Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hello guys,

Car is still at Shaun's getting its shiny new coat, but he called last week to say it wont be long now

To be honest, I probably wouldnt have got much done even if it had ben painted by now, as I've been away lots with work. Last week was the US, this week is India, next week is US again....

I have been colecting bits while its been away, so it'll be back looking brand new (and with improvements ) during June.

Cheers,

Paul.

[Retromotorsport]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

So she'll be ready for the 5th of June, as Shauns been so busy on yours he hasnt had time to get his ready for the Retromotorsport Stand ...

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

I'd love to say yes Boss, but something tells me I'd be lying to you

Just had some good news - the yanks are clamping down on the entry criteria, so I have to go in person to the US embassy to get a pukka visa for the numerous trips I have/will be making. That means I get at least a whole week in the UK next week I reckon

More updates soon I promise!

P

[4parajon]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Just had some good news - the yanks are clamping down on the entry criteria, so I have to go in person to the US embassy to get a pukka visa for the numerous trips I have/will be making.

Some advice Paul - Book your appointment early if you can, and do everything they say on the letter, the number of people who tip up there with bags, laptops, phones etc and it just makes the que even longer. They do not fook about down there, they give you an option of whatever it is your carrying going in the bin or you go away and make another appointment. I booked my appointment for 8.15 and did'nt get out till 11.30.

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Thanks for the advice mate - will take a proper look at the site when i'm back in the UK and then justify a day out in London

[cossie matt]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

I thought I might drag this thread back into the world of the living, there must be an update soon

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Just trying to reduce my thread down to a couple of annual updates a year like yours mate

However, there could be an update soon

[Paul C]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Just trying to reduce my thread down to a couple of annual updates a year like yours mate

However, there could be an update soon

Yeah Paul, has Shaun finished the paintwork?

Well Matt should be writing an event report on Monday about his top 5 finish at Caerwent!!

[Toymex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

I was at Shauns on Saturday ,there was a rumour it would be in colour by now,lovely car Paul with some nice touches

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Yeah Paul, has Shaun finished the paintwork?

Well Matt should be writing an event report on Monday about his top 5 finish at Caerwent!!

Yes Paul - the bodywork is all done, and its sitting back at home gagging for some shiny new bits to be bolted to it

I'll get the pic up later today, but needless to say I'm a very, very happy chappy today - probably even happier than Matt is after that storming drive this weekend - so that should give you an idea of the job Shaun and Gary have done

For those that ont know the car, it'll probably look the same as before (but shinier), but there are loads of bits that I previously didnt like that have been improved now.

Rear panel - used to have filler visible above number plate area - whole new rear panel fitted - lovely finish

New carbon bootlid - lighter than the previous kevlar one, better (carbon weave) finish underneath.

Boot floor - old tank mount removed along with the floor underneath. New structural mount made allowing easier tank fitment/removal (for cleaning and checking dry-sump fittings etc) plus giving a decent weight saving.

Paintwork inside the boot is 100 times beter than before - no more hiding any nasty bits

One rear quarter beaten straight, the other had the rear section replaced to give correct shape around rear lens area.

Black details around windows all done properly instead of the previous matt black aerosol attempt of the previous paintjob.

Two small dents removed from roof (caused by me and Lee fighting with the rear screen once!)

Rear screen now fits properly

Doors now fit much better than before, and open/close better.

Front wings converted to bolt-on fitment to make general between-event prep easier.

Carbon fibre cut-off recess in the front n/s wing now replaced with more subtle, integrated recess with proper drain too.

Larger (wider) front arches for better clearance - and scope for wider track when the next suspension mods happen

Front panel - also bolt-on to make maintenance and engine removal/replacement easier. Started with a brand new panel, but cut 70% away and modified. Centre section custom-fit to channel more air to the radiator. Bonnet landing panel made much lighter/tidier with no areas for crud to accumulate and scratch fingers from the front panel clips/screws

Front spoiler fitted with dzus fastens for removal along with front panel.

O/S inner wing replaced as we werent happy just straighteneing an old/damaged one. Shaun has then spent ages tidiying up all the nasty areas and giving it paintwork that you can see yourself in

Bonnet - new carbon fibre one is probably half the weight of the previous kevlar one, and looks better underneath too

Towing eyes being replaced with lightweight strap-type ones.

New carbon dash panels for inside, and all switchgear/breakers to be relocated.

New carbon bumpers and arch protectors waiting to be fitted

New rear lenses plus clear-lens headlights with carbon bowls waiting to go on

And so many more bits that I'll remember as the day goes on no doubt. I know on the other restoration/build thread that many said it was too nice to rally and I laughed them off (and proved them wrong). Well, even I'm thinking it could be a touch too nice to abuse as much as I plan to now

Pics later - but in the meantime I just have to thank Gary for his usual great fab work, and Lee and Matt for somehow maintaining their complete & total enthusiasm even when mine seems to have disappeared and I'm more worried about lowering my golf handicap, or wasting the rally budget on a new road car.

Finally, to Shaun Rambo Potter for the great paintjob - I simply cant imagine he'd put any more effort into it even if it was his own car - and thats obviously all you could possibly want when you hand your pride and joy over to someone else to work on. He's an absolute legend. We even got crumpets, sandwiches, biscuits and non-stop cuppas when we went to collect it, and a surprise packet of biscuits hidden in the pickup for the journey home - name me another bodyshop that has such aftercare service

Cheers,

Paul.

[SHIFTYrs2k]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

sounds great Paul, we need some snapshots

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

sounds great Paul, we need some snapshots

Just tried, but only got red X's in their place.

Will have a go later when less busy at work...

Cheers,

Paul.

[Retromotorsport]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Paul, we are having problems with offsite images, since a recent upgrade to the board, the uploader at the top is still the best, garrentee's images are never lost, like when people delete a photobucket file, or their whole account gets deleted from their image hosting account .. TS still has the first image ever uploaded 10 years ago.

And i cant wait to see the pics ..

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Paul, we are having problems with offsite images, since a recent upgrade to the board, the uploader at the top is still the best, garrentee's images are never lost, like when people delete a photobucket file, or their whole account gets deleted from their image hosting account .. TS still has the first image ever uploaded 10 years ago.

And i cant wait to see the pics ..

Ok, here's a teaser.........new drip rails fitted as the old ones were nasty underneath, and we wanted fresh/decent metal onto which the bolt-on wings will fit. One of the first jobs is to add rivnuts ready to accept the lightweight fixings for the wings....



The whole car shines like this

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

And here's the N/S rear quarter that I errr parked against a tree. This is all original, only benefitting from hour after hour of Shaun's panelbeating skills