James' 2.0 8v Diplomat

[Robsey]

I would have probably stripped every tiny part that I could find a space for.
Can never have too many spares.

Some nice bits there -
Blimey you do like to travel for your parts.
I couldn't really bring myself to do a 16 hour round trip for car parts.

[Steven715]

Shame about the N reg seemed like it was in good condition at least it's all going to a very good cause nice to hear that the LS is running well. On with the build now eigh.

[Robsey]

As with most Cavaliers,
I suspect it will be that the underside is rotted out.

A shame indeed, as it couldn't possibly have been any worse than mine was two years ago.

[Lowrider Dave]

I would have probably stripped every tiny part that I could find a space for.

Absolutely - I rape them for anything I can get my hands on. So many bits are hard to find nowadays, like those foglights!

I don't suppose that scuttle was for me was it?

[James McGrath]

The scrap yard was all a bit officious; they had standardised prices for everything and no haggling.
Otherwise I would have taken more.

Anyway, I took the Diplomat in today for it's repairs.
On top of the accident damage, it's going to get both inner and outer wheel arches replaced, both sills, the rust in the boot cut out and welded, plus all the new suspension componentry fitted at last.

Should be back on the road by next week!

[Mazza]

I have a set of brand new fog lights boxed for diplomat / sri Cavi ...

Also same for the turbo ... but they're going to put to some good use once Things start moving...

[Lowrider Dave]

The scrap yard was all a bit officious; they had standardised prices for everything and no haggling.

Yes, sadly most scrappies are nowadays - sometimes I get lucky but most know that parts are sort after.

Anyway, I took the Diplomat in today for it's repairs. Should be back on the road by next week!

Now that would be quick for that amount of work!

[Steven715]

The scrap yard was all a bit officious; they had standardised prices for everything and no haggling.
Otherwise I would have taken more.

Anyway, I took the Diplomat in today for it's repairs.
On top of the accident damage, it's going to get both inner and outer wheel arches replaced, both sills, the rust in the boot cut out and welded, plus all the new suspension componentry fitted at last.

Should be back on the road by next week!

Wow that's a quick turnaround can't wait to see the pictures when it's all finished.

[3cav3]

Any updates on this one yet?
I really felt for you seeing the damage, I remember how gutted I was with my van getting totalled, but at least that wasn't to bad to replace. It must of been 10 times worse for you.

[James McGrath]

Well the B pillar has been put back into shape and the two doors are on but that's all.

It's being held up by the inner wheel arch panels which are proving difficult to find at a reasonable price.

[3cav3]

Well the B pillar has been put back into shape and the two doors are on but that's all.

It's being held up by the inner wheel arch panels which are proving difficult to find at a reasonable price.

These any good?
https://www.carbodypanels4u.co.uk/vauxh ... lete-13937

[James McGrath]

I think they're the ones that I'll have to get.

£120 for both of them though.

[3cav3]

I repair hydraulic breakers for a living and last year I had to replace 4 tie rod bolts in a breaker for a customer at £1250+vat each, the thing was he didn't even blink when told the price. So I can see what you're saying but all of a sudden those panels font sound too bad.

[cavalier1990]

Perhaps one of these from mm opel parts has inner rear arches and wheel housing. Likely thr same klokkerholm ones at about same price though.

https://mm-opelparts.com/exterior/

[Robsey]

These are Klokkerholme restoration parts from Carz2
Definitely not £120 for the pair.

These are nearer £40 the pair on special offer.

http://www.carz2.co.uk/vauxhallopel-vec ... 8346-p.asp


Or these nearer £70.

http://www.carz2.co.uk/vauxhallopel-vec ... 8350-p.asp

Slightly confusing with their inner this and outer that...

[James McGrath]

Thanks for the heads up on those Rob. I ordered a shallow one for the nearside and a deep one for the offside (Possibly the last one left as they have now been delisted on the website) and after a couple of weeks they arrived:




I'm very happy with them, look like they are pretty high quality.
These have now been dropped of at the workshop to be fitted.


After narrowly missing out on the chance of buying an original SRi 8v exhaust rear section at the VBOA rally last week, I decided to get one from genuine parts search:








I'm going to clean it up and paint it matt black.
Should make it look a bit more serious and improve the exhaust acoustics at the same time.


So far the list of things being done on this car is as follows:

- Strip, repaint and fit two nearside doors with glass and trim from original doors where possible
- Repair and straiten nearside B-pillar
- New inner and outer rear wheel arch panels on both sides
- Re-spray front and rear bumpers and fit new chrome inserts
- Overhaul suspension front and rear with 4 new springs and shocks, all new ARB bushes, rubber spring seats, 4 new bearings and new track rod arms and ends.

I still have no idea when this will be finished, I'm hoping it will be done by the end of the month but we'll see.

[Robsey]

Wow - just checked out the price for that tail pipe on GPS .
I love the oval shaped exit pipe, but not enough to pay that much.

Still it will look very nice when fitted.

Good progress young sir.

[James McGrath]

Wow - just checked out the price for that tail pipe on GPS .

Don't worry Rob, I wouldn't pay that much either.
When I bought this one it was incorrectly listed up at £42.
When I phoned them they asked for over £130 but when I said it was listed for £42 they agreed to sell it to me at that price plus P&P as I am a regular customer.
They updated the website very quickly afterwards.

[Robsey]

At 42 quid, I would have snapped their hand off.

I have always wanted that style of tail pipe.
In my opinion it is the best shaped pipe available... much nicer than the boggo standard curved down pipe on standard back boxes.

"Bargain Part Klaxon Alert" !!

A very good find for a good price.

[James McGrath]

There were a few for sale on one of the trade stands at the VBOA rally, a couple of hatchback ones and one for a saloon.
I was going to get it after I'd had a look around but by the time I got back the saloon one had already gone.
I think they were going for something like £30 each.

[Robsey]

Thanks for the heads up...

I have just done a "James Special"

A genuine new old stock Bosal 2.0i 8 valve SRi hatchback back box / tail pipe is now on order for the princely sum of £36 delivered.

I will report back on my own thread next week when it arrives.

[James McGrath]

[James McGrath]

Just had word from the workshop that all the suspension components are going on today and the bodywork is due to start on Monday.

Just one minor hiccup, the lower rear spring seats are rotten through, new ones have been ordered and should be fitted next week.

[Robsey]

Excellent -
are you not tempted to pop over and get a few before, during and after photos?

Looking forward to seeing the finished article.



Hopefully be solid enough to see you through the next ten years.

[James McGrath]

I've just had a phone call from the workshop to say that it's all finished and will be ready for collection on Friday!
I can't wait!