[Sharkey1807]

I thought it's getting time to do a new thread and not anymore posting updates in the "New member section".

So here a brief overview of what allready went on:
In September 2010 i found in Germany a very complete Mako frontclip, never put together or placed on a car. Imagine, a clip from 70s, complete and unmolested.
So i looked around were to find a rearclip to complete my dream.
Then i found Steven M.Kuryla, a fiberglass profi and also a Mako freak. And he already had moulds for rear and front.
Quickly we realized that we have a lot in common. So we established how to go further and Steven and me began to search for a donor car.
Finally this december we found it and Steven trailered it back to his shop.
My Frontclip while completely original will be sent to Steven and he will create a new mould from it.
Here`s a picture of my Kit (not all parts i have are shown):

But that`s another story which you can found here:
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1839643#post1839643

So the dream MAKO SHARK begins to life again.

The whole build up will be documented on a dedicated website, see for that my signature.


My Mako Shark conversion is taking shape.
Better sayd in the middle of de-construction.
Frontend off, rardeck lid cutted and off the birdcage.
bridcage trim off.
Soon the frame will be sandblasted and painted and then Steve builds up the Mako Body on it.

You can check the progress here:
http://www.cybergate-corp.ch/mako_clip/

Just a few impressions:
If somebody needs a complete 74 frontclip, 74-reardecklid or 80 rearpanel just send Steve a mail to:
[email protected]

Now the design for my Mako is somehow also clear.
It will get a custom interior too.
Had to draw it in a 3D program to get a visual impression.

It will be fabricated in fiberglass. The dash, doorpanels and seats will be painted like the lower body in HOK pagan gold.
Then some accessories in carbon like fiberglass.
All the original instruments, center console and shifter bezel will be incorporated in the new design.

 

[Sharkey1807]

Steve worked hard on the car.
Here a brief update what's going on.
More photos on our website: Mako Shark build up

Here a few photos of the pile of dirt and debris what came off the car.
All in all something about 50pounds !!!

The pressure wash of the frame started:

Afterwards the frame is conserved with POR-15. A special paint to prevent from rusting again. It s durable but still elastic that stones don't chip it of the frame:

A problem is spotted. A bad welding on the frame from a previous owner.
So rust prevention is stopped and this section of the frame has to be grinded down and MIG-welded again:

After that the birdcage will get off and the frame rust prevention can go further.
Also the motor soon will get off the frame and getting it's Chevy orange paint.

More on our website: Mako Shark build up

Greetings
Robert

 

[mrmarchuk]

very nice where does steve live? i know a certain someone that would love to talk to him about those mako moulds :laughing::thumbsup:

 

[Texdentist]

Great looking project! Can't wait to see the progress as time passes. Very skillful job putting that interior plan together. I like everything except those leather looking (?) inserts on the seats. I wonder what others think about them, but they detract from a very cool looking interior in my opinion. Good luck with the project! :thumbsup:

 

[Sharkey1807]

very nice where does steve live? i know a certain someone that would love to talk to him about those mako moulds :laughing::thumbsup:

Steve is from California.
Just shoot him a mail.
His mail adress is on our website under contacts.

 

[Sharkey1807]

Great looking project! Can't wait to see the progress as time passes. Very skillful job putting that interior plan together. I like everything except those leather looking (?) inserts on the seats. I wonder what others think about them, but they detract from a very cool looking interior in my opinion. Good luck with the project! :thumbsup:

Glad you like the design.
I'm not yet 100% happy with the design.
May when i start to shape it will flow better.
But 1st need the measurements to build up a frame.

 

[sfallison]

Looks great!
I like your interior design. Those seats will look wicked!

 

[Eastwood Company]

Very cool! So the work is being done in California, or in Romania? Will the car be shipped back to you in Romania when done if in California now?

Definitely watching this!

-Matt/EW

 

[Sharkey1807]

Very cool! So the work is being done in California, or in Romania? Will the car be shipped back to you in Romania when done if in California now?

Definitely watching this!

-Matt/EW

Hi Matt,

the work is done in California and afterwards the car will be shipped to Rotterdam-Netherlands.
From there i will trailer it to Romania.

Greetings
Robert

 

[u2bdet]

Nice!!

Wish I had that clip BEFORE my paint job!!
Cant wait to see the finished project:thumbsup:

 

[Sharkey1807]

Lately Steve moved the car into the Shop.
He just rebuild in summer 2010 the whole shop to have it organised and clean.

The birdcage is still on the frame to be abble to stear the car better.
Next week the birdcage, tires and suspension will get off and framewrok can be restarted. Also some suspension wirk will be done.

Then the real fun can start: Mako Shark Body work

 

[mrmarchuk]

ive got the same engine hoist useful thing and cool that it folds, takes up alot less shop (or garage in my case) space

grats on starting :cheers:

 

[Sharkey1807]

Hi Guys,

glad you like this project.

Today again a update.
But unfortunatelly not a really pleasant one.

While Steve tryed to figure out was was the root cause for the bad welding he disassembled the front suspension.

Of course with the right heavy tools all goes a bit easier.
Especially when all parts was spryed with the better halfs oven-cleaner. just a free advice, ask first before using it.:smack

The conclusion is that by one of the previous owners the frame got a hit.
It then got a "easy fix" eg. alignment with some selfmade shims.

Did it work ? Yes
Was it cheap ? Yes
was it durable ? No, just look at the uneven used front tires.

But now it will get fixed right and for good.
After a proper welding the frame will be aligned with a Laser at a specialised alignment shop.

While at it the junk will be scraped.

to do it well a complete Front suspension Major rebuild-kit gets ordered aside a few other parts.

As allways more pictures and infos at our website.

Greetings
Robert

 

[Sharkey1807]

Hi Folks,

every day our website counts growing numbers of visiors.
Never expected such somehow exotic project will get so much attention.

Thanks to all of you.

This curcumstance let us think about how to improve.
So Steve decided to give to any step much more additionla information.
Problems which occure during the de-construction and build up will be explained with INDICATOR ANALYSIS and how to fix it for good.

This means you will need also more time and patience to go through all the news while there's more interesting stuff to read and maybe for some of you also new informations at all.


Here just a small overview. As allways much more details on the our build up page.

The brakefluid tells some storys !

36 year old shock absorbers. "FULLY FUNCTIONING", well of course not !

And the result of all the well aligned suspension.

How good body mount bolts can hold after 36 years:

Just check on the website the NEWS section to know were to find the updates.
http://www.cybergate-corp.ch/mako_clip/

As allways comments are more then welcome


Greetings
Robert

 

[Sharkey1807]

Hi Together,

the time has come for lifting the off the birdcage.
Tons of information how to and specially also HOW NOT TO DO IT.

Way too much to write all down here.
But in the meantime you know were to go to look at.

HAVE FUN

Greetings
Robert

 

[Sharkey1807]

Hi Guys,

this time a major update is done on the website.

Just a brief overview here.
Maily how problems was fixed from former mechanics/owners and explications how it should have been done.

How a 36 year old wire harness looks like.

How Ignition cables was fixed and how they should be fixed.

This way it's correct.

A transmision cable the way it shouldn't be installed.

Soldering wires with silicon !!!

A wonder the motor block was still in the car and not remained somewere on the road !!!
Motor mounting bolts without nuts ?????

When Steve freaked out.......

Speaker wire used for the starter ?!?

Much more pictures and descriptions on the website.

Comments allways welcome.

Greets
Robert

 

[454Can-Am]

Its always amazing to see how some people fix things.

My motto has always been :

Do it once..............................
Do it right...............................
........... and don't do it again !!!!

Nothing is forever, but if you do it well the first time, you don't have to worry about problems coming quicker down the road !

:cheers:

 

[Sharkey1807]

Its always amazing to see how some people fix things.

My motto has always been :

Do it once..............................
Do it right...............................
........... and don't do it again !!!!

Nothing is forever, but if you do it well the first time, you don't have to worry about problems coming quicker down the road !

:cheers:

Hehe Rick,

at least it can be sayd they was inventive. :smack

 

[Sharkey1807]

Just in case of wiring problems i organised in another forum a wiring diagram for the 74.

Hope it wont be needed, but better to be prepared in time. LOL.

 

[Sharkey1807]

While the whole order with the so much needed front-suspension -kit isn't sent out some work got stucked.
Hope the understood me in my last mail and will replace the backorder bushings with comparable ones i sugested and charge me the difference.
Just to get this damned parts.

Instead Steve started with the fabrication of the side-exhausts.
Guess this anyway interests you more then not delivered orders. LOL.

Here a short impression.
More as allways on the website, just chekc in the NEWS about updates.

Greetings
Robert