A 5 Door Rebuild

[Andy_L]

My now fiancee first bought the car in October '99 as her first car and it got passed to me in 2005 after I'd written my 214 off in icy conditions (plus I was driving way too fast :cry: ). My reasoning was the Nova was getting old and unreliable and she needed a newer car. I now know very different as the Fester has been a bit of a money pitt. The Nova by comparison - aside from breaking down on my first day of ownership (distributor) has been faultless. However a lack of money meant I had to take it off the road at the end of 2007 and since then I've been getting round to starting the rebuild.

This is a labour of love and sentiment so I've set no budget :eek:

Pics

Rust on offside engine bay. Engine will need to come out to sort this.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270157.jpg

Passenger headlight out, an absolute swine to do. Found a willy size hole
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270164.jpg

Inner wings don't look too shabby really
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270162.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270163.jpg

Rain stopped play at this point.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270166.jpg

The rest of the car isn't too bad. Boot floor needs a little attention. Battery tray has a bit of surface rust but nothing bad.
Underside is fairly solid.

:thumb:

[dave.gsi]

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270157.jpg


good luck sorting that mess out :eek:

[draper]

^ ive seen worse repaired tbh

im more interested in why you think a five door is worth the effort ??

[John]

^ ive seen worse repaired tbh

im more interested in why you think a five door is worth the effort ??

Like he say's draper

This is a labour of love and sentiment so I've set no budget :eek:

Not many other more door hatches about, crack on that man i say!

[7ova]

my second nova "many years and novas ago"
was a 1.2 swing in red like yours
but it was a three door hatch!
not many left on road now
good luck mate :thumb:

[Andy_L]

good luck sorting that mess out :eek:

Dave,

Could be a pain but until I start rubbing away won't find out how bad the rust is. To me it looks like it was badly repaired the first time. At the end of the day if it can't be chopped out and repaired I'll bite the bullet and PM duick (steve) and see if I can sort out a new wheel hosuing.
:cool:

[just vaux trev]

/\ should be easy enough to cut out and do properly just take your time and enjoy, wish i held on to my more door hatch.
but forget rubbing and get the grinder out:thumb:

[Andy_L]

/\ should be easy enough to cut out and do properly just take your time and enjoy, wish i held on to my more door hatch.
but forget rubbing and get the grinder out:thumb:

lol I can see the pictures now a pile of wet and dry next to the car with a quote of "nearly there...................."

[ade]

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/bumble_bee04/SL270163.jpg

I'd check behind the sound deadening at the bottom of the arch aswell - looks like a nice hole there! That's where mine went - had to get a whole new arch curve welded in and the bottom strengthened.

[Andy_L]

Cheers Ade bottom right of the picture???

:thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

Best of luck matey!!

[Andy_L]

Have been offered a set of Corsa GSi discs, pads and calipers for a very princely sum, so the wheels will be sold and replaced with some 5" wide jobbies.

Should be meeting my parents this weekend and collecting a set of ramps and an engine hoist that fixes to the roof.

Must clear the garage out though, my ying and yang are not happy lol

[J4MES]

good luck chap!!

[jimbob-mcgrew]

any updates on this andy ? last post back in march! there isnt enough 5 door projects on the go.

[Andy_L]

I saw this on page one and thought WTF!

As for updates..............

Drivers headlight removed and that is it, been started a few times and I have bought a brand new GM crossmember and slam panel for it.

But that's it :cry:

2008 has not been a great year for me sadly, far too many downs for my liking.

However with a bit of luck I will be able to share part of a unit next year and move the car there and start to make some progress. I've got friends who will help me out (including one who is a welder) so really there is no excuse next year.

[AlexW]

Sounds like it will be another 5door minter.

[just vaux trev]

/\ should be easy enough to cut out and do properly just take your time and enjoy, wish i held on to my more door hatch.
but forget rubbing and get the grinder out:thumb:

ha just thought id add i bought it back and had a play... maybe a little insentive to get you back on it,
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC0000218.jpg (http://www.pngclub.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC0000218.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC0000112.jpg (http://www.pngclub.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC0000112.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)