My Nova, 1989 1.0 'Jet Black'

[Elstro1988]

Hi, I'm new to PNG (though I apparently created an account here 3 years ago!)

Just thought I'd introduce myself and my Nova. It's only very slightly customised and it still has its stock engine and suspension. '89 poverty-spec example, black, F-plate and the powerful OHV-engine ;)

I know it's not going to win any prizes for looks, or mods or owt, but I'm proud of it, it's my second Nova in 4 years - first car was a red 1200 merit.

There's plenty of pics of it out there (need to post 15 times first lol), Google F98 WVV to see it!

[JensonLEI]

Hi, I'm new to PNG (though I apparently created an account here 3 years ago!)

Just thought I'd introduce myself and my Nova. It's only very slightly customised and it still has its stock engine and suspension. '89 poverty-spec example, black, F-plate and the powerful OHV-engine ;)

I know it's not going to win any prizes for looks, or mods or owt, but I'm proud of it, it's my second Nova in 4 years - first car was a red 1200 merit.

There's plenty of pics of it out there (need to post 15 times first lol), Google F98 WVV to see it!


First thing I saw when I googled reg was a butternut squash tart lmao

[Elstro1988]

Ah...**** *blush* google the plate without the space.. or failing that go to my Flickr, username is elstro_88, there's about 60+photos of it there, along with shots of my old '92 1.2 merit, which will be posted here once I get past the 15 mark.

[svlet]

gooogled it looked clean from the little photos thier was

[vaughanmc]

I'm looking forward to seeing some pics posted up :)

[Novasport]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTrgYyfn_TQr8ZQYNa9l9goishNvDBGA Z0xoeSj4quxAA6iBJ0&t=1&usg=__UVeyQoCQRacJqktWckzP3PiqK4k=

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4943323468_155cf9f639_m.jpg

Nice, I like black Novas.

Wasn't 'Jet Black' an Austin Mini special edition from the same era? I think the decals were the same aswell!

[dannymcc]

Looks great, I haven't seen a lot of black nova's about.
Edit: Decals look the same
http://www.malaysiaminilover.com/photo/mini-mk5-mkv-mark5/mini-jet-black.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

looks very shiny for its age, and black Novas are rare and very nice too :) look forward to more pics

[Elstro1988]

Yeah, they are Mini stickers, and the coachlines too! I thought it was a different way of customising it lol

Got some better shots, taken just yesterday after I had it valeted:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5065108896_c84becf336.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5065105192_305631d205_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5064490049_6e2efdf613_z.jpg

[Elstro1988]

Double Post, couple more shots:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5065101964_8d97a636ae_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4761207779_cfe512db84_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5065101098_eaec245fca_z.jpg

I don't know how much more life is left in the front valance though..

[paul james]

Perhaps you should get a SR/GTE front bumper on it. That way you can get rid of the rust on the bottom of the wings and front panel, without having to worry about getting an exact paint match since it will be hidden.

Oh and black novas are awesome ;-)

[pikey1986]

love it :thumb:

[Elstro1988]

I've been having bare trouble with it at the moment; poor thing was choking to death thanks to previous owners neglect: just paid out £120 to have major service: new plugs, points, dizzy cap, rotor arm, leads, oil filter (Unipart decided to give me the wrong air filter).

However I'm still struggling to get it to start first time from cold. Help?

Also, couple more pictures to whore out ;)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5064493135_6606bef5b8_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5065108048_5ea396fe8c_z.jpg

How it looked when my other half owned it and when I first got it:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4362949419_d74b08f3a9_z.jpg

[Jackroadkill]

That's lovely, mate.

[Jack]

Didn't realise but this car is on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vauxhall_Nova_Rear_View.JPG) as well lol

[markc20xe]

wow that is clean love it :thumb:

[Ben]

Didn't realise but this car is on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vauxhall_Nova_Rear_View.JPG) as well lol

Great Wiki photo of a nova with Gaffa tape holding the arch together for the MOT lol

[Elstro1988]

Didn't realise but this car is on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vauxhall_Nova_Rear_View.JPG) as well lol

The red Nova here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1992_Vauxhall_Nova_5-door.jpg) is my old Mk2 :p

[Elstro1988]

For the Eastern PNGers who saw JB last week, I apologise - I felt so embarrassed at how much of a dirty, unloved jalopy he looked compared to the immaculate cars everyone else turned up in!

Anyway, as today marked one year exactly since my other half bought him I gave him a much needed brush-up, ie what I should have done Sunday morning if I'd been more organised:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5415565895_1e643612ab_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5416184618_57afe9e92a_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5416174364_3711bd43fc_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5415557515_e73a4f7641_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5415542707_d04e25de09_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5415547255_f1b10b924e_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/5416166624_9b431f1660_z.jpg

[ECO16V]

Nice mate.

[G-nova]

Paint looks like new mate not really into black nova's but this 1 looks really good as it has a real deep gloss if you know what I mean.

do you have any restoration plans or is it just a run around?

[Elstro1988]

Right now he's just a runaround - he's my daily driver and only car...my current home situtation isn't viable to do any proper work on him.

I also only work part-time - once I get some proper money behind me, and maybe a bit more know-how, I plan to restore him...the shell itself is solid but the arches and valance are scabby as fook.

[Bubba]

its a shame that rear arch is taped...at least its colour coded ;)

[White Nova Man]

never really see a black nova about .

[NOVA_LEE]

nice mate should get that rust sorted out tho.

[Elstro1988]

Just a slight update on the beast. At the moment still on it's original suspension and engine...but have finally seen to that rust (on the cheap):

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10570506_10154480054210162_7747749175494985111_n.j pg?oh=18dab6fc9b0bcfb07839ba0e4911d514&oe=54B2462D

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10646779_10154534804850162_6144894878110413581_n.j pg?oh=dd8b5ab02c9ced74ee97ee4d183ad03a&oe=54AFEAC3

Same story on the other side - both wheelarches were horrendous, as was the bottom of the NS front wing. Not the smoothest of sanding but I was just desperate to rid it of gaffa tape. Also been sad and coloured the bumper inserts red from silver:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10629715_10154534804765162_8362435590859386985_n.j pg?oh=b2c64204ed1bbc64152ac3673936ab6b&oe=54AEC740&__gda__=1421451797_f81e4ef0af9c287be0ace7695d069f1 4

As said in other threads, I've been using it in Hillclimbs and sprints this year. Here it is in June (pre-surgery) at Curborough:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10559885_10154344311930162_2413055251764953890_n.j pg?oh=70f5fc5f80d774ff4cb7b50f0e0f31e6&oe=54BA7E3B&__gda__=1421981142_b163d6a59a95a797938a2d258b0ec13 6

First event at Snetterton; parked up in the paddock. Barely made it through scrutineering:
https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10152677_10154100751895162_8676058216024303214_n.j pg?oh=b5bf5828e9f0159fe9ceff4d17a5f9ff&oe=54849288

3 weeks ago, after surgery at Thoresby Park. Great venue and sailed through scrutineering that time.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10687050_10154559761965162_7889617057105093665_n.j pg?oh=c41a4a67510348261b6c4c4a62713670&oe=5482A112&__gda__=1422915071_e5e92d4e3ac14881917a957f5321432 a

This Pug 106 has inspired me to spray the wheels white:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10599139_10154559741000162_3282842768199118463_n.j pg?oh=756fb3808d25bd62d1eb17e87c9a3c8a&oe=54C772DC&__gda__=1421586105_496355a47ac3a14ffb9ca323b7fbe23 8

And 2 weeks ago at a little hill somewhere in Worcestershire:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1604688_10154586173300162_1233394661467960909_n.jp g?oh=83c2acd78881d0e56e10c4931c1ba831&oe=54C8A6F8&__gda__=1421308097_b148a191dc964ba22f18cd467081b42 3

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10609573_10154586172900162_3328705401677063673_n.j pg?oh=2de4924db2a176b1a1ba5de2a95954c0&oe=54CCC2B7&__gda__=1421157210_c3fd4e013b7d45ade1b5288a52b2023 c

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10420013_10154586172510162_9172059416608630309_n.j pg?oh=4347615a0275c148deb7776b6eca40d5&oe=54BEB242&__gda__=1421214269_13ed639892853ec1df80f92b44c7acd 1

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10350507_10154586171940162_1017040892155876269_n.j pg?oh=5d41f686dc025ec89393fb80a60af9b0&oe=54C62676&__gda__=1421137248_6ef131a6795c1c4afec9adeab68f8c7 2

For next season I plan on fitting better suspension. Been told OEM GTE are much better value than sports kits/coilovers, as well as considering polybushes. Are strut braces worth it or mainly for show? Engine wise, going to keep the 1.0 OHV in for cheaper running but will fit a better filter and exhaust. Not mechanically gifted at all so won't go mental. Are sports ignition HT leads worth it or another con like Iridium plugs? I've been running it on VPower Nitro recently as the original 80s Vauxhall manual actually recommends higher octane fuel for the 10S engine. Not sure of any power difference but around-town-nippiness seems to have gained as has economy slightly..

[Iain]

Fair play I know it's not about looking shiney, but how you can leave that 'rust repair' like that is beyond me. Gaffa tape looks better.

[Andy]

agreed,it looks like you've used a slingshot to apply it.

[turbojolt]

10 mins worth of sanding to much effort lol

[totalnova]

Holy bodge job batman

[Elstro1988]

I never said it was a concours winner.....just a bodge job to get rid of the tape. I've never done body repairs and I don't have the tools or facilities (or the time and budget if I'm honest) so I'm sorry it's not up to all your standards. And I don't have a second car to fall back on. It's a workaday runaround as well as being my competition car (because why else would anyone hill climb a poverty-spec 1.0???)

But if it's not good enough then I'll get an electric sander on it.

[EwanG]

Good on you for keeping the car in daily use AND using it for hill climb :thumb:. Maybe someone on here could lend a hand to weld in new rear arches?

[marc69]

Love the fact your having racing fun in the 1.0 ohv, i have always said it is livelier tha the 1.2i and being so light, it is fun.

Havoe you changed anything mechanocal on it?

save some pennies for the arches etc, it will make your Nova last longer. I still love my 1.0, fab engine!

[totalnova]

Good on you for having a go mate you'll only learn from it. Like has been said above save your penny's and get some new arches welded in when you can afford to.

[Elstro1988]

Some updates on the old junkyard dog......now has a Koni SRT kit fitted with OMP strut brace and polybushes. Handles a lot better but still rolls on very hard cornering! ARBs weren't fitted as standard so AFAIK for Roadgoing (I keep my road tyres because it's a daily - Kumho Solus KH17s. Not bad for the money I suppose) I can't ahve them.

Main update has been a stainless steel exhaust, frontpipe, centre box and section witha Cherry Bomb back box. Sounds very different (and louder than I expected too) but sweet. Also found overtaking on motorways seems easier with those meagre extra horses gained!

Won first in class (admittedly was only one IN class A1) at Snetterton on the 16th :)

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11350552_10155560659925162_8676115308154325235_n.j pg?oh=4939be9a27d95fc6bab04c377f88ea20&oe=55FF5BC2

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11009945_10155560659745162_2884788768001801150_n.j pg?oh=58b52baf46972b945a34ce8fb32fd3db&oe=55EC74BF

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11200580_10155560659700162_3989331001797817375_n.j pg?oh=455b6ace27a6990b00bb3f483a66e39a&oe=55FEA8C3

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11265482_10155533295670162_5835368741907469054_n.j pg?oh=105f36bd32e42e8d5e102a73ea915a8f&oe=5607DC1D

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11220885_10155533291910162_3243823101487814476_n.j pg?oh=9955248f10669c220852aafc9977e668&oe=55F9C88F

[Andy]

Love the cherry bomb.good to see another nova used properly on a track