Winter upgrades & motivation to finish

[DarrenK]

My car has been off the road since November, having a winter (into spring and summer!) refresh. To be honest I kind of regret starting it, I've got a pretty hectic life with work, family and a constant list of things to get done in the house, it always slips down the priority list. But, when I finally get time to start pottering, I really enjoy it, even if it is half an hour here or there. As i'm so tight on space in my garage, i haven't really been able to take any decent photos during the process, oh how i dream for a proper workshop.

 

Anyway, here I am in July, it's still not finished. I need to get myself some motivation to get it over the line. I'm sure as soon as I'm back behind the wheel, the spark will reignite and I'll fall back in love with it again. Or, I'll sell it and buy an Elise 🤣

 

What I've done;

 

• Front wishbones refurbished, new powder coat and polybushes.
• New ball joints and drag links.
• Shocks serviced and springs powder coated.
• Steering rack refurbed with new powerflex mounts.
• Uprights stripped and repainted.
• Steering column stripped and repainted.
• New wheel bearings.
• New Wema fuel gauge and sender.
• Tidied wiring behind dash generally.
• Body stripped and repainted in Wimbledon white with BRG stripe, backed with a generous coat of stone chip to alleviate any potential crazing. New manifold aperture formed neatly to pipes.
• New rubber bonnet mounts & catches.
• New nosecone grille and westfield badge colour matched to body.
• Bonnet vents redone.
• Carbon aeroscreen repainted gloss black.
• Roll bar repainted.
• LED headlights.
• New side repeaters and front indicators.
• Headlight bowls stripped and painted gloss black.
• Stick on plate replaced with legal (ahem) nose mounted item.
• New rear lights, mounts and wiring connections.
• Rear number plate moved and new LED plate light.
• New 7x13 & 6x13 minilite reps in go faster gold.
• Toyo R888R tyres all round.

 

Whats left to do;

 

• Fit Carbon NV arch covers.
• Fit cycle wing stays.
• Carbon NV front cycle wings.
• Fit aeroscreen & mirrors.
• Corner weight, 4 wheel alignment, ride height
• Redo bonnet foam as i'm not entirely happy with it.
• Reinstall exhaust packing as its stupid loud.
• Mount 6 point harness strap on passenger side for sprog.
• Fit trickle charger connection into dash.
• Clean diff, new oil and extend breather.
• Give it a bl00dy clean!!

 

Now i've listed it all out, i realise how far I have come in all honesty. My initial self imposed deadline of 6th July has come and gone, and now i'm just trying to get it to a point where i can get it MOT'd and back on the road. Before i know it, Autumn will be back and it will go back into hibernation.

Anyway, her she is in her current state of 'half finished', still covered in dust after paint. I'm really happy with how the paint has turned out and the 'green on off white' is exactly what i wanted to achieve, i'm a sucker for go faster gold wheels too. I was trying for a fusion of old school colours with some modern details thrown in. A big thanks to a number of members who have helped me out with bits and bobs and snippets of advice, this club really is fantastic. I won't mention by name, but you know who you are 😎

 

 

 

 

 

[DarrenK]

I'm making progress, who'd of thunk it 🤣

 

Arch covers and cill protectors now on 👍

[LoneWolf]

Started my rebuild in Sept 2020, after a few months I bought the car and a bunch of times I've driven it (Covid year). Sometimes I too regret having started it, but thinking well I couldn't have done any different, too many things were off and my OCD couldn't wait 😁

I've found that, doing even one small thing every day, it really speed things up.

Your car looks great, I'm sure if you keep working on it regularly it'll be done in no time 👍🏻

[DarrenK]

That's a good way to think of it, little and often! Mine seems to have been very little and not very often at the moment! Thanks for the kind words, appreciate it.

 

Now I'm on it today I've got a little spark back, shiny bits going on always makes a difference!

[DarrenK]

Can I ask a favour from a moderator please? Could this be moved to build dairies? Having this in the public domain is probably what I need to get it finished some time this year! Thanks 

[Mole]

You have done a hell of a lot of work on the car..so don't lose motivation now..just find a way to get back on the road..a quick drive will remind you it's worthwhile 

[KevanP]

Lovely looking car! Do as much as you need to get it back on the road. It'll bring a grin to your face 🙂

[Flying Carrot Steve]

Maybe it would be worth finding a local mate to get a passenger ride with around those lovely Welsh Forest of Dean or valley roads? That usually perks up the old enthusiasm! 

[DarrenK]

Thanks all, I'm going to spend a few hours on and off this week to get some more bits fitted. Cycle wings and aeroscreen are probably the biggest tasks before its ready for its MOT. 

 

The weather forecast should be enough motivation before normal rainy service is resumed!

[DIY-Si]

If you can stand being without it,the aeroscreen isn't needed for the MOT.

 

Otherwise, keep up the good work!

[DarrenK]

1 hour ago, DIY-Si said:

If you can stand being without it,the aeroscreen isn't needed for the MOT.

 

Otherwise, keep up the good work!

Now that's something I didn't know, cheers Si!