Speedster bra's

I recently e-mailed vintage about bra's for their speedies and they said they have them for $50. Has anybody bought one? And where they good quality? $50 bucks sounds to good to be true? Kirk

Kirk--I bought Vintage's bra from Kirk Duncan for my 2,400 mile Carlisle PA trip last spring. It is well-made with a thick black vinyl covering that's eacy to clean. The side facing the car is a sofe velour like material that won't damage the paint. there are 6-8 soft, bendable metal strips 1" wide and 6" long that hook underneath the car to hold the bra on. Also two 3' long velcro cloth strips that go into the trunk to hold it up. It's easy on and easy off and fits perfectly.

One thing I especially like is that it's not a huge one and just covers where rocks might hit the car front. I'll post a picture--mine has the bra and the red cabriolet is Hoss' georgeous car. This was on the way to Crlisle last spring.

Yep--$50 is a bargain but so is the Speedster that Vintage produces.

I hope this helps you.

I can't imagine why the thing is called a bra though! Seems that "stonegard" would be more appropriate--but that is another thread I guess. Get yourself one of these--you won't be disappointed.----Jack

I had one on my VS and I thought that it looked and fit great.
Hoss

Kirk--I should have mentioned that the georgeous red Cabriolet beside is Hoss' car (John Hallistrand).

Daang John--your old VS is just like mine. Who has your old VE now?---jack

I prefer my bra.....er....never mind!

If you reeeeeally want to protect a larg part of the front of your car, contact Wardlow Custom Bras for one of these (see pic). It may not be the prettiest thing on the planet, but it really works. I only use it when traveling, but it's covered the front of my car for at least 4000 miles of highway driving. By the way, that's Hoss and his SAS in the background. We're on our way from Christiansburg, VA to Carlisle, PA for the '07 show.

EDIT: It was only a matter of time before either Vince, Gerd, or Mike took us down that path.

I understand Kirk is currently making a Bra for my wife's sister..
Her name is Boobie, I mean Bobbie.....

Jack, my VS was sold to a woman in Southern California. I have not had any contact with her since the sale (fall 2003) so I don't even know if she still has it.

Lane, I like the way your cover covers the bumper. That's cool.

Since this year will be the first trip to Carlisle for us, Marc got a bra from Colgan. Haven't received it yet, but I don't think I'd dare to drive from NH to PA without something!

Susie,
This is a Colgan bra. Doesn't look as sweet as Lane's or some of the others, but it does a really good job. I also have a VS bra, but wanted full coverage when trailering.
Best regards,
Cal

Cal, do you have to take your bra off the car to refuel? Does it take two people to put it on?
Hoss

As Lane said above "If you reeeeeally want to protect a large part of the front of your car, contact Wardlow Custom Bras." Those rocks don't discriminate between your bumper, which the VS bra will protect, and your hood, which the VS bra will not protect. The VS bra is a good deal at $50, but it won't protect your hood at all.
Troy

Does anyone have a workaround for the Vintage "bra" for widebody?

Hoss,
Yes, I have to take the bra off when refueling. However, not a real big deal since you can leave the bumper part on. One person can mount it, although the first time takes a bit of going back and forth, adjustments, etc. Jim Ward recommended this particular bra and I've been really pleased with it. It took a few weeks to get since I don't think they stock them - choices are with license plate (and without), with bumper guards (and without), plain or carbon look, etc. I think they also had a with/without fog/driving lights option as well. Can't remember the price, probably around $150.
Best regards,
Cal

Another thread was discussing this 3-M clear film product apllied to the car instead of a bra.Someone said you can get it from your local glass tinters or body shops. Anyone have experience with those?

Gordon did or had, his speedster done....

Yup...had it done in 2002 and it still looks like it was done just yesterday.

My material is 8 mil BASF and was applied by Autobahnd out of Freetown, Massachusetts (588-384-7040 Bill Burke). They do all of the luxury car dealer work in Southeastern New England.

He used a very large piece of bulk material, as he didn't have a template for a flared 356. It covers the entire nose, all the way to the fender lips, and goes up the hood about 18 inches. The line across the hood matches the fender line.

Mine is applied to a white car and is just about invisible unless the sun hits it just right. I love it. Now have about 12,000 miles on it and going strong. Lots of "hits" but only one puncture (only a pinprick, but it let dirty water in so I touched the hole with clear nail polish - that fixed it.

See if you can find it (either the bra or the puncture) in this picture:

gn

To All:
Here are a couple of better photos of the Colgan bra on Jim Ward's / Al Shapiro's "Ruby". Note the cut outs for the fog/driving lights as well.
Best regards,
Cal

I would like to put the clear film on my front end but I have a few small rock chips. Anyone know how the outcome would be if the paint is not perfect. . Of course I would touch up the small chips as best as possible first.

Marty

Sure:

Touch up your chips (see jack Crosby's paint touch-up post elsewhere in this issue) and then detail the heck out of your car - Wash and remove all traces of dirt, grease and road film (you can use polishing compound, if necessary), but DO NOT WAX IT! This is the only chance you'll get to make it right.

I removed EVERYTHING from the area where the film was installed; lights, bumpers, horn grills, etc. The only thing I left was the hood emblem, because I can't remove it. I do not have a "Porsche" emblem on the nose, so that wasn't an issue. Leaving anything in the way means that they'll have to cut around it once the stuff is on and it might not look cool when finished.

Speaking of bumpers, I have chromed Nerf bars, but there's no reason that fiberglass bumpers couldn't be filmed, too. I would remove the chrome/rubber trim and then replace it after, just for ease of installation and looks later on. You might ask for 10 mil film on the front bumper.

When installing, the guy should go over the entire area with a film remover, then wash the entire area with alcohol, then, if he/she's good they'll rub their hands all over it looking for impurities and remove them and then re-alcohol it. Once they're satisfied, they'll do the install.

All of this tenderness will cost you around $400 - $600, depending on the skill and reputation of the installer, but it'll save a repaint every 5-6 years and maintain a show car finish.

gn

I love my Vintage bra and for the 50 bucks..it's a no brainer.. Unless you wanna film then go to Desi here and he'll set you up too!

DAVID,
I HAVE A BUMPER BRA THAT I WLL NEVER USE AGAIN
IT WOULD FIT YOUR CAR
WOULD U LIKE IT

There you go Gerd, giving my bra away.....I guess that's one way to make new friend's...Oh, by the way, Yes I am bringing the bottle of Oban to Morro...It was killing me to save it this long, good thing I had plenty of back-up....

vince all i have left is the bumper portion of the bra