My nova build from a novice to a semi-novice lol

[Vinny-NOVA]

Hey all,

Spent loads of time looking through fellow nova lover’s threads and thought about time I did one.

Just want to say thanks to swedge, mk1nova-rich and all the other lads who have helped with advice and info.

Well I bought my nova for £480 off a lad on piston heads from Hertfordshire, a nice 250mile trip from North Wales. The car was in ok condition and came with lowering springs, cav slabs, wired digi dash and gte alloys

Car was pretty solid apart from some doggy welding on slam panel and rear arches.

Here’s how the car looked:

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/IMG-20110503-00056.jpg

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/IMG-20110503-00059.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20110618-00066.jpg

Then me and my cousin stripped out engine, interior, dash, drive shafts etc.....

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20110618-00067.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/IMG-20110503-00058.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20110618-00068.jpg

Then I started work with the wire brush, ku-rust and red oxide. My mate welded plates on front struts, front arches and re welded slam panel & plated properly. I then filled and sanded down plates and preped, here's how she looks now:

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20120310-00045.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20120310-00044.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/IMG-20110620-00070-1.jpg

Then painted front arches with 1 coat of red oxide and then with 3 coats of hammerite
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20120310-00041.jpg

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20120310-00042.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/IMG-20111104-00017-1.jpg

Just started work on the rear arches and underneath:

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20120310-00047.jpg

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/Denbighshire-20120310-00060.jpg

I will be completely honest, am finding the bodywork ok at min think being a plasterer helps. But when it comes to the mechanical side am kind of learning as I go, and getting help from friends. Have also been salvage hunting inbetween build, picked up engine, gsi interior, gear box and other bits along the way. Hoping to convert car to a Gsi running a gte carbed engine.

[Vlietje]

Good progress!

[swedge]

looks good vinny :)

glad to see you got the pics working

[Vinny-NOVA]

Thanks lads, just nice to have people who have the same love of nova's. My mates think am crazy and sad!!!!!

[swedge]

Lol get used to it the amount of times my mates ad parents have as to me that I could have bought a brand new car with the amount of money I have spent on my nova is unbelievable lol

Thing is though they all have their own hobbies and this is mine and I like doing it so stuff them

[Vinny-NOVA]

Well said mate, if everyone liked the same things the world would be a boring place!!! New cars take the fun out of driving, you want a old car that makes you feel like your driving it.......

[TonySR]

Ignore your mates, mine are the same. Keep up the good work Vinny.

[Vinny-NOVA]

cheers tony....

[swedge]

since ive had my nova ive stripped 3 engines apart built 2 learned to weld, prepped a car for paint endless list of things i learned to do

because of owning a nova haha

[Jonezy]

Keep up the good work bud

[Vinny-NOVA]

Cheers Mjwales. where abouts in North Wales are you?

[Vinny-NOVA]

Hey guys, just a quick update, as I was told my rear arches were "shocking" and quite right they were, I have ordered a set of these bad boys -http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii501/vinny-jones/arches.jpg

Am also considering going the whole hog and getting sills replaced, but, struggling to find panel welders in my area, reason being the whole car is stripped in my garage unable to roll. Offplot is kindly helping but just in case does anyone else know or could recommend someone in north wales? Also are the sills a big job?

Your input is also appreciated lads......