View Full Version : Nova Sola
It was good to meet and talk to some of you at Billing, and afterwards I figured that it was about time I put up a build thread on here.
We've owned the car since January 2003 when we bought it from a pub car park. When we got it, both the rear wheel bearings were shot to pieces, which would explain why the car had been for sale for months before we came along.
We got a cheap repair done to sort out the scabby arches/door bottoms etc. and used it as a daily driver for the next 3 1/2 years.
As she was:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/NovaLodge.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/100_0334.jpg
According to the internet this is the last one left, look after it lol
In 2006 it failed the MoT on a collection of things, as other things were happening in our family at that time we decided to shut the car away in our garage until a better time, when we could come back to it.
Fast forward to 2009 and I had pretty much decided to buy something different as a summer/fun/project car. I had been on Pistonheads and was due to go and look at a Saab 900 convertible that I had been wanting. As I put the phone down to the guy my wife asked what I was to do with the (now) dusty and rusty Nova that sat in the garage, I said that I would write to a few clubs and see if someone would be interested in it as a project as it was really too good to scrap, free to a good home kind of thing.
Then the strangest thing happened. I caught the mouse on the desk top and opened a photo collection that was stored on my pc. Days out, holidays, road trips, that kind of thing. In most of these photographs there was a little grey Nova that had got us there and back, without complaint. It had ferried us around, reliably and safely and had never let us down. In a heart ruling head moment I called the guy back and said that something had come up and that I couldn't see the car. Instead, I used the money set aside to pay this little Nova back for it's toils over the years.
So it began....
In March 2009 I put it in for an MoT test to see exactly what was going on and how bad it would be. In reality it was nothing that couldn't be overcome, cv gaiters, tyres, just lots of small things.
A couple of weeks later, with a fresh MoT certificate I was running it around again. After nearly 4 years off the road it was like being reunited with an old friend. Daft I know.
I ran it for the summer of 2009, all the while marking out what needed doing on the bodywork. So that when it went into the bodyshop in the November there was a detailed list of what needed doing. To sum it up it went: "If you find rust, get rid of it with new metal."
Here is what happened. First a strip down to see what's what;
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/NovaInProgress.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/Rot.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC02554.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC02555.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC02553.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova008.jpg
Then work started...
craig green
04-07-11, 01:51 PM
Great story, I saw this at Billing over the weekend, it looks in fab condition & I had heard it is THE last one left. That in itself makes it very special. Look forward to seeing how you got it to the condition it is in now.
Welcome to the forum btw.
Thats an awesome story, i really like that, keep the pics coming as i shall be reading this eagerly:d
There was a red sola at PVS last year, unsure as to whether it is still alive now though, i shall do some hunting and see what i can find out:thumb:
*EDIT*
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/vaughanmc/PVS%2009/PVS0950.jpg
Taxed till september and showing as insured, so it is definately still alive :d
With the list of exactly what needed doing, it could start moving along; Both rear arches were shot, dent in O/S/R quarter (happened whilst being stored), both door bottoms, cruddy front crossmember, behind the rear bumper, bottoms of the front wing, the O/S/F wheelarch was hiding some nasties and of course the N/S/R inner wing/chassis leg.
So work started, everyon theought I was insane "restoring" a Nova of all things. But I knew she was worth it and could be a crackign little car...
Wazza024
04-07-11, 02:06 PM
Nice car buddy nice to see people saving novas everyone has thought i was insane having novas why dont you buy a new car etc but no thanks like the novas puts a smile on my face all the time
The red one is my mate kierons, believe he still has it and I saw another purple one only about a year ago so there's definitely a few still out there.
Saw yours at billing sola, I was on the VODC stand with my mates red VX4/90, didnt I see your project thread on VODC a while back? Haven't been on there in a while but its great to see its been saved. :)
Cutting out and making good any scabby bits:
Front offside wing:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova013.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova014.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova016.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova035.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova019.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova018.jpg
Offside front wheelarch inner:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova008.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova020.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova021.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova022.jpg
Nearside rear inner wing:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova005.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova010.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova012.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova015.jpg
Continued...
Offside rear arch:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC02557.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova003.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova009.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova025.jpg
Nearside rear arch:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC02558.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova007.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova011.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova026.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova027.jpg
Then get ready for paint.....
Masking up and priming;
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova037.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova041.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova040.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova039.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova042.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova043.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/nova044.jpg
Paint is on...
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/P1010205.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/P1010206.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/P1010207.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/Nova0901201005.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/Nova0901201001-Copy-1.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/Nova0901201002-Copy-1.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/Nova0901201003.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Overhaulin/Nova0901201004-Copy.jpg
Ahh yes i saw this too. I had a quick chat with you as you returned with arms full of rust bits for plating. very nice car! I did mention the other red one i'd seen, but spud has beaten me to it.
On a cold January morning I picked the finished car up, and was I happy??
You betcha!!
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/NovaFinished01.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/NovaFinished03.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/NovaFinished02.jpg
And start enjoying it properly for the summer:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Nova/P1010255.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC_0041.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/DSC_0059.jpg
At Total Vauxhall Live
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Total%20Vauxhall%20Live%202010/DSC_0471.jpg
Great story, I saw this at Billing over the weekend, it looks in fab condition & I had heard it is THE last one left. That in itself makes it very special. Look forward to seeing how you got it to the condition it is in now.
Welcome to the forum btw.
Thank you for that, after skimming this site for some time I figured it was time to get involved!
Thanks for the welcome, hope I don't bore ya with all the pics!
Not re-fittting the bump strips? :)
Nice car buddy nice to see people saving novas everyone has thought i was insane having novas why dont you buy a new car etc but no thanks like the novas puts a smile on my face all the time
Thanks for that, in some ways I think it's much more fun doing this than just ordering a car from a catalogue!
Not re-fittting the bump strips? :)
Can't decide what to do with the sides. The old strips had become too deformed to re-use and so far I've not managed to find replacements. Rather than the old style wide strips I have been considering some kind of panel along the lower half including the old Sola symbol.
The red one is my mate kierons, believe he still has it and I saw another purple one only about a year ago so there's definitely a few still out there.
Saw yours at billing sola, I was on the VODC stand with my mates red VX4/90, didnt I see your project thread on VODC a while back? Haven't been on there in a while but its great to see its been saved. :)
Thanks Steve and Spudly, I had heard that there was another one around but I hadn't found it. Ian said there was one at PVS the other week. Be good to see it!
Whilst enjoying this all summer, I couldn't help but grow increasingly curious about the orange rusty lines appearing along the edges of the seam sealent on each inner wing/chassis leg. I knew that there were hidden nasties under there. I was also growing tired of trying to clean 19 years of oil leaks and gunge around the engine, so a plan was formed.
In October 2010 I prepared the car for stripping the engine bay:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/024-1.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/023.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/028.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/032.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/036.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/034.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/037.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/044.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Engine%20Work/049.jpg
In November the rolling shell was collected and went off to the same bodyshop as before with the same plan, eradicate any rot:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/f8b38027.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY007.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY009.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY015.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY016.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY017.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY023.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY002.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY008.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY012.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY010.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY014.jpg
Then priming and painting;
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY025.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY026.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY027.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY028.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY030.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/NOVAENGINEBAY029.jpg
Then I had to find the time to sort the engine and box out, but that took another 4-5 months!
Are you bored of this yet??
No! Love it! keep posting! :)
After trying to grab time here and there I realised that I wasn't getting very far, and the gunk was welded to the engine. I tried all manner of cleaners, wire cup brushes all with no avail. Then I read about soda blasting, using bicarbonate of soda. Unlike grit or sand blasting it doesn't touch the metal underneath so can be done without foear of damaging rubber seals, gaskets etc.
So I went from this;
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/088.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/089.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/090.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/096.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/092.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/094.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/098.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/101.jpg
To this:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1701.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1702.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1703.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1704.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1705.jpg
Then the painting and detailing could begin...
The carb and manifold were overhauled and tickled...
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/ba0c41c2.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/116bc896.jpg
And the block got a lick of paint, whilst the cam cover was sent off along with some other odds and ends for powder coating.
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1756.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1757.jpg
The photos become fewer and further between now, mostly because I started getting frustrated with how long it was taking. I had gathered a large collection of parts over the winter and was slowly putting the model kit together. Eventually I settled on the Royal Wedding weekend to get it finished. I checked that I had all the parts I needed, borrowed the engine crane and got the engine built:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1764.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1768.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1785.jpg
Got the engine on the crane and prepared everything to get it into the car...
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1787.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1789.jpg
At this point I just needed to fit the clutch
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1790.jpg
When disaster struck.... Wrong clutch!!!!FFS
So it all went back into the garage AGAIN!!
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1791.jpg
I had no chance of getting another clutch that weekend, so had to get one ordered from a motor factors (probably a better one in the long run), and settle on another weekend to get it finished before the show it was due to be at on the 29th May.
So, the second attempt went better:
Engine and box together:
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1804.jpg
And in!
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1805.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1808.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/100_1811.jpg
That felt SO good I can tell you!
Only problem was I needed to get an MoT on it before the show, and I had less than a week. So I started pulling some VERY late nights, every night. MOT was booked for the Friday, show was on the Sunday, so I had one crack at the MOT.
On the Wednesday I got it sort of running, so at least I knew that it had gone back together properly and mistakes hadn't been made during the engine rebuild. On the Thursday I got to work tuning it up, mostly stopping the flames from shooting out of the carb!
Once she was running nicely I gave her the once over for the MOT. I found a couple of bulbs that were out, so replaced them, but then I found that the wipers had given up and weren't working at all. I remembered the motor dropping off of the bench at one point, and a quick current check showed that there was indeed current going into the motor but no life. Then I found that the body was live. Turned out that wher I had had the mounting plate powder coated, it now couldn't earth. But as it was 1am I decided that this would have to be sorted at the testing station.
On the way in the next day I was praying it didn't rain despite the stormy grey sky overhead. It got there okay and after a bit of fiddling had an MOT certificate. Elated doesn't cover it! It could go to the ball!
Since then, I have been using it for work when I can, I car share, so my colleagues have to travel in this when it's my turn to drive, even though they would probably prefer my more modern car with its leather seats and climate control.
The plan now is to enjoy it for the summer again, whilst collecting parts for the next mini project. Brakes, suspension and chroming.
The idea is to keep it OEM+, keeping the small block 1200, standard brakes, so I am on the hunt for a pair of calipers that can be powder coated along with some new rear drums the same colour as the body. I managed to pick up a bonnet latch, alternator brackets and a couple of other bits at Billing that shall be chromed. Still need door strikers and locks....
I have promised both my better half and myself that I shall not take it off of the road again like that as I ended up missing the car and getting frustrated with it, so I shall instead collect the parts I want, get them sorted and then just do a swapping session.
Future plans include a retrim with some slightly more comfy seats but not too much else. Although seeing some of your cars with mirrors under them did get me thinking, do the underneath?????
Thanks for reading.
Jeff16v
04-07-11, 11:04 PM
You went past me on the way back to London, Red and black with cage. I was gobsmacked when i saw how clean it was, it looked liked it had just rolled off the line. I nearly got a red Sola brand new one back in 1991 from Brian Beekes Vauxhall.
they were London Dealers only.
Fab looking. glad you put a wip up. Excellet work
You went past me on the way back to London, Red and black with cage. I was gobsmacked when i saw how clean it was, it looked liked it had just rolled off the line.
Thanks for that, I was wondering whether you were on here.Fantastically clean car you have there. Thought after a while you may have thought I was stalking you! Then I had an Insignia driver getting humpy so I decided to get home a bit quicker! Then I thought "hope he doesn't think I'm showing off!!" With a 1200 under the bonnet it's not made for showing off on the motorway!
joe.riley
04-07-11, 11:27 PM
wow that clean. you past me on the way back from billing i was in the beige saloon. where abouts in essex are you mate?
Fantastic work and a very involving write up, you've done a sterling job, and I look forward to seeing future updates:thumb:
Very nice write up, pleasure reading it
Always nice to see something different, cracking job of the restoration and future plans sound good
Matty Winslade
05-07-11, 12:15 AM
top top thread mate :) looks spot on and engine looks great mate :)
cormac81
05-07-11, 08:06 AM
Loving the tidy up the engine bay, great job.
tommy8252
05-07-11, 08:24 AM
This is brilliant, really nice job and sounds like its a hugely loved car.
A really great rebuilt :thumb:
It was a pleasure to see the car at Billing and speak to you for a while :thumb:
Cheers
Steve
Wow! Thanks for the comments everyone. Although it was all done just to keep the car going, it's really good to hear such positive feedback about it.
As a relative newbie here I thank you for your warm welcomes.
I feel that the more I read on here, the more plans I shall get for the car!
I had a thought about our discussion and I would definitively put the side mouldings back on.
If you're interested, I'll check if I can get some
wow that clean. you past me on the way back from billing i was in the beige saloon. where abouts in essex are you mate?
Ah yes I remember, cos for a while I slowed up to get a look. Very nice indeed, do love 2 door saloons.
I'm near to Chelmsford.
In the meantime I intend to just enjoy it as much as possible and combine it with my other hobby, being photography.
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Chelsea%20Cruise%20and%20Banksy%20Tunnel/DSC_1018.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/Chelsea%20Cruise%20and%20Banksy%20Tunnel/DSC_1006.jpg
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz107/dazstap/2edf6c26.jpg
wow - very cool read. The bodyshop have an excellent job of the welding repairs. It was nice talking to you too about the bonnet bra too at Billing
joe.riley
05-07-11, 08:29 PM
nice pictures mate, your not to far from me. how bout a photo shoot lol.
nice pictures mate, your not to far from me. how bout a photo shoot lol.
Sounds good! The question is where? Urban or countrified or industrial? There are a couple of meets that could be good too. The RetroRides meet at the 8Ball Diner on the A12 is good, and there's the Vauxhall night at the Ace Cafe next month.
joe.riley
05-07-11, 08:58 PM
urban sounds good. when is the vauxhall meet at ace cafe. i do like that place i go the a few times a year.
Great writeup mate well done car looks minty mint.
chrissyboi101
06-07-12, 01:37 PM
thats mine its currently in about 1 million pieces
Thats an awesome story, i really like that, keep the pics coming as i shall be reading this eagerly:d
There was a red sola at PVS last year, unsure as to whether it is still alive now though, i shall do some hunting and see what i can find out:thumb:
*EDIT*
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/vaughanmc/PVS%2009/PVS0950.jpg
Taxed till september and showing as insured, so it is definately still alive :d
Sorry to bump this pal but thought i'd update it from the classic car meet last night.
Very nice to meet you, and heres a cr4ppy iphone picture. Car is a fantastic example :thumb:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/532183_10151004075874926_2019248022_n.jpg
Pm me a list of bits you want once you compiled a list and i'll see what i can do :)
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