1995 Vauxhall Calibra SE4 - The new money pit

[ud-uk]

I have now sold my Mercedes 230ce after several happy years, I was just ready for a change.

It's new owner is only 15km away so I'm sure I'll still see it around.

I've gone back 30 years for the sake of nostalgia and bought a Vauxhall Calibra, it's the car I had when I first met my wife.

I looked at a couple here in France but they were to far gone and over priced, like most old cars over here.

I came across one in fair condition on marketplace in Oxfordshire, which is fairly near family in Andover, so I could combine collecting the car with a quick visit to the grand kids, perfect.

After many messages and photos a deal was done, and the ferry was booked.

The car drives well, and the trip home was without any problems, I now have a pile of paperwork to go through to get it French registered.

I am putting together a "to do list" which gets longer each day as I discover something else that doesn't do what it should, but that's part of the fun of getting a new, old car, isn't it?

First job is to sort out a blow on the exhaust, and to sort out the battery tray that has disintegrated, so I can get a French MOT on it.

I'm not sure if the Calibra has many fans these days, but I'm a sucker for a coupe, and I think the Calibra still looks great.

[jonomisfit]

I remember calibras from when I was a teenager. Always loved the look of them, the ones they rallied especially. Looked like rocket ships, maybe just didn'tquite reach their potential.

Looking forward to seeing this thread develop.

[mrbounce]

My best man had a Calibra when I got married, and it was that which took me to the venue. I remember it fondly.

Calibras are underrated cars.

[79cord]

Great colour! Interior colour a surprise at first but gives it plenty of character & looks comfortable befitting what sounds like such a capable GT.

[bricol]

My sister had a few - not impressed with the head gasket on one which failed as soon as I hit the M1 from Luton to bring it north to Yorkshire to do some work on it.

Had to fix the head gasket to then get it to work and up in the air - dropped the rear axle to get to the enormous rust hole in the rear structure.

Quite impressed me how shake free and distortion free the shell still was, with those enormous doors and the scale of the rust problem.

[ud-uk]

I haven't had a lot of time to do things on the Calibra this month, but I did manage to get the import paperwork done, and paid.

I have changed the leaking rocker cover gasket, the cork had gone rock hard, and took a fair bit of elbow grease with a scraper to remove.

I took it for the French MOT to see how much work was required, it wasn't too bad, track control arms, and drop links, and the mention of a small area of corrosion at the back.

After some investigation scrabbling under the car, I found the rear valance resembled Frosties rather than steel.

This has been cut out today, and the new steel will go in on Monday.

I'll hopefully have some more time next weekend to start prepping the body for the wrap, plenty to do!

[ianlea73]

A guy I worked with in the mid 2000's built a wide body max power car back in the day. Amazing styling but if I remember the headlights were woeful. Like Victorian candles.

[79cord]

Surprised to see the basic 8v. Certainly a car available in a wide variety of specifications!

[horrido]

Always liked these. Great shape.

[ud-uk]

Got the repair to the back panel finished now, and reassembled.

I've started prepping the bodywork, filling any small dents, and treating any scabs on the way round, every panel seems to have a little ding, here and there.

I should have that finished next week, the wrap vinyl has arrived and I am looking forward to starting to apply it.

[ud-uk]

That 3 months went quick.

I managed to get the vinyl wrap fitted in amongst other work, visiting family and friend, and a summer holiday to the lovely Bergerac region, and lots of wine!

I did find a replacement front bumper in the end, and it was an early one, which I think looks better without the plastic V shape and badge, not easy to come by.

I've repainted the black plastics as I've worked round the car, it's a plastic paint from Halfords, and goes on pretty well with minimal prep, just 1 skirt left to do when I can get another can.

The wrap colour is a little darker than the original paint colour, it flips a little from blue to purple, and has a high metallic look in the sun, I think it looks great.

It's had some admiring comments for the new "paint job" and the quality of the finish

My next job is to get the headliner back in, which I've covered in a navy blue quilted material, then to paint the wheels, then etc etc etc

[ud-uk]

Remind me never to do a headliner again, what a ball ache!!

To begin with, it had been taken out before, it came out in several pieces that had been held together with gaffer tape.

The standard Vauxhall material was very, very flimsy, I use some glass fibre on all the broken pieces to add some strength to it.

I chose a blue quilted material to re-cover it, then spent the next 3 hours getting it back in and refitting all the trim.

So, it's in, I'm happy with how it looks, and I'm never doing it again.

Next job is to paint the wheels, it'll be a walk in the park.

[ud-uk]

This weekends job was to paint the wheels, they are in really good condition so there was very little prep work to do.

I gave the front and back a rub over with some wet and dry, and then a good clean, I saw a good tip recently about using a pack of cards around the wheel edge to save having to mask the tyre up, it works a treat.

A couple of coats of paint, then a couple of clear lacquer, pop on a new wheel centre sticker, and job done.

I've always liked the look of the blue and gold combo, ie: Clio Williams and Subura Impreza, so why not on a Calibra?

Next job is going to a big one I think, remove the seats and carpets for a major overhall.