Just got back from driving over 129 (shiver... shiver... where'd the warm weather go and why is there fog?). Performance Art was great. Both John and Kevin are pretty cool and interesting people to talk to, and Kevin really knew his stuff. As this was the first pass on any sort of alignment since I assembled the car, there was much to do and Kevin was very thorough and detail oriented.

The drive back was a blast, and the car handled great. A little cold, though, as the fog rolled in and all I had was a pull over and nothing to cover my cold, shaved head.

I highy recommend Performance Art in Gilroy. Follow the talent, I always say.

DD

Doug,

Sounds like you are getting the car dialed in ... after the rest of the inspections are done, what's next ... getting ready for paint ?

Also sounds like you need to invest in a hat too ... :D

- Tim

Doug (GotTheBug) may have an extra one of those "It's a robbery, gimme all your money!"-type masks lying around the house that you could borrow. :LOL:

Sure. Standard issue for those few brave souls who venture out in the dead of winter when the temps are close to freezing. That and my 12v seat heater and I'm set. :LOL:

Doug,
So what did it cost? Full 4 wheel alignment? How long did it take and was there anywhere to hang out while you waited?

Full four wheel alignment as my ERA has the IRS with the outboard brakes.

The shop is really classy (check it out at www.performanceartonline.com). They had a conference room, as well as an office with desk, phone, and wireless access for my laptop. There were several windows into the HUGE shop so you can see some of what's going on. Lots of coffee and Jon, when he had time, was a good conversationalist (What do senior sales VP's do when they've had enough of Silicon Valley? Go be CEO of something like Performance Art...)

Kevin got my Cobra aligned, squared, centered, ride height adjusted, and took me for a "walk under" to make some suggestions on what I could do to improve the suspension when I was ready to take it to the next level (adjustable upper control arms on the front, new bushings for the rack and pinion, et cetera). He also helped me figure out an annoying (and somewhat disconcerting) "tick-tick-tick" sound while rolling (turned out to be the front brake pads clicking against the pins---not sure how I'm going to fix this, yet, but at least I know what it is. Kevin spent close to six hours working on my Cobra---like I said, he's very thorough. Shop time is a little less expensive in Gilroy than in Silicon Valley, but that may have just been a function of being a member of the Shelby Club. I recommend you have Kevin take the car for a short drive and then put your car up on the rack for an inspection. If I recall correctly, this was $60. They'd be able to give you a good assessment from that.

Anyhow, like I said, follow the talent. Kevin was the draw at that place in Mountain View. He isn't there anymore. Follow the talent to Performance Art in Gilroy.

Dangerous Doug

Oh, if you want to check out the shop they are having an open house on April 30 from 5:30 to about 8. It's a Gilroy Chamber of Commerce event, so there will be other businesses there, but Jon said they'd have some clients cars there on display (hot rods, some exotics, and perhaps an original Cobra).

Here's the info:
Performance Art
5755-B Rossi Lane
Gilroy, CA 95020
www.performanceartonline.com
408-848-6325

Doug,

Been away for a while. Glad you chose Kevin. The guy is just the best! I won't repeat your attaboys, they're right on target, but I can assure anyone reading this thread you would be hard pressed to improve on Kevin's work or service. As an extra bonus he is real easy to talk to and sharp as a tack on suspension and alignment.

Ed

Drove over the hill today in the chill to my CHP inspection at 8:30 am. CHP at San Jose station was great. Turns out the officer who inspected my car/paperwork is a Shelby Mustang owner. Between him, his brother, and his dad they have three Shelby Mustangs and one clone.

Inspection went quick. He checked out the car, reviewed my receipts, checked the serial number on the engine block, and off I went. Total time was about 15 minutes.

Briefly off to Evergreen College this afternoon for a smog check.

This is all going swimmingly, so far.

DD

Doug, are you taking Doug? Best of luck! Ask for Terence.

I couldn't go with Doug today, but it should be a piece of cake at the BAR for him.

Heh, heh, piece of cake.

Well, not really. I called the number the DMV gave me, and was referred to a smog check at 3303 San Felipe. I called and they said, "No appointment necessary."

I'm thinking, "Cool!"

3303 San Felipe turned out to be an el cheapo gas station on the corner of Aborn and San Felipe. Talked to the guy in the shop, and his eyes crossed when I showed him the SB-100. It was about this time that I realized I'm not talking to a smog referee.

I made it out to Evergreen College, and found my way to the Acacia building, the back of which houses the automotive department. I talked to the smog referree, discussed my car, and he gave me the appointment hotline number ( 1-800-622-7733).

Right now, as I type, I am listening to the same, dorky guitar rift over and over with "Our automated system is designed to provide our customs...yaddayaddayadda...otherwise, please hold for the next available representative."

Okay, so here I sit on hold, writing SQL code and hoping, praying this guitar rift does NOT get stuck in my head.

Please hold while I attempt to make an appointment and then get my car smog checked...

DD

Yikes! Well, once you make your appt and visit the Evergreen BAR it will be a piece of cake. :)

Wednesday morning at 11.

Another cold drive over the hill...

DD

Guitar Riff;
"Browwnn-Chickennn-Brown-Cowwww"-
"Browwnn-Chickennn-Brown-Cowwww"

Come on Doug, it was a toasty 38 degrees in Santa Cruz this morning...probably a little colder at the Summit. :eek::LOL:

Good news that you were able to get an appt at the BAR so quickly.

Hey Doug ... this time remember your hat! :D

- Tim

Does anyone else know what Steve is talking about sometimes? Often Steve comments are way above my pay grade. :LOL:

No idea. Steve's post was also at a respectable hour, which is highly unusual for him.

Some call him the automotive man of mystery, others say he's an alien who does not sleep, all we know is that he is called PANAVIA. :LOL: :LOL:

Apparently none of you have sat on the CA BAR hotline for any length of time.

"Brown-chicken-brown-cow, Brown-chicken-brown-cow" replicates the guitar rift when you're on hold.

Thanks for getting it stuck in my head again...

Driving over the hill at 6:30 to get to work seemed like a good idea, until I stepped out on my front stoop and saw frost on my neighbor's roof. Hhmmm, better bring the hat AND the gloves. Even with gloves, I couldn't feel my fingertips by the time I got to work.

Was at Evergreen College at 11am. Engine and paperwork inspected, sticker placed on an inner trunk panel, paperwork completed. Time to go back to the DMV and finish the process.

So far, I haven't found the registration process to be much trouble. SB-100, CHP inspection, and BAR inspection have all gone pretty well. I hope my last visit to the DMV goes as smoothly.

DD

Great news Doug! Make copies of your docs (especially the MSO, since they take the original) before you hand them back to the DMV. They should hand you your plates before you leave (unless you already have personal plates to put on the car).