View Full Version : Mk1 Nova Merit 1.2
Hi everyone, this is my first post on here so here goes!
I recently turned 17 in February and was after a small, retro car to learn to drive in.. I have owned a Classic Mini project since around 14, and it's turned into a long term thing! But that will hopefully be painted and on the road later this year!
Anyway.. My Step Dad surprised me earlier this week with this little thing as a late birthday present!...
It's a 1990 1.2 Merit, in a really weird Bronze'y colour! I got insured on it, as of yesterday for £834! So I'm pretty happy! Here's some pics:
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova14.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova2.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova3.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova1.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova15.jpg
As you can probably see she's rotten in places, and has had some really dodgy welding to get it through the MOT!
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova5.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova6.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova7.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova8.jpg
I'm already pretty handy with a welder thanks to my Mini Project! So next weekend will be spent putting new metal in and tidying her up!
Today me and my Mate Tidied up the interior and did a mini engine service to get her running properly!
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova4.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova10.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova12.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/Nova13.jpg
So yeah! General plan is to keep it standard for the time being and a nice little run about for me until I get my Mini on the road, but I have a set of 5 SR alloys that may "find" their way onto it! :)
Chris :)
Also... What options do I have with the Steering wheel? Really dont like the standard one very much!? I have a few Mountney's lying around, but I dont really know what else would look good!
DAVIDKEDENS
10-03-13, 09:08 PM
Looks nice.. few small bits and it'll be lovely! Just put a normal GSi steering wheel on it unless you prefer that look. I just put an OMP on mine :)
smithy_1984
10-03-13, 09:22 PM
insured at 17 for 834 quid. who was that with? im 29 & my 5 door mk2 1.4 luxe+ is 1500 to insure. i thought it was because i have because i have no no claims as ive only ever gone on as a named driver on my mrs car for short periods when ive needed to drive. nice car though dude. ive always prefered the mk1's. even back in the day when everyone used to facelift them into mk2's
That's exactly what I thought! I'm with Admiral! It's only on provisional cover at the moment.. it will go up to around £1400 once I've passed my test.. which is still pretty good! :)
Thanks! Hopefully it'll be a lot nicer when I've put some new metal in it haha!
I have to say, I love the look of the Mk1. My Step Sister has a Mk2 'Spin' and looking at them both.. I think the earlier front certainly looks the part! Almost 'Cuter' haha! :)
Looks good mate loving the colour
Lovely car, you'll love this car like no other, the first one is always special, no matter what condition! I have minis and Novas too, in my opinion they are the only cars that even in standard form are great fun.
Thanks! That's another question! Does anybody know the Colour Code or name of it? It's quite cool! I've only seen another 2 or so in the same colour
I have to agree! I will love my Mini as my first project car.. I've spent years building it, investing time and money and not giving up on it! But I'm already feeling the love for the Nova as it's on the road, Tax'd, MOT'd, Insured! I have a feeling I'll be keeping them both for a long time to be honest! :)
smithy_1984
10-03-13, 10:42 PM
i think the mk2 looks girly in comparison to the mk1.... even though i have a mk2. but i only got the mk2 as nova's in general are like rocking horse sh!t around here, and this one came up locally so i snapped it up. ive had 13 others in the past, and apart from 3 they were all mk1.
thats a dam sight better then mine too. i need to replace 2 sills & both rear arches and repair the front splash guards in the wheel arches.
when i was your age i had a white mk1 1.2 antibes with blue interior.
jimbob-mcgrew
11-03-13, 05:04 AM
looks good mate, you sound like you know what your doing
i think the mk2 looks girly in comparison to the mk1.... even though i have a mk2. but i only got the mk2 as nova's in general are like rocking horse sh!t around here, and this one came up locally so i snapped it up. ive had 13 others in the past, and apart from 3 they were all mk1.
thats a dam sight better then mine too. i need to replace 2 sills & both rear arches and repair the front splash guards in the wheel arches.
when i was your age i had a white mk1 1.2 antibes with blue interior.
Really? Wow! We have loads of Novas round here! I suppose naturally being the home of Vauxhall haha!
That sounds like quite a task! Good luck with it! I'm glad that mine isn't quite that bad I guess! :)
looks good mate, you sound like you know what your doing
Thanks! I hope so! I'm still learning when it comes to Vauxhall.. Been brought up with Classic Fords and Mini's! So everyday is a learning day! Although I'm helping my Step Dad out with his Mk2 Astra GTE Van build! :)
i didnt like the steering wheel on mine either but managed to find an omp wheel and boss on ebay quite cheap
connorgreenao
21-03-13, 01:02 PM
love how i look like an absolute idiot in one of those photos :')
mk1nova_rich
21-03-13, 06:43 PM
Looks cool :) unusual colour for a late Mk1 though...
Got a few little updates!
I initially bought a pair of MK2 Astra GTE seats, with the rainbow material on them to put in my Nova, but it turns out my Step Dad actually needs them for his MK2 GTE Van project! So I swapped them for these beauty's!..
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/20130609_181239.jpg
Hopefully they will be in within the next few days!
Also picked up this which is a lot nicer than the original steering wheel that was in there! :)
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/20130610_194204.jpg
Also purchased some -35mm Lowering Springs as well, which I shall grab some pictures of tomorrow.. going to fit them soon and refurb my steelies and centre caps, so hopefully it should look alright!
Bit of progress on the car today!
Fitted my Koni Adjustable Legs, Shocks and Springs, aswell as some new lower profile 165/65/13 tyres!
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20130615_151731.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20130615_151040.jpg
It doesnt look like it's that low, but it's more so in the flesh ;) plus it handles and feels a lot better, and is way more responsive!
Also managed to find some 10mm Pinstripe for £1.59 on eBay.. Was a bargain considering I was able to do the whole of the trim, minus both of the door pieces! :)
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20130615_183517.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20130615_183544.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20130615_183609.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20130615_203207.jpg
Watch this space for GTE Seats, Wheels and Centre Caps Refurb, Welding on the Door, Laguna Front Splitter and Lower Trimline Paint! :)
Well Fred has been the trusty daily since I passed my test 3 months ago, so thought I'd put some pictures up!
It's STILL rusty. It STILL has the horrible Mk2 Bumper (now with added splitter). 99% of the time it's STILL filthy.
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/20130807_113223.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131006_215855.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131026_223759.jpg
Fitted my GTE seats too, using modified MK1 Astra Frames...
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/20130622_175949.jpg
Went on holiday in September down to Weymouth too!
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131013_174415.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/20131013_161409.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131013_174118.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/20131011_100628.jpg
So I went up the scrappy today and cut off a few repair panels, so that is the next job.. Other plans include finding an SR/ GTE front bumper (Somehow) as I'm sick of the Mk2 one now, and get is sitting a bit lower on my SR alloys :) Currently about 40mm at the front and 35 at the back!
mk1nova_rich
17-11-13, 03:57 PM
Fit an early one-piece bumper and grille and that will look fantastic :):thumb:
I wish I could find find one! Currently looking at buying a "Later" GTE/ SR bumper and Grille combo, but I would love a snowplough :(
This is what I would eventually love the car to look like...
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/NovaSRad.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/NovaSRad2.jpg
:d
mk1nova_rich
17-11-13, 07:07 PM
Noooo...hold out for an early bumper lol then it will look Calamity Josh's Nova and his looks ace :)
Please don't do this to mee!:cry: I've been looking for about 4 months for one and nothing has come up so far :(
On the plus side anyway I purchased some different lowering springs, SR rear window surrounds and a cage today aswell! Pictures soon :)
mk1nova_rich
17-11-13, 10:51 PM
Try a wanted ad on the forum...sometimes people have that much stuff for sale its hard work to list it or sometimes theres just no interest so they dont bother but will respond to someone who wants something
I find that way you get better results than trawling the for sale pages
Not much of an update, some good and bad bits..
Bought some rot free doors today, lucky that they are in the correct colour too. These will be going on soon, as well as the front wing repair panel, and bought a MK1 GTE steering wheel off of Spudly (Cheers!) which has since been put on the car
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20131215_145810.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20131119_194118.jpg
I have also purchased a Mk1.5 GTE bumper (which is currently being repaired) and an SR Grille to go on soon, the general plan is to keep it a bit of a reliable daily and a GTE rep, Getting there now ;)
However it seems my car is just a constant target for vandals :( 2 weeks ago this happened:
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Fred%20the%20Nova/20131202_182830.jpg
... and last night at a car meet, I returned to my car to find a Mcflurry smeared across the bonnet/ windscreen :mad: Really is a shame people have no appreciation for another's pride and joy.
Got some banded steels for the Nova, 5.5j Front and 7.5j rear, going to try a test fit tomorrow and purchase some suitable tyres before New Year :)
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/minidesignerchris/Mobile%20Uploads/20131221_162528.jpg
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