PDA

View Full Version : My Antibes runaround...



Pigeonrat9
05-05-07, 04:51 PM
FINALLY got round to posting some pics of the Nova Antibes I've had since 2003...

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/Pigeonrat9/p1010017.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/Pigeonrat9/p1010015.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/Pigeonrat9/p1010008.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/Pigeonrat9/p1010009.jpg

I gave ?400 for it and have put over 40,000 miles on it since then, taking the mileage close to 150,000 miles now, still on it's original engine, gearbox and even original clutch! As you can see, it's been kept relatively standard, with just a couple of choice early SR parts such as the "snowplough" front spoiler and alloys to make it stand out (the rear spoiler, of course, being standard Antibes equipment http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif ). Inside, again, the standard Antibes spec remains apart from an early SR clockset and some goodies for the handbrake and gear lever. Being as it's just my daily hack, the standard 1.2 engine remains (starts first time, never uses a drop of oil or water), helped out a little with a full Ashley manifold and system including a Nova Sport tailbox. It's not fast, but recorded 62bhp on a rolling road last year (I suspect there may be a cam in it, but the previous owner said not, so I'll take his word for it http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif ), and that's enough for it to keep up with traffic...

One of the best things about this car has been putting it together on the cheap. I've had some ridiculous bargains off of Ebay, including ?30 for a 4-branch manifold and a tenner for a brand-new dizzy. A mate was breaking a very early A-plate SR, and that donated its bumpers, front spoiler, alloys, clocks and remote mirrors for next to nothing. Unfortunately the rust is starting to become a real problem now. Aside from the usual rear arches and sills going, there's also some rust round the battery tray and chassis legs, despite having Waxoyled the underside.

So, the plan for this winter is to finally retire it from it's 10,000 mile a year toil and get to sorting the rust properly. After that I'll think about what to do with it. The body and interior will be staying as it is, although I'm planning to fit the SR black window trims, and I might replace the wheels with the wider GTE alloys as the current ones are only 4.5" wide. At the moment I'm almost certainly going to keep the 1.2, purely because it's so reliable, but I'll look into twin carbs, a cam and some headwork. Yes, I know I'd get more for my money by sticking a bigger lump in it, but something about having a properly sorted 1.2 really appeals! http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/lmao.gif

Mazz
05-05-07, 07:22 PM
Nice to see another Antibes is still alive! From the pics it looks very clean for the year

vaughanmc
05-05-07, 07:25 PM
looks mint -- i love the Snow Plough :D

Nova-Dan
05-05-07, 07:25 PM
nice! 1 bad point though,horid exhaust

Nova-Dan
05-05-07, 07:26 PM
dave will be wanting 1 of those horn pushs now!

SRlew
05-05-07, 07:26 PM
looks a goodun mate! i like that!

Martin
05-05-07, 07:31 PM
Looks good fella


My 1.2 carb was recorded and 59bhp with just a janspeed 4branch

John
05-05-07, 07:39 PM
nice! 1 bad point though,horid exhaust

I don't think so, the period sport/ashley back box kinda suits it!

Pigeonrat9
07-05-07, 10:27 PM
Thanks for the comments, funnily enough there's another red Antibes near me (and on SR alloys too :roll:) but it's in pretty poor nick and I've never seen it move...


nice! 1 bad point though,horid exhaust

LOL, that's EXACTLY the reaction I wanted with the exhaust! Big stainless steel drainpipes hanging off the back don't do it for me, but for those in the know a proper Sport box is instantly recognisable and quite cool :D It doesn't get respect from the chavs though, which to my mind is a good thing anyway.

It does look in good condition, especially for a Mk1, but I'm afraid the polish hides a lot. By the end of the year, I reckon, the rust will have gone too far. I waxoyled the underside last year in a last-ditch attempt to preserve it but I bloody well wish I'd had the sense to do it when I bought it, there was very little rust on it then. What with this and my Mk2 Astra I'm forever fighting to keep the rust away.
Basically it needs; new wings, new doors (or at least new passenger door), new outer rear arches, possibly two new sills, new battery tray, plus a lot of welding to the front crossmember, inner front wings, front of the chassis rails, part of the boot floor, one of the rear spring seats and drivers' side inner sill. I'm crap at bodywork and naively thought I could get it sorted, but a mate of mine who knows Novas (and owns a Sport) summed it up; "Yeah, it's f**ked." So it looks like a reshell is on the cards, which won't be fun but I really want to keep it going. I love parking in a carpark, knowing there won't be another one there!

That said, if someone who's handy with a welder reckons they can fix it and fancies some beer money, I'm definitely interested! lol

Adam Moran
09-05-07, 04:38 PM
Now thats a lovley example of an old skool nova!

If i saw that driving around id def give you a nod of aproval ;)

draper
09-05-07, 04:48 PM
im loving that - rust is everyones worst nightmare on here

Pigeonrat9
11-05-07, 09:38 AM
Thanks a lot! Actually, when I came to Billing last year and just parked it in the ordinary carpark, I was amazed to find someone taking a picture of it on their phone when I got back. Looks like it does get a bit of approval, though...

I agree about the rust, it's frustrating though because when I bought it it was only the battery tray that was dodgy. As I said, I really should have waxoyled it straight away, but I didn't plan on keeping it for long so I didn't bother. So now I've either got to learn to weld - properly - or look for a new shell. Neither is really worth it, to be honest, but I do enjoy the car so I'm going to have a go.

If anyone's got a tidy 3-door shell in carmine red available later this year, I'll have your arm off! :D