1990 mk1 merit project!.

[Novaloony]

Afternoon all,
Back after a break from novas. Some of you may remember one or two of my old ones,

My first, the one that got this somewhat irritating bug going.
1992 K reg 1.4i merit. Got it off my father when he upgraded, I was 15 and used it as a project. Never saw the road.
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/12935_205966229524_2950498_n.jpg

Next up nova wise, Was this one
Miami blue 1990 mk2 saloon, 50k minter. Was absolutly solid. But mates bigger faster cars got the better of me so lost interest.
https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/382799_10150528385509525_948964893_n.jpg

Next up, Was the GTE rep, Which is on gumtree at the moment!. Shes been passed about alot!,. I got it with insanely bodged wiring, I ripped it out, fitted a new wiring loom and got it all running properly, So close to finishing, Insured it, And the alt kept catching on chassis leg. So again. Lost interest, Was offered a 2002 polo for it so took it. Regretted it since.
Anywho, MK1 1988 GTE replica. Cobra exhaust system, GTE interior, c16se.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/527534_10151195011344525_60423127_n.jpg

This seems to be a reoccuring pattern, Dont you agree?
Since i got into cars, legally ive had in excess of 70cars. Mainly vauxhall, But had some saxos, 106s, corsas, golfs, However, a month ago, i had a fiesta zetec s, needed accident repairs done, So i done that, Fancied something a bit faster, So a deal was done sold that, Purchased a 2002 VTR which was definately an impulse buy. Done all the little bits iit needed then this popped up locally. Some call my stupid, I say i got a decent deal but the lad got a good car also!.

1990 G plater, Never seen a welder. Ex demo car for vauxhall, Then an old boy owned it to 21k, The lad i got it from owned it to 31k, and now ive got it, Got pictures of all the history but the old boy wanted to hold onto it for some reason, He was so reluctant to sell, But ill health forced sale.

As youll see in pics, i refuse to use the 'MINT' expression thats commonly thrown around, But its very tidy.

About an hour after i took ownership.
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/q75/s720x720/1014000_10152295327864525_957083169_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/q73/s720x720/1395300_10152295327764525_1207857932_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/q77/s720x720/1653566_10152295328064525_352435213_n.jpg

It stayed like this for a day? I painted the standard rims black to try and tart it up a little.
Also lowered it a little,.
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/q85/s720x720/1619658_10152300714079525_1709083000_n.jpg?oh=3cce 2a143ba0c9345efba1659b561a8c&oe=53983116

Again, Stayed like this for a few days, Got bored. done this although im still not sure
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/q80/s720x720/1495308_10152301268219525_47211210_o.jpg

Fitted HIDS before hand but didnt like the look of them, So sold them and purchased a set of pressed plates instead!. No pics at present.

Few days later, the effects of origional wheel bearings on a 24yr old car started showing, It was making a horrible grinding noise. So front wheel bearings were replaced, along with track rod ends and cv boots. This cured this, however while i was doing that, I noticed the nsf shock had been leaking, and wasnt ''absorbing'' at all, So resorted to origional suspension for now, Until i strip my d turbod berlingo van due to my brother blowing my gearbox up, Then ill only be paying one lot of insurance and will have more left for the nova :)

Hope ive kept you all here,
Also, Ive sourced a GTE steering wheel, some painted mirrors, And possibly some wheels!.
Thanks for reading.
Joe.

[Benn]

Nice collect, the silver one looks very clean. Good place to start.

[TeddyThom]

About time you got a project thread up!!

Who you sell the hids to? I seem to remember having my name on them lol

[Novaloony]

@Benn - It is a very tidy base, However with every 24yr old car, It has its issues, minor corrosion on the front valance as seen in bottom pic, where it meets the wing. battery tray although its solid, does have very minor corrosion. Both rear arches have again minor corrosion on the arch lips, and the drivers rear has a very small rust bubble,

Nothing i cant sort, but will take time.

@Hitchcock - Took em out my nova n the mothers nicked a bulb for now as one of hers blew!. Youll be pleased to know, The vans gone. :)

[TeddyThom]

Why would I be please the bloody van has gone? lol. How'd you do the front lights yellow? They look pretty cool. I might just get a brand new set of hids at some point lol

[Novaloony]

Why would I be please the bloody van has gone? lol. How'd you do the front lights yellow? They look pretty cool. I might just get a brand new set of hids at some point lol

I dunno haha.
Yellow lights are laminex headlight tint off eBay. About 4£

bit of an update today,
painted 90% of the underside in rust protection direct to metal hammerite. Ground back a bit of bubbling paint on osr arch only to find it has been filtered at some point :( only minor but bit of a kick in the balls. Also had rear bumper off to check for the tin worm. One minor patch so welded a plate once area was cleared. And same treatment as above.

Picking up a set of Clio 172 wheels as a temp measure for now. And sorted a set of front coils so she be lowered again soon!

Then decided to give it a wash and a Hoover out. Pics later, my wifi stick isn't working!!
Joe

[Novaloony]

So, Nova failed MOT today, Not bad for a 24yr old car.

001 Offside front (bulkhead area) suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. In lamens terms, Battery tray now has a hole because the to$$er poked it lol

002 Offside front (inner wing) suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. IE where the splash guard meets the suspension turret.
Minor bits required :)

All in all pretty pleased. Been quoted £25 per side for new rear arches. thats if i supply,.
Also, Shes back on steels. And a few pre mot pics!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/q71/s720x720/10171752_10152323704249525_2113578659712904929_n.j pg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/q77/s720x720/485565_10152323704319525_8243700283151550854_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/q75/s720x720/10001390_10152323704384525_3242282696476735454_n.j pg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/q71/s720x720/1797330_10152323704604525_5469707804395838804_n.jp g

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/q72/s720x720/1604454_10152323704694525_255690012649569722_n.jpg
Joe.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

looks like a good one that.

mk.1 in a decent colour too :thumb:

[Novaloony]

looks like a good one that.

mk.1 in a decent colour too :thumb:

It is tidy tbf mate. Although i was told it had no previous welding and needed none, so far it needs a new osr arch, battery tray, inner splash guard needs welding. and drivers door needs either repairing or replacing.

[Novaloony]

UPDATE

Bareing in mind ive not had alot of welding experience. Im one of those people that wants to give everything a go. Anyway. Setup the welded and started playing. Way i see it is anything can be repaired if i buggered it up more. So why not.

Section in question. Tad worse for wear.
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10255765_10152330277869525_451534369853005216_n.jp g

Cut the cr*p out, And made up a plate. As you can see my welding is pidgeon sh*t but glad i had a go.
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10250080_10152330290404525_8871865105233058682_n.j pg
Had some difficulty getting the cleaning disk in the tight gaps to clean it all off, Also was experimenting with wire speeds etc.

Temporary battery tray repair. Will be replaced as soon as funds permit. Seeking alternative employment so fingers crossed something pops up soon!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/1017423_10152330277734525_1781827316188151453_n.jp g

Still, All nice and solid.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/10013256_10152330277849525_5345767842876172266_n.j pg

Update again tmo as will be in for a retest!

[Novaloony]

Well, Been a while since ive updated. One or two bits to mension.

Purchased a Jamex -60mm set of lowering springs off a chap on the facebook page named ''Performance nova group''. Fitted them, But as suspected the ride was far too bumpy being on standard shocks. So i purchased a set of front springs and shocks off conza123 off here, Gmax ones to be precise. Fitted my springs onto those and the ride is so so much better.

Next up. lost the cherrybomb to a young chap on facebook and replaced it with a hoffman 3'' outward rolled item that did come off a saxo (Sorry to offend) However i see it as its found a better home now, Had a chopy chopy session with the grinder and welded it up, Has a much more refined note. Also managed to get it to hang in the right position too!.

Next up was some new sidelight bulbs, As my cheap 99p delivered ebay specials died within a week, So ordered some SMD sidelights, much brighter!.

Next up (Recurring pattern) Was to fix the attempted bodge on my drivers door as per previous owner filled it with ******* filler... So, Cut all the crud out, Made up a plate, Welded that in and smoothed off with filler. Need to get my rear in gear and get the sides painted SR style.

Couple of whoring pics :)
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Stole the wheels off the GF's corsa as she dont use it anyway :). Looking for some nice looking 13''s or 14''s to keep it nice and low

[Novaloony]

Well, No pictures to report, However in the past fortnight, Ive purchased,

2 x C14NV engines, one of which comes with twin 40 solex carbs, Irmscher inlet manifold, Ashley exhaust system complete with 4branch, Also a buggered oil pump. The other is a low mileage corsa B engine. Needless to say, the cam carrier complete with distributor setup, Carbs and 4branch will be fitted to the low mileage engine which also came with all the service history of the car it was removed from which was a nice touch.

Ive also purchased a set of mk4 astra sxi wheels, which are 16''. However these will recieve a full refurb with some low profile tyres to go on but im not fussed on these at present as i have the 15'' mk3 astra 6 spokes fitted which are fine.

Ive also purchased a safety devices rear strut bar, a pair of ram air - air filters for the carbs, a high flow rebuildable fuel filter, And currently have a pair of rear arch repair panels which will be welded on within the next month or two.

Also, plans on the cards are to clean the bay up, have a battery tray fitted as mine has been repaired by myself to get her through her mot. However i have a daily now so i can take my time on this. And a very kind chap at work has kindly offered to spray the beast for me, And i think im kind of set on nordic blue to keep her looking semi retro. Im also debating whether or not to run with rear seats as ive always fancied a false floor with my sub recessed in the floor, Or just have the back seats fitted... Shes an occational use toy so im swaying towards being stripped out with a half cage in the back.

I get the engine back in the next week or so, In which time i need to clean the bay up and hopefully get the inner chassis legs painted in nordic blue, The rest will be painted professionally but this will allow me to get the engine in and not need to worry about taking it back out again. Leaving just the chassis legs to be painted.

Updates coming soon!

[Southie]

I wouldn't bother with the solex carbs you'll have nothing but hassle setting them up. Teddythom had the engine you bought I suspect and he had loads of issues with them.

Nice looking car but I'd be keeping it silver as it looks nice and clean.

[Novaloony]

Making me wonder now, teddy said carbs had been set up and were good to go. So i hope thats the case. If not ill sell them on and source a 1.3sr carb and inlet.

Silver is ok but looks very dated now although the rusty arches dont help. I fancy a bit of colour lol