EG@EnglandGreen

Jim. Gary is not "lending a hand" - he is doing it all !!

I am not allowed to help - he just let's me take pictures