Beans Merit saloon

[Bean,]

I'm new on this site and fairly new to the Nova scene. Been a vaux fan for years and had plenty of the bigger ones over the years.
Now i fancy a nova to have a play with.
My starting point is this
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/Bean373437/06082011028.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/Bean373437/06082011027.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/Bean373437/06082011026.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/Bean373437/06082011025.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/Bean373437/06082011024.jpg

100% orignal 44k merit. As you can see from the pics the arches have been botched at some point. There are a couple of small patches on the rear of both sills but appart from that its a nice solid shell.

The plan is to poly bush it, get some coilovers, 288mm front brakes and put a XE in.
Will prob strip the interior out as well.

So far i just started collecting the bits i'm going to need.
Got the conversion mounts and some 15" steelies.

Hopefully tomorrow i'll be picking up the bottom end for the engine build, and should get the price sorted for the head work.

Will update as i go. Hopefully it'll be a nice nippy car when it's finnish.

[Southie]

Ah so this is the replacement for the McLaren F1 is it lol

[Bean,]

ha ha. Must try not to be so clumbsy. lol

[Mazz]

Whats the big thing hanging over the rear axle?

[scott.parker]

Cool, don't know why but i pictured it to be blue! lol

As for them rear arches, are you just going to leave them, or try sort them out?

Scott

[Bean,]

The rear arches will get a tidy up and re-painted the same as the rest of the car but the main aim for this is to go well, handle well and look like a std car. Sleeper style. :)
Got the bottom end sorted today, picked up a freshly built one for a good price.:)
Its got early lighter crank, pec steel rods and 87mm flat top pistons with a higher CR.
The cams should be getting re-profiled soon unless the kent cams i'm after come up soon, and the machine shop is pricing up the head with stainless steel valves, bronze guides, double springs, titanium caps and solid lifters.
The bottom end will be stripped when i get it back and when i get the clutch, flywheel and single v pully together it'll all be sent for an end to end balance.
Should have a strengthening kit on order in the next week or 2 so then i'll get cracking stripping the front end down.

[Nobby]

looking good pal i had a 4 door loon 2.0 8v lol You still want these wheels?

[Bean,]

Yes mate. I'll pick them up sat. Prob be about 1.30 - 2.00 pm or there abouts.
I'll drop you a text when i.m on my way

[16v-kev]

more door salloon ftw !!!
wish mine was this clean and mines a mk 2 :/ !!!!

[Bean,]

Had a spare couple of hours the weekend so i thought i see if i could get it to run. Quick checkover and found a split fuel line.Replaced that, primed the lines, pump and carb with fresh fuel and crossed my fingers.
First turn of the key if fired into life and sounded pretty mint for a car that hadn't run in at least 2 years.
Took it to work today for a proper inspecion on the ramp and was quite suprised to find that its very solid underneath. Its had a couple of small plates on the outer sills at some point but appart from that its really sound.
One rear wheel cylinder was sezied so i replaced that and thought i'd send it for a MOT.
Straight through with the only advisory being a small oil leak. Result.
Not sure what to do now as the engine i'm building is now going into my new class 6 autograss car, and the shell is to good to use for re paneling said car.
Might keep it as my daily driver or sell it on.
Anyone got any rough idea what it'd be worth? Will prob get the arches painted and mop it before selling so should look pretty good. and 100% orignal