So a bit of an update is in order, as I finally got the shell back at the start of May at last!
Here’s a quick run down of the work undertaken -
Engine Bay: They have done some very obvious as well as some very subtle changes to the bay. They have smoothed everything that could be smoothed, removed all the seam sealer etc. and boxed in the front corners and engine mount areas. All the little dimples have been smoothed out and all corners rounded as much as possible to create a jelly-mould type look. Turrets raised just enough to clear the camber arms from hitting, sealed and applied hammerite-type sealer to the non-seen areas of the slam panel etc. There really are many hundreds of man hours gone into it if not more. The front bonnet catch was also deleted and smoothed so I’m now using aerocatch bonnet locks.
There is one imperfection here, which I hope to get sorted when I can drive her back to the bodyshop
Body, general: From an exterior standpoint, the arches have obviously been pulled out a fair bit front and rear and blended into both bumpers (which had to be pulled out to match at the top) as well as where they meet the sideskirts. The filler cap area was modified to help it all blend in with the new ‘hips’. I ended up removing the MS Designs sideskirts for OEM as it helped this transition to both arches, but also added side blades which help it all flow with the front splitter. All rust also fully cutout and replaced with new metal (the initial reason for starting this process!), including both rear arches and a bit on the a-pillars and down into the lower windscreen mount area. Both rear arches have been ‘tubbed’ too, so all new metal has been added around the upper inside area of the arch and sealed to where it joins the front and rear ‘skins’. Everywhere has been re-sealed too with that hammerite-type stuff;
Front Bumper: The front bumper has been extensively modified as it had to be pulled out at the top a fair bit to meet the new arch positions (but keeping the headlights in stock locations). The bottom lip couldn’t be modified to suit so we used canards along with the upturned splitter design to help make the sides look wider to match. It is a bit different but that’s why I like it. The duct on the left allows air flow to the filter (interesting fact: the duct is actually from a Celica ST) and I may add a Honda badge to the centre but undecided, the plate position needs some consideration also! I’m currently thinking about making a bracket that extends out the lower splitter hole opposite to the tow strap as I don’t want the plate to block airflow to the rad and oil cooler if mounted within or over the central grill. The splitter remains solidly bolted to the chassis so is independent from the bumper itself, so it will really do its job (and not just push the bumper down upon its fixings!).
I'm thinking of getting some aftermarket headlights though to freshen her up a little...
Bonnet: The bonnet was just touched up a bit to fix the crack that had appeared by being too close to the oil cap but also aerocatches fitted as mentioned. It still allows the OEM bra to be fitted tho
. I had wanted a vent added in the rear of the bulge to help heat escape but this may have to be cut in when I go back as it wasn’t done.
Rear: The rear bumper was not touched apart from making wider at the top to meet the wider arches and new black mesh added to the lower section (to replace the silver mesh) but the rear number plate panel I decided to go back to stock Japenese fillers. So my smoothed version will be up for sale shortly. I have fitted a US ‘Canibeat’ plate surround by bolting through the panel. Also I decided that the rear looked better without the MS Designs lip, it made the rear too low and as I no longer have the MS Designs sideskirts fitted, just looked a bit out of place. The plan is to make a custom metal/plastic rear diffuser at some point to tie in with the side steps and front splitter, maybe over next winter! The most influential addition to the rear though is the ducktail spoiler which is a big improvement for me, I love it.
Other: The oil cap has been shaved down more to prevent clashing with the underside of the bonnet. I will have a tool to remove it now as it has no ‘fingers’ to grab. I also moved over to EG coupe rear handles to get rid of the locks, my old ones had been smoothed off but had sank a little so you could just make out the circles (a bracket was needed to make these fit as the mounting bolts are in a slightly different place). I also fitted new hydraulic bonnet lifters, in black. These are quite powerful and so the way in which they attach to the hinge on the bonnet has been strengthened to compensate.
The rocker cover and booster will be completed next and sent to me separately, sprayed in pirates black and candy purple respectively. I’m just glad to have the shell back so I can start work on her again! Since she is has been away from me, I’ve got married, had a honeymoon, been on holiday to NZ, and also moved house!!
In her new home:
Time to start stripping again to get all that work done before the engine can go back in!