Standard FTW !!
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Standard FTW !!
Holy fook it looks even nicer standard! It did look lovely with comps and coils but there really is something about the std look.
I know its sometimes sickening when people say "keep it std, don't take away from originality", but I think tbhis Nova can't be messed with. That side on picture is retro and just describes a brand new Nova, if that makes sense :confused:
Cheers for the feedback fellas.
Scott, still not entirely sure what I want to with the car yet, just going to put it away for a while and have a think about it. I know it's a rare model that happens to be well preserved and that to restore it back to factory condition would be cool but I just don't think I'd get enough enjoyment out of the end product and it wouldn't be particually exciting. I know what you mean about the standard suspension and brakes etc though, they do make for an interesting ride!
My plans atm are to build it into a nicely spec'd small block track car (only to be used it good weather) with coilovers, cage, buckets, big brakes etc etc which is what I initially bought the car for in the first place as I wanted clean white Mk1 shell. However this one turned out to be a Ski aswell which has changed things slightly. I think if I were to do the above I'd retian a few of the touches that make it a Ski externally. I've done a couple of photoshops but we'll have to wait and see!
k reg, Leeboo, as said I know what you mean about keeping it standard and not messing with it but I think if I were to do that I'd only be pleasing those who'd prefer to see it that way and at the end of the day I wouldn't be getting what I wanted out of the car. Once again though, we'll have to wait and see, I'll be doing my best to keep some of it's retro looks though.
:thumb:
Loving the standard look mate, had a good look around this at Billing.... certianly a lovely straight example!!!
I'm amazed no one had built a true sleeper from a clean base model, i.e. standard looking from the outside, but with a 200Bhp valver engine. Just think of the benifits:
1) You'd retain the originality of the car, and could easily put it back to standard.
2) You could blow away 911's from the lights and cause some serious embarassment to some expensive machinery
3) it wouldn't cost huge ammounts as the bulk would be spent on the engine
4) You wouldn't look like a 'boy racer' as you wouldn't appear to be trying
You'd need to do some clever work with the tyres and suspension to get traction, and the brakes would need to factored in under the standard rims. A Stainless 2.5" exhaust with a downturned tailpipe.... no one would know!!
This would be my next project if I ever get the bug again!!
Standard restorations are great... but be careful not to build it to too high a level, or you'll end up not wanting to take it out (like I did!!)
Dec
^^ dec, that indeed is the way forward..
its so been on my mind lately, this exact thing , thats all..
I wanted to do the above kind of modding, back in 2007 when i was on the look out for a new project, but when i saw john's slightly dissasembled ex feature track day car for the money it was way too good value, so i had it..
So ive always kinda wished i should have started with a genuine, original paint example , from scratch - and it have that more retro appeal.
Anyway we see maybe ill re-shell in the future, no going back now , for me lol.
Nice one matt - youll come up trumps either way, have a good ponder.
To keep it standard looking you would need to keep the original wheels/suspension etc?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dec16v
Meaning small tyres/brakes, terrible suspension.....
Certaininly not good with a 200hp engine.;)
If you could squeeze some tiny 4pots behind the steelies(and then hide them with the steelies) then it could work i guess.
Unless you mean standard exterior, bodywork wise....
uber, uber expensive custom made one-offs are needed ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam
youd have to go slighty lower but 14/15steelies, the avergae (super)car owner isnt the sort of anorak that knows a nova ski came out the factory on 13" wheels lol
a bloke near me fozzy who owns power crazy in lincoln has a blue 1.2 merit tottaly standard on steels not mint but not really rusty just normal looking which is a 2.5 v6 monster. i would love a true sleeper he is selling a miami blue 1.0 nova with a 3.0 v6 would love to buy it but cant afford :(
matt i see what you mean by keeping it standard is just not exciting enough id try and go about standard looking sleeper but at the end of the day its your car do whatever makes you happy mate! :)
Looks good with or without the mods imo.
Ive also started thinking about the 1.2 look mk1 nova, but with a nice engine, maybe a xe or v6, just to show off lol.
14inch steels wouldnt be a bad idea, would be nice to have it looking standard and also not very well cleaned lol
Dec, I'm liking the angle you're coming from... very interesting indeed!
Think it'd have to be some nice 15" steels wrapped in quality rubber and then some 4 pots hidden behind them. Also perhaps some nice Bilstein B8's with custom springs would keep a standardish ride height and provide decent handling. Also engine wise, you're bang on, needs to be >200bhp. Would love a LET but I really don't want to start chopping the bay and welding in strenthening plates. I want the bay to be standard and another engine simply 'bolted in'.
Still the idea of a fully caged out track orientated Nova does appeal to me. I know a 'wolf in sheeps clothing' would be highly fun, just dunno if it'd be as much fun as having a full on track toy? Hmmmmm.....
Cheers for everyones feedback btw!
track toy :d be the coolest car on the trackQuote:
Originally Posted by Matt.
:) Yeah I think how a car looks counts just as much as how well it goes! It wouldn't be ragged about all the time, just cool to get out now and again during the summer for track days, general road fun, maybe 1/4's etc. As said, just a bit of toy really :thumb:Quote:
Originally Posted by jpga
is it a daily driver ten atm ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt.
Has been since June, but then I haven't done a great deal of driving over the summer. Have tried to use it mainly when the weathers nice and kept it as clean as I can. But no, I haven't used it properly in a couple of weeks just since I've got it looking spanking again.Quote:
Originally Posted by jpga
im like that with my gte mate problem is i cant afford to run/house two cars so going to make a massive point of stripping it down and sealing it all properly asap ! that would look the dogs on track mate and if it had an engine to match it would be stunnin :thumb:Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt.
Well look at this way, i have both in a way, im going to restore the 1.2L and have my other as a out and out tracker etc, but out of the two i prefer driving the 1.2L, it's easy to just jump in and drive, if feels relaxing and quite, and it's got better fuel economy! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Matt.
Just a thought, might be worth having two novas??
Scott
lol I know what you mean, they are cool to drive as it's like jumping into a time-warp. Defo not having two Novas though! I want something new, comfy, reliable and pratical now. I think if I were to keep it standard I'd just end up selling it which would mean I'd have to find another mint shell for my project which I simply cba to do, especially with the prices they're starting to go for now!Quote:
Originally Posted by scott.parker
:tard:
I see what your saying dude, don't get me wrong i would love another new'er car as well, but i have the passat for miles/everyday crap etc, so i have the the nova's for fun! lol
The missis had a go at me just, as i saw this local nova again and started going on about buying it..
The mk1 will be hers to drive once she's passed though, so she don't moan.
Scott
Matt- It's a lovely car, and personally I would keep it that way, but my thoughts would be to wind back the clock and do a retro 1987 rebuild- no XE conversions around then!
Adding some "bolt on" Group A or Nova Challenge bits would greatly enhance the car, with the added bonus that when you get bored (which you will) then you can simply unbolt the tune-up bits and get all of your money back, and still retain a very original, tidy car to sell for decent money.
I would look for a decent 1400 motor on twin 40's with the usual head-cam-vernier-tubular manifold and start from there. They do crop up.I would then add:
F13 GTE 5 speed cluster
4.5 CWP
Quick rack
Height adjustable front coilovers with Bilstein inserts (wouldn't bother with anything else)
Rear Bilsteins and standard springs
Poly bushes
Dropped rose jointed front tie bar mounting
Astra 16v discs/calipers
Rear disc beam
Fair enough you won't worry Porsches in a straight line, but you might just in tighter stuff. With this you will end up with a car that if set up properly will really handle, and you really can't beat the sound and induction roar of twin 40's either. You don't have to be the fastest man on the track- what matters is if the car will put a smile on your face. It will :)
I've got both- the stock A reg 8000 miler, and the rally car, which is a similar, albeit more developed spec than the above. The rally car goes really well (and my everyday car has 350bhp so I know what's quick), but most of all it is FUN. But then the standard car has its own charms.
I would be happy to own your car in either spec :thumb:
Olly, cheers for the input fella! It's certainly another approach I need to think about. A period, retro rebuild would be pretty cool.
I know I want to strip the car down to a bare shell, tidy it up, have it completely reprayed inside, out and underneath and then have all the suspension bits etc blasted/ powdercoated so that everything's like new again. Then from there I'll essentially have a new shell which I can build to whichever spec I like, whether it be a standard retro sleeper or a something more track orientated. Either way I want it to look reto/ old skool so I'm just going to have to leave it for a while and have a proper think about what's the best spec to build the car to.
:thumb:
get on mate sounds like this is going to be a car to look out for in the future :)
high spec let i reckon :d
If I was you I'd go with Olly's spec instead of a let!Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt
And don't go too mad with detail as Dec says, you need to feel comfortable giving the car the odd thrashing.
Totally agree. I restored my Capri 2.8i to concours a few years ago: it was nice to preserve it, but now its primary job is to keep dust off the garage floor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Leeboo
In honesty I had the most fun with it pre-restoration, when it was a bit scruffy and I wasn't frightened of giving it a hiding- now as a polished garage ornament it's almost a burden to own.
Dug this beast out this afternoon (I haven't seen it for 2 months). Just went to check it hadn't turned into a huge pile of rust really.
Luckily it was exactly how I'd left it...
Tucked away under it's cover;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC01702-1.jpg
An Autum snap or two (or three);
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC01692-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC01687-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC01690-1.jpg
Then tucked away back in the corner and the cover put back on;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC01697-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC01699-1.jpg
Awesome update I know :roll: Will have some proper ones soon I hope! Just finding the time and also cash atm is difficult.
:thumb:
Nice, i love what you have done, might need to do the same to mine..
lol seriously though.
Scott
lol Cheers pal!Quote:
Originally Posted by scott.parker
Im serious though, the mk1 needs a clean, mot/tax and it's cover putting on soon...
you did say you where going to visit it soom time soon,
i have to admit i prefered it with the MO's on,
but its still nice :)
Loved with it MO`s, hopefully mine will look something similar in the near distant future.
Cheers, I did like it with the MO's but I have bigger and better plans for it now!
Will look well running low with the TH's - will be a bit different aswell :thumb:
where did you get mirrors tryed to fi nd some there cant :( i love them :)
I got a mint drivers side one off a member on here and happend to stumble across a brand new passanger side one on ebay! Think it's quite rare to have them matching size (correct me if I'm wrong) as the passenger side was an optional extra for early models and was usually slightly larger than the drivers side for some reason :confused: As said, they came on early base model Novas so you just have to keep an eye out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Morton
any idea what to call them when lookin ??or just search through all nova mirrors?
Yeah, just search for Nova mirrors on ebay. I'd say your best bet is to either keep looking on there or just look out for someone breaking and early Nova. A 'Wanted' thread on here might help, that's how I sourced a set :thumb:Quote:
Originally Posted by Morton
I noticed that on some Nova's that the passenger mirror was larger - Why is that ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt
Looks really nice Matt, can't wait to see what you have planned for it :thumb:
Not sure regarding the mirror mate!Quote:
Originally Posted by vaughanmc
Cheers, look forward to seeing the Sport come together too ;)
Stored on grass! Nutts. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt
Hopefully get some welding started over the winter :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt
It's more like gravel with moss where I park it. Nothing grows underneath it and it's a fancy breathable cover so any moisture can escape. Will b'reet for the time being, it's moving into the garage soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig green