You think you want it done before winter? How do you think I feel? This is my daily driver! LOL

 

I would imagine that as you reach theses final stages and the project is taking the shape you envisioned from the very beginning the "what the heck is that?" reactions are subsiding and you are hearing more and more "wow, that's really cool!".

 

Yes the reactions are getting much more positive. Of course it's still difficult to go to the gas station or store without people wanting to know what it is, what it's supposed to be, etc... Kind of a drag when you're in a hurry, but overall the reactions have been a lot of fun! :)

 

Just wondering. How much weight do you think you have added?

 

A good question, and if Ben has a place nearby with weigh scales, and the time to get it weighed...he'll have an answer.

In bone stock form, his HHR weighed approximately 3,180 pounds per Chevrolet specs.

 

The car has probably gained about 200 lbs. And there's a grainery in the town where I live, so getting it weighed shouldn't be too difficult :)

 

What would be your guestimate to the weight distribution front to rear of that 200 lbs.? Do you notice any change in the handling? Might be hard to notice with the gradual progress you have made.

 

I would say that the distribution of the weight is fairly even. The amount of body change to the rear is just as dramatic as the front and the sides are re-sculpted as well. The 200 lb guesstimate is based on the car accelerating about the same as it did prior to body work with approximately 200 lbs of kid weight added.

The handling is a tough call as I have added SS springs to the rear to level her out, which made the handling improve. Unfortunately, I have a dead shock on the driver's side rear which has hampered the handling. I fully expect the handling to feel really good once I get around to replacing the shocks.

 

I got rid of the factory side view mirrors and replaced them with 2007 Dodge Charger mirrors. I had to chop up the new mirrors and graft parts of the stock HHR plastic surround to make it look like they were made for the car. I also had to drill new holes and do a lot of grinding to make them fit. I think these mirrors have a sort of modern old school look that works well on the Buick Bijou.

 

Sweet!

Another bit of HHR DNA gone.