Gunmetal S - Car's back from the bodyshop!!!

[RedB]

Originally Posted by rushy_23

Update in the works as we speak!

Nothing major just tidying up really.

Aha.

Better be at your best for FCS buddy.
I really cant wait to get some track time in before our trip to the Ring!

Originally Posted by Jonesy17

Looking very nice mate.

All the comments i get from people keep the progress coming even when im fed up and the car is a state so cheers everyone!

Thanks Jonesy

[RedB]

Update time!!!

Just ordered a few select items to get more progress underway and finish a few things that need to be tidied up around the edges. Pics say 1000 words so il cut the crap .

Bosch Super 4's



Piper SS backbox



This will look much better in the flesh with 'Piper' logo engraved on the top and sit flush with my new bumper.

Mintex M1155's




Griffiths quickshift



The Griffiths will improve the feel of gear changes a lot with the X-Sport racing gear linkages already on from a few weeks ago and a Compbrake or B & M quickshift will be on its way soon aswell with nylon gearknob to tidy things up a bit.

Sexy new seats



Mine are a little different though so wait and see...

A new induction kit, few other interior changes and changes to the exterior are all on the cards aswell very very soon. I'll keep these posted.

Some fresh rubber will also be on its way to get worn in around Rockingham Speedway before the Jul 11th trip the the Nurburgring along with more safety goodies!

The Clifford will be seeing some sexual added extras this weekend which i'll get a few videos of to explain what i mean once everythings fitted and tested

So much stuff to do and so little time lol!

For those that have asked...the angels eyes may be seeing a comeback soon

[RedB]

AlexR - text me when you read this before posting some bitchy comment bud. Jokes

See you soon mate.

[Dez]

Fooking love this car RED!

seriously though man you are addicted to those Vanillia Tree air fresheners! although i can see why as they are pure sex!

[RedB]

Originally Posted by Dez

Fooking love this car RED!

seriously though man you are addicted to those Vanillia Tree air fresheners! although i can see why as they are pure sex!

Thanks mate

One of the lucky few to drive her maybe this weekend
Some more cheeky de-cat action coming back from getting the Clifford sorted? haha.

Il plant a seedling from my Vanillaroma forest in yours once you get it back soon hopefully!

[RedB]

Right i've been working on a few things the last week and a bit.

Been keeping the work on my grill top secret as its taking a little while to make decent progress on it but its almost ready to be sprayed tonight so pics of everything will be up later

Bosch super's and the Mintex M1155 rear pads went on at the weekend and the spark plugs have made a bit of a difference to the idle, smoothness and response which im liking. The M1155 front i received last week from MSW didnt fit and they dont offer the right pattern for a Mk1 VTS on their site so instead of getting some specially ordered i had a word with Gordon and the other lads there and went with a set of Ferodo DS2500's up front which have been ordered now.
The DS2500's warm up more quickly than the Mintex's but aren't as hard-wearing so good/bad points for both but the Ferodo's will still last a fair while with FCS, Ring trip and Trax all coming up so im not bothered haha.

I got round to wet-sanding my new rear bumper last night and begin polishing it back up to a good, glossy finish so i'll finish that tonight aswell after the grill is in primer.

Buckets are in with the harnesses re-adjusted now.
I wasnt sure about how comfortable they would actually be but tbh they are so supportive and the neck/back support is awesome!

Really started to miss my old set of Cobra Imola's so i had to get another set

Im going to fit the Piper backbox and the new freshly-polished bumper on saturday morning before i take a trip up to Essex to get another mod sorted which i cant wait for!

Cars getting there for FCS now but badly needs a clean!
Hoping to have a quick sesh tonight if i have time and whip the UDM out.

[Alexp]

You have to much time and money imo

Fitted any more aerials lately?

[Adam_Q]

Progress looks good dude! I'll have to pop over and check her out soon Just changed my plugs too! Really helped with throttle response!

Have you changed that bee sting yet? or atleast resprayed it, as last time you got more on my garage floor than anything lol!

[RedB]

Originally Posted by Alex

You have to much time and money imo

Fitted any more aerials lately?

Not enough time or monies at the moment tbh dude.

Either working, out doing other things or sorting stuff with the car!
Proper FCS prep hasn't started yet...

Haha i think Mackie loved the new look arial much more lol

Still convoying up with us?
Sorting out a photoshoot for a few CS members so i'll let you know about that

Originally Posted by adz21

Progress looks good dude! I'll have to pop over and check her out soon Just changed my plugs too! Really helped with throttle response!

Have you changed that bee sting yet? or atleast resprayed it, as last time you got more on my garage floor than anything lol!

Bee sting went after Trax last year i think mate!

Just gave it to Jamie Mackie for his new VTS to replace the fishing rod he had on there before.

Almost a year has passed since we were prepping everything in your garage for FCS! Flown by dude!
This year should be even better and the convoy up there wont be via Telford this time

Lemme know about the plan for this shoot then mate

[RedB]

Righty ho! Here are a few pics of some of the progress thats been happening.

Finished wet-sanding the rear bumper i got from Mike (Mj1) a few weeks ago...



Went over the whole bumper with fine grit paper and got it down to a silky smooth finish.
Took a few passes to smooth down some of the defects and imperfections.

Whacked out the UDM for a quick sesh to polish the bumper back up to restore the luster and give a glossy-wet finish...







There are still a few defects on the right hand side of the bumper as you can see above but keep reading because i have a plan for it.

I decided to dig out my original grille and customise it a little bit.
After only seeing most Mk1's with either a standard grille or nothing at all (i've had both ) I thought it was time to have a little play and turn this into something a bit special.

Here is the original minus a couple of chevrons...





Shabby state looking a bit sorry for itself there!

I got to work and cut out the slats on the grill carefully...





Starting to look a little bit better already but there's still a lot more to come...





I then sanded back the whole grille with wet and dry paper in various levels starting off with a coarse 240 paper and working all the way up to uber fine 1500 grit to get a smooth, even finish...



Looks a mess still above after all the sanding and smoothing.

I then test-fitted the chevrons to have a looky and see if i wanted to keep them and maybe smooth them into the grille or colour code them.



I decided to not do any of that as its been done before and is pretty standard/boring plus im an awkward arse sometimes so went with a longer and much harder option and got to work the next day. Whipped out the Isopon fibreglass and body filler kits
(P40. + 38 iirc?)...



Filled both chevron reccesses in using a combination of filler and fibreglass to strengthen the shape up. Then sanded down and smoothed the whole grill again after evening out and flattening the filler.

I think the chevon shapes are starting to look a little better here...





The grille has taken about 4 days of on/off work here and there so far but im starting to like the look after getting it in primer tonight.





After 3/4 layer of primer tonight and smoothing down between coats the grill is almost ready for some colour tommorow.

Thinking of a satin black base coat with maybe a few layers of Rover Charcoal metallic paint to give a bit of sparkle to the finish but still keep it smooth and fairly subltle.

I could just leave it black or spray it body colour but again im awkward and want something a little different. I did a few photo chops earlier and the finish im aiming for looked sexual and better than the other options so im happy lol

[RedB]

GTI leather was stripped, cleaned a few times and went to a new home at the weekend



Have to admit the old GTI interior will be missed as it was so mint!




Cheers lads and Rob (bertbanger) for the meet on Sunday to collect the GTI interior.
Enjoy your new seats dude!!!

I collected my new perches from David Kent (cheers again mate, top bloke!) gave them a clean up and slotted them into their place last weekend.

Have to admit i love them to bits and they are a lot more comfy compared to my old Cobra Racing buckets!
Miss the smell of cow hide but there goes lol

Havnt got round to giving the car a proper clean or taking any decent snaps of the seats but i'll try tommorow after the grill is sprayed

Cheeky 'macro' snap of the Mintex's...



New backbox will be in place saturday
Can't wait to loose the 'letterbox' as Mike Cracknell likes to call it haha.
It really is tragic BUT this is sexual...





Love it!

Rear bumper is being colour-coded on Saturday aswell and then fitted back on after the Piper is in place.
Should clean the back-end up nicely and give it a fresh, smooth look

The angel eyes definately will also be seeing a comeback and from Saturday...gracing the front of my car along with the new grille fingers crossed!

Thanks again to Keith and the lads at ER for arranging everything

Loads of stuff happening this weekend so i'll try and fill up the spare 8GB card
i've got lying around with pictures and a few videos if i get a chance.

The Clifford also has some new extras fitted so footage of those in action too

[Yates]

oil change for fcs??!?!!

[RedB]

Originally Posted by Yates

oil change for fcs??!?!!

Hahaha!

Only runs on Silkolene Pro fully synthetic this year...
Wont be wasting a drop darling

[renagademaster4]

stunning car m8 , love the colour , ave just bought a vts the exact same colour , different from the usuall colours u see

[RedB]

Originally Posted by renagademaster4

stunning car m8 , love the colour , ave just bought a vts the exact same colour , different from the usuall colours u see

Thankyou mate

Tell me 'bout it! Wasnt so keen on the colour when i got the car last year
but its really grown on me because its different from most others.

Get a progress thread up with some snaps so i can have a looky man

[jonesyFX]

progress is coming on nicely mate

when you spraying the grille then ?

[rushy_23]

Lots going on, I like! Nice work.

YOur going to have to guide me through removing the fireprotection stuff Mr after my exams.

[dannygti]

looks great red, nice little project with the grill.

i also miss my old leather, it was in perfect condition and so comfy........thinking about it i want them back lol.

[Predator_R32p]

looks good mate

your grill seems to be going faster than mine lol

[RedB]

Originally Posted by jonesyFX

progress is coming on nicely mate

when you spraying the grille then ?

Got the first base coat of Satin Black on last night/early this morning

Originally Posted by rushy_23

Lots going on, I like! Nice work.

YOur going to have to guide me through removing the fireprotection stuff Mr after my exams.

Thanks Rushy means a lot coming from you after all your 'updates' we love so much lol

I'll see you at the hotel for FCS and try to pop over to the 106 Moaner's club stand for a looky.

Originally Posted by dannygti

looks great red, nice little project with the grill.

i also miss my old leather, it was in perfect condition and so comfy........thinking about it i want them back lol.

Cheers Danny.

Saw some pics of your car with the Hi-specs and other stuff and it looks sexual Top work and im loving the way it looks mate!

Better be at FCS
I miss it too now haha! Bunch of sad acts but it really wan MINT condition and even Rob (bertbanger) who picked it up said it was lush

Originally Posted by Predator_VTR

looks good mate

your grill seems to be going faster than mine lol

Thankyou matey.

I've spent a bit more time over the last few days to try and get it finished and test-fitted tonight/tommorow so its coming along pretty nicely.

Your's looks spot on.
Did you manage to fix the slat blocking the catch by the bonnet bud?

Want your brakes aswell lol.