My Projects thread

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Originally Posted by craig green

Good to hear Nick.

When Martins car came up I was at pains to see it end up in the hands of someone that wouldnt look after it or even do it justice if the shell was built with different parts. I badly wanted it myself.
Atleast we all know it's gone to a good home (for the time being) LOL.

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Cheers Craig, I think Martin knows It will be well looked after whilst it's in my hands. I pretty sure their was a few tempted by it and all I can say is I'm glad I got in first! I've always thought I would never be satisfied when buying a car as their always seem to be something however he's been so particular over the years with how things have been done and parts bought Its left me feeling very satisfied with what I've bought. It drives bloody lovely too! Epas is a cracking addition to a nova as I'm sure your aware.

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Originally Posted by Benn

Believing the know the reasons, this is a way.

You've got a fantastic car to play with and drive. Get lots of driving done in it.

Enjoy it. Show it.

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yep I've been racking up a few miles already!

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Originally Posted by Southie

Well Nick, I knew it was too good to be true you running away from Novas lol

It's going to be interesting to see how you put your stamp on an already very good build, looking forward to seeing your skill though :thumb:

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Cheers fella, I have some ideas just need some time! We'll see!

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Originally Posted by gazcorsa

Wow... This car is beautiful!!!

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Cheers!

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Originally Posted by ben doodar

cracking stuff nick :) until martin posted some pictures of his nova a few weeks back I had never seen the car before. really is a cracking car very similar styling to my project nova.

if your short on time imo you've made a great decision + you have money in your bank and have a car you can use.

+its nice to see that the cars not been broken for parts.

I look forward to seeing your updates.

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Yes I'm happy with the decisions I've made just a shame I don't have more room and could have kept D20TBO too!

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Originally Posted by Jeff16v

What a lovely new arrival. :-)

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Cheers Jeff, very happy on all fronts!

Nick.

Photo shoot needed soon then!

:cool:

Nice one Nick, Have to agree about the power steering after having a go. Looking forward to seeing you put your stamp on it!

Im unsure which car it is you've bought but it sounds like you have another peach, I look forward to seeing some pics!

So I guess an update is a little overdue? Apologies for this I just dont seem to get the time I used to! Were to begin...... A little while ago I found building D20TBO was starting to get rather expensive and I knew their would still be a good few ££££ to spend. At the same time I was also really missing having a big block nova to hoon round in over the better weather months. I wouldnt want more than one project and only have garage space for one so owning another wasnt something I wanted so I started considering the possibility of selling it to buy something else that would be fun from the off like I have done In the past.....

However finding a nova turbo thats been built to a standard I would like wouldnt be easy. But I did have a plan in mind and got talking to keith during the weekend of Andy B's wedding about possibly buying his so he could fund his dream motor being a 911 GT3. But even then he wasnt sure he would part with It so I just carried on accumulating parts until........

Enter Martin Weaver with his nova turbo........ Ive known of the car for many years (Circa 1999 was the first time I saw it) And knew It was subject to an extremely high end build with cost being no issue. My initial plan If he broke it up was to cherry pick the quality parts needed for D20TBO but even then their was still parts and ££££ to spend in order to get it up to the standard I would have wanted. Which then got me thinking about buying the whole thing and selling my nova/parts to fund it. In short as many will have seen I put the car and many parts up for sale and was lucky enough to get a quick sale on not only the nova but some other expensive kit too which gave me more than enough funds to think about buying Martins car outright.

After negotiating with the buyer of D20TBO their was a few goodies I needed to fit which ended up being included in the sale. An opel grill badge and the stubby mirrors Id been working on over winter were added and heres how it sat awaiting collection.....


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4uye2i9s.jpg
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psliec8lwx.jpg


And then at a later date It was collected via a transport firm who I must say was exceptional in the care of loading the car....


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psajvqyfba.jpg
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...pskns6pcs1.jpg
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psbsvc4nmm.jpg


So unfortunately we came to the end of my dealings with D20TBO however I know the new owner has some nice plans for It but I hear Its carcooned for a while until he gets chance. I will take this opportunity to thank him for a trouble free sale though and best of luck with It!

This then gave me the chance to go view the nova I wanted to look at. I was tempted to bail after again recieving top money for another nova and maybe look at a 911 myself but that would only be decided by what I saw when I next ventured up to stoke. Arrangements were made and we spent the weekend with Andy/Emily before going off to view the nova. In short I couldnt really fault it! Over the 15 years of owning and building It Martins approach to the project was exceptional. The work carried out on the shell at central blast cleaning alone cost him 3.5k and It didnt even come back with any paint on!!!! All parts used were top end and all work carried out has been to a great standard. How It drove really showed this and later when Andy drove the car he complimented on just how well and tight It felt to drive. As I was unsure of what I may find In stoke I hadnt insured the car so a stop at the nova Inn was required until insurance was sorted and I had chance to get back to collect It.

Tucked up with Andys turbo nova and his next project mini van at the back! .........


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...pscefb5b20.jpg


More to follow..........

Can't wait to see this thread being updated , weekly lol , nice one mate you sound well happy with her !

For those who havent seen Martins recent thread or the total vauxhall feature heres a few pics of the build process...

Fully blasted/re galvanized shell via central blast cleaning which later went to Ade culley for a bare shell top paint job....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ova/Nova01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/Nova01-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSC00015.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...va/Bike158.jpg


Rebuilt C20let engine and quaifed F28....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...0/DSC01366.jpg


Radtechs custom Intercooler/Radiator combo designed by Andy.....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG00059_2.jpg


After years of graft and a huge amount of money the car was featured a few months back looking fantastic....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...526a72fb85.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...895856436d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...f48e92fea5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...2e37b38890.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...3a08d6f77d.jpg

Full spec list for those who fancy a read...

Spec.
Body
Full bare metal shell restoration – repainted in Original Breeze Blue
Central Blast Cleaning shell preparation including stitch welding and 3M rust proofing throughout
Harry Hockley Group N strengthening kit
Powdercoated everything, TCA’s, Rear beam, all brackets (anything that could be done, was) all fittings replaced with stainless.
New GSI bumpers & skirts. New lights all round, grille & gutter trims and windscreen all brand new.
Manta 400 wing mirrors mounted on carbon backing plates & base model interior trims (no adjuster)

Engine & Transmission
C20 LET – ARP Rod bolts, 2mm Cometic Head Gasket – all new gaskets, bearings & rings. EDS phase 2
F28 Gearbox with Quiffe ATB, Grifford Engineering fully rose jointed selector linkage (short-shifter), new driveshaft seals and Gulf Racing oil
JP Custom exhaust from Turbo
Custom Radtec concealed alloy intercooler, radiator & oil cooler package
Walbro 255 fuel pump & all new lines
Aeroquip turbo coolant, oil cooler and header tank lines & fittings.
Equal length driveshaft setup with new bearing.
Custom Lloyd racing hubs comprising reinforced bearing carrier & truck bearings.

Chassis & Steering
Corsa B EPAS steering column with weight adjuster
Quaiffe 2.2 quick rack with solid billet mounts
Spherical bearing top mounts and tie bar mounts
GAZ GHA Coilover's all round with custom spring rates
Fearless Motorsport Strutbrace
Custom lower arms with strengthening plates and tie bar lowering spacers all in one.
V6 front brake conversion & Astra rear disks. Goodridge hose all round.
Rare 16 x 6.5 Raceline RL7 alloys powdercoated in anthracite. Continental Sportcontact 2 tyres

Interior
Immaculate 92 blue/grey SRI interior
Astra GTE Digi-Dash (was brand new from Billing)
Corsa C info display
Electric sunroof conversion using Vectra surround.
Calibra Turbo steering wheel centre
Body coloured heater & headlight controls
Leather gearknob & alloy handbrake handle, both with leather gaiters
Rear Headrests
Classic Kenwood Mask headunit!



A few weeks back I returned to stoke to collect It. Really enjoyed the drive home whilst trying to get used to the power steering, Helix paddle clutch and the six speed box ratios as Ive never used these before in my previous nova turbo/big block novas etc. I was also thinking about what I could do with It??? Hmmmmmm.....

More to follow.......

I had a proper read through most of this thread a couple Of weeks ago and think it's my favourite build thread.Really looking forwards to seeing you put your stamp on the breeze blue one. Will you be showing it this year mate?

One word, Stunning!