Project Overspend Options

[stevmo3691]

Hi all. I am the proud owner of a 1997 1.8 Ghia X 5 door in dark aubergine. It took me a while to find the 'perfect' example and racked up the miles in my bros diesel volvo v70 (thats the point of a diesel).

After seeing many a tatty example including one that looked perfect on autotrader but had buggered wheels, engine running issues, fag burned interior, moving steering column and holier body work than the church, i found this car.

Had the usual rust on arches, but very minor, but had sweet running engine, service history, and only 81k on the clock.

Once i got the car home i had to wait till insurance certificate came through to tax it and drove it for a week (faultlessly) and then the doctor banned me from driving.

I was gutted but took this time to start doing work on the car that i wanted. so i changed the cloth interior for a GTi half leather set, fitted new stereo, 2 12" subs in the boot, GTI dials, blue LED switches, K&N induction kit, parrot bluetooth kit, tinted rear lights, eye level brake light and re-conditioned GTI alloys

Then i got the news i had been waiting for for 2 months. i was allowed to drive again. unfortunately the MOT had lapsed in that time so i gave the car a once over to get it MOT ready and whilst inspecting the rear brakes to see if i could sort out the high handbrake lever, i acceidently swung the torque wrench up into the chasis leg and it all crumbled into my face.

The hole was around 4" long. i was devastated. but my dad told me to mot it anyway as he had spoken to the previous test centre (who for the past 2 years issued with no advisory's) and they said that it should be fine.

Car failed on 4 things including that damage. also failed on snapped n/s front coil, corroded n/s brake pipe and damaged n/s brake hose.

while i got all the work done i bought myself a p reg mondeo for £250 to keep me going.

eventually got the escort taxed and tested in October having started in July!

since then i have fitted black angel eyes, gti grill with blue neons behind, GHIA X full leather interior and have purchased ready to fit GTI skirts, spats and spoiler, Si 130PS cams and throttle body, scorpion stainless exhaust system with 4-2-1 manifold and decat, a ported and polished head, mondeo front brakes and RS2000 rear disc conversion kit. plans include getting ecu chipped, new inlest manifold, xenon 6000k headlight bulbs, a front centre armrest (most likely from ghia x mondeo), new steering wheel, new floor mats, uprated clutch, 16" mondy alloys and more custom touches as and when they pop in my head really.





will add more pictures when i get a chance

This post has been edited by stevmo3691: Mar 20 2010, 12:19 AM