Frequently Asked Questions: Banshee by Louisell

Q: Will the Banshee conversion fit any Firebird?
A: No, only 4th Generation Firebirds, Formulas, and Trans Ams.

Q: What car works best for the conversion?
A: 1993 to 1997 Firebirds and Formulas.

Q: My Firebird is newer than 1997, will it work for a conversion?
A: Yes, but we will have to replace the hood, and headlight assemblies.

Q: Does the $15,000 conversion fee include the cost of the car?
A: No. The cost of the car will be added to the $15,000 conversion fee if we provide the car.

Q: If I buy a turnkey car how will I know it’s mechanically sound?
A: Before the conversion begins, our cars are thoroughly inspected by a certified mechanic and repairs are made accordingly. Each turnkey car gets a new exhaust system, new brakes, and new tires.

Q: How long will you have my car during the conversion process?
A: The conversion process takes about two months, about 320 hours.

Q: What is a turnkey car?
A: A turnkey car is a car that we purchase and convert for sale.

Q: Can the car be painted any color?
A: Any color the customer wants.

Q: What kind of paint do you use?
A: We use the du Pont Chromabase color coat/clear coat system with five coats of color, and five coats of clear. Each coat is lightly sanded to remove any dust particles. Then we sand the finish with 1500 grit sandpaper to remove any orange peal effect and buff to a shine that has a reflective depth of eleven inches. The sanding and polishing process takes about 40 hours.

Q: What does it mean “eleven inch reflective depth?”
A: When you hold a ruler straight up from the paint surface you can read the reflection to eleven inches.

Q: The floating wing is very close to the ground. How low is it?
A: It is six inches from the ground so you have to drive around road kill. Not over it.

Q: Do you sell just the component parts?
A: I will make the individual components available for $7,500 after I complete an installation video. The pieces will be paint ready.

Q: Why can’t I buy just the custom front fascia?
A: The fascia and fenders are formed as one piece so it has no attachment seams and is considered the crowning feature of the car.

Q: What is the price of the front fascia and fenders?
A: $3,000 paint ready. However, we can paint it too.

Q: What is “paint ready”?
A: The piece is finish sanded and sprayed with primer/sealer. The customer needs to sand with 600 grit sandpaper and paint.

Q: How do I pay for the conversion?
A: We require a 50% deposit to begin the process and the remainder of the balance upon delivery.

Q: Do you take paypal or credit cards?
A: I used to accept credit cards for Knight Rider parts but because of the cost, and typically face to face contact, I accept checks or cash only.

Q: How do I get my car to you?
A: About 90% of the cars I have customized have been driven to my facility by the customer. A few have been trailered. We can arrange pick up and delivery. However, we require that the remaining balance be paid before delivery.

Q: What if I pay the required 50% down payment and cannot pay the remaining fee?
A: You will not get your car until the total balance has been paid. However, you may authorize us to sell your car as a conversion and we will pay you fair market value plus your 50% down payment.

Q: Can I sell my car to you for conversion?
A: We are always looking for good quality cars.

Q: Can I be a dealer?
A: Anyone who buys a conversion can be a dealer.

Q: Do you still sell Knight Rider conversion parts?
A: No. There are several companies that do and there is no longer a need for me to be involved.

Q: What’s with you and this Banshee obsession?
A: Every once in awhile a car will knock me right out. First it was the Model T in The Absent Minded Professor because it could fly. And I’ve always had an intense interest in cars that were futuristic, and looked like they could fly. The Banshee is both.

The concept car cost Pontiac Motors 1.5 million dollars to build and few of us can afford that. Now we can drive a car that looks more like the Banshee than anything that will ever be on the road. I’m very excited about that especially since there will never be a new Firebird design again. Unless we make it ourselves.