Magazine article help for SR feature

[ChrisMC]

Hi, I'm a journalist helping put together a piece for Modern Classics magazine. We've photographed the mint low-mileage SR that was up for auction this Saturday (and expected to make £10k), and I've been tasked with writing some of the panels that accompany the story.

One is about someone who had a Nova SR as their first car who can tell us a bit about it, why they chose an SR, what they did to it, whether they enjoyed it and maybe what they moved on to. Is there anyone who fits the bill who'd be willing to tap out a few words for me, or spare two minutes so I can download their memories? I'd also need a mug shot, nothing fancy, or even better, a pic of them with the car from the time.

Another panel is just some basic buying advice. So I guess what to pay for a project, tidy and mint car, and what the common problems are (arches, cam wear etc) and some realistic repeatable prices to fix each. Is their anyone who would willing to help me out with that one, and also supply a basic mugshot? Phone pic would do!

Thanks if advance for any help you can give. The car we've snapped looks stunning and will be running over quite a few pages in the mag.


Chris





Chris Chilton
M: +44 7813 008 748
chris@carchris.co.uk

[Stuart]

Ah yeah, Kev forwarded this on the other day but I haven't had time to post here

given this exact text was in the email we got mid week, and you posted after the auction, what did the Sr get to?

[millworm]

It sold for 9800 If I'm not mistaken.

Also I can't help with an Sr, that luxury wasnt afforded to me for a first nova or any for that matter haha

[Benn]

I had a mk1 Red SR as my first car.

Love it, looked sporty but was cheapish to insure. And for a learner/new driver was fast as anything.

Loved that car, was so mint. wish i kept it.

[Royston]

I had a mk1 Red SR as my first car.

Love it, looked sporty but was cheapish to insure. And for a learner/new driver was fast as anything.

Loved that car, was so mint. wish i kept it.

Quite similar to me

My B reg SR was the first car I bought (my second car) when I was 18

Was Cheaper to insure than and XR2 ( group 3 rather than 4, when there was only 7 insurance groups) was a little slower, but went well, still have it thirty year on

Was still my only car when I was married with 3 kids :0 until I bought a D Plate Ford Sierra Ghia Estate

[Benn]

Nice^

[ChrisMC]

Thanks for your replies. Great pic Royston! What about buying advice? Can anyone help me with what to look out for and how much it costs to fix the common faults? Can be anonymous if you prefer... Just looking for five bullet points really. 'Arches blah blah, £300 per side...cams wear, £300 inc fitting to replace, or consider an uprated one for an extra £50 while you're at it...clutches last XXX,000 miles, easy to replace because of the removable panel in the bell housing, cost £200' that kind of thing?

[Stuart]

5 bullet points... here goes
They rust everywhere and costs range depending if you want OEM panels (rare as hell now), copy panels or simply tin bash to fit
The engines are pretty much bullet proof unless you dont service them, and even they they can go for years without an oil change.
Early SR's have poo brakes, later ones have "better" brakes, fit the ATE calipers when the Delco ones stick (and they will) and pads, voilla done
Buy a haynes manual
Refitting is NOT reverse of removal

[Royston]

Mechanically (in standard form) they are pretty bullet proof, Camshafts can fail on OHC engines if badly serviced as said, my SR covered 150k+, Valve stem seals wear, or harden with old age. (one of the sports is due a set after 15 yrs and low mileage.

Simple to work on, Stuart covered the brakes and a few other failings

Rust........
sills,
rear chassis legs,
rear arches, inner and outer,
Rear slam panel
Front crossmember
Inner wings
Front struts to bulkhead
Doors
Rear of front arches
Headlamp panels

Fairly easy to restore as long as you have the necessary panels

Buying advice
Buy the best you can afford, genuine panels are now expensive, 3/4 rear panel @ £250-300, Doors (new £300) used £100+ front panels £200.

pattern panels are available (not Doors) some parts need to be fabricated.

PNG is a great club/forum, for information and motivation, it's all been done before.......

[Nova00]

The twins from our meeting last week end. Same original SR spec. and registered on the same day 01/08/1990. Reunited for the first time since they left the factory over 26 years ago.