Gsi replica from arden blue classic project

[w88rdy]

Well i thought i would start a project thread on the arden blue nova we have bought from ebay.

Im sure some of you will recognise the car before.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/3501big.jpghttp://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/3501big6.jpg


We had the car recovered back to my house and started to strip it down,unfortunately the damage to the front and rear of the car didnt warrant us trying to fix it, but the car has plenty of salvageable parts for a new project.

:(
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/30102009022.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/30102009173.jpghttp://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/30102009022.jpg

Damage pics

Boot floor
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/31102009178.jpg

Rear quarter
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/31102009181.jpg

Rear panel
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/31102009180.jpg

Front end shot
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/01112009183.jpg

Pictures of the strip down :d

Interior out
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/31102009177-1.jpg

Engine ready to come out

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/31102009176.jpg

[w88rdy]

A Few more pics

All hands on deck
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/06112009184.jpg

Engine out (possibly for sale)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/06112009185.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/06112009186.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/06112009187.jpg

[w88rdy]

Thats us upto date for now, we are collecting the new project car tomorrow fingers crossed then we will be starting to fit all the bits we have removed from this car to the new one.

Any help/advice/recommendations are welcome guys :thumb:

[NOV4_SPORT]

Nasty bit of damage to it mate, glad there is a fair amount of usable parts frm it thou. keep up the good work.

iain

[Nova_Tek]

Looks like a productive start, shame about the car. It looked ok till I saw the boot floor :( but there looks to be many usable parts from it which is always a big plus.

[w88rdy]

Yeah it was worth what i gave for it for all the bits and the speedlines etc.

Just hope i can get the new one to a similar standard, if the boot floor and rear chassis leg hadnt been majorly damaged i would of repaired it but it was far too much for me to take on lol

[Shaun]

looked like a nice tidy motor before the damage, shame it wasnt repairable

atleast you got a good buy :)

[SRimon]

Why not re build it exact?!

[Adam]

Shame to see that car end up in that state, i remember it selling for like 3k????

[Pistol Pete]

This car so obviously fell into the wrong hands! Good to see you salvaging what you can.

[w88rdy]

The car ive bought is glacier white so i think im going to keep the colour for now, im building it for a friend of mine who when he gets the funds will pay me back we have grown up together and novas were are first cars back in 1999 lol.

Cant wait to get them both out in the summer

[AlexW]

Why not re build it exact?!

+1. Will be a shame if its not :(

[Balley]

Wasn't that once a red TD

[AlexW]

Yes^

[MattBrown]

Shame you scrapped the shell, looked ok, could have repaired it lollollollol

why not build it back up in arden blue?

[w88rdy]

We went to collect the new car which yet again wasnt as the seller described good old ****bay!

The car had passed a mot yesterday with no passenger wing mirror glass, the exhaust blowing like mad, vin tag missing from under bonnet also ? used to be red and has been sprayed badly in white ! had a badly fitted new rear panel and arches to match with plenty filler all over !

Some people wouldnt know tidy if it hit them in the face lol

Told him to keep it

[Connor]

Bent MOT's FTL

[w88rdy]

quick update ,cassidy ( who now owns the remains of the original) has now bought a 49,000 mile two owner red shell in mint condition for a very good price and the car is at the bodyshop being painted as we speak.

They have promised the car will be painted in the next three weeks in the same arden blue so we can get the car ready for billing etc.

picture as we left it at bodyshop

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/26012010270.jpg

[Andy]

Wow that used to be such a mint car,i remember it going round here when Iain 1st had it on the road.Such a waste.

[w88rdy]

we will get this one built to nearly the same spec mate tbh, and it will have a careful owner this time.

At least the bits didnt go to waste ;)

[Connor]

Glad to see that this project is being pursued
Will be keeping an eye on the progress :thumb:

[Andy]

we will get this one built to nearly the same spec mate tbh, and it will have a careful owner this time.

At least the bits didnt go to waste ;)
Yeah i was just thinking that,after Iain sold it,it got passed round like the clap,then written off.
Good luck with the work in progress and keep us updated
:thumb:

[dj_wudgey]

very big shame to see it in that condition!!

[peter gsi]

shame i like that car look great

[auzzy-b]

^agreed but this project looks promising! will look forward to seeing it built:)

[w88rdy]

Right guys big update the cars been seam welded and fully painted inside and out now with rolled arches, and a few subtle bits done check out these pics
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/078.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/084.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/087.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/082.jpg

[w88rdy]

Heres some of it getting through paint

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/098.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/099.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/100.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/102.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/104.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/107.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/110.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/111.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/112.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/113.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/115.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/117.jpg

[muzzy]

That was a nasty rear shunt that old shell had, shame as it looked like a very solid car. At least there's bits and pieces you can use on the new shell.

[w88rdy]

Heres a few pics of engine ready to go in

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/106.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/105.jpg

[Cle]

Shell looks mint :) engine also looks very clean :thumb:

[MattBrown]

Looks really well.

How the funk did you clean the gearbox so well? lol

[w88rdy]

Car will be home next weekend when me and cassidy will be getting it built ready for its mot etc. should be complete before we know it and now cassidy has joined as a member hopefully he will continue the thread !! see cassidy16v lol

[w88rdy]

Looks really well.

How the funk did you clean the gearbox so well? lol

Lots of gunk etc and a steam clean then painted silver lol

[Cassidy16v]

The car will be home next week and me and wardy will be getting her ready soon !!

[Tommy_nova]

looking spot on dude cant wait to see this back on the road..

how much did the respray cost roughly ?

[blue_peg_16v]

very nice mate always liked the origional

[w88rdy]

Looks good im sure it was around £1200 mark

[Joe Richardson]

looking well mate,ill have to come down and have a look :thumb:

[w88rdy]

Yes joe it will be all hands on deck if we are going to get it anywhere near ready for any of the shows

[Andy]

Brilliant work,nice one lads

[dj_wudgey]

looks well good matey!! loving the splity in the pics aswell!!

[Cassidy16v]

Thanks matey, splity???

[Damo]

Looking good wardy mate should be a good'un.

Welcome to PNG cassidy16v :thumb:

Good project you have here.:thumb:

Damo.

[dj_wudgey]

Thanks matey, splity???

the vw van in the back ground lol

[Cassidy16v]

cheers for all the positive feedback guys, will keep u all posted!:thumb:

[w88rdy]

Well despite the weather we made a start on the car yesterday and got the glass back in and window surrounds and just had a sort out of wiring bits,electric window regulators in etc.

Will be cracking on through the week but heres a couple of pics from my phone

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/0013.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/0022.jpg

[Balley]

Such ashame about the orignial blue one Looked a nice car!

Keep up the good work mate :)

[Nick J]

Looks like a nice paint job for the money fella. Engine/box look well too so it should be very tidy when complete. Hope to see it at a show or two this year?

Nick.

[auzzy-b]

Good to see you've started the rebuild buddy I'll be keeping my eye on it:)

[7ova]

looks great so far,
lol at the cue case as a bonnet stay lol is that a mod??????

[w88rdy]

yeah god knows where it is at the minute theres parts everywhere we have 3 novas at the house lol

[w88rdy]

Looks like a nice paint job for the money fella. Engine/box look well too so it should be very tidy when complete. Hope to see it at a show or two this year?

Nick.

Yes nick its not bad at all, theres a few bits but considering the price etc its good enough and the more we put back on the car the less you notice tbh

[vaughanmc]

Good progress - Nice looking shell your building it into :)

[w88rdy]

Well yesterday despite the weather we had a bit of time to spare so up went the gazebo and we cracked on getting the engine in the bay, and plumbed up etc,just need to pick our injection tank up on saturday and she will be running, then its back to trimming up etc

We are still waiting on parts from the bodyshop that are colour coded like bumpers,door handles etc and this is why there looks alot missing but in reality it aint far off.

Heres some pics from yesterday to keep you going :thumb:

All setup and lifted in !

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/01062010406.jpg

Getting in place with the bubble wrap present (dont think cassidy would be happy if i scratched it lol)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/01062010407.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/01062010408.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/01062010409.jpg

With some of the pipes etc hooked up

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/02062010410.jpg

Ready for manifold studs then exhaust and powercap (waiting for bodyshop :roll: )

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/02062010412.jpg

Hope you like guys and we look forward to your comments :thumb:

[Damo]

Looks well nice that wardy liking the bubble wrap to protect the paint lol.

[w88rdy]

every little helps damen, its going back to bodyshop for a few bits but i didnt want to add to the list lol

[Damo]

every little helps damen, its going back to bodyshop for a few bits but i didnt want to add to the list lol

Lol still looks nice tho mate bloody lovley colour too really suits novas imo.

[w88rdy]

I agree mate,looking forward to getting the parts back so we can see it put together

[Damo]

I agree mate,looking forward to getting the parts back so we can see it put together

Yea should look good mate keep us updated.

[ward]

really like the colour fella.

good luck on the build,goin to keep an eye on this

[w88rdy]

Quick update, ive been cracking on with the car using the bits ive got here but have been struggling to get some bits finished because either the bodyshop still hadnt finished the other parts like wheels , handles ,rocker cover etc etc or we just cannot find everything in this massive pile of parts we have here lol

Ive managed to get engine all in and fully wired up now and gsi tank and fuel lines on and she runs! the interior is in but we are missing a few bits like door cards and lower shelf bits but we can source all these once the car is moted.

I have fitted new 2.0 brakes and refurbed them and give them a coat of silver (his choice) to freshen up the look along with painted gsi tiebars etc and polybushed bottom arms.

The car needs a custom backbox to match the stainless mid pipe we have used also and then can be sent for mot etc

The bumpers have come back also and may be fitted if we get time over the weekend but all in all its coming along nicely i think, but we are putting the hrs in lol

Heres some pics for ya!

Interior in just got door cards etc to find and steering wheel to go in the bin lol
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/17062010449.jpg

Side shots with refurbed wheels and new brakes etc
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/17062010448.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/17062010443.jpg

Engine shots nearly finished in the bay for now
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/17062010446.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/17062010445.jpg

The car once finished is going to have the vinyl replaced on the pillars and boot etc as we think the car is a bit too blue atm.

Let me know what you think people

[auzzy-b]

Looking really good pal!

[16v-kev]

stunning car mate amazing paint job i carnt wait to see it finished you have put some hard graft in on this one

[Tommy_nova]

Loving this paul good job mate cant wait to see her all finished

[w88rdy]

Well heres another update, we have been working on the for the last month when funds and time have allowed and seem to be making good progress tbh.

We now have bumpers on wheels finished,spax coilovers and brakes sorted,ive hust got to source a magnex and sort the gearlinkage out and its ready for test !!

here are some pictures from today

Engine bay tidy
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010477.jpg

wheels and brakes etc
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010480.jpg

Side shots
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010479.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010481.jpg

Interior almost finished
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010483.jpg

Another side shot
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010484.jpg

**** end awaiting vinyl
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010486.jpg

Front shot
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/14082010476.jpg

Well thats it for today so were off out on the lash !

Comments welcome guys

[Connor]

w88rdy fairplay to you mate, this looks stunning

[stupot89]

looks good wardy my old steering wheel also looks good ;)

[comptoncj]

Top work buddy! That looks awsome.

[moffat]

looks good fella

[Tommy_nova]

Awsome Paul :) really like this one, its your mates car isnt it ?

[Joe Richardson]

That looks mint paul !!!!!!!

[Graeme]

Fantastic build there Paul, hope you mate enjoys it, is it going to have b pillar vinyl and gsi door decals along with the boot vinyl?

[SRimon]

Top stuff!

[nova danny1]

hiya lads it's the first time i've seen this and it looks stunning!bet you can't wait to drive it eh cas?I saw yours at pv wardy,very nice mate.

[vaughanmc]

Very nice :)

[fastcar1cars]

bloody hell paul looking good mate, come a long way since i last saw it!!!

[w88rdy]

Awsome Paul :) really like this one, its your mates car isnt it ?

Yes Tommy its my mates car but its my baby really, i have loved building it from scratch and it is looking really good !

The cars at mine and will be sad to see it go in a weird way!

[w88rdy]

bloody hell paul looking good mate, come a long way since i last saw it!!!

Just a bit eh,hows BOMMA?

[Benn]

Dude that's really nice!

[MattBrown]

Looks crackin fella.

One came along to the nw vs ne meet.

C20xe, on boddies, such a nice colour for a car:)

[w88rdy]

yes it looks mint in arden blue

[w88rdy]

Fantastic build there Paul, hope you mate enjoys it, is it going to have b pillar vinyl and gsi door decals along with the boot vinyl?

Yes mate i think cassidy wants them on to break up the blue a bit but we need to find the right ones first so the quality is right.

[fastcar1cars]

Just a bit eh,hows BOMMA?

yeah bomma's comin along well!! should be on the road for the bank holiday!! cant wait! done a few things and jus cant stop! lol!! ill send you some pics soon!!

[bally2010]

nice nova

[Cassidy16v]

Tell me bout it Danny! Lookin forward 2 it mate

[hartley]

this is mint mate were did you get them speedline centre cap badges from

[w88rdy]

Ebay matey

[hartley]

how much did the cost mate

[w88rdy]

£20 ish iirc, looked for ages then dropped on a set

[hartley]

thanks mate

[belly257]

nice:)

[taffnova]

fair play mate looks well nice fair play

[nova danny1]

Tell me bout it Danny! Lookin forward 2 it mate

me and jay will have to come and have a look one weekend:thumb:

[w88rdy]

Get yourselfs over boys !

[Ron]

looking stunning loving the colour:)

[Cassidy16v]

275 miles later we now have r full magnex, will be getting fitted this week then a couple of little things to do then she will be already for MOT.

[mk1nova_rich]

looking good lads :thumb: Vauxhall should have made the GSi in this colour

[stupot89]

any more pics off this chaps

[dj_wudgey]

looking well good in the pics matey!! loving the bay aswell!!

[Nick J]

Looks very nice guys........ be good to have a nosey round at a few shows next year if your going etc.

Nick.

[Cassidy16v]

Yeah we"ll defo be at the shows next year Nick!

[moffat]

love it!

[w88rdy]

No more pics yet stupot but will get some this week when i get the exhaust on and finish a few other bits off

[waynes sri]

well cass and wardy got to say you have done well with this everything looks right:thumb:

[w88rdy]

Cheers lads !

[w88rdy]

We got the new shock kit fitted today,the exhaust is done and on so just the gear linkage to do now and its ready for test !

[dc1984]

Just read through this thread for the first time,
shame about the original car but the new one looks spotless, very clean and well put together car:thumb:

[Cassidy16v]

thanks for all the good feedback lads!

[w88rdy]

Not long now!

[stupot89]

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Danny s-p]

any news on this lads just read the hole lot it a very nice car and good work man ship.

[w88rdy]

Well quick update the car went for mot yesterday and passed so was taxed and insured today!

Cassidy has just picked me up and we have a had a hr driving round locally to check all is well and apart from a minor adjustment required on the exhaust its all good and ready for billing!

Cant wait to get some more pictures of it in the daylight.

[7ova]

photo's mate ????????????
need some of the silver gsi as well

[w88rdy]

I know mate should have some more this weekend to put on ;)

[bazil]

Saturday 7/5/11. 07:12 am

where's the pics mate lollol

[Big_Chap]

Good work chaps! Be good to see it at billing.

[NOV4_SPORT]

Good times, glad its almost ready for billing will be good to see it there.

iain

[w88rdy]

Lol Bazil my progress is still quicker than yours lol

Here you go these are the only ones i have so far

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/13052011162.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/13052011163.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/13052011164.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/13052011166.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/13052011167.jpg

Let me know your thoughts !

[7ova]

whats them wheels?
joke
looks great mate

[maddogdaz666]

looks sweet! Needs to be a tad lower on the front tho to level it out :thumb:

[Cassidy16v]

Already taken care of maddogz, need some new pics. It went down about 10 to 15 mil!;)

[NOV4_SPORT]

Looks beautifull mate, very nice .

iain

[Damo]

Looks well nice that now cassidy i seen this at wardys super job.

[Cassidy16v]

Cheers Damo! :thumb:

[Nick J]

Looks very nice fella, very similar looking to mark beesons iirc especially from the rear with them tail lights. hope to see it at a few shows? :)

Nick.

[Cassidy16v]

Hopefully pvs, but definitely billing Nick!

[w88rdy]

wants to be both you tight ****

[waynes sri]

we need to get all three parked up for a lil photo shoot if i do say so my self lol

[Nick J]

Hopefully pvs, but definitely billing Nick!

cool I will keep an eye out for it!

Nick.

[w88rdy]

Your not wrong wayne! Should have a meet up one weekend before mate

[Benn]

That is very nice dude, the spilter looks great.

[Cassidy16v]

Cheers Benn, appreciate it mate!;)

[ward]

very good build bud, how long did it take form start to finish??

[Cassidy16v]

Took about 15 month mate, would have bin quicker if it wouldn't had been for cash!;)

[Andy]

Very nice,are you putting the black vinyl on the bootlid?
+rep!

[Cassidy16v]

Yeah Andy, it's booked in for fitting this Tuesday morning at sign writers! Thanks for rep ;)

[Nova_Tek]

Looking real nice fella :thumb:

[Damo]

Wardy, cassidy let us know when your having a meet lads al come along for a natter.

[w88rdy]

Will do damo ;)

You going to any of the shows mate this year?

[Damo]

dunno tbh mate depends if i can get time off work lol.

[w88rdy]

Heres a few pics we got today of the car

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/015.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/009-1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/013.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/w88rdy/012.jpg

[Cle]

Love it :thumb:

[Nobby]

funking love it!

[Benn]

Both look stunning.

[w88rdy]

Cheers benn

[gary_126]

Both look lovely!!

[NOV4_SPORT]

Looking good matey, both look very nice


iain

[Nick J]

As Ive said before I do really like it..... the only thing Id change is filler flap colour to whatever has been used on the wheels etc. It just stands out a little too much at the moment. But thats only my opinion you may like it. ;)

Nick.

[Cassidy16v]

Cheers for all your input people, much appreciated :thumb: !

[auzzy-b]

Wow! Its come on a long way since I seen it:). Top stuff guys looks great!

[JaysNova]

Two stunning GSi's side by side...... Beautiful!!!!

[jafanan]

perfect, well done on getting the car finsihed

[ryansnova]

car looks minted mate :)

looking at your car makes me want to go out and get mine ready for paint but i dont have a 30mm socket to get the shafts off so i can get the engine out lol