I have an RX8 that has been through a front end collission that I am considering turning into a dedicated track car. Obviously my first concern is if the chassis/frame/structure is in straight and sound shape to be used and built upon. The car is currently sitting at a body shop in Northwest Indiana (Merrillville). They don't seem to be very interested in working with me and I am growing tired of some of the responses I am getting from the person I a have been talking to.

Can anyone recommend a shop ANYWHERE IN THE CHICAGOLAND/NW INDIANA AREA that would be able to give me a good assessment on whether the car is useable. Experience with chassis and race car building is highly desireable. I believe the chassis/frame will need to be measured and some of the front structure analyzed to determine it's worth to be built - or not.

At this point in time I'm neither comitted to a rebuild or scrapping the car. I just need to know if it is useable, I don't have the space to do it and I don't believe I am getting good information from the place it is at. I need a place that can put a few hours into assessing the car.

Thanks,


Mac

 

Did you post on NASA?

 

sure did, chip.

 

Sadly I don't have any recommendations

 

If I don't get any leads I am going to give VFC a call and see what they have to say. You want to take a ride over there sometime this week? Are you off work at all?

 

I've had good luck with White Eagle Auto Body in Naperville, but just for regular body repair type stuff. You saw what they did on my rear fender. I don't think they do anything with race cars.

 

I'm at a general auto body shop right now and am not happy with their observations and recomendations into this matter thus far.

 

I am off on the 8th and 9th, so pretty much anytime those 2 days.

 

I will let you know if i can/have to wait that long. Would like to get it done before the insurance company backs me into a wall on taking the car or not.

we'll be in touch for sure.


anybody got any ideas on shops for me? I've got a truck and I'm going to rent a trailor to haul it over there.

 

Well, I have other days that I get out of work at 6, but by I can't see them being open past 5 ish

 

Sorry dude, no ideas. I had some bodywork done on my last car at White Eagle. Though I really liked them and thought the job looked fantastic, I found out the hard way that they chose NOT to use that special (expensive) stuff in the paint that would make it not crack if ever hit again.

Needless to say, that car must have had a target painted on it, cuz I got hit three times in the same place. And all while I wasn't moving!!!

 

I've got a couple ideas now.

any others are welcome.

thanks to those that have contacted me so far.

 

if you are willing to come to Indy:

http://www.aimtuning.com/

a lot of local mazda racing guys go here.

 

mac: saw all the F/S threads and it reminded me of this thread. What did you decide on?
I'm guessing track car since from all the stuff for sale???

 

yes, sir. it's well on its way.

The shell is almost empty, everything between the clutch and the diff is out and i'm preparing to take the subframes down.

 

you should do a build / conversion thread; would be fun to see this thing take shape

 

I've been taking lots of pics