3.5 Year Shell Restoration, build finally started

strugrat

Club Member
Ryan, I've just looked at your Facebook site (I don't do Facebook but perhaps I'll start).

Wow, I knew the car was poor even before you bought it (I seem to remember I PM'd you) but boy oh boy what a rust bucket. These cars get painted and polished and because of their rarity and attractive lines are viewed through 'rose-tinted' specs. I know because I bought one too in 1996. I couldn't afford to do what you've done (even though you say you have a limited budget) so I did everything myself to keep it safe and enjoy (track) it.

I think there is hardly any panel on your car that you haven't taken/cut off - even the whole front from the bulkhead! Reassembly to the correct shape/tolerances must have been a huge problem.

Anyway congratulations on 'coming through it and out the other side'. :bow:

Mirrors - sorry I think I was wrong, I bid on them when you posted them on ebay but lost out (too tight).

Hi Rob,
Yes the shell was very poor indeed. The car wasn’t looked after at all by its previous owner(s).
I should have abandoned it really but I was determined to get the car right again. It’s been a labour of love and hugely frustrating at times (like now, further delays for chrome plating arrgh) but I believe it’s been done to a good standard and done correctly with the right panels where possible.
I would not under any circumstances do it again though.
Budget was limited but has somewhat expanded! Ahem.
Anyway just want to get driving now. I am aiming for the summer but no point in rushing and I guess it will be ready when its ready.
Ryan
 

strugrat

Club Member
Car is coming on great.

I'm interested to see how the wheels look with the red as although I've bought satin black ones for my red car, I may change to the bronze I bought for my old 260z.

Here's I couple of picture that show off the difference between shiny black and flat black against the red paintwork. These pictures may also help me in choosing between shiny or flat black for the bumpers.

Ha ha I think either would be fine!
 

JK240

Club Member
Yeah I liked the blue, but it had me be original for me.

It was a Renault blue if I recall correctly.

Yeah it was Renault 432 Blue, it was a bit of a joke that Ray owned a 432 Z...!!

Wonder if he's aware of how far you've come with his old car...looks amazing :bow:
 

strugrat

Club Member
Yeah it was Renault 432 Blue, it was a bit of a joke that Ray owned a 432 Z...!!

Wonder if he's aware of how far you've come with his old car...looks amazing :bow:

Thanks
Yes that’s right; a tin of the paint came with the car when I bought it.
I haven’t been in contact with Ray since I bought the car from him so I doubt he is aware of what progress has been made. Its changed a bit the past 4 and a bit years!
 

Dave B

Well-Known Forum User
Still undecided as to matt or shiny, any more examples?
Been looking through your build on Facebook Ryan, absolutely stunning

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

strugrat

Club Member
We are rolling!:D

Trying to visualize how the wheels will look at the proper ride height but I think they look great! :thumbs:
 

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johnymd

Club Member
Bronze wheel's on my current favourite car colour does look great.
 

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strugrat

Club Member
Few more bits done today even though it looks mainly the same!

Front Calipers/Pads mounted
Rear Calipers and Handbrake Mechanism
Kameari Diff Bar on
Steering Arms Secured properly

Oh and lowered the coilovers a bit just to get a taste :)

Hopefully should have it back in the garage in a few weeks,
 

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strugrat

Club Member
Oh and does anyone know if this is mounted the wrong way around? Should the lump be on the other side or doesn't it matter?
 

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moggy240

Insurance Valuations Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Oh and does anyone know if this is mounted the wrong way around? Should the lump be on the other side or doesn't it matter?

The larger hump cutout is to allow the exhaust pipe not foul on it.
The exhaust runs down the lefthand side of the tunnel as you look from the rear so it is the wrong way round
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Ryan, lovely build so far and so much work done, geez.

I am running the TTT (15 minute drive from me) suspension on my car and really love it, especially on the track. My only gripe is that the car rides stiff for the street as my Koni rear shocks are set to medium instead of soft, need to change that.

Do you have a rear roll bar picked for the car or are you not going to run with one? I have the old BRE style roll bar that rides to the rear of the diff and attaches to those down legs you have pictured. I think it is a better way to go IMO.

Great build.
 
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