Olsen Spec Projects
- Thread starter olsenmotorsports
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Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Talk to us about how you're using AI. I was talking to my wife's cousin and he said he did 3 months worth of work in one day as part of his Phd project.
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Insane isn’t it? I can’t give it all away, some people have to figure it out just like we did lol. But basically the same thing. Months of work if not a full year in less than a week once we actually figured out how to use it. There were many times I gave up and got fruit started before we figured out how to prompt it.
I wrote guided interactive fault finding syllabus for the techs on the four basic components of the car using only Porsche FSM’s. It is complete for the entire vehicle. So instead of me standing there or my smartest A tech overseeing and giving directions based off experience and our knowledge of the manual, They are just having that conversation with AI.
ON the sales side I recorded and transcribed all our calls sales related using AI for six months. Then I wrote interactive training manuals and CE training for my office staff. Had a new sales guy start a few weeks and and him and I hardly spoke, we spent a few hours together and then he sat down and started conversing with AI - and the machine trained him the way he wanted to be trained and communicated with, Unreal.
That’s just two ways, but the financial side of things, the leadership and coaching sides etc it is like having a panel of C suites at my staff of ten’s fingertips that we normally couldn’t afford or have access to.
Ai can be garbage in and garbage out. But if you feed it carbon it will spit out diamonds.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Any recommendations for courses? I see the value in it, and I have a couple of ideas on how I could implement it. I just know nothing about the methods of actually using it.
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OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
MIT Artificial Intelligence Implications for Business Strategy
This program provides an introduction to Artificial Intelligence and their implications for business strategy. Earn an official digital certificate.
www.getsmarter.com
This is the one I took that gave me the most bang for the buck!
I was in the same boat as you. Well worth it buddy!
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Delivery day today for the new garage. 
Never been so happy in my life to see trucks pull up. How people go with out ac here is beyond me. Maybe because I’m Norwegian and born in an igloo?
Two 2.5 ton units. Undersized a tad and two so that it will run longer and pull all the humidity out.
Also got all the painting done! I grabbed a sprayer from the Sherwin-Williams Willam’s store based on their recommendation. Man what a game changer instead of hand rolling everything!
All set and ready for flooring, which is of course delayed.
First truck of equipment out of Chicago already left to come here so it looks like I will be shuffling things around while flooring goes down.
Never been so happy in my life to see trucks pull up. How people go with out ac here is beyond me. Maybe because I’m Norwegian and born in an igloo?
Two 2.5 ton units. Undersized a tad and two so that it will run longer and pull all the humidity out.
Also got all the painting done! I grabbed a sprayer from the Sherwin-Williams Willam’s store based on their recommendation. Man what a game changer instead of hand rolling everything!
All set and ready for flooring, which is of course delayed.
First truck of equipment out of Chicago already left to come here so it looks like I will be shuffling things around while flooring goes down.
Nolift911
Well-known member
Dig the vibe - hopefully some Prince is on while projects commence...I would have sprayed that panel - but that's just me. 
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Dig the vibe - hopefully some Prince is on while projects commence...I would have sprayed that panel - but that's just me.
Ha! Wife is doing all the colors - going after that palm beach vibe….. Wait till she gets her artwork all up and the plants in you haven’t seen anything yet!
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
First transporter is on its way! Should be here tonight sometime - This truck has all my personal engine building equipment, the parts for wife’s Porsche’s I am building for her, as well as one of my Snap On Mr Big’s with the tools I will need.
One of my mates was like dude you are sending your toolbox on a flat bed down I-65 lol. Yes but I have used this trucker Ian before, he is super careful and does tarp everything.
One thing I did do was I seperated the box so it was easier to fork onto the truck. Not sure if anyone here has done this but it is a PITA finding all the bolts!
Here is the short side all unbolted.
To transport, I used edge protectors for the areas where the forks go and shrinkwrap to protect everything.
I have shipped this tool box across country at least twice over the years and never so much as a scratch!
Scuderia-F1
Well-known member
Awesome EVERYTHING Tim!
///Anders
///Anders
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Speaking of Interiors I will try and focus on that. Upholstery has been a problem for us the last few years, both in quality and timeline. The guys that can actually trim at an elite level are winding down the business’s, and that just doesn’t work for me. Time to bring it in house, it isn’t that hard.
Here is a pair of SC seats that we did for my Step sons car (who is my DOO at Olsen)
I am not a houndstooth guy as I feel it’s super played out. But looks great on these colorways
Rear quarters trimmed and ready to fit the car
It’s a great job by the team, stuffs straight as it can get being all handmade.
My end goal is fully automate the cutting and stitching in the future. I just need the Equipment to come down in price a bit!
Here is a pair of SC seats that we did for my Step sons car (who is my DOO at Olsen)
I am not a houndstooth guy as I feel it’s super played out. But looks great on these colorways
Rear quarters trimmed and ready to fit the car
It’s a great job by the team, stuffs straight as it can get being all handmade.
My end goal is fully automate the cutting and stitching in the future. I just need the Equipment to come down in price a bit!
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
A couple more we just wrapped up as well!
This is more my personal taste using leathers as contrast instead of patterns but to each his own
Big fan of this blue over tartan - Really pops!
There is so much going on at our store that I have no idea what to showcase or post here!
This is more my personal taste using leathers as contrast instead of patterns but to each his own
Big fan of this blue over tartan - Really pops!
There is so much going on at our store that I have no idea what to showcase or post here!
Boosted1
Well-known member
Those leather seats look amazing. All are well done, but those appeal to me the most.
civhatch90
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
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All the work you guys do looks amazing! What type of fabric are you using for the patterns? Are you willing to share the provider? Thanks!
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
No secrets here! Hydes leather, Connolly, or Garret are the go to places IMHO.
Relic for the tartans, houndstooth etc
Actung Kraft for the woven stuff.
Thanks for asking!
Nolift911
Well-known member
How is your guy at headliners after a sunroof delete?
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
How is your guy at headliners after a sunroof delete?
Headliners are the easiest part of the interior! That’s a layup for the team.
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Busy days but here is a little morsel to share...
My guy at the Chicago store that does our steering wheels is such a beast! Love Vlad. Head down and just gets after it.
I've never seen the houndstooth stripe done before. Maybe a nice touch what do you guys think of his sewing??
My guy at the Chicago store that does our steering wheels is such a beast! Love Vlad. Head down and just gets after it.
I've never seen the houndstooth stripe done before. Maybe a nice touch what do you guys think of his sewing??
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Yes! All those little details add up and aren’t free!
My thoughts exactly. At first I was afraid it was too much. But it is growing on me!
Thank you very much! He’s a weapon for sure!
steves_001
Well-known member
Loving the houndstooth and that wheel! Wow. Awesome work and vision!
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
This from a guy who spent more than two decades in the automotive textiles and trim industry. I've seen more deck seams, French seams, cut & sew plants, cow hides and fabric rolls than 99.9% of people on the planet.
That wheel rivals some of the OEM prototype stuff produced here in Detroit. Vlad has some serious skills.
That wheel rivals some of the OEM prototype stuff produced here in Detroit. Vlad has some serious skills.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
All this talk about Porsche interiors reminds me of a story my grandfather told me years ago. He was at a bar in the Garmisch Partenkirchen area in Bavaria and he sparked up a conversation with a "Stammgast" (local, regular). My grandfather asked him what he did for a living and the guy said he was in the "thread business". My grandfather asked him what that entailed and who his customers were......"I manufacture thread for automotive interiors; I sell to Volkswagen, Toyota,......". They hit it off as he was in parts ditributuon. My grandfather said the guy looked like a typical German farmer, but was likely one of the wealthiest people he's ever met! He also said the guy knocked out on average 4 liters of beer a day and had a monthly tab!
Busy days but here is a little morsel to share...
My guy at the Chicago store that does our steering wheels is such a beast! Love Vlad. Head down and just gets after it.
I've never seen the houndstooth stripe done before. Maybe a nice touch what do you guys think of his sewing??
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Well been a little busy!
Main shop is starting to come together! Epoxy is done and cured and all the painting is done as well. I let the wife pick the colors, and I was struggling with seeing her vision, but all together the theme looks really nice! I went with a high rise scissor lift, a decision I now regret, so probably going to sell that and get a 2 post.
The purple stripe ties the walls and the ceiling together nicely. Flags are up etc. Just starting to get into hanging stuff on the walls. The Levracks are still a couple months out so for now this is what it is.
I decided to split up some of the tool boxes and make a tear down station here in the main shop. I ordered another Epiq workstation this week for the right side of the engine stand to give it better symmetry and work flow.
Kind of went overboard on this one…. My OG engine fixture I made my first year in business. Lots and lots of engines been built on this baby…. It was beat to hell - so I re did everything! Looks like a museum piece now and I don't want to touch it
The front office is still a disaster but the flooring is done and the parts department is coming together slowly.
Not going to accomplish a ton this summer as it is pretty hot in SWFL so we will be spending more time at the Chicago house till September.
Hope it meets the Garage Journal Standard!
Main shop is starting to come together! Epoxy is done and cured and all the painting is done as well. I let the wife pick the colors, and I was struggling with seeing her vision, but all together the theme looks really nice! I went with a high rise scissor lift, a decision I now regret, so probably going to sell that and get a 2 post.
The purple stripe ties the walls and the ceiling together nicely. Flags are up etc. Just starting to get into hanging stuff on the walls. The Levracks are still a couple months out so for now this is what it is.
I decided to split up some of the tool boxes and make a tear down station here in the main shop. I ordered another Epiq workstation this week for the right side of the engine stand to give it better symmetry and work flow.
Kind of went overboard on this one…. My OG engine fixture I made my first year in business. Lots and lots of engines been built on this baby…. It was beat to hell - so I re did everything! Looks like a museum piece now and I don't want to touch it
The front office is still a disaster but the flooring is done and the parts department is coming together slowly.
Not going to accomplish a ton this summer as it is pretty hot in SWFL so we will be spending more time at the Chicago house till September.
Hope it meets the Garage Journal Standard!
danski0224
Well-known member
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Lol now that I’m reading that again it sounds super pretentious omg lol.“I ordered another Epiq workstation this week for the right side of the engine stand to give it better symmetry”
You next level fn baller you!
Didn’t mean it that way!
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Some color updates on the Porsche’s.
For the wife’s wide body cab - she decided on Mint Green, with a tan top, and a three tone all leather interior. I haven’t decided on seats yet, might just do standard sport seats out of the turbo.
For the exterior trim and wheel centers she went gold. To tone that down I had it sprayed with my favorite clear coat. Casper Clear by Prismatic Powders. It is an awesome finish, has a milky frosted look to it which plays really well when you are dealing with flashy colors. (At least that is my opinion!)
For my car I am going Linden green - not super happy with it as I want more of an acid green look so I am probably going to tweak this color heavily to get the vision dialed. With the color being so bright, and the exterior trim being chrome, the interior I wanted a lot of contrast - The forest green tartan I am hoping will provide that and tie it all together.
I wish we were ready for paint - wife’s car is close. My car? Totally lost interest in it after it came back from dipping
For the wife’s wide body cab - she decided on Mint Green, with a tan top, and a three tone all leather interior. I haven’t decided on seats yet, might just do standard sport seats out of the turbo.
For the exterior trim and wheel centers she went gold. To tone that down I had it sprayed with my favorite clear coat. Casper Clear by Prismatic Powders. It is an awesome finish, has a milky frosted look to it which plays really well when you are dealing with flashy colors. (At least that is my opinion!)
For my car I am going Linden green - not super happy with it as I want more of an acid green look so I am probably going to tweak this color heavily to get the vision dialed. With the color being so bright, and the exterior trim being chrome, the interior I wanted a lot of contrast - The forest green tartan I am hoping will provide that and tie it all together.
I wish we were ready for paint - wife’s car is close. My car? Totally lost interest in it after it came back from dipping
Boosted1
Well-known member
New shop is looking good! I have never used a scissor lift, but I sure loved my 2 post lift.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Tim, sorry for asking this, but can you remind me, the new shop (which is looking great by the way) is just your home shop at your southern home correct? Your business will remain in Chicago and you're not moving the entire operation? Or are you?
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Hey Mike! Yes that is just a personal garage down south. I wish it was at my home, it is actually about .2 of a mile away from our gate.
I really wanted to be like you with the backyard garage was always my dream. But that would have involved moving farther inland, a trade off my wife was not comfortable with.
Shes right at the end of the day, we are not country type of people and wouldnt be happy in that atmosphere. I like to walk to the bodega and get what I need not drive fifteen minutes!
Really what it boils down to is same problem i always have in life my wants are bigger than my pocketbook can afford!
Really envious of your setup, so happy for you though you deserve every bit of it!
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Cannot go wrong with a 2 post! All I have ever used till now!
Well my thoughts process was since I'm old (47) that my days of climbing over the lift arms to do interior work were over. I love that there are no poles or arms in the way, but most of my work is on vintage Porsche’s which are short wheel base and are dry sump.. This particular lift is about 2” too long to allow the lift to park because the tires interfere. So to get it off the lift you have to jack it up. Not very well thought out on my part.That matt clear is is perfect Tim, I like how it gives the base color some depth still.
Why don’t you like that lift, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Then there is the fact that Porsches are dry sump, with oil tank and filters in FRONT of the rear wheel…. For that I won dumba$$ of the year for buying a platform style rack
So now oil changes go from a dump and pour into an oil drain to a major undertaking with jacks and drain pans and all kinds of BS lol. Might as well be on my back in the driveway lol.
What an idiot lol
danski0224
Well-known member
Someone is gonna get a great deal on a gently used lift 
OP
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Someone is gonna get a great deal on a gently used lift
I know bro
I should have taken the time to plan that out properly, live and learn.customh
Well-known member
Being in Florida I'd be at least talking to the team at Obsessed Garage but maybe your personalities/ideas would clash too much but . Matt's been a fan of that style lift and his taste in cars is quite similar to yours. His installs usually involve concrete work and setting them flush with the floor. I'd think their design team would be able to put together a good solution for your space though.I know bro
danski0224
Well-known member
What will you do about the extra holes in the floor?I know bro
Break it out and re-pour?
