1980 Vauxhall Chevette: New wheels

[classictwiggy]

Sure some of you make recognise this car, I've recently acquired it in an exchange with Sparko off this very forum. It is a 1980 Vauxhall Chevette 1256cc 4 door in orange, low, relatively slow and plenty of retro

Here's some pics after a quick clean, wipe over inside and lots of hoovering up broken glass as she had a broken screen:





Got started on cleaning the interior, adjusted the harnesses, covered the existing speaker pods in acoustic material:
BEFORE

AFTER



One to show how low she sits:


Made a start on tidying the wheels. Her wheels as they were are seen above, I'm thinking satin black steelies with chrome centre caps, anyone?
Note: Not got a finished picture yet.



To do list:
- Full engine service.
- Work through MOT failure list: New screen/steering gators/bit of welding.
- Big tacho on the dash (PM me if you have one for sale )
- Touch up paint where required/cure rust etc. General tidy up really.
- Fit electric fan.
- Whatever else is bound to arise.

[coggers]

Looked good at billing the other month

[Knugcab]

From what I've heard, mounting the harnesses that low isn't good, because it can lead to spinal injuries in a crash... :/

[retrowagen1234]

mmm tasty lil car that black rims with babymoon hubcaps would look wicked....

if you could get the rears banded then get the backend up for some rake that would look immense!

[classictwiggy]

Progress from today, some bodywork tidying around the front arch:





Everyone knows that red brake calipers make the car 10bhp more powerful don't they?

[classictwiggy]

Just me in here again

Today's updates. Finally got the painted wheels on and repaired, treated and primered the front valance, your thoughts?

[sparko]

i want it back


when i drop the screen down don't mind if i tow it back do ya? ;D

love the wheels, i have 2 cans of satin black sitting in a box that were for that very purpose lol

[sparko]

oh and by the way its a he not a she! he's called hoov (because of the number plate)

treat him nice

[DarrenW]

Nice! Lovely colour ;D

First thing I'd do is get those harnesses out, stock seats aren't designed to take the loads placed on them from those directions and with them mounted like that they'll pull your shoulders down and compress your spine in a nasty way in the event of an accident.

I've seen a few nasty injuries in road rally cars that way...

[Speedle]

stunner! looks lovely that!

[classictwiggy]

Thanks guys.

Sparko: I'll settle for calling her a 'him' but you aint having him back
DarrenW: Thanks for the advice, didn't know that.

Progress from today:
1) Front valance repaired and primered

2) Quick tidy up at the rear

3) Passenger side rear arch




4) Front under headlamp panel


5) Driver side rear arch repair (who loves open welds? I do!)


6) ...And a couple whole car shots at the end of the day

[racingdave]

LOVE 4 dr shuvit saloons. me and a lad i went school with had 'em about ten years ago. used to pick them up for less than £100. always look good with some slam/rake

WIN!

[classictwiggy]

racing dave: Nice one, would love to own 10 all in different colours, all slammed

- Majority of servicing done, just waiting on plugs and air filter
- All surface rust ground back, treated and primered, just leaves 2 patches of welding needed

Got a pleasant package delivered from Sparko last night:

[classictwiggy]

No time to hesitate: let's get that screen in

Mocked up

Came across a catch, I didn't have a windscreen fitment tool, didnt fancy going out to get one as I'd have to walk and am too impatient to wait to borrow one so... no option left than to make one


Getting there (ignore the hammer that was for something else I was doing)

Finished

Quick lick of paint on the wipers for good measure

[classictwiggy]

Todays update: 04/09/09
How I love the holidays: only a quick one as I'm off for a cycle to pick up some colour matched paint

An 'easy repair' turned into hole finding More welding I thinks
Treated and left for the moment, went onto other jobs, tidying driver's front arch:

Gave mirror and petrol flap a clean, sand and a lick of paint, came up loooooovely:


Treated, fixed and undersealed both sills:

Ordered oil breather filter as it was soaking the air filter with the current pipe there which I decided wasn't perfect:

[classictwiggy]

I think its just me in here but hey-ho, I'll keep plugging on...

Today: Steering rack gators done for MOT's sake

Found some proper-colour paint so repaired sections sprayed


Excuse the overspray

[Neil]

you're excused! nice to see the proper number plates back on!

[classictwiggy]

Sept 6, 2009 19:15:32 GMT Neil said:

you're excused! nice to see the proper number plates back on!

The 'proper' number plates are only a temporary measure, again for the MOT

[classictwiggy]

Welding on sills in progress:

Repaired sills just needing a sand down and a lick of paint:

[munch8987]

Looks awsome chap........I've known sparko for a long time now and know he is going to be much jealous of the way you bought hoov back to life