I posted the following Chronology of Events on SF after getting several PMs about how we accomplished as much as we did in the time available to us. It helped immensely that I am retired, but there were still challenges to overcome, as there always are in projects like this. The Chronology starts with my PM to Patrick Nail in response to his for sale post:
CRIMSON TIDE
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
1. May 4, 2016: Sent PM, expressing interest in vehicle. Seller responded a day later on May 5, 2016
2. May 6, 2016: Sent my Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Questionnaire to Patrick (approximately 65 questions). Patrick responded quickly, fully and completely and V.3 of his response totaled seven (7) pages that became Exhibit “1” to the Bill of Sale
3. May 15, 2016, the first of what turned out to be 115 very large HD pics over several days was received. Another 38 pics and 11 videos were sent via phone throughout the due diligence period, culminating in a short vid Patrick sent to me when the car was loaded onto the transporter.
4. May 15, 2016: Subsequent to the receipt of many HD photographs, I sent Patrick an email containing 20 additional questions and observations as a result of his responses to my questionnaire and my review of the pics received.
5. May 16, 2016: DRAFT Bill of Sale and Exhibit “A” transmitted via email to Patrick.
6. June 3, 2016: First compression/leak down test (Ugh, not good!). Patrick bowled over by the results, but I was fairly certain the problem was with the gauge utilized and took heart, nonetheless, in the consistency of the poor numbers and the recent 300 whp dyno at 9 psi. We decided to go back to Hux Racing where all previous work had been done on the car.
7. June 9, 2016: Second compression/leak down test conducted by Eric Hux of Hux Racing and victory was ours: #1 171 psi; #2 170 psi; #3 172 psi; #4 171 psi; #5 172 psi; and, #6 173 psi.
8. June 9, 2016: Partially refundable deposit sent via USPS to Patrick
9. June 14, 2016: Amended Bill of Sale sent to Patrick for review and approval.
10. June 22, 2016: Approved Sales Order with Exotic Car Transport for transporting vehicle from Alabama to Cali.
11. June 28, 2016: Flew to Birmingham Alabama to personally inspect the car and to make the deal if all went well. Made the deal.
12. June 29, 2016: Flew back home to California.
13. July 1, 2016: Sales order with Exotic Car Transport revised to add in cost of transporting OEM wheels.
14. July 1, 2016: Car picked up in Chelsea, AL by Exotic Car Transport.
15. July 5, 2016: Car arrived at my home at 3:00 p.m.
16. July 9, 2016: First ding removal session occurred.
17. July 9, 2016: Car successfully passed smog.
18. July 11, 2016: Car officially registered
19. July 12-13, 2016: Two days and 21 total hours of paint correction
20. July 19, 2016: 12-hours of additional paint correction
21. July 20, 2016: Took car to friend who is a Toyota ASE mechanic (25-years) to install hatch bump stops, align JDM JZA70 lip spoiler, install new driver’s wiper blade, diagnose and fix suspension rattle, diagnose and fix cruise control (not done) and conduct overall vehicle inspection
22. July 20, 2016: Ordered Arizona Performance front and rear BBK (Aero 6-piston/14.2-inch; FLSI 4-piston/12.88-inch)
23. July 26, 2016: First of many to come wash and waxes by yours truly (100+ degree heat)
24. July 27, 2016: Conducted second ding removal session (remaining dings almost imperceptible but became visible after completion of paint correction and wax work)
25. July 27, 2016: Removed 5Zigen wheels for refinishing; mounted 25-year old sawblades on 25-year old Goodyear Gatorbacks with 2900-miles on them (no driving)
26. July 27, 2016: Took delivery of Tein Street Flex JZA70/MA70 coilovers
27. July 29, 2016: Ordered new Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
28. August 1, 2016: Sent wheels out for refinishing
29. August 13, 2016: Received refinished wheels mounted on new Michelin Pilot Super Sports
30. August 16, 2016: Installed refinished wheels/new tires on car
31. August 21, 2016: Took delivery of Arizona Performance BBK
32. August 26, 2016: Delivered car to Kaizen Motorsports for installation of coilover suspension and BBK
33. August 28, 2016: Picked up HKS VPC, Apexi SAFC and related parts from Nick Stonawski
34. September 7, 2016: Picked up car from Kaizen Motorsports after installation of new OEM ball joints, new coilover suspension and new Arizona Performance BBK
35. September 12, 2016: Had car aligned, corner balanced and tweaked ride height at Chewerks, owned by Robert Choo, former editor-in-chief of Turbo magazine
36. September 14, 2016: Conducted third round of ding removal
37. Replaced bad driver’s front side marker bulb; replaced the functioning passenger’s bulb at the same time