Or... "Make Do With What You've Got."


So... Over the past weeks I had a hairbrained scheme to turn my red '97 Grand Am into a wanna-be Batmobile.


Yes. I'm crazy.


The plan would start with purchasing a "Vader" bodykit similar to this:

[img]http://www.mimousafiles.com/prods/ED-110950_b.jpg[/img]

Step two would be to have the car repainted black, and then adding red trim lines.

The rest would be adding do-dads that would make the car recognizable as the Batmobile (such as hubcaps with red Batsymbols like the '66 TV car). Interior would be last.

Well.........


A little problem called "money" got in the way.

Bodykits run about $800 US (not including the cost of shipping and installation). The hood would have to be purchased separately ($300). Shipping prices were in the $400 range for each item.

Paint was another story- anywhere from $1000 to $2000 dollars.


So... that killed that idea.

But, I would not be beaten yet! I threw around the idea of repainting the car myself. I even went as far as buying some black car paint and sandpaper. I'm mean, how hard could it be? I've painted dozens of models- this is just bigger.



My wife talked me out of it before I could do any damage.


So on to the next plan! I would keep the factory paint job and simply add things myself on a budget.

Ultimate the end result would be a budget version of a WS6 Firebird.

[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/WS6Firebird.jpg[/img]


And today I brought my car one step closer!

I bought a set of fiberglass hood scoops to simulate the ram-air hood. Painting them was a choir- clean, sand with 600 grit paper, two coats of primer, three coats of colour, and finally three coats of clear coat (I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures of the process).

Positioning them on the hood was a tedious process. I'm usually pretty good at eyeballing something to see if it is symmetrical, so I didn't bother taping the centerline of the hood. After several little nudges, I was satisfied with the placement, and taped off the outline.

Then it was just removing the protective backing from the 3M tape and squeezing them back onto the hood!

So what was once this...

[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/PMR001.jpg[/img]


Drumroll please!


Now looks like this!

[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/PMR002.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/PMR003.jpg[/img]


Very please with how the colour matched the factory colour perfectly. I was concerned that the 3M tape would not be strong enough and that they could blow off... Well they are on there like cement! They are not going anywhere!

Next on the list is new hubcaps, redone interior, and perhaps a more "Bat-like" spoiler.


Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

WTF?
You're not painting it Brown Bess?


GET OUT!
*Points at door and glares*

How many of those Humbrol tins would I need?

Besides if was painting it Brown Bess, I would have put this in The Ready Line!


Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ssgtburton>SSgt Burton[/url]  at: 5/18/07 12:04 pm

... I can't believe you're doing this.. I should talk, I toyed with the idea of turning my Echo into KITT
<span style="color:lime;]Cpl. Dom "SharP" Beaudoin - USCM Service Number Registrar
A10/TQ1.0.92147E1
<span style="color:yellow;]Need a USCM service number assigned to you? E-mail me at [url=mailto:cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com]cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com[/url]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/68371348/original.jpg[/img]

That is AWESOME bro!! I cannot wait to see your own Batmobile come to life!!!

Great, great job! Those scoops look factory made to me!


[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/63941/USCMSignature.jpg[/img]

I cant imagine Dom in an Echo...I dont know if I should laugh, or pity you:lol:


Derek
Pvt.
D.Smith
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1

Name: Chris "FNG" Chulamanis
Status: Missing in Action
Mission: Bring him back alive....no matter the cost.

Of all the cars to turn onto the bat mobile......a Grand Am wouldn't have been it.

Kev, those intakes look fantastic.
Think they would fit on my 2004??

I cannot wait to see the rest of it. Please keep posting!!
[img]http://www.colonialmarines.net/Banner.jpg[/img]

Pretty neat Kev. What does the Mrs. think about you Bat-modding the family car?

Russ

Dom- An Echo KITT would certainly turn heads!

Rex- Thanks Bro! I'll post updates as they happen!

Tony- Yeah not my first choice either, but like I said "Make do with what you've got".

The scoops are universal and will fit cars and trucks as long as the hood is curved.

Russ- We actually have an Intrepid for the "family" car (read as= my wife's car ). This is my car so I'm allowed to play.

Funny... As I approach middle age, I'm doing things to my car that most teenagers do with their first ride.

Next on the list are new front seat covers:

[img]http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/rodi/images.wnpsc00974.jpg[/img]

I plan on covering the "S" with a red Bat-Symbol like this:

[img]http://www.stickergirl.com/images/1409_small.jpg[/img]


Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ssgtburton>SSgt Burton[/url]  at: 5/19/07 6:58 pm

Ah, but Derek... me and my Echo, it's a love affair!

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/67865361/large.jpg[/img]
<span style="color:lime;]Cpl. Dom "SharP" Beaudoin - USCM Service Number Registrar
A10/TQ1.0.92147E1
<span style="color:yellow;]Need a USCM service number assigned to you? E-mail me at [url=mailto:cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com]cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com[/url]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/68371348/original.jpg[/img]

You ain't seen nothin' yet!!

Worked on the interior today...

Before---


[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/HPIM0391.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/HPIM0388.jpg[/img]


Annnnnnnnd...






Wait for it...






NA-NA-na-na-NA-NA-na-na-NA-NA-na-na-NA-NA-na-na...







<span style="font-size:xx-large;]BATMAN!!!


[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/HPIM0396.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/HPIM0394.jpg[/img]



Wadda think? Too much?


Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

Dare I ask whats going in the centre console besides the various theme tunes to the movies and TV series?

WOW, looks really awesome.
I say more, MORE I SAY!!!
[img]http://www.colonialmarines.net/Banner.jpg[/img]

WOW what a Project.

The seats looks fantastic & certainly showing your committed

You redoing the dashboard along with the exterior bodywork you have planned?

I am looking forward to seeing More on this project.

Jason
PVT.
STEAD,J "Axeman"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1
UKCM

Well I guess I should be "committed" (as in to an insane asylum ).

Seriously- thanks everyone!



I still have to put on new hubcaps. I might get an aftermarket spoiler that looks more "wing-like", otherwise that's it for the exterior. The bodykit would be too costly- and above all else, I would not be able to drive the car in our harsh winter weather. Hit one snowbank and the bumper would crack.

As for the dash- Anything I add will have to be temporary and not permanent. I will get a new car one day, and it will be nice if I don't completely ruin the resale/trade-in value of this one.

For instance- the "Bats" on the seats are merely sticky back foamies and can be removed anytime should I change my mind.

However I could use a "Bat-Phone". And the emergency brake might get an "Emergency Bat-Turn Lever" sign.



Stay tuned...

Same Bat-time...

Same Bat-thread!!!


Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ssgtburton>SSgt Burton[/url]  at: 5/23/07 6:23 am

You know, with a spritzer bottle and some dye, you could re-color your interior.

Ahhh, the things I learned from a brother with 5 years experience in the auto detailing business.

Awesome work bro... although I don't think the caped crusader has salt-stained winter pant-savers...
<span style="color:lime;]Cpl. Dom "SharP" Beaudoin - USCM Service Number Registrar
A10/TQ1.0.92147E1
<span style="color:yellow;]Need a USCM service number assigned to you? E-mail me at [url=mailto:cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com]cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com[/url]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/68371348/original.jpg[/img]

AWESOME KEV!!

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/63941/USCMSignature.jpg[/img]

Honestly, I would switch it out with the Nightwing symbol. If you are going to go all out, when Dick was living in Bloodhaven (Nightwing Comic) he had a car called "RedBird". If you are going to go batmobilish, why not go Redbirdish instead?

The major difference with the Batmobile & the RedBird is that the Batmobile comes with factory installed chick-magnets. I say stay with the bat, Kev!
<span style="color:lime;]Cpl. Dom "SharP" Beaudoin - USCM Service Number Registrar
A10/TQ1.0.92147E1
<span style="color:yellow;]Need a USCM service number assigned to you? E-mail me at [url=mailto:cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com]cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com[/url]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/68371348/original.jpg[/img]

So does my utility belt.


So here's what's next...


[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/Pimp%20My%20Ride/P4190034.jpg[/img]


Just have to find someone to make it for me.

Wookie- I seriously considered it- I know about the Redbird. Just felt the Robin/Nightwing symbols didn't look cool enough.

Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ssgtburton>SSgt Burton[/url]  at: 5/25/07 5:36 pm

Well, can't say much. My best friend has a Robin symbol airbrushed on the spare tire cover of his Rav4 and the liscence plate is BOYWNDR, so I guess I'm used to looking at them.

Ran into a couple of brick walls...


(Yes; it hurt my head- and yes, I'm feeling much better now ).


The Bat-Key idea is out for now. The my ignition switch has these little turn tabs that won't allow any design larger than the key itself to fit between them. The key-head is very narrow to begin with so a Bat symbol just won't work.

I had purchased a set of hubcaps to replace my old factory ones. Again I planned on putting little Bats in the center. Today I tried to put one on my car...

Well in order to take the old ones off, I would have to take the lug nuts off first. Since I've never done this before and didn't want to mess it up (I envisioned all four tires coming off in four different directions as I was driving along)-- I decided to take it to Canadian Tire and ask them to install them for me.

They told me that the kind I purchased would not fit my rims if the existing ones were held on with the lug nuts. I ended up returning them.

So there went that upgrade as well.

I might get some new rims altogether. Just have to decide if I really want to spend that kind of cash as the ones I've had my eye on are $200 bucks each.


Oh and a customized plate might be in order as well...

I'm thinking...

<span style="font-size:x-large;]KAPOWIE





Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ssgtburton>SSgt Burton[/url]  at: 5/29/07 12:53 pm

LOL!! Kevin, I'm glad you're having such a good time!!!!

Right on bro,that's what it's all about!
[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/63941/USCMSignature.jpg[/img]

I think you're better off with:

<span style="font-size:xx-large;]BORT!


<span style="color:lime;]Cpl. Dom "SharP" Beaudoin - USCM Service Number Registrar
A10/TQ1.0.92147E1
<span style="color:yellow;]Need a USCM service number assigned to you? E-mail me at [url=mailto:cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com]cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com[/url]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/68371348/original.jpg[/img]

Who the Kung-Fu is BORT?!


Kevin

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDnAloXyJBkYBZV7s*Kj9!1Bc8b0FJ!WEmX8BpHJk8yRyABH697OsLy1Bm1knQrHcDDdHqDnRAmyoDB6vy6w!ASmCM57J8W6cyCxY8Y84TWwwCw7UVNAA/Burton%20004.JPG[/img]
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/ssgtburton/ssgtburton_banner301.jpg[/img]

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."