Lights, sander, action

Well I have nearly made my mind up that Nena is off to the paint shop. With that in mind I need to get all the holes cut on the shell for lights etc and test fit panels.

I have had a couple of estimates for the paint and prep, and as those who have been through similar projects will know, it is not a cheap job. It is estimated that it will take 4 man days to sand and prep all the panels, or I can get them all down to gelcoat myself and save a few quid! The red respray Nena had some time ago doesn't seem to be great quality so the professionals opinion is to remove it all.

So before the rain started this weekend I got out my sander and boxes of parts and started cutting holes !

The bonnet and engine lid have been sanded using a dual action orbital sander, I just need to do the fiddly curves by hand. The engine lid lock and hinges are test fitted, and at the front the headlight/indicator units (1980's metro) are in, the bonnet hinges and locks test fitted.

Next I need to prep and test fit the side panels, and decide which of my rear panels to use. I then need to make up a rear light panel and cut a few more holes !

Ideally I would like to test fit everything to the car prior to paint, so, knowing the local paint shop has a long waiting list I need to be brave, book it in, and get on with it.

I hate to say it but the August 1st 2007 aim is looking doubtful ! You never know though, more soon (if it stops raining), Jim

Now that's a makeover !

After much head scratching I have gone with the simpler engine option (for the moment). I had a stock 1600 lying about in the garage from donor car 2 (Your donor card please) which was turning over when I cut up the car ! The other spare engine I have is a Type 3 unit which has been modified to run with an external cooler and breather box. It is apparently 1800 plus and is set up to run on twin Kadrons. I know less about this type of engine so have decided to make setting this up a winter project ! Other NOVA owners at Stoneleigh 2007 assure me the engine is good - it seems to have changed hands through at least 3 NOVAs !



How's this for a before and after ! Here is the lump stripped of all ancillaries and mounted up onto the gearbox:















and here it is with everything back in place, a liberal degreasing, tinwear painted, new alternator conversion kit fitted, and a lick of paint here and there:
















I'm not a big fan of too much chrome - more often than not the chrome tinwear and bolt on goodies are a poorer quality, and don't last. I have gone for new stock rocker covers and clips from VW Heritage, all original tinwear has been stripped and painted in a hammer finish and all tinwear bolts replaced with stainless steel. The alternator kit was a bit of a bi**h to fit, with the old fan seized to the dynamo, and the new fan and bolts/lock nuts/washers all being a slightly off fit. Also if you go for a similar conversion be aware the right hand moving parts of the carb do foul the larger alternator body and need bending slightly. In this case the fuel pump didn't foul, but I know it can depending on type. I felt the alternator was a worthwhile addition as the roof pump will suck up some volts ! As you can see stock pulleys have been used - they are solid and rarely warp, and for now a stock carb remains. I hope this engine will do me a while until I have the funds and time to put something hotter in !!

Right, that's the chassis virtually done, just need to fill up the hydraulic circuits and bolt in the pedal box. I now need to decide whether I bolt up the shell (again) and fit a wiring loom and test everything, or send the body off for paint. More on that decision soon - Jim

The car is the star - the NOVA gets recognition

It was mentioned in the last post (Stoneleigh - NOVAs a plenty) but I feel Mike and Elaine's acheivement from Club NOVA is worth a separate mention.

They got their car on the Complete Kit Car stand, and it looked a million dollars.

One day Nena, one day !

All the best, Jim

Stoneleigh 2007 - NOVAs a plenty

Another great show, well worth the drive from the sunny south ! We made it up to Stoneleigh in less than two hours and spent a great day with the folks from Club NOVA seeing even more NOVAs and shopping for those elusive parts.

Here are a few shots from the day - if anyone from Club NOVA wants more of the photos drop me an e-mail and I can sort out a CD.



Well done in particular to Mike and Elaine for getting their NOVA in the main hall. Good work Paul on the Club banners, and everyone who contributed, and Harry - top gizmo !

All the best, Jim

I've given the chassis a tickle !

After a succesful session of painting the other weekend I realised that I need to get the chassis finished, and clear some of the stock pile of parts cluttering up the house. So, the hydraulic lines have been fitted to the brakes and hydraulic clutch, the repainted red brake callipers offered up.

I have also chosen which of the engines lying around the workshop are going in the car for now and started cleaning that up, including stripping down all of the tinwear, and repainting it. I have had experience of using aftermarket tinware, so whenever possible I re-use the german tinwear. It is worth doing as it is much thicker steel, and fits better. I have gone for a hammered paint finish as it hides the odd blemish and is typically hard wearing.

I have also finished painting up the fuel tank in bright red (the main accent colour is red), got hold of stainless tinwear fittings for the engine reassembly and spent time talking to the guys at Club NOVA working out roof options, and unfortunately realised my hinges are beyond repair - that' another one for the shopping list !

The chassis is not far away now, I hope to have the engine rebuilt and fully fitted inside the next week or so, e-bay has supplied the new manifold I needed for the carb. Once the chassis is done I will focus on the body and paint. I would like to get the main shell in paint before I fit it to the chassis, and run the wiring loom.

Have been spurred on by seeing more NOVAs at the Stoneleigh kit car show - photos will follow, more progress soon, Jim