Been driving this every day for a year now so its time to stick up a thread.
As bought in feb 2016.
The front arches were a bit grotty which is a common problem on these, had to get them repaired and painted while keeping the original stripe intact. Luckily I had an amazing job done on them and it came back looking as good as new. The wheels needed a paint so they got a quick flashing of white. The rest of the paintwork was given a machine polish to bring it back to life and it came up a treat. The scabby but original dealer plates came off and pressed plates went on, I think I'll get the dealer plates replicated one day.
I had a rear spoiler kicking about off a previous 80 so I had that painted at the same time and stuck it on, all 80's should have a spoiler it totally transforms the look of the car.
While undersealing the inside of the front wings I gave the arches a good tidy, really surprised at the condition in there and underneath, you can tell they really built these to last. The springs are 60mm H&R which keep the car on the road and sit much better than standard. The bottom arms had a fair bit of play so I replaced the bushes with Powerflex polyurethane bushes which has tightened the front end up nicely, wouldn't mind changing the ARB bushes to those soon too.
I got a hold of a set of 15" speedlines to replace the 14's. I thought the 14's, although original and rare, didn't fill the arches and looked too narrow. I had the 15's blasted and powdercoated in a slightly dirty white which is a very good match for the paintwork. Centre caps were missing but I think I prefer them without so I bought a set of universal ebay jobbies and some Speedline stickers and made my own and wrapped them in Kumho KU31's.
Much better.
Recently I've changed the radiator as it was weeping, then 2 days later the heater matrix burst and anyone who's changed one will know its a pain of a job luckily my dad has done this before and knew his way around.
Today I renewed my insurance and I plan on keeping it for another year at least, it should be trouble free now that I've ironed out most of the little niggles. For 27 years old though its been 100% reliable, comfy and brilliant to drive. I shall keep this thread updated!
As bought in feb 2016.
The front arches were a bit grotty which is a common problem on these, had to get them repaired and painted while keeping the original stripe intact. Luckily I had an amazing job done on them and it came back looking as good as new. The wheels needed a paint so they got a quick flashing of white. The rest of the paintwork was given a machine polish to bring it back to life and it came up a treat. The scabby but original dealer plates came off and pressed plates went on, I think I'll get the dealer plates replicated one day.
I had a rear spoiler kicking about off a previous 80 so I had that painted at the same time and stuck it on, all 80's should have a spoiler it totally transforms the look of the car.
While undersealing the inside of the front wings I gave the arches a good tidy, really surprised at the condition in there and underneath, you can tell they really built these to last. The springs are 60mm H&R which keep the car on the road and sit much better than standard. The bottom arms had a fair bit of play so I replaced the bushes with Powerflex polyurethane bushes which has tightened the front end up nicely, wouldn't mind changing the ARB bushes to those soon too.
I got a hold of a set of 15" speedlines to replace the 14's. I thought the 14's, although original and rare, didn't fill the arches and looked too narrow. I had the 15's blasted and powdercoated in a slightly dirty white which is a very good match for the paintwork. Centre caps were missing but I think I prefer them without so I bought a set of universal ebay jobbies and some Speedline stickers and made my own and wrapped them in Kumho KU31's.
Much better.
Recently I've changed the radiator as it was weeping, then 2 days later the heater matrix burst and anyone who's changed one will know its a pain of a job luckily my dad has done this before and knew his way around.
Today I renewed my insurance and I plan on keeping it for another year at least, it should be trouble free now that I've ironed out most of the little niggles. For 27 years old though its been 100% reliable, comfy and brilliant to drive. I shall keep this thread updated!
I'll have to either try and get the stripe matched on the new ones or pull it off, its a shame as its a one off dealer thing. 
