as per my earlier post, the simple jobs of removing rear wiper and adding a second clear lens (with red bulb) are always my two essential mods for a coupe and something i've done with all mine. these were ticked off immediately!
pictures are after the car has had a wash, claying and waxing. they actually make the car look quite presentable, though don't show what looks like new paint on the drivers door and then faded in (badly) to the front and rear quarters. this shows most at the junction between bonnet / door / a pillar.
ironically, it is this door that looks closest to original speed red, so i can only surmise that the car has once had an all over repsray (to a darker red), then the door has been done in original colour - speed red - at a later date. nothing major and will be corrected once the car goes for an all over later in 2015/16. it could be that the clusters of spots / 'acne' that affect parts of the bonnet and boot are perhaps evidence of a poor (cold / wet condition) respray earlier in its life?
some overspray on rubbers - cleaned off. poor masking around a rear reflector, and "red" numberplate foam pads all suggest a paintjob at some point in the past. no biggie, as the car was a) cheap and b) has been on the road for years / thousands of miles, therefore is bound to have been at risk!
major damage evident - a dent on the nearside corner of the bonnet, pin dent on the rear nearside c pillar, and a gouge in the offside rear quarter. however all should be an easy fill / colour as part of the eventual complete respray.
the only conundrum i have on course of action is the condition of the rear valance - it has been burnt / melted at some point, so i can either get busy with the filler, replace the bumper - or fit a (non-purist) rear - the autodbs one really appeals, along with twin pipes and a beige shore diffuser. need to consider this one deep, as it naturally loses the originality of the car.
inside, the leather has cleaned very well - no photos yet, as i want to clean the belts and replace the centre console. as per the image, this is simply the stickiest one i've ever seen in a coupe. going to be aggressive and try nailpolish, wire wool, compound and wax on this - will let you know how we get on! i have spares incase it goes wrong...
so, all in all, quite pleased with the overall external condition of this car, as i bought blind from the honest advert and actually thought it was going to be much worse than it has cleaned up to!
as detailed above, the paint does need attention at some point, but cosmetically, the car looks very presentable and honest at a first glance / initial inspection. i hope you like the first update!
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can't wait to drive it - as discussed elsewhere, although it is starting to look prettier, it still doesnt fire! i think it is fuelpump related but thanks to hovedan i have a like-for-like to sort. and then belts, fluids, le button mod, etc etc...