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FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

The vivid colors of the descending sun fade to black and are replaced by a star covered sky. The cool night air races through my fingers as I pull my hand back into my girlfriend’s Saab 9-3. The torture that has been the last hour of my life is finally nearing an end. My heart is beating like a kick drum as we turn the corner and arrive at our destination.

The fluorescent lights of the industrial condo bounce off every curve and corner of the spotless Alpine White paint. The excitement that I’ve struggled to contain is now joined by shock and amazement. The car engine goes quiet. Turning to me, my girlfriend sends me a cute little smile and says, “Go get it!”

I smile a little devilish smile, and pop out of the car to get a closer look. The night air is still and the only sounds are of the faint buzzing of the lights on the building. I walk over towards the BMW 325is. Sitting motionless and silent she seems so docile and calm. However, the LTW high rise spoiler protruding from the trunk, the oversized stainless steel polished UUC performance exhaust tips, the 3-piece 5 spoke SSR SP1 wheels tell a very different tale. I approach the car and am now close enough to touch her. The silence is broken by the screeching sound of the cables and pulleys of the 10x12 foot industrial garage door. Slowly it begins to rise. Waiting just behind the door is the owner of my new obsession.

After what seems to be an eternity of niceties, automotive discussion, and paperwork I hand over my bank’s promise of funds in exchange for the keys to my first real car. In that moment, all of the years of struggles that I had faced seemed to fade away. I focus on adjusting the black suede Corbeau seats to a comfortable yet aggressive position. Inserting the key into the ignition, I take a deep breath and click the key forward. The swapped M3 engine lets out a growl akin to a wolf being branded. I roll down the windows and allow the full symphony of contained explosions from the 3.2 liter inline 6 into the car. As I begin to drive, the exhaust echoes off of the buildings reverberating the beautiful tone of pressurized gases rushing out of the exhaust tips. Nothing in this world could remove the smile that has taken residence upon my face. I approach the road and glance into my rearview. Giving my girlfriend a wave, I pop the gearbox into first, drop the hammer and let the tires battle the engine for audible supremacy.

After 2 months or constant cleaning, waxing, and vacuuming to keep my new baby spotless, it began to rain. It rained every day for over a month. The flooding seemed endless. On this particular gloomy day, it was pouring so hard that the ground became saturated and the storm drains became overwhelmed. Having nowhere else to go, a pond formed in the parking lot in front of the old brick industrial building of the shop that I was visiting. Parking as far away from the pond as possible, I turn off the car, open the door and take off like an Olympic runner around the large body of water. My sprinting efforts were worthless. Completely soaked, I stood inside the shop. Water dripped from every part of my body, creating a small puddle around me.

After checking out the amazing progress on the classic Rothmans Porsche rally car and all the other restoration projects in the shop, I prepare myself to battle the elements once again. Walking over to the small tempered glass window, I gaze out at my machine being bombarded by the heavy rain. The large drops pound hard upon the roof of the industrial building. The pond in the parking lot has grown and now resembles a small lake. After planning out my route, I go for it. I get to the car, open the door abruptly and catapult into it, slamming the door behind me. I use a towel to wipe the door panel and seat down to prevent the water from soaking into the interior. I turn the car over and blast the heat, hoping that any residual water will evaporate as I drive. I put the car in gear and with the first touch of the accelerator - BAM! The belt locks up against my chest as the car shuts off. My dashboard resembles a Christmas tree of lights. I put in the clutch and try to start the car again. The lights flicker. Click, click, click. I try again. Click click click. Popping the hood, I get out of the car. Now unfazed by the monsoon of rain around me, I come around to the front of the car. The bottom of the bumper is submerged and the water has completely ripped off the front lip. As I raise the hood I realize the tragedy that has unfolded. The aftermarket intake that snaked down to the brake duct to breathe in cold stagnant air, was drowned in the massive puddle, suffocating the engine. I knew the heart of the BMW had experienced blunt trauma and it would require intense surgery before she would move on her own again. The torrential rain hammering against my face masks my tears as I just stand there paralyzed staring at my lifeless car.

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Written by :
Andrew Hurczyn

Andrew is a full time engineer but can usually be found either in his garage working on his BMW 1M or building his business as an automotive entrepreneur. He is the President of FTBR Garage, LLC a business that he started so he can continue to chase his automotive dreams.


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