1.0 'loon

[Trivs_Tom]

Hey, ive been on png for a while but now i actually have a nova to go with it!
I picked up a 1.0 2 door saloon poverty spec locally as my first car. Its a 1985 'b' reg, with 60k and one previous owner. I picked it up on friday from the previous owner's nephew as the old gentleman who owned it passed away late last year. It only did 40 miles since its last MOT just over a year ago, it was a bit juddery (possibly the carb?) but once it was a bit more run in, it seemed ok. She did hit 80mph!
The drivers side rear arch is a bit rotten and the battery tray is a little bit rusty, but the engine bay/inner arches/cross member are very clean as it had been wax oiled.

a little bit of rust on the bottom of the wing
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/08072011262-1.jpg


http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/08072011261.jpg

Brown interior, coin tray instead of radio and every optional extra is blanked out lol
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/08072011263.jpg

Tight, but she fits in there with stuff in and on her..
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/11072011270.jpg

I'm going to attempt to bring some shine back into the paint, but the boot lid is very sun damaged, pressed plates, a nice drop and maybe minilites? As its my daily and i'm soon to be a student, progress will be slow and minimal.
More pics to follow after she's mot'd and taxed

[ryansnova]

looks clean mate :)

get the dash on ebay lol

[Connor]

Plans sound good, novas are awesome dailys when your a student aslong as you maintain them (which i didnt lol).
flare the arches slightly then your good to go for 13x7 minilites :thumb:

[octagonalpaul]

what a great find, plans sound perfect. It really doesn't need anything else to be very cool

[Trivs_Tom]

cheers guys, hope it turns out as good as it sounds!

[Trivs_Tom]

Fitting new fuel pump today then my mate is going to weld up the nasty n/s rear arch for mot. My CBT runs out soon so i need it doing ASAP lol

[LEWI007]

Looks nice that mate, you fancy swapping me your mudflaps for a set of GM Dealersport ones ? or selling me them.

[karisma]

This is exactly the same as mine, China blue with chequered cream seats, early b reg too.

[Trivs_Tom]

Looks nice that mate, you fancy swapping me your mudflaps for a set of GM Dealersport ones ? or selling me them.

Only got 3 mudflaps mate lol, got some GM ones (might be fake but i don't mind) i'm going to use on the back and keep the vauxhall ones on the front.
Got some Vauxhall dustcaps i'm going to use too lol!


This is exactly the same as mine, China blue with chequered cream seats, early b reg too.

Only difference is that mines a 1.0 without a radio lol, swap a coin tray for radio? :P


I have been adressing the rot issues on both arches, i got a mate to weld up some bits and i'm waiting on a replacment arch kit for the drivers side as that was too far gone so once that is done, it should be MOT time..
Also fitted new spark plugs, a compressor and points so it ran a bit better for a while..so now the carb is being cleaned out and hopefully it'll run like a peach :)
It's nearly on the road!

Also, i found a piece of paper under the boot carpet with the manufacture date stamped on it, 14th November 1984, though it wasnt registered until Feb '85

[Trivs_Tom]

Grindy grindy

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/13092011328.jpg




http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/14092011337.jpg





http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/13092011329.jpg



http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/16092011342.jpg



http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/16092011344.jpg



http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/16092011343.jpg


Left with this on the drivers side..which is why i bought a new arch! lol

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/14092011340.jpg

[Trivs_Tom]

quick update: shes off to the garage tomorrow to make her run, probably something to do with the carb...definitely a fuel issue, and an MOT :) so hopefully itll be running later in the week, one more nova on the road! shopping list: lowering springs (60-100mm) and a nice set wheels, not sure what yet..

[ratboy]

nice motor, my first was a loon and i still have her, cracking motors. :)

[Trivs_Tom]

sad to see it go, but it shouldn't be for long :)
it's being taken to a vw specialist nearby, my friend recommended the garage to me so its off to there, at least they know how to tune carbs :P
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/08112011398.jpg

[scott.parker]

Is that Martin off here grinding it?

Looks like a nice loon..

[Trivs_Tom]

lol yeah that is martin, i live 5 minutes from him :)
thanks mate, its not too bad

[NathanSRi]

Alright mate, Nova looks good. Where abouts do you live in Ipswich? I live near there and i've known Martin for a while, plus i've just bought a saloon aswell :thumb:

[Trivs_Tom]

hey mate, i live in kesgrave, so it is really close to martin :P
ive seen your hatch around quite a lot, i'm not sure but i think the previous owner used to go to school with me lol
sweet, saloon's ftw!

[NathanSRi]

Yeah, the one in my avatar came from kesgrave, really miss it :( But loving the Saloon :D

[Trivs_Tom]

the green hatch was based in the next road from mine haha
what spec is your loon? :)

[NathanSRi]

Mk1 1.2 in Black. SR front bumper, lowered 40mm with 256mm brakes, and some 15" Tigra wheels which I hate lol. Not bad condition, gonna start a project thread soon :)

[Trivs_Tom]

that sounds familiar, it might be the one twin40's used to have, i viewed it ages ago then a lad that is mates with my ex ended up with it lol. is it f reg? if it is that one its a 1.4 sr lump in it

EDIT: is it F485 PUL?

[NathanSRi]

Yeah it is, but it hasn't got a 1.4 lump in it, just a standard 1.2 with a 4 branch

[Trivs_Tom]

that ones been around the block a few times lol, when i first came across it, it was a bit shabby but im sure it will be alright with a bit of a tidy up :)
thats good then, probably had a 1.2 put back in lol

[Trivs_Tom]

after a new ignition coil, oil, oil filter and tweaking of the carb, it passed the MOT :) its pretty gutless but a nice car to drive! one more nova on the road ;)

[NathanSRi]

that ones been around the block a few times lol, when i first came across it, it was a bit shabby but im sure it will be alright with a bit of a tidy up :)
thats good then, probably had a 1.2 put back in lol
Both doors a badly rusted away, and theres some bubbling on the sill and on the A pillar, but that's all i've found (so far) lol
However yesterday it decided to p!ss out all its water and oil lol but all sorted now though :)

[Trivs_Tom]

Received a new starter motor today, so thatll be lovely once its fitted! Got an LED interior light too lol
Not sure if i have any other updates

[GARY-GSI-85]

Yeah, the one in my avatar came from kesgrave, really miss it :( But loving the Saloon :D

was the 1 in ur avatar like a yellow colour ? end of plate vrf ? 1.4 sri ? if so was my mate rich from sudbury who had it painted that colour

[_Jake]

Where are all these loons in suffolk coming from? feeling left out :(

[NathanSRi]

was the 1 in ur avatar like a yellow colour ? end of plate vrf ? 1.4 sri ? if so was my mate rich from sudbury who had it painted that colour
Yes it was his mate, I spoke to him when I had it on facebook

[Trivs_Tom]

Where are all these loons in suffolk coming from? feeling left out :(

Mine came from an old man who had it from new ;)

[Trivs_Tom]

Ok so I thought I'd do a proper update instead of the half arsed ones I've previously done lol

Firstly, heres a couple of snaps of the Nova a few days after I picked her up and after a wash, with my Honda C90 in Arden Blue lol
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/15072011277.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/15072011278.jpg

And one next to my brothers 306, lowered 60mm on Lenso BSX's. The Pug is on winter wheels at the minute, the Lenso's are possibly for sale, 4x100/108 multifit, 15x7 et20 i think, if anyone is interested, PM me :)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/15072011279.jpg

Ok so heres the Nova as she's sitting now

Little bit of Hammerite on the front, until i can get some China paint..
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011427.jpg

NES pad on the tow hook and Vans sticker on the boot
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011429.jpg

Suffolk vehicle watch (on it when i bought it, but win for retro value), VW Antiks (the garage i took it too), Stock's (Dealer it was purchased from in 1985), PNG, speedhunters.com, Neighbourhood watch (Win) and Scrappage scheme survivor. Hate how wonky the scrappage scheme one is..
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011430.jpg

More retro win, and flatblade wipers :)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011431.jpg

[Trivs_Tom]

Steelies painted black and the Vauxhall dust caps
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011433.jpg

LED interior light as i didn't have one at all lol
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011437.jpg

Current mileage
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011434.jpg

Exhaust tip cut off to be made a bit less droopy lol
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011438.jpg

Lovely stuff here
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/24122011435.jpg

The Pug with a new bonnet
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/03122011418.jpg

So a total list of things done so far include:
Steelies in black
Arches welded up
NES pad on tow hook
Stickers
New plugs, ignition coil, condensers and soon a new starter motor will be fitted since it was on its way out and now it doesn't actually start lol

For 2012:
Pressed plates
Lowered, not sure how low to go though
Cav Expression/Nova Luxe+ wheels (BBS Ra's)
Paintwork being sorted out

[Trivs_Tom]

fitted my new starter motor this morning, shes running sweet as a nut now :)

[Murray]

Nice work on getting it back on the road. I like the standardness of it all. Seems right sat next to a C90 too, retro overload!

See if you could hide a head unit somewhere and keep the coin tray? Then throw in a set of period alloys and some lows, sorted!

[Iain]

I'd get that bonnet painted ASAP mate before it gets too rusty lol

[Trivs_Tom]

Nice work on getting it back on the road. I like the standardness of it all. Seems right sat next to a C90 too, retro overload!

See if you could hide a head unit somewhere and keep the coin tray? Then throw in a set of period alloys and some lows, sorted!

Thanks :)
i'm planning to get some Cavalier Expression alloys, which should suit it nicely :)
im thinking of mounting a head unit on the shelf under the dash, but i've got to figure it all out first! hah

[scott.parker]

Sorry but im missing something, what the use of the Nintendo controller?
Surly it would work better on the NES?

[Trivs_Tom]

its just fashion mate :P

[Trivs_Tom]

Small update, just purchased some UK legal pressed plates. Pics to follow once i have them, which should be by the end of the week :)

[Elstro1988]

I do like your loon :) Love the retro-ness of it. Though part of me wants to Back 2 Black your bumpers!

You gonna keep the ohv engine or eventually upgrade?

[Trivs_Tom]

I do like your loon :) Love the retro-ness of it. Though part of me wants to Back 2 Black your bumpers!

You gonna keep the ohv engine or eventually upgrade?

cheers bud, i'm probably going to keep the ohv for the long term, and either go RWD jap for my next car, or do that and overhaul the nova..

and yeah i do need to lol i'm going to back to black it before i stick on the pressed plates..speaking of which

Pressed
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/05012012442.jpg

Reflective
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/05012012440.jpg

[binty2k8]

seems like your starting to get a good few parts for this i got new plans for my loon to been meaning to get pressed plates for a while but getting new rims for low ans a side exit exhaust first look out for my build thread updates :p

[Trivs_Tom]

I picked up a wheel from a mate today to see what i think and make sure the centre bore is right, as a sort of try before you buy lol

i believe theyre from a mk2 cavalier. 13", tyres need replacing too, as theyre worn and balloons

opinions?
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/07012012443.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/07012012444.jpg

[_Jake]

Do it!

[Trivs_Tom]

yeah man, im really tempted!

[Trivs_Tom]

i found a place 5 minutes from my house that sell part worn tyres fitted and balanced for really cheap :)

[Trivs_Tom]

Also forgot to mention that i had some china paint mixed up, and bought some linseed oil for the black trim, as it works very well: http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=60592&page=2#824648

[binty2k8]

check my mates build thread on here bud white mk1 total vauxhall his name is on here he used sum show polish makes bumpers mint of i use autoglym bumper care that does the trick on my bumpers

[Calamity Josh]

Heat gun :)

[Trivs_Tom]

The boiled linseed oil cost the same as a can of back to black (£5) and you get as much, but it lasts like 4 times longer :)

ahh Josh your young wisdom is flawed :P using a heat gun a lot makes the bumpers brittle from the heating and cooling! probably the worst thing to use aha

[Calamity Josh]

and it won't be brittle with age anyway? :)

[Trivs_Tom]

no point accelerating the process if it can be avoided ;)

[Trivs_Tom]

Ok so I have a pretty big update!
Firstly, i have it on coilovers now! 70mm front and 100mm rear. It is nice and low now :)
Secondly i have purchased a set of clio steelies for the tyres, £45 for 3 dunlop's in great condition and a goodyear in not so great condition, all 165/65 13, which is a great size tyre and will look lovely on my alloys, which are in a state of mid-refurbish! I have decided the alloys will have a polished face and cream inner spokes to match the interior.

Shock off
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/02032012518.jpg

Shock on
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/02032012520.jpg

Front down 50mm, rear standard
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/02032012524.jpg

Rears on! Also, on the right is one of the Clio steelies with 165/65 13 tyres on just to see how it will look with the wider tyres, it certainly looks meatier!
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/10032012533.jpg

165/65 13
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/10032012535.jpg

135/80 13...
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/10032012536.jpg

Unfortunately the centre bore is 5mm too big so i dont fancy running them, meaning i will wait until my alloys are ready before having wider wheels!

How she sits as i type!
70mm front..
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/10032012537.jpg

...100mm rear!
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/10032012538.jpg

Also, i purchased a roof rack for £10 from an old fella off gumtree, mocked up a bmx to see how it would look, as i am thinking of using the bmx after parking my car somewhere just outside of where i need to be, to save parking fees :P
(standard ride height here)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/27022012508.jpg

So yeah! thats how things are now!

[Markd89]

no way is that 100mm rear ? my nova loon is 60mm on the back and looks ALOT lower than that

[Trivs_Tom]

maybe it doesnt come across in the pics and possibly cos the skinny 13's dont fill out the arches? but it really is down 100mm

[binty2k8]

ye i wouldnt say that was 100 mate mine is 80mm and it imk running 13's low profile tyres and my tyres arch gap bout 2-3mm have you took the adjusters out ?

[Trivs_Tom]

promise you its fully down front and rear! but no i haven't taken the adjusters out
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/529777_3715547650570_1332068020_33464970_188750058 2_n.jpg

the passenger side mudflap is missing a screw causing serious scrapage! gotta sort that out as the noise is unbearable
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/Facebook/Nova/462105_3715545850525_1332068020_33464969_193222581 2_o.jpg

[Trivs_Tom]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j62/tom_1234/nova306.png

[Markd89]

thats not 100mm mate, heres what mine was which is 60mm all round and on small tyres :


http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff445/markvtr/Nova/IMAG0302.jpg
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff445/markvtr/Nova/IMAG0299.jpg
http://s1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff445/markvtr/Nova/?action=view&current=IMAG0302.jpg

http://s1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff445/markvtr/Nova/?action=view&current=IMAG0299.jpg

[mowgli]

simply get the 165 tyres put on the factory rims. i ran 165/70 13's back in the day & it handled fine. surely you must know a tyre fitter who likes loose cash

[_Jake]

tom i could fit them, sledge hammer style lol get your bloody cavalier rims on you big la la!

[jafanan]

looks good, would love a loon sometime

[Trivs_Tom]

Its on adjustable coilovers which go 20-100mm and theyre fully down all round!