So... On Thursday 24th Feb 2011, Miss Macmillions was on her police patrols and whilst making small talk with a mechanic, which included inundating him with her love for Golfs, he said he had one out the back, stood for years and was allegedly in a sorry state.
After she begged to see it and him refusing initially, he let her. Little did she know what was underneath the moss until closer inspection...
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/P1434_23-02-11.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf037.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf042.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf040.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf041.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf036.jpg)
Those of you with the keen eye (and who haven't read our other thread) may have noticed the deep front splitter...
Oh yes, that would be a 16valve GTI.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf045.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf044.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf043.jpg)
Unfortunately it has suffered a rear end prang, but doesn't seem too severe.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf039.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf038.jpg)
Taking all things into consideration - i.e. IT'S A GOLF - and a 16valve at that, AND IT RUNS! Not a spot of rust, just a lot of elbow grease needed, Miss Macmillions persuaded me to go have a look at it on Friday, the next day. £320 lighter, it was ours. :D
We had it delivered on Monday 28th Feb on the back of a trailor onto my parents' driveway - much to my Mum and Dad's disgust! :lol:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf038-1.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf039-1.jpg)
A rather happy Miss Macmillions!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf040-1.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf041-1.jpg)
Lol, green bonnet!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf042-1.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf043-1.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf044-1.jpg)
Oh, and thrown in the sale was a GTI 16valve grille with spots, Jetta GTI 16valve full exhaust system, rear bumper and lots of spiders! ;)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf045-1.jpg)
Okay, so ive just spent the past 2 hours cleaning the new addition. That was only soap, water and elbow grease......... Im leaving the t-cutting and polishing for Mr Macmillions to do when he get's home from work :lol:
Here are some pictures:
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05872.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05873.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05878.jpg)
So here is one half clean and the other not so clean:
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05880.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05883.jpg)
Getting there
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05889.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05888.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05887.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05890.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05893.jpg)
Thought i had to get one with Gumpert in there too!
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05896.jpg)
Tuh dah!
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05895.jpg)
I can safely say i have never smiled so much when cleaning a car, it was like un-wrapping a present with every sponge wipe lol. There were a couple of very hard bits to clean off but i think it's come out rather well. Didn't tuch the alloys, again something else mr macmillions can do later.
Right im off to work. Let us know what you think x
Lol, believe it or not, we've not looked in the glovebox. So could be all manner of surprised in there! Good or bad! Hopefully a nice book full of VAG service history lol. Not a horse's head or a 2 year old piece of fruit covered in mould! It hasn't got a logbook though, so that's a thing that needs doing sharpish!
As far as we know it's done 120k miles. So not too bad.
Bought a battery and spark plugs today, so that's next on the to do list, make sure it starts properly.
Fitted the grille tonight too, so here's some pics of that in darkness. Will get a better one in the morning. :)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf039-2.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf036-1.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Golf040-2.jpg)
Two pictures taken thismorning with the grille back on. Looks like a totally different car now.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05910.jpg)
My cat being nosey in the window as always.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05912.jpg)
Thanks for all the comments. It really is great this car, can't wait to go thoroughly over it at the weekend. Really can't wait to get stuck in with the oily bits myself!
It does have a few dodgey Tornado Pink patches in places, so armed with my bottle of T-Cut, I will set out to bring the red out at the weekend! As it stands, I have installed the battery, added new fuel, ready for the big turn of the key! But... I'm not allowed until Miss Macmillions comes home from work and witnesses it - otherwise I will never be forgiven! :lol:
IT RUNS!!! :D
Fitted the battery, stuck a jerry can of fuel in it and it just needed a good few cranks and it coughed into life! Cut out to start with, but then after the new fuel got round it ran like a dream - a very loud dream admittedly! :lol: ! Runs on all four cylinders with no horrid knocks or bangs! :D
Miss Macmillions got a video of it, so will upload it once I work out how to do it lol.
OMG This Golf just gets better and better each day!!!
I was going over her after work with Mr Mac, changing sparks etc, open the glove box to find this:
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05932.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05933.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05934.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05935.jpg)
*ahem* What's that Mr Man who said "it has no service history" and low and behold, open the cobweb filled glove box to find....... full service history every 10,000 + all fully VAG services at that (apart from one) up to 102,000 miles.
I now know i can blame the man who owned Hollie before us for her total neglect! Got me on a gower to get her 100% back to original standard. Big smileys on my face :D
[size=50]Now........... just to persuade the inlaws to let s keep her [/size] :roll:
Also on closer inspection i found this:
Mushrooms in the footwell
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05928.jpg)
A tree in the skuttle tray
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05917.jpg)
And look at the state of the sparks
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/plugs.jpg)
A quick trip down to the local motor factors for full service parts; dizzy cap, rotor-arm, 10/40oil, ht leads and oil filter.
For those who wanted to see; video link to youtube of Hollie starting up for the first time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHoCRIdcdt0
Well now we have found the original reciept and service book. Using the codes we can use that to see how it came out of the factory. Want to idealy get it back to factory standard but with a few tweeks here and there.
Well I managed to brave the cold yesterday (yes, I'm a wimp) and performed a service on the old gal.
New air filter, spark plugs (seen earlier), HT leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm, oil change and new oil filter.
Bearing in mind I'm not the most mechanically minded bloke in the world I thought that was quite an achievment! Haha. And the best bit? It still worked afterwards!
Tell you what though, I have never seen oil so bad in my life! Before draining the oil I ran the engine up to temp so it came out easier and it poured out nicely - if a little black in colour. But as I continued the rest of the service and it all drained, I removed the drip tray and the oil was like tar! So the current oil is literally going to just be a flush. Run it for 100 miles or so then change it along with the filter again.
One thing I have noticed though is it seems to have a petrol leak. Just infront of the rear offside wheel. There seems to be a little box there which is getting wet. Am I right thinking that's the fuel filter? - Which I forgot to change, so will do that this weekend!
Also removed the seats and set about cleaning the interior - not the nicest job in the world!
Another plus point, all the electrics work too! :D
I took some pics of the leak, so will stick them up, have removed the interior ready for a clean, and this weekend, weather dependant, I shall try and get it back to tornado red. I attacked the bonnet with T-Cut on Saturday and it's come up surprisingly well!
Gonna get it up on a ramp and get the exhaust fitted, check the brakes properly, sort this leak and fit a gear linkage.
Pics will be added tonight! (Although it will look pretty similar to last time!) :D
I got home today and decided to reverse into the drive to get a few sexy pictures of the two vdubs.
So for all you nagging folks, here you go :P :
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05999.jpg)
See, my cat Mr.Jenkins even loves Golfs :lol:
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC06006.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC06010.jpg)
Arty-farty
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC06000.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC06018.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC06012.jpg)
Oh and almost forgot these, a couple of the service AND an old friend also has a mk2 16valve so we decided to have a mini-meet.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05947.jpg)
..... and our dog Mabel loves Golfs too!!!
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05944.jpg)
Tasty..........
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/xxaurajxx/DSC05922.jpg)
Rear damage is the same as before unfortunately. To be honest, it's the bottom of my priorities. My mechanic mate said it may just push out, then tidy up the bad paint. That's if we want a quick, cheap, imperfect fix. But I think we want to make it perfect so a friend of a friend is a metal fabricator and could cut and weld a new panel on there.
The other thing, how common is it to find a new rear slam panel? We have a nice new rear bumper, but the slam panel is bent so wont fit right.
This weekend I'm going to my mate's who has the Helios Blue 16v in the other pics. He has exactly the same fuel leak as us, so I'm going to see how he sorts his out, as I'm not confident in doing it without the know-how!
Went on a bit of a mental cleaning spree on Sunday.
Firstly, on Saturday I took the radiator cowlings off both the GL and 16v. The GL's came off lovely, slight surface rust, especially around the bottom, but nothing serious at all. The 16v one, however, looked like this:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0033.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0034.jpg)
In other words, rusted beyond repair. :roll: New cowling required. Little did I know before I took it off that the rad on a 16v is different to the GL's... Joys.
Anyway, on Saturday I went to work and during overtime I sandblasted the GL cowling, wire brushed the fan motor and cleaned up the fan blades with alcohol spay and rag. Time and a half to do homework :D
Got home.
First, 3 light layers of grey primer until evenly spread and then using satin black, building up the layers lightly, letting it dry for 20mins between coats I applied about 5 coats on either side. Then the same on the fan motor. Much to my Dad's annoynace, as I oversprayed the newspaper I had laid down and "ruined" his path. :lol:
End result:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0035.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0032.jpg)
(By the way, to remove the material flaps, use a flat punch and tap the centre of the plastic rivits until they are nearly out, then prize the flap until it pops free, plastic rivet intact ;) . To refit, pop them back in, and use a little hammer to tap the centre of the rivet flush again.)
Then I went spring cleaning the interior. Armed with a Henry vacuum cleaner and some AG interior shampoo I set to work removing the surface mould and stains from the seats.
End Result:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0038.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0036.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0037.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0040.jpg)
I then vacuumed the carpets - removing the mushrooms :lol: and the carpets are in pretty good nick!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0039.jpg)
Took me a while, but I'm pretty happy!
I'm after some door handles/boot lock/ignition lock and keys from him. I'll keep an eye out on any other gubbins he may have.
Cheers guys.
I recommend the cowling trick to anyone. It's so easy to remove and spray. Recently at work I've had some spraying practice, and as the parts are fitted to aircraft, it has to be of a certain standard, otherwise I get told to do it again! :roll: So lucky to get experience in that respect, but the trick is just to take it slow and build up the layers lightly so the paint doesn't run. Still watching the ebay cowling for the 16v, still got a day left, and I wont bid until the last second lol.
Pootz, I'm racking my brains as to what I could have off your mates GTI. I will know more on friday as it's going up on the ramp to see what it needs for its mot. So may bombard him asking for bits then lol!
So yesterday we got Hollie 'Red Rocket' up on the ramp at our mates garage to see what surprises lurked underneath................
Not a spot of rot/rust anywhere under the old' gal = mega win!
So what needs doing to get her mot'd and back on the road you ask ??? (baring in mind she's been sat for 3 years and no service in 5 years)
1. Brakes
2. Flexi Brake lines
3. Fuel tank (as we found out it's minor fuel leak was being caused by a gaging hole in the tank itself haha)
4. There isn't a 4 :lol:
Today; went over to our mates nearby who had recently stacked his GTI 16valver and gave us the chance to be a pair of vultures and help ourselves.
So we got:
. Fuel tank
. Fuel accumulator/filter/pressure regulator & hoses with brand new stainless fittings
. Handbrake cable
. Rear discs and calipers (one caliper is brand new)
. Fan and motor
. Radiator cowling
. Rear slam panel
. Rear bumper
. K&N filter
and a VW badge for the rear
And the worst thing about today was that our mate found out his GTI was a campaign edition in Helios Blue.............. GUTTED!
Just went back to nick the headlining for Gumpert and he's going to whip the stub axles off too. Lovely job.
Headlining is mint, although is the wrong colour. His was a 3 door sunroof model. Will that matter with the headlining if Gumpert is 5 door with sunroof?
Never mind. Watch this space for a very good condition headlining for sale lol!
Well today was the day of the MOT for the old Red Rocket...
AND!!!???....
It failed. :x
And what is more annoying is the fact it failed on one of the rear calipers, which I had bought off my mate's Golf which he wrote off. Not only is that annoying, but it was the brand new looking one that was the problematic one, AND his car had been only MOT'd the week before he stacked it. My mate who did our MOT reckons his MOT wasn't worth the paper it was written on lol.
The problem was when the front and rear discs, flexi hoses and pads were replaced, along with the "new" calipers, he bled the system, depressed the brake pedal and it firmed up nicely, he then removed his foot off the pedal and it dropped to the floor. After much chasing around the system (initially thinking it was the master cylinder) he found the shiney new caliper was not holding pressure. :roll: He tried fitting the old caliper, and it failed on the handbrake mechanism. :lol:
The other things it failed on were the steering rack had excessive play and drop link bushes were worn. So £135 worse off and she'll be on the road finally! :D :D :D :D :D :D
No pics I'm afraid! But hopefully will have the car back as soon as, then you will be innundated with piccies!
It is great to see the transformation. Can't wait to have it back and go for a drive!
Unfortunately, it has been registered in miss_mac's name, as her insurance is cheaper, so she will be the policy holder, me as a named driver. :roll:
Hoho, I think you'll find the S***a is a 16V 2.0l TFSI 200bhp... ;)
The 1.8 20v turbo's in the mk1 Octavia were 180bhp :P
0 x
As of today, the GTI is MOT'd!!!
I can't wait to have her back now!
Should be getting it back tomorrow or saturday... Then the small matter of taxing and insuring it! :|
But whilst we are waiting for that to happen, we can sort out some more cosmetic niggles. Not had it in nearly a month, can hardly remember what it looks like! :lol:
Thanks mate!
Will bung some pictures up again once it returns!
Getting withdrawl symptoms!
Well she's back!
My poor mechanic had to take it on its first drive in 3 and a half years back to our house - yes it was safe, but we had no idea how it would perform on the open road. Whether he would end up in a cloud of steam, or at the bottom of a hill with the clutch slipping manically...
Well, here she is. Safe and sound. :D
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/P131701_07-05-11.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/P1317_07-05-11.jpg)
Tucked up behind the big bro...
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/P131702_07-05-11.jpg)
And one for the lads...
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/P191302_07-05-11.jpg)
Next time I'll try and get her in a bikini :roll:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/P191401_07-05-11.jpg)
The drive home wasn't completely uneventful though, my mate said it's probably best to avoid 3rd gear as the clutch slipped on him lol. Oh, and because the centre console is in our garage he was stuck with the windows fully up, and the heating was set to max haha. So he had to poke around to set the heater to cold before he cooked lol.
At least I know the heating works! More than can be said for Gumpert!
Lol, I wouldn't know! Ours is pink haha!
Nothing a bit of elbow grease wont fix...
Well, today was the day that after over a year of nothing happening, apart from Hollie being moved into my parent's garage so it could be kept dry, but making the garage floor wet with oil :lol: , our new suspension kit arrived.
Spax PSX 40mm drop
Very exciting!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09343_zpse993641d.jpg)
Dog's not impressed!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09389_zps4f39765f.jpg)
And for all of you lovely ladies (or gents, if it tickles your fancy,) here is a picture of my knob!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09382_zps6cf3923b.jpg)
:lol:
Can't wait to get it fitted, so it actually handles like a car, not a boat!
When it's fitted we'll get the all accessible bushes replaced, new top mounts and bump stops for good measure, plus the clutch, driveshaft oil seals and cambelt done too.
Paha! Very funny... The dog must realise it's not OEM, hence the disgusted look on her face!
I reckon that old man's suspension is what's fitted to Gumpert. Makes me laugh does his handling! But something endearing about it!
Well once fitted I'm going to waxoyl the adjusters, to stop them seizing, so I may indeed put a fine layer of something over it. Possibly a layer of Collinite wax? Don't know if that would help? Or would clear waxoyl be better on the springs and painted parts of the shocks?
P.S. I'm not into comparing knobs!
Thats buddy! Yea, if you could please keep those seats for me I would be most grateful. Ours cleaned up pretty well, but the bolster on the drivers one has seen better days. :) I will pm you when we are ready. Wont be long at all. Looking to get all the above sorted by end of Oct. My skoda needs a cambelt service first, so must prioritise cash that way lol.
As for the shocks, I honestly don't know how the dampers adjust. All I know is the knob is detatchable, so you keep it somewhere safe and adjust as necessary. I think it's just the fronts that are adjustable, from what I can make out. Really should look into it lol.
That would be awesome HxC,
If that saves the hassel of couriers etc. Of course, Stu I would offer some beer tokens for the journey. I'll pm stu, then arrange something.
Thanks very much!
Well, it was 9th May 2011 that anything of significance last happened with this Golf. But with our house move in June of that year, the Golf then moved on into my Mum and Dad's garage for a "short period of time" whilst we got on our feet.
Well, who knew buying a house, furnishing it, paying bills and saving for a wedding could be so expensive? :lol:
That unfortunately meant Hollie went on the back burner until we could afford to get the final parts done and insured and taxed.
It then got to the point of making excuses as to why we hadn't picked it up and got the last bits done - money being a fair enough excuse, but we found ANY spare cash at the end of the month somehow got swallowed up somehow or put into the wedding pot...
Then, my Mum and Dad announce they are moving house, to Brighton - 2 hours away. :shock:
So excuses out the window, Hollie had to be out by mid Jan and on the road.
So last week, we began the process of getting her prepped to be picked up for the last bits to be done:
Cabelt and tensioners
Clutch
Spax kit
MOT.
So this was us last week
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0185.jpg)
You may notice the jump leads from my Skoda, which proved unsuccessful. Sadly, my stupidity 18 months earlier of not disconnecting the battery whilst placing the Golf into storage killed the battery. Not a good start.
So my mate picked the car up on Thursday on his trailor and off to the garage it went with instruction from me to make it work! :D
So this afternoon I get a phone call: It's on its way home with fresh MOT!
And:
Clutch, clutch release bearing, clutch cable, gearbox oil seals (it left a lovely pool of vital fluids on my Dad's garage floor, which he was most pleased with :mrgreen: ), new suspension kit fitted, new bushes when access was available, outer driveshaft CV boots, battery :roll: , cambelt and tensioners and alternator belt...
So Hollie is on her way back to my Mum and Dads for us to pick up this week and just to tax it.
The only disadvantage about this whole thing is we are now SKINT!!! :lol: Beans on toast for the next 3 weeks!
Not only that, but my mechanic mate took it on a good drive to see how it felt and said the engine is really strong and smooth and the gearbox is as tight as a drum. He also had the wings off to apply waxoyl all over the place and said the inner wings were solid!
So, after being sat in a field under a firn tree for at least 4 years, the body is sound, with not a spec of rust and the engine and gearbox are sound. That is testament to VW build quality. The rest of the work was basically what you would expect to do on a car that's been stood for so long.
As you can tell, I'm relieved about the engine and gearbox, as if we had had all this work done to find one or both of those knackered, it would have been gutting!
Pics to follow when we pick it up! :D :D :D
Of course it's still alive! It just has a few cobwebs on it now!
Not yet I'm afraid. Will defo be there this year. No excuses this time! And in BOTH cars too!
You gonna bring the black heart if it's ready?
Well today was the day that Hollie was to come home from my Mum and Dad's garage after its recent MOT.
Got it taxed and went to drive it home the 8 miles or so, rather filled with trepidation... Would it conk out after not being driven properly for 6 years? Would we end up in a cloud of steam? Would a wheel fall off?
Well, there was no need for any anxiety. She drove like a dream!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09827_zps030886fe.jpg)
Happy (geeky) me!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09823_zpsbc1e2bf9.jpg)
A little video of the drive (for you Damien ;) )
Plus obligitory nag from Miss Mac about the brakes haha!
http://youtu.be/lJFLx7T4R1k
And finally, back home. :D :D :D
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09829_zps25f0e98a.jpg)
Engine is as sweet as a nut. I didn't spank it, as I just wanted to get home with her, but it pulls well in all gears, the engine ran to temperature perfectly and the heater worked!
The gearbox is lovely and tight, no second gear crunch and the ride is bloody good! May need another notch softer on the Spax shocks if I'm being picky, but it's very poised at normal speeds.
Nearly two years after we rescued her... And she's home. :D
I think I need to grow a big pair of cahones before having a go with a DA or rotary polisher!
For now I just gave it a good wash, getting rid of any remaining bits of tree/moss/spiders webs :lol:
Went over it with a fine toothed comb trying to find any spots of rust. I'll let the pictures do the talking. :)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09830_zpsa01aabd0.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09831_zps706e2ec2.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09832_zps7a045cef.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09833_zps9d942749.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09835_zpscb90838f.jpg)
Spax PSX kit
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09836_zpsd257baa6.jpg)
Le Castelettes have come up well. Could do with a good machine polish though.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09837_zps4d558d26.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09838_zps643f328e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09839_zpsaccc2f80.jpg)
Rear damage :(
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09840_zps5e32b561.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09841_zps18215527.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09842_zps1be23c29.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09844_zps3808a662.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09846_zpsa8bf53bf.jpg)
Dead battery in the footwell :lol:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09848_zpsfbaa2ac3.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09850_zps5370d5c9.jpg)
Needs a clean!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09851_zps5a70d97b.jpg)
Clean as a whistle!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09852_zps053ba4bc.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09853_zps7dd3f2c5.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09854_zps57c8f765.jpg)
And Gumpert, just incase he feels left out. :)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/DSC09855_zps0a34560a.jpg)
Dead chuffed!
Well you know, why be a sheep and follow the croud? Battery in the footwell is where it's at! :lol:
The rear end was damaged when we picked it up. It's been last on the "to do" list really, although does detract from the look of it which is a shame.
As Dan said, it's not too bad and had a quote from the body shop to get it repaired. £200 doesn't seem too bad! Might also see if he can skim over the few blemishes on the tailgate too, but other than that, it's pretty mint! No signs of rust creeping through any of the trim, just a couple of little marks, as to be expected! :D
Got my mate coming over who picked up a Honda CRX from a scrappy for £300 as a Cat D after a small shunt the same time we bought ours. We had a bet on who would get theirs on the road first - loser buys the McDonalds! :lol:
Unfortunately, I'm buying, although he only got his on the road the week before Christmas! Gah!
Gonna take it for a spin tonight if you wanna meet up? PM me if you like? ;)
Small update:
Took the old girl out for a drive with miss_mac in the passenger seat, who may I add, was papping herself as it's her number one fear to break down in a car... Yet she drives a 22 year old Golf as a daily, and before that, a 25 year old (and to be honest) sh*t Golf before that! :lol:
All was well until I pulled off a roundabout, having just said to her, "check out how quick this is when I get on to the dual carriageway, I reckon it would give my Skoda a run for its money!" I ease off the roundabout, just about to give it a little blip and suddenly out of nowhere there is an almighty squealing sound from the engine, increasing in volume and pitch as I increased the revs.
Miss_mac (and myself) get all of a fluster and she says, "pull over Ali, I don't like it!" :roll:
Fortunately there was a layby a few yards up ahead. I pull in, pop the bonnet and stick my head underneath and ask her to rev it. The sqeal appeared to be coming from the alternator belt (which had just been replaced :? ). Then as quick as it started, the squealing stopped. So I get back in, miss_mac mumbles, "I just want to get home." I accelerate out of the layby and indicate to come onto the dual carriageway to find my indicators don't work!? :shock:
Annoyingly, the only way back involved about 300 roundabouts and a further 495 junctions, involving the use of my indicators. That is Essex for you - anyone who lives here, or travels through will notice that roundabouts are put in place just for the sake of it! So off we potter, indicator-less, pi$$ing off dozens of drivers, nursing the old girl home.
Got home. Miss_mac was actually a nervous wreck. So after some advice on here, it was confirmed the alternator belt was the likely cause of the squeal. So I have just been out and tightened it, as to be fair it was pretty slack! Probably had 2" play in it! Also had a look at my indicators and again, after some advice on here was pointed towards the direction of the number 21 relay or hazard switch. I tried the indicators and hazards and sometimes they worked, sometimes stuck on or off. So tapped the #21 relay and they work! So got a sticky relay!
Any got a #21 relay (that works) that they would like to donate? :D
0 x
Wow!!! I'm impressed Mate. From nearly scrap to that condition. Amazing. Looks great. I bought my MK2 in similar cond but I still have a lot to do hehe
Thanks buddy. Yeah it's been a bit of work... and money! But actually getting it on the road has made it all worthwhile! You will see what I mean!
stubob, if you do find one that would be amazing. Drop me a PM if you do and I'll bung you a couple of beer tokens for the trouble.
Sam, good luck with the test! And defo, let me know and we'll have a mini meet. :)
Bumpers are very good mate! Not got them on yet as I will probably need a hand putting them on.
Well after turning the air in my garage a rather dark shade of blue
trying to get the dials out so I can change the bulbs, it took 2 evenings of trying, but SUCCESS!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0260_zps39715fcd.jpg)
Unfortunately this was at the expense of most of the skin on my hand and somehow, can't work out how it happened, but the hazard switch disintegrated :lol:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0261_zpsf88f894e.jpg)
That is the state of my hand...
So if anyone has a spare hazard switch AND number 21 relay they would like to donate to the 16v restoration trust fund... Please feel free to contact me lol.
Brilliant! Would you be so kind to donate? :D
Don't happen to have any relays left from your fuse box do you?
Life saver!
Yeah I'll pick up the hazard switch, unless you pass your test tomorrow (good luck btw) and you could drive over and pick it up! ;)
You don't have any remaining relays then? I don't know if 15 would work lol.
Well best of luck mate! A lot of it is down to luck on the day to be honest with other drivers, so fingers crossed for you!
I'll pm you my address. I'm sure one of those relays must be the right one lol.
Well today was a productive day.
On Thursday Sam brought round the hazard switch to replace the one I somehow obliterated... Friday I bought some new dash bulbs from VW for the princely sum of £3.26 for 6 (only charged for 2) - they are discontinued now everyone! Yesterday I bought a new flasher relay and today I set to work getting the old bus back together.
Dash bulbs fitted to dials, Speedo cable successfully attached after much less swearing than predicted and dials connected to electrics. Secured. All was well until I remembered the vacuum line was still disconnected. Bugger. So out it had to come again. But it went back in smoothly and all connected again. New hazard switch and relay fitted and we have a working dash!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0293_zpsded1d9a6.jpg)
So thanks to Sam for the hazard switch.
I had to go out for the obligitory spin and it was perfect. No scary squeals, dodgy lights or anything! Just what I thought was steam coming from under the front of the bonnet when stuck in traffic, but thankfully it turned out to be the steam from the Toyota Hilux's exhaust infront.
Bloody paranoia!
Ha. Unfortunately the ass end is the last on our list of priorities with our wedding in April. So all works being done are basically cheapies or essential.
However... Prior to this year's national meet all repairs will be done... along with a lovely fresh coat of paint. :jackson:
Miss Mac's Dad is coming up this week and is expecting to be taken out for a spin, so needed to get the dash sorted, else it wasn't drivable. Afterall, he is likely to be the eventual owner of the old girl once the cosmetics are finished. Any mechanical niggles he will be happy to spend his retirement tinkering with it! (He used to own many many Minis and tuned up countless cars, so engines are fun and games for him!)
Next on the 'to do' list is the passenger window regulator, fit the new bumpers and tidy the engine cosmetically up a bit. Still got the shiney new inlet manifold to fit!
You're right it was worse than it is now, but I managed to push it out a bit by doing the not very technical sitting in the boot and pushing it with my feet! Haha. Does look better than it did.
Fortunately it hasn't rusted through, just surface rust.
We do indeed have a garage and to be fair it's a good sized one. I can get my Octavia in and NEARLY a Golf in behind... But not quite :| but plenty of width to it, so are lucky really. However, I am happy to tackle non-cosmetic jobs and engine/trim/electric bits but body work can only end up in tears. I'd make a hash of it. So in a couple of months the rear will be professionally repaired and at the same time the car will be treated to a full exterior respray.
Well today I went a bit mad in the heat and went about restoring the old bus' pink paint.
This is the result. Which I am extremely pleased with.
I have a tornado red car again!
After a spot of going over with a clay bar.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0738_zpsb7747a67.jpg)
Polishing progress
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0740_zps67cfa90b.jpg)
And the result
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0742_zps7ad41b75.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0743_zps72777819.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0744_zpsbf31737a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0745_zps8ef35dfd.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0746_zps2aa20047.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0747_zps8ea308b3.jpg)
I recommend this stuff, as it brought our awful, flat, pink, patchy paint back to life and it looks great!
Smells bloody nice too!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0748_zps4088a034.jpg)
I'm so chuffed, I may even chance it and take it to work on Tuesday... Just a small matter of an hour's commute and no doubt, heavy traffic into Southend...
Best stock up on brave pills.
Just took Mrs Mac out for a spin in the (now) Red Rocket for the first time since I had loads of things go wrong with it, which put the willies up her so she refused to go in it again...
Well she loved it. Took it down some B-Roads local to us, showing what she'll do after 4500 RPM. Oh such fun!
Also overtook a cyclist and turned around further up and when we went passed him again, he gave us a big thumbs up and a smile. Love it.
Then a trundle up the dual carriageway and made mincemeat of a 51 plate Fiesta Zetec S. I never knew how quick these little beasts are. Could seriously give my Skoda a real run for its money.
Grin factor up to 11!
I will be taking her to work on Tuesday - 36 miles each way, lots of duel carriageways and then most likely stuck in traffic, so a good test.
If this goes well, then we will be bringing Hollie to the National Meet!
But this was quite possibly it's first ever going over with a clay bar, plus the fact it had been sat under a fern tree for 5 years or so. The paint felt like sand paper. And I'm not even exaggerating.
Now feels like silk. :thumbs:
It was driven as VW intended yeah. I feel a bit guilty about driving it hard though lol, as the poor thing has only just come out of respite! Will be a gentle cruise to work though.
Defo chap.
I am free after 19:45 from tomorrow through the week, so drop me a text and cruise over. :)
Took the old girl to work today, 36 miles each way and it ran without a hitch.
Only when I started it to come home (after being off for 12 hours), although it started straight away, it was a bit reluctant to rev for about 10 seconds or so. Once given some revs it spluttered a bit and then revved freely and then drove fine.
Could this be anything to do with the cold starting issue I have been having, in which it will occasionally just turn over and not fire the morning after a drive where it had got hot? (I'm thinking that's due to the Warm Up Regulator).
Well I know it's a sort of piston thing which regulates fuel into the "5th injector". So I'm thinking if it's stuck in either position it could be starving the engine of fuel during the hot day (today) and in the winter it was flooding it.
Guessing really!
Hopefully getting my hands on a new one soon!... Then I will be able to assess whether this is the fault. I also found that leaving the ignition on prior to starting for 10 seconds or so actually prevents this issue of non starting - so I think it must give the regulator those vital seconds to position itself correctly, if it is sticking, or hesitant.
My mind's going into overdrive lol.
Thought I would stick up a couple of more recent pics of the old gal.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20130811_144231-2_zps9029617c.jpg)
Drove it to work today and got all misty eyed at how amazingly this car drives. For those that didn't know, the cause of the non-starting issue was the distributor. I replaced it with a genuine one (bought from VW for a very reasonable part ex price) and it cured it.
These were taken at work today:
Can you guess where I work? :lol:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1008_zps2a0f21cf.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1009_zps819fd83d.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1012_zps13ae531e.jpg)
This is all of the "good" side which is still perfect after hankmanus worked his magic, then showed me how to use a machine polisher.
This week though, we have a serious treat for her... 8-)
It has indeed been months and this may sound like the lamest excuse ever, but we simply haven't had time, nor the money to purchase the goodies required to obtain the same sort of finish as the good side.
Fear not though. Mrs Mac and I have a few days off together as of tomorrow and the old girl (the car) is going to be spoilt... Not as is spoilt by being slammed with some coilovers and arches rolled... but properly spoilt!
Where could we be going? And what could be in store for Hollie?
And what the hell is with the weather!?
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1015_zps7b5a0c7a.jpg)
Haha we've been rumbled!
Yes we are off to see hank. But with good reason too. I believe he can transform the old gal back to her former glory better than I could ever achieve. I would love to have a go, but I know I would be disappointed with my result in comparison to what he could do.
Not only that though, it's not just getting a buff up, it's taking a trip to the bodyshop hank favours (has worked wonders on his A reg GL's arches and rear turrets.) And they will be working their fabricating magic on the rear end, plus other little blemishes around the car. I honestly cannot wait to see the end result.
Oh and cheers matey for the cups of tea and introducing us to the Caerphilly Mountain Monster Burger!
So as you've seen the old gal has been taken to Wales to have a spruce up by Hankmanus. But not only that, a pair of Hank's good contacts who are metal fabricators are tackling the rear end...
These are a couple of pics I was sent earlier today. :D
Prior to works - lights and bumper removed
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_140616_HDR_resized_zps15d804e7.jpg)
Metal manipulation in progress
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_144927_HDR_resized_zpsf9a9d81e.jpg)
Oh and the Mad Waxman has been busy already...
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_091526_HDR_zpsc5f70a4a.jpg)
To
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_100443_HDR_zpsce77d3c1.jpg)
Can't wait to see more and then pick her up! :jackson:
How exciting..... About blooming time??? Dink aside, Your rear end looks nice and clean,
When is it done?
My rear end is always nice and clean! :D
But yeah, the whole car is like that, ask hank. ;) dead chuffed!
We pick it up on Saturday. Canne wait!
There are plenty of pics. Do you want progress pics then?
Just for you.
These are what I've received so far. :D
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_100637_zps62b15803.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_104024_HDR_zps070a0314.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_100510_HDR_zps74d73cb8.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_123822_zps65ecdb5e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_131530_HDR_zps147674c3.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131006_132625_HDR_zpsfaf57194.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_140630_HDR_resized_zps54a7c2e6.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_140942_HDR_resized_zps6607394a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_141700_HDR_resized_zps271d381e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_141313_HDR_resized_zps413f3a5f.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_143426_HDR_resized_zps8636cd8e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_143600_HDR_resized_zps2bb8dffc.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_181758_HDR_resized_zpsd08704ed.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_181812_HDR_resized_zpsa2a669ca.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_104548_resized_zps341ffe49.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_104658_HDR_resized_zpsdab24902.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_104251_HDR_resized_zps014f889c.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_133707_resized_zpsc9e4d008.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_142454_HDR_resized_zps5604826f.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_131213_resized_zps4d269007.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_142427_HDR_resized_zps1bb08a87.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_222512_HDR_resized_zps17f35986.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_222534_HDR_resized_zps57969d16.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131007_222427_HDR_resized_zps11835672.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_180623_HDR_resized_zps8e652f3a.jpg)
No more now until we pick her up. Don't want to dull the final shots! :thumbs:
t is cheating yes, but if I did any repair, I would have ended up with the dent poking out, then filler falling off after about a week!
I just couldn't refuse his offer of polishing her up though after seeing how well that side came up when he tackled it during the Meet. No way could I ever match his quality.
Does using a Hank count as a modification?
The slams? Do you mean the door shuts?
I'm sure if he reads this he'll be out there with a toothbrush shining them up haha!
I may have to go for best GTI then! Put it up against Scratch's money pit (and lose!) :lol:
Although, I am surprised at your concern about us entering OEM, as isn't Vinnie having a year off?
Haha. :clapping: I know the difference between of/off, to/two/too, where/we're/were, there/their, sort/sought, wait/weight... It is irritating though!
I have tried to polish Hollie and got nothing compared to what hank can produce. Also, after the repair is being done, he is flattening the paint back to polish up. If I even attempted that, it would look like this:
Image
He said he wants to have a go at Gumpert too... :jackson:
How can I refuse?
No more updates until the car is back I'm afraid. :D
Sam, when it is back (most likely last week of Oct) I will text you for you and Zack to come round for a "red off" haha.
I'm like a kid during the build up to Christmas! Can't wait!
Hankmanus has put a couple of cheeky shots on Facebook... ;)
It's on the beloved Mk2 owners club page me dear!
It's official.
We're picking her up on Wednesday!
Well we have her back.
And what can I say? Hankmanus, you are an absolute legend. This guy has the level of attention to detail that is unsurpassed and a skill with a polisher that is like watching a magician work his magic!
Not only that, but a true gent who makes a banging cuppa tea.
Here are the long awaited shots of Hollie's buttock lift and paint being brought back to stunning life. I will display them in the order I was sent them through, so some the earlier ones are pre-finished article.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_145830_HDR_zps6599158f.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131009_153625_HDR_zpseb116254.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131010_114153_HDR_zps75be0553.jpg)
Then this was the shot that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131019_115116_zps46df280e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_184525_HDR_resized_zps4bb90e69.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131008_184454_HDR_resized_zps57b3fcbb.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131009_111430_HDR_resized_zps336535a9.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131009_111902_HDR_resized_zps5630cafd.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131009_122529_HDR_resized_zpsf393a83f.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131009_122542_HDR_resized_zpsf7d75fbb.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131009_140837_HDR_resized_zps5d22848d.jpg)
He even went mad and did the swirl removal on the rear lights!
(top light is after swirl removal - bottom is before)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/received_m_mid_1381690913308_e20ada680b38e95d79_0_zps295fe6b2.jpg)
Immaculate front crossmember!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131024_135814_resized_zps10053783.jpg)
Grotty tyres!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131025_115410_HDR_resized_zps3fbda352.jpg)
Before arch clean:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131025_130158_resized_zps9678e84a.jpg)
After arch clean:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131025_132955_resized_zps1b6b157d.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131026_114036_HDR_zps05ad9351.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131026_114518_HDR_zpsd5263367.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131026_114634_HDR_zps63beafea.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131026_122737_zps08442267.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131026_122802_HDR_zps037d51d0.jpg)
Inside rear bumper mounting point thingy - immaculate!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131027_170717_zpsd288da93.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131027_171124_zps65c57ec0.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_165119_zps9d344f0e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_171142_HDR_zpsce3509a1.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_122711_HDR_resized_zpsb22a0a6d.jpg)
Shiny metering head!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_122757_HDR_resized_zps51252ed6.jpg)
And... Pipercross induction kit sourced, specifically designed to fit in the original airbox location. Yet to fit.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_143422_HDR_resized_zps29ceff02.jpg)
1/2 and 1/2 shot
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_171344_resized_zpsd1ab5044.jpg)
Before swirl removal
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_170804_resized_zps50d15f4a.jpg)
After swirl removal
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131028_170828_HDR_resized_zps1e47c5a7.jpg)
Scuttle pre-polished
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100031_HDR_resized_zpse906d197.jpg)
After
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_122750_HDR_resized_zpsad3db226.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100437_HDR_resized_zps18f92db7.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_102605_resized_zps32b43500.jpg)
Time for some engine bay cleanliness shots!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100141_HDR_resized_zps21d6e8d2.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100131_HDR_resized_zps33568918.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100350_HDR_resized_zpsbae1dc3e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100339_HDR_resized_zps67ad59d9.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_100403_HDR_resized_zpsa33e37a4.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131024_172954_HDR_resized_zpsa8c076d5.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131024_182510_resized_zpsdca57d0a.jpg)
And now the finalé shots.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_103320_HDR_resized_zps576b5ef8.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_105719_HDR_resized_zps2b082325.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_105704_HDR_resized_zps57c670d5.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_111907_resized_zps5173b171.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_111921_HDR_resized_zps5b73d3f0.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_112005_resized_zpsab7d8e3a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_114704_HDR-1_resized_zpse973d939.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_110004_resized_zps4ae7e33a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_114704_HDR-1_resized_1_zpsdd5a9322.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_114749_HDR_resized_zpsd810fd97.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_114759_HDR_resized_zps3d9db2dc.jpg)
Note, plastics yet to be blackened
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_121827_HDR_resized_zps12a24360.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_114935_HDR_resized_zps2286ef7d.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_123141_HDR_resized_zps14935201.jpg)
Flatted back
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_123150_HDR_resized_zps258fbe99.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_131713_resized_zps2a0ab9f4.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_150026_HDR_resized_zpsccee77a6.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_150425_HDR_resized_zps3b5d1ff7.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_150044_resized_zpsb7bc897b.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_150434_HDR_resized_zps2086b95d.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_150445_HDR_resized_zpsb9737e5d.jpg)
And the crem de la crem
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/20131029_131726_HDR_resized_zpse99748df.jpg)
Sadly when we arrived to pick her up the weather was pretty poor and rained whilst the finishing touches were being applied, so no photos in its crowning glory. But a couple of the final touches being put on.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1113_zps798a555c.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1115_zpsf3c0d8af.jpg)
Kowky also came along for a visit!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_24681552044315_zps0f887a39.jpg)
At the services on the way home
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1117_zps26a65f4a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1118_zps24d3216c.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1119_zps9b79528e.jpg)
Back home
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1121_zps87d63570.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_24667607498316_zpsde27d561.jpg)
I cannot recommend Neil enough. He has done a sublime job and the metal fabricators have worked mircales. Anyone even toying with the idea of getting him to detail your pride and joy, don't hesitate. Just do it.
Thanks so much mate!
That's all folks!
Haha. Well I've just had Sam Stirrup come over and have a look and I think he was impressed too. ;)
Still a few little issues to resolve. The bonnet on there currently is pretty knackered and couldn't be machine polished without risk of going through, so bought one from TomRich en route to Wales, which is mint! (yes, I said it). So that will go on for the summer and the old knackered one will be a useful spare panel for practicing machine polishing and spraying.
The passenger door card is rotten as when we found the car the door was ajar so it got sodden and the membrane is ruined.
Oh and we found a mouse nest under the scuttle! Which explains why the heater motor made a horrendous noise! :lol:
But yeah, get yourself booked in with hank. We cannot stop grinning with the results. And that pic of it when we found her compared to how she looks now is just shocking. Many probably thought we were mad when we bought her (including us at times!) But the work, time and money (i know hankmanus has performed miracles) has truely paid off.
Might get some bottle tops in time, but I am fond of the le castelettes. So can alternate between sets if necessary.
The rear wiper will return to the OEM position of up and proud, don't worry, but need to get a working wiper first lol!
Oh, lastly, does anyone know where the no.21 (indicator) relay goes in a CE1 fuse board? Our one died on the way to Wales and it was taken out, but I can't remember where it goes! :thinking:
Well Phil, you were correct with the location of the relay. Thanks! I could have sworn it was located somewhere in the middle - but no, it was in the bottom right corner, as you said and my trusty new (genuine) relay works a treat! The one I had was relatively new too, having replaced it with a cheap one from a motor factors. Only when I compared the new genuine one to the cheap pattern one the gulf in quality became obvious, with the genuine relay weighing twice as much! Most importantly, the indicators now work! :thumbs:
Cheers for all the comments by everyone. I hope it does inspire people to bring their paint back to red, but also that as bad as car may appear, it is capable of being saved and brought back to its former glory!
Just took Hollie out for the first time in daylight since getting het back from hamkmanus. Little trip to halfords to get some more microfibres and meguiars tyre gel and turned around in the car park and thought it looks so damn good I have to take a pic!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1134_zps3e544997.jpg)
Looks sooo much better than the new Mini next to it (and smaller and nimbler!) Oh god it's amazing! Got so many turned heads en route too! :D
Gah! So after this lovely little shot, I took her out again this evening to show her off to a friend who last saw her 2 days after we bought it and when we got home we heard a hissing from under the bonnet and noticed this:
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1139_zps95218405.jpg)
Nuts.
£80 for a genuine VW 16V radiator!
Picking it up tomorrow.
Well slightly frustratingly, it seems the radiator I picked up possibly wasn't a genuine one. The new one is extremely light in comparison to the old one, but I'm thinking that could actually be also partly due to not having any sludge and crud in it? Anyhow, it fits perfectly and is a big improvement over the very tatty looking (and broken) original one.
What I'll do is run this one for the time being and then get my original one reconditioned at my convenience and keep it as a spare. Whilst performing this job I am also replacing the top, bottom and overflow hose, as I don't trust them, after having been stood for so long.
Oooo I so nearly spat my dummy out earlier.
I've had the old buggered rad out for about a week now, with the new one in situ awaiting the top and bottom hoses to come so I could fit them. Well the other day they arrived at the garage, so I pottered off in Gumpert to collect them, only to break down en route! All sorted now so not an issue. Then my parents came to stay for a couple of nights so couldn't really abandon them whilst I was sorting the car. Although it was the first time they'd seen it since the paint resto and they were mighty impressed! :D
Anyway, they left this morning so I got stuck straight in. Flushed the system and gave the header tank a nice scrub with a bottle brush and it's come up lovely! Unpacked my new hoses (not genuine, as they are NLA :not great: ) and set about fully removing the old ones from the engine. I offered up the bottom rad hose to my new one and the shape was the same - success! But the diameter on the rad end was about 1cm larger than the water pump end! :problem: So I ended up having to refit the old hose, which to be fair seemed in good nick still, but fitted jubilee clips instead of the very rusty original clips.
Then came the top hose. I unpacked the new one and it was about twice as long and had a much more severe bend in it compared to the original, but at least was the same diameter... So again, I reused the original, just with jubilee clips instead again.
Began topping the coolant up and after putting a litre or so in it noticed it gushing out the top rad hose! So I tightened it a bit more, still coming out... then wiggled the clip into a different position, still coming out. So had to remove the top hose completely and go about hacking my new hose with a stanley knife bit by bit until it fit. Clips in place, topped up coolant and all was good! Fired her up and the bottom hose on the water pump started dripping every so often! :wtf?!:
Red mist decended, as I was now in a situation of, "Do I drain the whole system, trying to catch what came out, but potentially lose all the coolant I had just put in, or do I wiggle and adjust and bugger about with the clips until it hopefully stops?" Well I chose the latter and much faffing about and LOADS of muttering all sorts of rude things under my breath, I stopped the leak. Fired her up again, got to temperature, thermostat opened (the bit I was dreading as water would get into all the nooks and crannies), but all was good! :jackson:
So with the system bled and coolant topped up with no leaks I took her out for a damn good thrashing!
And the best bit, still no leaks! :D
I can't work out if I'm immensely satisfied at having completed the job myself, after having to bugger about so much with it, or if I'd just prefer to pay someone to do it instead, as it's only about £20 labour! Oh well, it's done now, so can enjoy the car once again.
You'd be pleasantly surprised at how clean the inside is Mark. :D Only the passenger door is missing its doorcard and the membrane is hanging off, so that looks crap, but otherwise it's pretty good! Carpets have come up rather well after a wet vac. Just needs a new passenger door card and reupholstered driver's seat to finish it off.
Well the original clips did have a fair amount of surfact rust on them, but were still very tight when getting them off, so the tension was still there it seems. I may run a wire brush over them and refit them when the hoses come off in the future for whatever reason, as I've not binned them.
As for the interior, there was a chap selling a 5 door interior in Basildon, which is about an hour from me. Unfortunately I missed the boat on that. Ours is a 3 door, so would probably cannibalise them for ours.
This is our interior.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0038.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0039.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0041.jpg)
If you do see any in good nick, please do let me know. It may not look it, but the driver's side bolster has collapsed and the frames are quite rusty, so not convinced on their strength.
Material also has a small 20p sized hole in it. Could possibly be repaired by an upholsterer, but ideally, new material from a good seat would probably be ideal. Also, the fold forward function on the driver's seat doesn't work at all and the handle has come off the passenger one. So not perfect!
Haha yeah the OCD is kicking in for sure now. When my parents were walking round it in the garage admiring it, I kept cringing at them brushing past it. It's not good for me!
That's a good plan about the seat material though. Will keep an eye out for a seat (regardless of 3 or 5 door) and door cards. Then, as you say hopefully all will be revealed once the covers are off. Mrs Mac insists she's good at sowing, so this will put her to the test! :D
I'm not as fussed about dirtiness in the inside as of yet though, as the passenger door card is missing and the membrane is hanging all over the place, so looks a dog's dinner. Once that's done and the seat is repaired, it will be a case of "wipe your feet before you enter!" Or the passengers must wear slippers!
This sounds stupid, but how hard is it to take the carpets out? We have a full really good nick set to go in, but not got round to fitting yet.
Decided to wake Hollie up from hibernation this morning as I wanted to make sure the battery was charged and the brakes were free.
After 2 months of standing she started first turn of the key and ran sweet. Wheeled her out aound the parking area and got some pics.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1330_zps381faadf.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1332_zps22cbeb17.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1333_zpsb2fca34a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1334_zpse4d25cf3.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0002_zpsaf84f15c.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0004_zps4eb8ba65.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0005_zpsfc809f2a.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0007_zps890c5944.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0011_zps0a55acff.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0013_zps0bd97f5e.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0015_zps98f21faa.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1336_zpsb75fe70b.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1338_zps8e558f18.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1339_zps0e5567e4.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1340_zpsf8131c39.jpg)
Damn I wanna drive this properly again! Can't wait until April when she'll be back on the road!
So the car has been sat over winter in the garage with me starting it and rolling it out the garage onto the private parking area to ensure the brakes stay free, but oddly the battery went flat, even though I was keeping ontop of it by running it up. Managed to get hold of a trickle charger yesterday, as it's in the garage, a bit difficult to manoeuvre out. Managed to get it to fire up this evening and put a voltmeter to the battery sadly it appears my alternator is kaput. Only reading 12.2VDC with the engine running.
Question is, why did my little battery light not come on? And I wonder when it packed up? As this battery is only a year old, so may well have been running on it's current juice all this time, not being charged. If that's the case, it made it to and from the national meet (120 miles each way) and a return trip to Wales! (about 300 miles each way!)
Well it appears the battery light doesn't work, which I had never noticed prior to this.
Got it started this afternoon and got Mrs Mac to rev the engine to over 3k whilst I was measuring the voltage. After she had done that the volts went from 12v to 13.8v and stayed there even after the revs dropped back to idle. Meaning the alternator works, thankfully.
That means that every time I had gone to start it to keep the battery topped up, I was in fact draining it. Oops.
Everyone loves a red rocket. Really want to get it back on the road soon so I can enjoy driving it again!
Rather proud to be Car of the Month for July. :-)
Thanks mate! Don't suppose you could link it to the Facebook page could you? Want to whore it out a bit! :-D
So happy about Hollie (aka Red Rocket) being awarded car of the month. Thank you all very much.
Seriously want to get her to the national meet but can't afford everything required to get here there. Want to get her there even more now :(
Hahaha Eddy that made me laugh!
There are no more Macmillions holidays booked so every penny is being put away this month so fingers crossed we can get her there :)
Kebab/KFC/Maccy d's all done with now.
Oh and signature has been changed just for you :P
Simply down to finances mate. Would have been ok, but my Skoda decided to prematurely eat two rear tyres costing nearly £300, which was the money we had put away for tax and insurance for the red one. Gutted really as this is now a bit of a stunner, thanks hugely to hank. Would have loved to have shown her off, but it really isn't viable. Not without abusing my credit card further...
Cheers though. It's a great feeling seeing the work paying off, and putting together the write up and seeing peoples' positive replies has made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
Yeah that was some useful info thanks. Saved me a hat full of cash on a new alternator, after suspecting the old one was dead!
So today I carried out a task that I have been meaning to do for a long time.
Ages ago I bought a tin of waxoyl and nozzle, with the intention of spaying the stuff all over the lovely new Spax suspension.
Well, I did as the instructions suggested and shook the can, for ages!
Sprayed the suspension and this was the result...
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG0354_zpsjhxdaork.jpg)
:sorry, what?:
Well it came out much quicker and thicker than anticipated, so it looks like I've done a combination of sneezing whilst having a massive 'crisis' all over it. Looks like crap, but hey, you can't see it and it'll do the job of protecting it and prevent rust!
Yeah I'm gonna wash it off tonight and reapply with the nozzle adjusted and put in hot water for much longer, as my OCD is eating me alive! Will take more pics and update.
I did go through half a tin of the stuff just doing the suspension haha!
Oh wish I'd read that post before having just gone out and removed all the old stuff and reapplied. :problem:
According to the tin it could be sprayed directly onto suspension components and arches etc.
Anyway, 2nd attempt:
Soaked tin in very hot water for over half an hour
Shake tin vigorously
Test spray pattern on old metal drip tray and adjusted to finer pattern.
Sprayed suspension. To much better effect I feel!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0001_zps4fc5a802.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0005_zps24beade4.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0003_zpsdd0bd34c.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0002_zps91ba03e0.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_0004_zps802d2f9d.jpg)
I was so confident in my new found ability that I even did the rear arches. But forgot to take a photo. :hmm:
None on the tyres or brakes so that's a bonus!
Pete, I may take you up on the offer of popping over with either/both cars and we'll set about doing them. :thumbs:
Not a daily yet... We'll have to wait and see with that one. Gumpert could so with some major lovin' so this one may have to become the daily. Whilst that's occurring. Anyway, waxoyl has rust inhibitor properties so the arches should stay rust free too. :-)
So I had to collect my Skoda from it's MOT yesterday (which cost me £400!!) So decided to take Hollie on a little run. Whilst filling her up I thought she looked good in the petrol station lighting, so grabbed a shot, before being told off for using my phone on the forecourt haha!
Mrs Mac was trying to hide. Fail.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG0608_zpsekndjv4a.jpg)
Time for a bit of whoring!
Decided on an impromptu photoshoot of Hollie, as I felt she's been neglected over the winter, being left in the garage, effectively just getting in the way whilst trying to get to my car cleaning bits at the back of the (cluttered) garage.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMG_10004%202_zpsodas5ka3.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMG_10009%202_zpslp79dknz.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMG_10014%202_zpsc1h6y8iv.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMG_10018_zpsdwkl2opd.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMG_10022_zpsnkt9efoi.jpg)
Really can't wait to have it taxed and back on the road!
Well last week our next door neighbour's cat got accidentally locked in our garage overnight. Fortunately when I opened the door the cat shot out unharmed. But in a panic it had obviously clambered all over Hollie in the garage, leaving dusty paw prints all over it. Luckily it didn't leave any scratches, but it required washing anyway.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1442_zps5uixbhnf.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1443_zpswy5juzj4.jpg)
After a quick wash - yes that is still without wax or polish since hankmanus (The Mad Waxman) detailed it in October 2013!
Gumpert's a bit dirty though!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1449_zps0ajnsc8d.jpg)
My view from the back gate. Made me all excited!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1454_zpsg3tspzq8.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1455_zpsr4v1wlmv.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1458_zpsvxkdm4na.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1456_zpsgmfflx0t.jpg)
I also noticed recently a fuel leak from under the car, so had a root around and discovered the accumulator and pump (which was pretty new, along with all new fixtures and unions) was leaking. Thankfully it was just a case of nipping up a jubilee clip.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1445_zpsqw891see.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1447_zpsd2pxhhxw.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1448_zpsar6e0ke9.jpg)
Mrs Mac had been suspiciously quiet during my quick cleaning sesh, and she later came outside to say she couldn't wait any more and had taxed Hollie!! :brian:
Time for a blast then!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1469_zpsi3xsshy5.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMAG1467_zpsibqdvsi6.jpg)
Then we found possibly the best road within a 20 mile radius! Such fun!!!
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/IMG_20150408_212248_zpse8dljz5k.jpg)
Love driving this old girl. Puts the biggest smile on my face! So happy she's taxed again!
Thanks mate. Just the little things now, like passenger electric window, and noisy speedo cable to sort out. But the main thing is it's drivable and looks good!
We have thought about taking it to see the bloke who we got it from, but worry a little bit that he'll want it back and would make us a silly offer, which he said he may do at the time! Wouldn't want to end up in that situation!
On Sunday was GTI International, so as we were taking Hollie, it was time for a much needed wash.
4 hours later, to revive the red again, as it had just slightly faded in the 2 and a half years since hankmanus detailed her. But all it required was some Poorboys Black Hole to bring the deep colour back and a coat of Collnite 476 wax to seal it in.
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1981_zpsuetu0xvc.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1982_zpsg0tneujp.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1984_zpsxpuehezg.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1985_zpswhuuhk5o.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1987_zpsxf9dhlst.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1988_zps94fnyym8.jpg)
(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/ali_macmillions/Hollie/IMAG1989_zps7hhe3j0l.jpg)
She still comes up really well.
Unfortunately, both travelling to Inters, there and back, it rained, so is now filthy again. :hmm:
So prior to the National Meet it's going to require another wash, at least!
Poor old Gumpert, however, is a filthy pig at the moment. Going to take a hell of a cleaning sesh to bring him up fresh!