**UPDATED** 1991 Rev 1 (Beastly V6 1MZ-FE VVTI) **UPDATED**

[KarlBristol]

Wow, I am impressed by that photoshop! Very swish.

I like both the orange and green colour. I was thinking of a more vibrant orange and less of a burnt orange - almost flourescent....


You've got me thinking about a full respray properly now. AAAAAAAggggggggghhhhhhh lol

Maybe if I start saving then with my other plans I can do this in 2013

Only thing is that if you respray the car a different colour, you're left with engine bay/ under frunk in original colour. Unless you're going for a bare shell rebuild.

Would that do your head in or not fussed?

I'm toying with 3 ideas;

1) Full respray in flourescent orange. Complete strip down to metal and all sprayed. Probably difficult to resell as its not everyones colour! Plus very expensive.

2) Respray fully in 8H3

3) Keep original. Try to keep the paint work tip top with regular treatment of wax, etc... The car has a patena to it as its 22 years old and still has original paint.

Realistically I think its probably between 2 and 3 to keep it relatively original throughout

[KarlBristol]

Well todays little jobs...

- The frunk handle was badly rusted and a real eye sore:



- I only spent ten minutes doing it as a first fix so that it doesn't get any worse, but here is how it stands currently:



The full fix for this will come in the summer when its better for spraying


Today I also straightened out the bent section of the x-brace. I then proceeded to rub it downully and respray it. It's been done with 4 coats of VHT matt black. This matches the exhaust manifold, will inhibit rust and also resist the heat from the engine bay

Now (still drying):



It will probably be fitted this week sometime when I have some light.

Unfortunatley the Mercedes is the garage for the rest of the week and so the 2 has to brave this horrible weather and the road salts... So today it got cleaned, polished and then waxed to help it cope. I can't wait to get it up on stands and underbody seal it:



The paint isn't bad for 22 years

[craig]

Enjoying this thread dude

It's the little jobs that make all the difference! Regarding the respray, if the paint work is pretty good, I'd save some cash and just get the bits done that need doing etc (my 2p)

If you're going colour change, then you gotta keep the car!

And if it isn't an engine out paint job etc, and the bay and exterior paint is different, it may put off buyers, but if you aint selling, then all good

[KarlBristol]

Enjoying this thread dude

It's the little jobs that make all the difference! Regarding the respray, if the paint work is pretty good, I'd save some cash and just get the bits done that need doing etc (my 2p)

If you're going colour change, then you gotta keep the car!

And if it isn't an engine out paint job etc, and the bay and exterior paint is different, it may put off buyers, but if you aint selling, then all good

I think a full respray in a different colour is more of a pipe dream as opposed to a realistic goal. There are a few little bits of paintwork that I want to focus on, and maybe get bits touched up by the bodyshop with an aim of keeping it original.

A little idea that I had was the following; Remove the number plate and black plate holder. Get the bodyshop to repair the screw holes behind and also fill and paint over the two holes from the badges at the front and rear (for a full de-badge). (I've wanted a full de-badge for ages and ages).

Then thinking of relocating the black plastic holder just below its current position so it sits in the recess but not setting it back - keeping it flush with the front of the car. I think this will give the front a sleeker look and also give more protection to the radiator as I'm ever concious about a stone going through there and costing me big bucks!!

However the underbody seal and finishing the few little suspension jobs I have running have to come first

The car is always being kept regardless of cost, etc... Its only money lol.

I think OEM may be the way forward....

[riot68]

Glad you like the colours, can out put other ones now very easily so let me know...

[KarlBristol]

Glad you like the colours, can out put other ones now very easily so let me know...

Cheers bud - I'm impressed

[riot68]

Should be down Bristol in a few months, will let you know...

[KarlBristol]

Should be down Bristol in a few months, will let you know...

If your around Bristol then give me a shout. Its always good to meet up with a fellow member

Will you be bringing your 2 down with you?

[StuRobinson88]

good work! it is being treated properly, as they should be.

[riot68]

Not be in the 2 sorry, 4 people to move ...

[KarlBristol]

Spent 2 minutes in the garage before having to go to work this morning and managed to fit the x brace, so just a brief update;







Bought and yet to fit:
- Track rod ends
- Front ball joints
- Front drop links
- Coolant (in order to do a full change out)

Bought and yet to be delivered:
- Toyota Thermostat
- Half leather and alacantra door cards
- Full suspension bush kit


Then I feel its time to start saving to take a trip to the bodyshop for a few bits of paintwork to be touched up to my standards

[Timmo]

Very clean engine bay there mate!

[manda-rev5]

really liking your project it's like a different car looks amazing. I think it needs a spoiler to finish it off lol

[riot68]

All looking good, wish I had some more time, what did you use to clean the engine bay up? Also what's the black exhaust paint you've used too?

cheers...

[KarlBristol]

Thanks all for the messages, its appreciated; PM sent regarding the engine bay

I can't wait until summer when I can finally start to do some proper work on the car

Today I took the day off of work, but decided to relax and not to work on the car (7 days straight of shift work over 24 hours was enough for me this week!) Today I had this new thermostat delivered:



It will be fitted when I do the coolant change. Until then it will sit in the boot with the rest of the parts that are awaiting fitting...

I found some calliper paint that I had in my garage, so I might do that tomorrow. I should also get my door cards and polybushes tomorrow (though the polybushes will more than likely be fitted in the summer).

So I may unwrap my car and fit the new door cards if the weather holds out:-



As the car has been a daily runner recently I treated myself to this today aswell:



The car may get a good clean tomorrow inside and out if I can find the energy

[KarlBristol]

Well at 07:30 this morning I had a delivery, and I must say its the best packed parcel I think I've ever received! It also gave me an excuse to be a photowhore again



When unpacked it revealed a set of half leather and half alacantra door cards

I'm very pleased, heres a close up;



These are my current door cards. Although they are in good condition, since replacing the seats they don't match and its been bugging me! lol.





I couldn't resist going straight outside and stripping the old door cards off:



And put the new ones on:







Then it was the turn of the passenger side:





Then I managed to get enough energy together to give the inside a vacuum out. To be honest the car needs a good clean both inside and out but its so so so cold in Bristol today. So I've retreated inside to warm up before I attack another part of the car again

I did realise that although I've done lots of little bits recently its been a while since I've uploaded pictures of the car as a whole. So I took a few quick photos of the car as it currently stands before putting it back in the garage and wrapping it back up. It especially needs a good clean outside; the joys of winter driving! lol

At least I should get my daily driver back from the garage today, then the 2 can be pampered properly again.



















Unfortunately spending a little time with the car today made me realise that the passenger side electric window isn't currently working, uuuggghhh. Thats one more job to add to the growing list! lol.

However I've also had a few more ideas, but I'll keep them underwraps for the time being



As I got inside the house I found a box waiting for me



This is a complete polybush set, all of the suspension, engine mounts, etc etc... I can't wait! This unfortunately has been stored in the boot with the rest of the part and is on the bottom of my list of things to do...

[Blue_2]

Just wanted to say that iam loving this thread. Really is refreshing to see
these amazing cars getting the love and attention they deserve.

Btw where did you get your car cover from ?

[KarlBristol]

Just wanted to say that iam loving this thread. Really is refreshing to see
these amazing cars getting the love and attention they deserve.

Btw where did you get your car cover from ?

Thanks - I think its important to try and keep them alive and loved, especially as so many seem to be being scrapped recently.

From memory I think my car cover is this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIZE-M-UV-Wat ... 35b3fff04e

Hope this helps

[CJ]

The new door cards look great.

As others have said, I too am really loving this thread. Giving me inspiration and ideas to start mine soon.

[StuRobinson88]

i think it is also brilliant how you have decided to keep the original engine for originality sake! congratulations that man, it really is looking well.