Get it sorted, needs to be at Billing dude, box looks great as do the grey bits.
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Get it sorted, needs to be at Billing dude, box looks great as do the grey bits.
Stu..... Thanks fella! That is a lovely comment to hear however Im sure we all have our favourites etc! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by 7ova
Mark.... Me too! we'll see how things go
Joe.... cheers! No one is happier than me I assure you... (mind you the missus may have a different opinion!!) lol
Jeff... Thanks pal all being well it will happen.
Joe.... Again thanks! The panel looks ok I think? Much better than some pods Ive seen anyhow. The flash made the colour look much different to how it actually appears which is a pretty damn good match etc. Steering wheel shroud sounds good but Im about finished truth be told. Not many more man hours on this one now.
Iain... Thanks mate much appreciated. ;)
Tony.... cheers! Im looking forward to the days that I can really open it up etc. :)
Benn..... cheers dude Its almost their now. Until I find something else Im not entirely happy with that is! You know how it is ;) I'll try my best for vboa but I dont want to rush things. If its not right I wont use it. Their is always next year. :)
Nick.
As always nick, the "prep paint finish shiny bits"
Are totally awesome!
Some differant ideas, that in my head didnt work, but now you have done them look very, very nice!
See you in less than 3 weeks ;-)
Cheers Matt, As Ive said before (Although most probably dont see it like I do?) It is very different to my last project.... Things are matt instead of shiney, Everythings a lot more low key. With all the yellow its needs something to break it up and tone the car down etc. I know Its not everyones cup of tea but It works for me! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by MattBrown
Nick.
Cant wait fella! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by krobinson
Nick.
looks top notch
Looking sorted Nick
looking great mate, really nice
Looks brilliant nick a nice flocked dash now :)
ooo how i love shiny bits lol top work mate
Cheers all for the nice comments.. :)
Gary.... I was looking at the mag feature of the silver 4wd mk1 astra turbo the other day and noticed how well the grey flock dash actually looked. If I did do it then it would have to be grey for the stock look etc but to be honest I doubt it'll ever get done as I dont want to put anymore money into it. Maybe next year if Im flush! :)
Nick.
So glad for you that its now back on the road Nick, looking forward to a catch up with you and the old girl at Billing...
Looks good Nick. Hopefully i will see you tomorrow when i call in at the bodyshop.
Thanks Rick and good to see you again today! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Draper
Shaun.... Thanks fella all being well we'll catch up at billing. :)
Nick.
Hi guys, Onto a litte update of whats been happening recently with the car........................
After getting a hundred miles in I dropped the car off for a shakedown with no real complaints apart from a few noisy lifters and a leaking outer cv boot on the n/s. As the lifters had got no better I ordered a new genuine set along with cam seals,rocker gasket and a cv boot kit. With these fitted the engine is as quiet as a mouse and I no longer have cv grease splattered on the inside of my n/s wheel = WIN! Off I went to cover a further 150 mile..............
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...bowip007-3.jpg
Until another problem caught my eye...... The battery light had a slight flicker around 4k but as quick as it came on it was gone again. I covered some more miles and the problem then started happening anywhere above 3k so I dropped the car off to get checked out. All the wiring/conections are fine so it seems the alternator is at fault. The only thing is we couldnt source one local until friday so my thinking is by the time its arrived and fitted we'll be well into the afternoon on friday. That coupled to the fact that I still havent had the tracking/wheel alignment sorted as well as a few other minor jobs so Ive made the decision to leave the car at home for this year. Hopefully with all the major work out of the way next year should be fairly simple although who knows as it is a nova let! The aim for this year is to get some good miles on the engine in prep for next year. Lets hope the weather stays good for us all this weekend and all the best to those competing for the honours. If you see me around please come and say hi as its always good to catch up with current members and new faces alike. Until the next update cheers for reading and all the best.
Nick.
Ah man :(
Dude, gutted not to see it this year. I'll chuck some keys at you Sunday for a lap if you'd like?
A shame you ain't taking the Nova Nick after all the hard work, I'll get to see it next year though now because I'm not off to Billing now.
The drive to billing would have been good to run her in though.
Take it Nick
Thats not a major issue & you can get that sorted before the trip down. :)
Looks amazing as always nick.
Thanks for the pic of the mini, looks like it should be done soon.
Hi Nick, lovely to see it at billing. You've done a fantastic job. The yellow and grey details throughout looks fantastic.
How's it driving?
Hi Jeff, cheers! It was great to see the red one again also......... As for hows it going an update is on route.
Nick.
Hi guys, Where to start then...............
Following on from my last update It didnt look like the car would make it to billing due to us waiting for parts until the last minute. So I basically threw in the towel and said I wouldnt bother taking it. However once that post went up I was bombarded with texts and phone calls from Andy B/Keith urging me to re consider. They were even ready to drive up and help sort the car so I could get it to billing which was really good of them. Cheers Guys!! :) At first I was having none of it but after a while I saw their point and decided that even if it meant setting off friday eves instead of the morning that getting the car their would be worth it. So by the time the new alternator was fitted and we were loaded/ready to go it was nearly 6pm. A steady drive saw us arrive at billing approx 9pm. We made it with no problems which was a Winner! :d A great weekend followed and it was good to catch up with a lot of you and have a look round your motors also. Ive picked out some of my favouite pics that people took across various websites. Here they are and thanks to those who took them!...........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311431701
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311431737
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311431772
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311431874
As great as the weekend was by the time late afternoon sunday came it was time to set off home. Off we went down the m1 which for fine until approx an hour into our journey when the battery gauge went down to a quarter and then shortly after into the red. The services were only a mile away so I planned to stop and take a look but seconds later I lost all power and ended up on the hard shoulder of the motorway! With the bonnet up their was nothing I could see obviously wrong so I gave Andy a call for help! Luckily he had just turned off for stoke a juction before so wasnt far away and came back to tow me into the services were I called the AA. Not long after they turned up we got a diagnosis of a dead alternator! I was quite shocked at that with it being brand new but obviously it was just a dodgy part. The car was then loaded up for the journey home.........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311432672
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311432745
Good job the car isnt uber low as it just made it onto the towing dolley with minimum clearance! We then finally got home around 10.30pm sunday night due to the above. Huge thanks again to Andy and his missus Emily who turned around and came back to help us. :) However that was'nt the end of sundays epic fail......... Upon arriving home the AA chap was a little slack unloading the car and caught the front bumper which pressed onto the lower return lip of the front panel. Even though the damage was very minimal I was very annoyed and got all the necessary details from the guy to put in a claim. Pics of said damage.......
Poor picture but the bottom edge of the bumper was gauged and a small stress fracture of the plastic was above it........(Look for the white lines that spread horizontally either side of the gauge)...........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311433283
In this pic you can just see were its pushed the lower return lip of the front panel upwards.......
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311433424
The worst part was how the bumper was sat as it had been pushed well out of alignment and was practically touching the bottom of the headlight which made me suspect a bent carrier.........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311433557
During the days that followed I fitted a new battery as the other now wouldnt even charge and got it back to my guys for another alternator. They put in a warranty claim on the part so at least I didnt have to pay for another etc. With the car mechanically sound again I got onto the AA and forwarded them an estimate for the repair work. After hounding them for 48 hours we finally got an authorisation to repair at their cost. :)
Hi Nick, nothing short of brilliant. Like so many others, I've been (and still am) following your thread with great interest and enjoying it no end. What a looker! Awesome and other expletives cannot closely describe the class in which your Nova sits.:cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick J
Just as well! I know I would be gutted so it's a good thing they'll cover the expenses. Perhaps a chance to carry out some mods on their behalf? :thumb:Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick J
Cheers,
Niek
In early the following morning I got the bumper off and prepared it ready for my foreman to repair. Stress fractures can sometimes be a little difficult and need to be properly repaired. We used a cutting discs to slot the small cracks so they wont spread any further later and then use a flexible plastic filler to fill and level it.........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434458
This was later rubbed down and primed up. At the same time I repaired a small nick in the other side corner which I had damaged myself whilst the bumper was sat in the garage last year........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434532
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434642
The primer was then blocked level and I got the bumper re painted.......
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434749
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434801
As good as new................
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434835
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311434988
Next us was the front panel so we got the car up on some stands giving us enough room to use a slidehammer and gentley pull the return lip back to were it should be. We also noticed that when the lip had been pushed up it had put a small bulge into the front facing part of the front panel so that had to be tapped back down too. As my foreman is a superb ex panel beater he managed to do this with no need for filler. Just a gentle tap from his hammer and dolley and it was almost their. All I needed to do was give it a block to take the last of the high spot out and level it up perfectly.........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311435136
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311435463
With that sorted I gave the repaired area a coat of overpaintable stone guard and left it to dry so it could be painted the next day. I also called in to see Joe on here to buy another bumper from him as it was complete with a straight iron just in case mine was bent. Cheers Joe! :)
The following days saw the lower section of the front panel repainted..........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311435696
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311435734
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311435757
The towing eye also had to be repainted from were the towing bar had been rubbing against it...........
Before...........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311436230
After.......
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311435786
The bumper then went back on and I added the pinstripe before getting the plate and grille back in...........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311436411
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311436527
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311436554
As luck would have it the iron wasnt bent so it was just re adjusted and the bumper then lined up perfectly again. Phew! :) A quick wash and it was time to go back home.........
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1311436704
Its great to have it back to its best and home again. Big thanks to my foreman for helping out as usual! :)
Also Id like to thank Mike and craig for the engine build and last minute mechanicals.....
Keith and Andy for nagging at me which without I wouldnt have made billing weekend.....
Andy/Emily for coming back to rescue and tow us into the services.
Vinnys for a crazyily hot Indian saturday night!!!! phew......
And lastly all the members from the sites I use for your inspiration and lovely comments over billing weekend. I hope you enjoyed viewing my car as I did yours etc. :)
Here's to some more running in miles!!
Nick.
Glad to see it's all sorted Nick:thumb:
Don't know how I haven't seen this before but love the car mate. Thats how a let should be in my opinion, understated. Top work!
Good to see it sorted Nick.
Hi Niek, Good to hear from you fella and your comments are much appreciated as always!Quote:
Originally Posted by nova_niek
Joe......... Thanks mate and catch you soon for the rs national day etc.
Gaz1300sr.........Cheers and Im glad you like what you see. Its always good to hear what people think good or bad.
Adam........Me too!
Nick.
I wish I had paint skills like you Nick :( lol
Out of interest how many years you been painted cars ? Has it taken long for you to reach your standard ?
I'll pm you about that brace on Wednesday
Edd
what plans you got for thee car next??????? u build amazing cars by the way......
We all have our own areas of skills when it comes to cars Edd. For example I wouldnt be able to drop my motor in and out like you can! Ive been working in the trade for approx 14 years now but the hike in quality came when I moved to work for Bmw 10 years ago. Like we all do I learnt from the guys around me and pushed myself to be the best I could be. Nowadays a quality job comes as second nature. No worries regarding the brace I have it wrapped and ready to go for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Edd
Nick.
gte-87.....
Thanks fella.... Im unsure on plans now to be honest. I keep thinking of returning to stock wing mirrors and I like the idea of two stock sr front seats maybe retrimmed in two tone grey alcantara. Although Im unsure as yet! Id really like to just enjoy the car for as long as I can now as next year may see it sold to aid other things brick and mortar related.
Nick.
I can vouch for this, the roof on the mini is immaculate :dQuote:
Originally Posted by Nick J
Well Nick you've done yourself proud and it's a shame you had issues when coming home from Billing but at least you'll remember the event.
The Nova is a credit to you and is a cracker which I'm very jelouse of now I don't own one but reading your thread makes me happy non the less.
Hopefully I get to see this in the flesh/metal next year :)
Any nova you own seams to turn out totally stunning, Loved the red mk2 and this mk1 really is a work of art :thumb:
Cheers Rick, You'll have to send me a picture of it now its had the wheels done too as I bet it looks great!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Draper
Nick.