My 1.4L - GTE REP (Genuine 8k Miles)

[krobinson]

Hey Folks - After much thought i've decided to not tear the 8k 1.4L apart for the Nova Turbo project.

This is basically because my daily driver at the moment is a 1985 1.2L, 4 speed with 13k on the clock. And it makes more sence to use the 1.4L 5 speed as its got 20 more bhp, another gear, and it has some nice extras like antiroll bars, engine bay soundproofing and door cappings as standard.

So now the little 1.2L is going to be stripped and used as a base for the Nova Turbo. As the shell on that is just as stupidly clean as the 1.4.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/000_0034.jpg

Now, i picked up some new, never fitted GTE bumpers from Will on novaload. I also picked up some nice bilstein suspension (-45mm), a nice clean GTE interior and a GTE grill from a friend Steven in ballymoney.

And so the GTE rep is born! Its booked into Terry Houston's bodyshop on monday to have the bumpers painted, GTE spoiler painted and fitted, and the wingmirrors colour coded.

Here's some progress pics! Should have it pretty complete in the next 2 weeks, and this will become a nice daily driver!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/GTE/100_1019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/GTE/100_1018.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/GTE/100_1016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/GTE/100_1015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/GTE/100_1014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/GTE/100_1012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/New%20Project/engine3.jpg

Keith

[Novasport]

Whats the square bits on the door panels?
Looks mint, nice car!

[krobinson]

There was an aftermarket electric window kit on the old GTE, the black bits are bits i made to cover up the holes. Think i'm going to do them grey instead tho so they dont stand out too much. Until i find some door cards without!

Keith

[Novasport]

Sent you a PM on JOV

[Adam]

Cool, are the gte bumpers going to be done body coloured?
Or black/grey?

[Ben]

Keith you will be wanting the door cards i have in my wardrobe then ;) Looks good mate.

[Novasport]

I want some brown cards with no holes in!

[Ben]

Did they make them?

[Novasport]

They made brown window switch holders.
Anyway back to the topic!
Love the stereo :)

[krobinson]

Keith you will be wanting the door cards i have in my wardrobe then ;) Looks good mate.

PM me :)


Cool, are the gte bumpers going to be done body coloured?
Or black/grey?

Colour coded, but proper GTE so the lower lips will stay black.

Keith

[Adam]

Nice.

[NickWalliams]

Your going to do the sensible thing and put some 16" softstars on it?

[krobinson]

yes nick, indeed i am :)

Keith

[Ben]

PM Sent keith.

[hybridturbo]

Cool idea, are you putting the sideskirts on aswell i take it?

[draper]

looks quality buddy, any other plans for it??

[peester]

hmm.. Good idea to turbo IJI instead, but i must admit im a bit suprised you'd 'replica' a nova as your runabout... no harm done i suppose,.. i'd have left it looks-wise o.e tho. Just stuck that billy suspension on n thats it.
Looking forward to updates on IJI tho the dude.. 2007 here the cometh..

[vaughanmc]

should be good 2 see these when there all done!

[krobinson]

hmm.. Good idea to turbo IJI instead, but i must admit im a bit suprised you'd 'replica' a nova as your runabout... no harm done i suppose,.. i'd have left it looks-wise o.e tho. Just stuck that billy suspension on n thats it.
Looking forward to updates on IJI tho the dude.. 2007 here the cometh..

I'm not really doing it so that it becomes a replica. It has to be said that GTE styling is nicer than base model's. Also the GTE interior is far superior to the base spec. However a GSI interior would look out of place with a GTE kit and vice versa.

So in my quest to have a better looking, better spec'd daily car (to stop me financeing a new car) i've ended up with the GTE rep.

It will eventually get some softstars and some good spec components. And a new 32/34 carb to liven it up a bit.

This will also hopefully take my mind off Rushing the turbo project, and i'll take my time. Attention to detail is everything.

Keith

[Ste L]

Should look smart keith, nice work :thumb:

[Christ]

How can you be forunate enough to find 2 low millage minters and I cant find ANY! :p

[RJM25R]

HHmmmmmm, race-spec S Gault 1400 on carbs wouldn't be out of place!

What colour you painting the car?????

[Martin]

Nice1 Mate i cant belive how mint they both are.. i saw the 1.2 at PVS? and it was mint i couldnt belive my eyes man love them both cant wait for some W.I.P pics on them both

[krobinson]

HHmmmmmm, race-spec S Gault 1400 on carbs wouldn't be out of place!

What colour you painting the car?????

lol - my old race spec 1400 did 170 miles to a tank, i wouldnt be able to afford to eat or buy clothes if i had one for my daily driver lol. Tho a mild cam, SRI head and 32/34 might be sourced.

The GTE is staying the blue colour it is, i'm just colour codeing the kit to the car.

The turbo, i'm totally undecided on the colour, but the helious blue colour on it is very nice, same as Marcus Plowmans lotus badged XE from the front of Max in 1999.

Keith

[decwasere]

Looking good Kieth.

Can't wait to have a wee look round it.

[peester]

nah.. youve got it all figured out, good lad - im sure those critics'll shut up when its done - i know what you mean - base spec seats are too high, unsupportive blah blah.. no toys; rev counter etc etc.. plus gte kit does look better, more modern..
go for it mate.

[RJM25R]

TBH keith, I'd be disappointed if you went for Helios. It's a nice enough colour, but if you're pushing the boundaries further I think you need a special colour!

[Dod]

To be fair Keith knows his **** when it comes to Novas so i'm holding judgement til its finished. Anyway, Keith mate, I've plenty of Weber Carbs and SRi Heads so if you're looking for anything....

[krobinson]

TBH keith, I'd be disappointed if you went for Helios. It's a nice enough colour, but if you're pushing the boundaries further I think you need a special colour!

It should be a special colour, nothing in your face tho.

Keith

[krobinson]

Car is now at the bodyshop, they are starting it tomorrow, so hopefully the kit should be painted mid week. Then i just have to fit my skirts, give it a damn good clean/polish, and get the bloke off ebay to send me the correct front indicators.

Keith

[Riggy]

looking stunning as always keith :thumb:

[noknok]

There was an aftermarket electric window kit on the old GTE, the black bits are bits i made to cover up the holes. Think i'm going to do them grey instead tho so they dont stand out too much. Until i find some door cards without!


Agree they don't look tidy, but a damn sight easier to operate. My GTE has them mounted in the centre console which is too far away, I have to lean right forward! I guess it was cheaper than redesigning door cards. In a way I still quite like it; an unrefined extra done the old school way!

I Love the stereo too.

Look forward to updates.

[Nova-Flair]

Where the hell do you find novas like that now? They are stupidly, stupidly clean! I'll look forward to seeing both of them finished.

[krobinson]

Where the hell do you find novas like that now? They are stupidly, stupidly clean! I'll look forward to seeing both of them finished.

Theres another one about 20 miles from me with 12k on the clock, the lad wants ?1700. There's 2 in the autotrader both with low miles and service histiory for ?450 each. Theres still loads out there!

Keith

[krobinson]

Called round today, not ready yet, should be done by the end of the week. Keith

[krobinson]

Today i got new front tyres, numberplates, a black stripe on the bumpers and the original GTE rear backbox fitted.

Here's the complete car now, just waiting to order my softstars.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew6.jpg

Keith

[Adam]

Very nice keith, loooks tidy.
The Softstars should really finish it off!

Nice runaround, Lol.

[Dod]

Know what, its so refreshing to see a pre face lift model Nova. Cant wait to see it in the flesh.

[NickWalliams]

Mint!

[hybridturbo]

Nice one would of kept the orange indicators on though

[craig green]

Love the dealer sticker in the rear window.

ROBIN HOOD...LOL

Looks sweet Keef, your daily drive is minter than anything the rest of the site can muster up.. No offence anyone.

[novacabrio]

Chav plates lol

[vaughanmc]

nice one keith - cant wait 2 see the nova turbo w.i.p pics

[Adam]

your daily drive is minter than anything the rest of the site can muster up.. No offence anyone. LOL, what do you expect with only 8k on the clock?

[krobinson]

Gave the car a polish, removed the rear badges. So thats it finished now until i save for softstars and big brakes. (ahhh where does it end?)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew13.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/gtenew7.jpg

Keith

[NickWalliams]

whats the name of the colour of the car mate?

[vaughanmc]

looks mint with the badges off - whats about rear mudflaps??

[novacabrio]

I think its Nordic blue?

[RJM25R]

Euro rear lights????

[andybishop]

Looking good Keith, no messing about!!

[NickWalliams]

I think its Nordic blue?

This is the same colour as my 1.0 then, seams to look more like green in photos lol

cant wait to see it wearing some softstars!

:thumb:

[novacabrio]

So keith is your test mual

[krobinson]

Looking good Keith, no messing about!!

Cheers andy,

Think i'll do billing in this next year!

Keith

[vaughanmc]

should look superb with the softstars on - GTE/SR rims look good aswell

[Martin]

mint

[krobinson]

Well, just a small update.

New additions include a chrome bumper strip, K&N filter (shes 200bhp now!! LMAO!!) And some brand new headlight protectors.

Gave it a clean as were having a Nova Photoshoot tomorrow in portrush tomorrow (1pm lansdown carpark)!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/polished6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/polished5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/polished4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/polished3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/polished2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/polished1.jpg

Keith

[vaughanmc]

Amazingly clean! :)

[Adam]

Not bad for a daily runner :p lol

What front brakes are they? 288s?

[krobinson]

Not bad for a daily runner :p lol

What front brakes are they? 288s?

Yeah, the discs are a bit warped tho, i think i fecked them at the Nurburgring in the last nova. I cant seem to source any cheap discs either, everyone wants mental ???.

Keith

[Adam]

Lol.

Do you want std discs? or replacement grooved ones?

[krobinson]

Lol.

Do you want std discs? or replacement grooved ones?

Doesnt matter, i can get them drilled for ?10 a disc local so any will do!

Keith

[kevster]

looking good were you find all your mint novas from

[Ben]

Keith

You can get drilled & grooved V6 discs for around ?80.

Car needs Vynal! lmao

[krobinson]

Keith

You can get drilled & grooved V6 discs for around ?80.

Car needs Vynal! lmao

It needs solid lifters!

[SRimon]

Looks stunning keith, very very jealous even in disability blue!

[gazz]

that looks stunning kieth good job..:thumb:

[vaughanmc]

where did you source the new headlight protectors?

[krobinson]

where did you source the new headlight protectors?

Fleabay!

[SUP4NOV4]

That looks very nie mate even thow i dont like the shade of blue and noemaly i dont like them rims but it all works and looks very nice and clean well done on a tidy motor

[Adam]

Doesnt matter, i can get them drilled for ?10 a disc local so any will do!

Keith
BuyPartsBy (https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/discs_details.php?recordID=7024)
Sell std 288s cheaply.

Wouldn't recommended getting them drilled tbh, likely to crack.

[draper]

looks stunning as usaul keith

[krobinson]

That looks very nie mate even thow i dont like the shade of blue and noemaly i dont like them rims but it all works and looks very nice and clean well done on a tidy motor

I agree mate, its never a colour i'd normally buy a car in, but for some reason because the car's so clean, it pulls it off!

Keith

[Ben]

BuyPartsBy (https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/discs_details.php?recordID=7024)
Sell std 288s cheaply.

Wouldn't recommended getting them drilled tbh, likely to crack.

I know hundreds of people that have redrilled 5 stud's into 4's and dont know of one thats cracked.

[Dave.]

looking brilliant as allways kieth, this coming to pv this year?

[krobinson]

Yesterday I steam cleaned the entire floor and inner arches of the nova. Then I sponge washed out any left over dirt and left it to dry overnight.
Then me and dad set about painting them with some brush on paint we had made up to the proper colour.
Always wanted to do this and so glad its turned out so well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/unpainted1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/painted1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/painted2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/frontinner.jpg
Please note, that hole is the inspection hole for the ariel, which i've screwed back in place now.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/frontinner2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/frontinner3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/rearinner.jpg
Keith

[peester]

gotta be done; like max lowering - all my cars have had the painted arch treatment.. been a big fan of it ages.

[Adam]

Awesome job Keith, very nice.

Did you clean the arches back to bare metal? Or just paint over the wax coating?

[Riggy]

lol mint as per normal :thumb:

[craig green]

Looks lovely. Nice to see it in pictures, bloody good colour match too.

[blue_peg_16v]

very nice mate and totaly mint could do with a couple like that myself

[krobinson]

Awesome job Keith, very nice.

Did you clean the arches back to bare metal? Or just paint over the wax coating?

Just steam cleaned the original underseal, then hand washed it so it was perfectly clean, then painted it on. The underseal is rubber and its best left on unless its rotten underneath, which mine shouldnt be :)

Keith

[ade]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/keithrobinson/frontinner2.jpg

Keith - in the above pic is that not a small "hole" just behind the clip where the side skirt attaches to the wing (the bottom right hand corner)?

Looks like the inner arch is rusted away? Or is that one of the drain holes?

Ade

[ade]

oh and I'm picking "faults" coz I'm fecking jealous! Think I'll got to Ireland on holiday and bag me a granny with a nova minter!

[KPautomotive]

They all have it... thats where the inner arch stops to allow water to drain from the scuttle.

Keith matey... one word... AWESOME!

Hope its staying how it is :)

[krobinson]

Keith - in the above pic is that not a small "hole" just behind the clip where the side skirt attaches to the wing (the bottom right hand corner)?

Looks like the inner arch is rusted away? Or is that one of the drain holes?

Ade

lol - nope thats the way novas came. Both my dipped shell and this are the same.

I might have to sell this next year, but hopefully not!

[balel]

hey sup i need a favour pls can you give me the color code of your nova pls cause i liked it and im spraying mine and i want it liked that

[Pistol Pete]

Woah....old thread, cracking car though!! Just PM him.

Its Nordic Blue BTW. Just had a read through.....

[moffat]

thats a stunning example of a mk1

[Sloth]

lol old thread bump, but seen as its a genuine question id say your ok. btw it is shexi this un....

[krobinson]

Cheers folks - Still have this, it's due a tidy-up for the summer. Going to repaint the inner arches again and give the paint a good buff.

It will eventually be totally rebuilt.

[matthew172]

totaly rebuilt?? there cant be much that needs rebuilding lol

[Leeboo]

I've been wondering where this yoke disappeared to Keith!

That 1400 must be a dream to drive with such little mileage! I had a 1300 astra engine in my old Nova for a while and it was nice but it seized some lifters in the head and the cam was worn! I've stil the engine, the bottom end is good so I plan to rebuilt it sometime.

[dj_wudgey]

where do you find all these mint nova's man i must know lol

[krobinson]

totaly rebuilt?? there cant be much that needs rebuilding lol

Lol - I'd just like some fresh paint on it!!