Many Thanks for looking...
I bought the car in June 2007. It had a broken transfer box, broken gearbox, (although I didn’t know at the time) horrible front bumper, Calibra wheels and few other daft bits and pieces wrong with her. Although the car was structurally sound and the general bodywork was good.
The spec wasn’t too bad. Regal Phase 2, Front Mount, Koni Adjustables, Full Scorpion System and few other bits and bobs.
My first idea was to keep it 2wd, but having XE Corsa’s and loads of wheel spin, I had the opportunity to have 4wd, so I took it off the road straight away and set about the work.
I got some bits together…
Including a locked transfer box, arp bolts, head gasket, turbo wheels, new front bumper & grill and while the head was off got it tested a skimmed.
With having the intercooler on the front and no fog lights I decided to have the fog lights smoothed out. It wasn’t a bad idea at the time and looked ok.
January 2008
I invested in a Toad AI606 alarm. The car had a horrible flick switch immobiliser and didn’t trust it. Installed by GAP Security and even came to my home to install it.
The car was getting somewhere near how I wanted it. From the broken and looking sorry for it self, to a tidy example.
February 2008
I got the back doughnut bushes changed.
Unfortunately the gearbox was getting worse. 2nd gear sychrno. it didn’t make much fun driving. In May 2009 I eventually got a replacement gearbox and while it was out got a new Dust cap for prop and overhauled the linkage.
October 2008
New GM Back Discs and Pads and new Handbrake Cable
June 2009
I decided to get the back arches tidied up as they were starting to bubble. I took in to see my mate who had a Bodyshop. There were a few other bits i.e. windscreen surround and stone chips so ended up getting a full shoot excluding the bodykit at the time as these looked ok (and to keep costs down)
Over the next couple of months I sourced the ‘4x4’ ‘Cavalier’ ‘Vauxhall’ & ‘Turbo’ badges and fitted a set of the ‘GM’ mudflaps
In August 2009 the car seen a new Cam Belt kit, Water Pump and Oil Pump.
September 2009
I decided to get the rocker cover tidied up and with it some bling bling bolts and rocker gasket.
October 2009
Darkened my Headlight and Indicators and bought some Head Light Protectors and fitted the trusty Laguna splitter.
2010 didn’t see much of a change in spec or appearance. Part from servicing changing a few gaskets here and there nothing major was done.
May 2011
After bouncing and banging around the streets dodging pot holes I decided to replace the konis with GM springs and shocks. What a difference in ride quality, although this did have its disadvantage. A back end high enough to scrape tree tops.
September 2011
With the body work looking tidy due to its respray in 2009 I thought it was time to get the bodykit ‘refreshed’ to match the body. I decided to remove the front mount and go back to the original intercooler so I could have my fog lights back. Although one was cracked
I pulled the parcel shelf put that was looking a bit old and sorry for itself and decided to spray it. Something I seen on Wheeler Dealers. The boot carpet got the same treatment. Didn’t look that bad when I finished.
Whilst on the Total Vauxhall Facebook page they were asking for future features and hall of fame entries so I thought Id give it a go and this was the result
2012 has seen progress in little ways if that makes sense. I wont bother with the details ill just post the pics upto April 2012.
New Calibra GM VDO Gauges
New Grill & Spoiler Badges
De-Tango;d Rear Lights
New Indicator & Wiper Stalks
Battery Bag
Wind Deflectors
One thing that’s really bugged me is the engine bay. Untidy wires and just looking rough. So I spent a day tidying up a few wires and bit of spit & polish and plenty of black to black. Looked a bit tidier anyway.
Fixed aerial and new rubber
New Brake Pipes and Braided Hoses
Underneath the car was solid but looking a bit bare, so this week a full underseal was done and a year’s ticket. Thank You please.
After many thoughts I decided to lower the back and try get it level with the front. Think it’s done the job
