D186YSA Orient Blue 1.6 16v 'Bessie'

[mk1nova_rich]

As most of you probably already know, I bought Bessie from Southie last May but felt no need to start a project thread as she was just being used as a daily. I've enjoyed every minute of driving her despite a few issues (clutch and gearbox, then more recently a starter motor and water pump) but I guess it comes with the territory of modified (old) cars lol

Anyway here are a few pictures from when I bought her with the mismatched wheels due to worn tyres on the front alloys.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2011-05-30174116.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2011-05-30174126.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2011-05-30174140.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2011-05-30174151.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2011-06-03093254.jpg

To be honest I've not really done much with her in terms of modifications apart from remove the old speaker wiring and fit a different steering wheel. Using as a daily, especially over the winter has started to take its toll on the old girl so she will be coming off road shortly for a freshen up with hopefully a few ideas thrown in. She is looking a bit dirty and neglected at the minute with the crap weather and so on :(

All comments welcome

[Edd]

Still looks tidy mate

Whats your plans ? Much need doing ?

You need some plough screw covers :)

[mk1nova_rich]

I was wanting a matching set of alloys, with the initial plan being to get the Cav Diplomat alloys stripped and powder coated white with matching centres then new tyres fitted...until I was trawling through Parts For Sale on PNG and came across these...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/IMGP7916.jpg

I had to have them, PM'd the seller and agreed a price and got them couriered to me, got them fitted along with some Halfords locking wheel bolts for a bit of security. They are 6x14" TH1s with Yokohama A509 tyres and IMO made the car look a million times better...less than two weeks after fitting I got a puncture which I wasn't too happy about but oh well **** happens!!

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2011-10-15105048.jpg

Not the best pic quality but I love the stance, although it could do with raising a bit as the tyres rub on the arch lips over bumps and round corners.

[DAFTJOHN]

Agree, looks well with the new wheels on

[mk1nova_rich]

Still looks tidy mate

Whats your plans ? Much need doing ?

You need some plough screw covers :)

These are old pics so it looks better than it is to be honest, I need to get rear arches done fairly soon and just tidy up a couple of rust spots here and there. She will never be a minter as I just don't have the patience and attention to detail required unfortunately...I've always wanted to do road rallying and I think this is the machine for it :)

I do need some screw covers, although the Plough is coming off soon to check the bodywork underneath :thumb:

[mk1nova_rich]

Its a quick car, and the way the baby 16v delivers its power is very impressive - here is a video from when it was RR'd during Southie's ownership http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaJ3N31UaMI all credit to him as he has done all the hard work.

Very torquey all the way through the rev range in any gear, and doesn't tail off at the top end. Rev limit is set around 7200rpm

[bakerznova]

looks smart mate
early nova's ftw
loving the plough
wheels are a win aswell

[dannymcc]

Excellent looking Nova. The new wheels look really well on it.

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheers for the comments lads :thumb: got a few plans for it, but all will be revealed if/when it materialises lol

[Southie]

Aww bless, must admit I'm missing driving this little beastie at the minute, good luck with your future plans ;)

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/17374813/images/1325243473022.gif

[maddogdaz666]

cant believe ive not yet been in it :(
Great looking classic in my eyes.

[mk1nova_rich]

Got my Snowplough taken off this afternoon to inspect the condition of the bodywork behind...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-01-15140130.jpg

The cross member/front panel is still solid apart from a few rust scabs but not the end of the world :) the bottoms of the wings on the other hand...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-01-15140035.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-01-15140110.jpg

a bit worse for wear unfortunately :( the passenger side isn't too bad but if I poke the drivers side it will definitely hole through. There is more chance of England winning the world cup than finding another pair of wings this colour in decent nick lol so will probably need to paint them if I decide to buy some replacement wings...I have been considering some fibreglass items as an option *awaits slating from the purists lol:roll:* although my cheapest idea would be to cut the wing bottoms off to behind the bumper. The Snowplough would cover them anyway when its re-fitted as the front end looks seriously bare now lol

Quick pic of the engine bay as it stands:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-01-15140436.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

As I'm still using it as a daily I can only make small changes at a time for now...so apart from fitting new brake pads and giving it a good clean there is not much else on the immediate agenda :thumb:

I'm considering fitting orange indicators back to it...what do people think? This is one of the only early Mk1s that suits clears IMO

[Connor]

Just cut out the bottom of the wings and plate up an paint with whatever, as you say the snowplough covers it anyways. so aslong as its properly sealed to prevent more then it doesnt matter really. I would say go for the fiberglass wings but i doubt you will get a good enough paint match that matches the rest of the paint.
Looking good though, love the colour of these, my old loon was this colour :)

[Southie]

:eek: The weather has taken its toll on the front in the 4 years since this picture :(

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p379/SOUTHIE01/MINE/IMG_0144.jpg

Personally I'd be sanding and filling the wings, then take them off and store them.
Get fibreglass ones so you don't worry about the rotting ;)

[bakerznova]

I'm considering fitting orange indicators back to it...what do people think? This is one of the only early Mk1s that suits clears IMO


orange indicators ftw !

[Southie]

An old picture for you Rich.

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p379/SOUTHIE01/MINE/MINEWITHORANGEindicators.jpg

[pie]

nova looks great :thumb:

love the comps

[maddogdaz666]

i prefer the clears i think rich.

[Connor]

orange indicators ftw !
this

[Plug]

Yea Mk1's need orange indicators. lovely wheels you have on it as well.

[gary_126]

looking good

[mk1nova_rich]

Unfortunately I think Bessie will be being sold soon...

I bought a new daily on Saturday so Bessie is now off road, and will be making way for a new project after leaving a deposit on another Nova ;)

[7ova]

photo of new nova??????????????????

[mk1nova_rich]

Hopefully will get some pics next week and start its own project thread :thumb: if anyone is interested in Bessie's shell and interior feel free to discuss by PM (I'm hoping to rob the engine/box and running gear for the new project)

[Spudly]

Gaaaayyyyy!

[mk1nova_rich]

Bessie has found a new home so will be going soon :(