My Projects thread

Good luck with the new project Nick.

Shame to see it go, know how you feel right now. New project will be awesome tho I'm sure. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with it.

[quote=Dec16v]Mate, can't believe you've sold yours too...... 2 top Nova's sold on in the same week!!!!

Dec......You havent sold up have you mate?!

Adam... Yes she did look well in it and thats all Im saying! lol

Simps.... cheers!

Simon... Thanks!

Rich.... gutted at the moment but I'll be fine once the hole in my garage is filled, possibly wont be long either ;)

Benn, cheers!

Hi all, long time no update! Most of you will already know the red nova in this thread was sold a few months back. Some will also know what the funds from that car paid for. My preferance has always been the mk1 nova and to bag one in such a rare colour plus the fact it has the engine that has always eluded me in a nova was a bonus! Im talking of course about my latest project below.......


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...to/2exwzzn.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...o/DSC00913.jpg


Previously bought as an almost standard sr and meticulously converted by Shaun larnder it was just what I'd have liked my finished build to look like without the huge cost of starting a build from a basic shell. My intentions then.......... To basically perfect the car in anyway I see fit and thoroughly enjoy the use of it within the better months of the year. My ideas are very different this time being that im going for function over form in some ways anyhow. I wanted something that rides well, goes like hell and still looks well even though it will be basic and not have any trick/custom looky parts like my previous nova project. But it will still have to be a clean well presented car overall. The above car fits the bill well and although its not entirely perfect like the last one given a bit of time and effort I feel I can get it to a cracking standard. Over the past few weeks Ive been acumulating parts and painting up a few bits and bats just to tidy parts I thought needed it. In the short while Ive owned it a leaky sump seams to be all I can so far fault it on ( Holding my breath and currently touching wood!) An 8v sump gasket/baffle and shorter bolt kit Ive just purchased from autovaux Im hoping will sort this.
So onto what Ive been up to so far... Nothing groundbreaking yet just a few little touches. The fuel cap on the car for one I didnt like the look of nor did I feel represented the look I want to achieve.......


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip010.jpg


So after a quick look on ebay I found a £2 bargain standard fuel cap/key. Once it arrived I noticed it had been painted up matt black and to not a very good standard! :( A quick dip in thinners the next day followed by being painted in a complimenting grey and satin finish lacqeur I had the above cap replaced with this.......

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip002.jpg

Much better Im sure you'll agree!

Another part that caught my eye that I dint like was the engine plug cover. It had been powdercoated in a course metallic black and with corroded lettering didnt look very good at all! Plus the fact all the other items in the bay are powdercoated in a satin finish black I just wasnt happy with it. Here's how it looked before.....


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip001.jpg


So this also got treated to a rub down and was painted in black with a matt/satin finish to compliment the other black parts in the engine bay. Lettering was then polished up for a cleaner look.....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip015.jpg


And fitted...........

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip007.jpg


Another vast improvement that didnt take much effort! One other little thing that was rather annoying was the bonnet stay platform had broke it clips and the bonnet stay came off everytime I grabbed it! A new one purchased from Lee H (cheers) arrived and after a quick coat of satin black to tidy it up was fitted. Another job off the list!


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip006.jpg


Then looking through my nova spares I came across the following Id painted up to suit the red nova........


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...vawip327-1.jpg


This got me thinking! So following a quick rub down and a few coats of satin/matt finish lacqeur we have the following awaiting fitting........


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...urbowip017.jpg

Again this will compliment perfectly the other items in the bay I feel and should look great fitted.

Lastly I was getting the urge to paint something mustard yellow! So I mixed up a little a decided to treat a couple of small parts! The car had the following for a gearknob.....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1252964996


I wasnt really a fan of it so I filled the top recesses and painted it in mustard yellow. Only it did look a little too much so I painted the bottom half dark grey to tone it down a little. One custom gear knob .....


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1252965171


And fitted.........


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1252965207


So there I was getting a little carried away with the mustard yellow, and decided another item was going to get the same treatment!


One horn push fitted.............


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1252965329


Im also currently acquiring/looking for all the stick on type items on the exterior of the car such as mouldings,vinyls etc. Once I have them all no doubt the car will have a full repaint in the original colour scheme with all the original brand new trims fitted so its a good as it can be. Ive managed to find most of the new mouldings already.........


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1252965511

lookin good nick carnt wait to see it in person

Ive also had these recently returned to me.....


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g?t=1252965680


Im going to paint them up grey where they are red for the standard look and then decide whether I'll use them or not. Unsure so far whether I want a totally standard look exterior wise (apart from wheels) for this project as yet. Time will tell I guess! Thats it for now. Hopefully some more updates soon.

Nick. :)

Standard look imo, or colour code the standard mirrors yellow?

Never liked the stubby mirrors so im biased

Liking your work so far! Not keen on the knob & horn but maybe its something you need to see standing back a bit. I trust your tastes :D

Get the mirrors on it mate, will look awsome with them fitted :)