Thought it was about time I put up some info on this one for you all seeing as its coming together nicely....
The story so far...
Purchased for 50 quid in 2004 from an old guy in bristol who had bought it new in the fetching shade of met brown you see here that he had touched up over the years with a tin of white emulsion that you thought was bird poo splattered all over it...
Drove it home gingerly as it was missing under power and both rear wheel bearings were droning like a 747 on takeoff,the pics above were taken after removing the roof rack,6 wing mirrors,beaded seat covers and cheapo wheeltrims to see what was underneath.
Despite the usual bit of rust and dents in all four corners it was deemed saveable with a mint interior and 42k on the clock so it was parked next to the garage and then promptly forgotten about as a new job beckoned in exeter..
Fast forward to 2008 a return home and a threat from my mum that it was going to be scrapped if I didnt do it spurred me into action...
Stripped....
New rear arches and sills,body prep started...
Roughly patched up....
Off to the painters! ;D
New rear lights had to be found as the ones on the car were damaged beyond repair on both corners thanks to the previous owners parking mishaps...uk ones are all but obsolete and a call to subaru uk and a quote of £150 for one lens! had me looking elsewhere...
Was passed the details of a guy in the states through japanesenostalgiccar.com who saved the day with a pair of these us spec ones,mine for £125 posted...
Meanwhile,in a workshop deep in the Forest Of Dean.....
Things were happening with the removal of panels.....and more rust..
Some time later I returned to be greeted by this....
Then this...
Then finally......Black!!
1st coat on and rubbed down..
After much paintings later I was allowed to take it home..
Up bright and early the next day the 1st thing on the list was the new rear lights....and the rest soon followed....i had it all back together and interior in by teatime
Passed its mot 1st time,couple of advisories but it was through and it was off to RR09!
Went to Rallyday 2009 at castle combe and sat happily drawing more attention than any of the imprezas on the Bath and bristol Scoobys stand....
Laid up in the garage over winter to minimise salt attacks I got it out in March and got all jackie chan on its ass with the addition of foglamps and decals on the doors....
Showing off again at Performance Action day Apr 2010
Was also at japfest 2010 but neglected to take any pictures of it although it was snapped by retro cars mag and featured in their little write up
With the mot looming in 10 days have spent the last few days fitting new discs/pads,cv boots,applying underseal (lots of) and awaiting a new weber carb from america as the tired old hitachi thats on there now is epicly failing.....
Oh and LED sidelights which I'm not totally happy with the outcome...need a bit more tinkering....
The story so far...
Purchased for 50 quid in 2004 from an old guy in bristol who had bought it new in the fetching shade of met brown you see here that he had touched up over the years with a tin of white emulsion that you thought was bird poo splattered all over it...
Drove it home gingerly as it was missing under power and both rear wheel bearings were droning like a 747 on takeoff,the pics above were taken after removing the roof rack,6 wing mirrors,beaded seat covers and cheapo wheeltrims to see what was underneath.
Despite the usual bit of rust and dents in all four corners it was deemed saveable with a mint interior and 42k on the clock so it was parked next to the garage and then promptly forgotten about as a new job beckoned in exeter..
Fast forward to 2008 a return home and a threat from my mum that it was going to be scrapped if I didnt do it spurred me into action...
Stripped....
New rear arches and sills,body prep started...
Roughly patched up....
Off to the painters! ;D
New rear lights had to be found as the ones on the car were damaged beyond repair on both corners thanks to the previous owners parking mishaps...uk ones are all but obsolete and a call to subaru uk and a quote of £150 for one lens! had me looking elsewhere...
Was passed the details of a guy in the states through japanesenostalgiccar.com who saved the day with a pair of these us spec ones,mine for £125 posted...
Meanwhile,in a workshop deep in the Forest Of Dean.....
Things were happening with the removal of panels.....and more rust..
Some time later I returned to be greeted by this....
Then this...
Then finally......Black!!
1st coat on and rubbed down..
After much paintings later I was allowed to take it home..
Up bright and early the next day the 1st thing on the list was the new rear lights....and the rest soon followed....i had it all back together and interior in by teatime
Passed its mot 1st time,couple of advisories but it was through and it was off to RR09!
Went to Rallyday 2009 at castle combe and sat happily drawing more attention than any of the imprezas on the Bath and bristol Scoobys stand....
Laid up in the garage over winter to minimise salt attacks I got it out in March and got all jackie chan on its ass with the addition of foglamps and decals on the doors....
Showing off again at Performance Action day Apr 2010
Was also at japfest 2010 but neglected to take any pictures of it although it was snapped by retro cars mag and featured in their little write up
With the mot looming in 10 days have spent the last few days fitting new discs/pads,cv boots,applying underseal (lots of) and awaiting a new weber carb from america as the tired old hitachi thats on there now is epicly failing.....
Oh and LED sidelights which I'm not totally happy with the outcome...need a bit more tinkering....
