Project: Mexico Red Cavalier SRi

[Nova_Tek]

Yes I know, it's not a Nova but I know for sure that there are a fair few Cavalier lovers here on PNG and I know what some of you may be thinking... another project before finishing the Nova?

Well this project is a bit different... it's my dad's 1989 MK3 Cavalier SRi 2.0 8v (SEH) in Mexico Red. It has been a daily runner for the past 20 years but has been off the road in the last few months to get it's mechanicals sorted.

The time has come for it to get it's bodywork sorted. Looking past the oxidised paint, the panles (all original GM panels from the factory) are actually rust free bar a couple 5 pence piece sized bubbled paint on one of the doors and a few car park dings (which tbh most have happaned in the last year). Of course, no Cavalier would be a Cavalier without the rusty crusty rear arches, what do you expect for 180k miles?

The slightly more serious work will be on the floor. There are a few holes and crusty areas around the floor and one of the chassis legs has just started to show small areas of corrosion so they'll be addressed before it gets past the point of recovery.

The aim of the project will be to completely sort out all the rust on the body and underneath, fully paint the exterior, replace vinyls, underseal the underside.

It will be repainted in original Mexico Red.

I'll stop typing and show some pics of it. Some of you have probably seen a few photo's I've uploaded previously, but they were a good few years back when the car was looking a lot fresher. It's looking a bit tired now but can't wait for it to be revitalised.

(Ignore the wheels they were spares we had while the Fan blades (the one fitted is the spare) were being refurbed)



All straight down the front


All straight round the booty


Driver side rear arch looking shot


And the passenger side rear arch, with a hole into the boot (those are speed holes )


Straight down the sides. Bit of a ding on the front wing and a scrape under the indicator but no rust!


Ahhh, now here's some excitement (passenger footwell)


Bit more...


And some more under the padding


Driver footwell. Will be tackled when the sound deadening has been removed.


Stripped out interior bar driver seat and dash


Rusticles on the rear passenger floor.


Inside the boot, passenger side, rear arch (speed holes)

[Nova_Tek]

A few pics from when the Fan Blades were being refurbed.

A few coats of primer




In the oven after paint and laquer


The Cav will be picked up by one of the lads at the bodyshop (same shop that did the Nova).

No real time frame has been set but I guess that we'll be discussing this tomorrow.

[General Baxter]

bin it

[JaysNova]

I had a white mk3 SRi xe with fanblades and loved it! There good cars hope it turns out good mate. Are you keepin it the same colour??

[Nova_Tek]

bin it

How dare you speak in that way of a Cavalier

Binning it was a consideration when my dad saw the rust on the floor but the chap at the bodyshop said it was easily saveable and he's restored and taxed a lot worse

I had a white mk3 SRi xe with fanblades and loved it! There good cars hope it turns out good mate. Are you keepin it the same colour??

Yes mate, it's staying Mexico Red, will look lush with fresh paint on it... originality is the key

[Smiffy1203]

nice bit of rust there :/

[shed-on-wheels]

looking good dude cant wait to see this will it be another show stoper like the nova?

[Nova_Tek]

nice bit of rust there :/

I'll sure miss it though

looking good dude cant wait to see this will it be another show stoper like the nova?

Hopefully so matey. This will be finished much quicker though, as mechanicals are all done, engine is running sweet, new shocks all round, exhaust is practically new, replacement front seats and door cards ready to go in, wheels re-frubed and new tyres. It just needs new decals you see on the exterior and a new grey carpet. All those will go in after paint.

It's gonna be special.

[Derick-Sport]

love this thread already!!!!

[shed-on-wheels]

^+1 on that derick and your plans sound good tek keep it up and dont loose faith in the nova!!