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Wednesday 6th July 2011

Oh dear, it's been 4 months since I last wrote a bit for the blog! It's always amazing reading back to my last entry and seeing how much we've achieved since.... Even more so this time!

Since last time we have completed the 16V conversion of the Firenza, which has now been displayed at the VBOA show at Billing, and driven back to Ireland.

We've also finished Curt's Ascona, which also accompanied us to Billing, and yesterday was treated to a photoshoot at an awesome location in Cumbria, ready for a feature in Retro Cars mag.

Speaking of Retro Cars, Andy and photographer Steve (SMC Photography) were here on Monday doing a feature on our workshop (which was extended into the unit next door last week!!) and Dave's CF van.

I also notice the entry below talks of the upcoming delivery of the Lotus Sunbeam and Manta. Well the Manta axle conversion was completed some time ago, and the sunbeam is progressing amazingy well - it's just about ready to be rolling again!

We've also now got well into the Skyline Manta 400 and indeed Andrew's rare Mazda RX3. The Chevanne is progressing well too.

In terms of upcoming projects, we've taken delivery of Jason's 2-door Ascona ready for it's transformation into another 400 Replica, as well as Nick's Manta GTE for body restoration.

No wonder i've struggled to get the blog updated!!

I'll leave you with a couple of snaps from the past week.

Tuesday 15th March 2011

Busy, busy, busy!

Kate's 205 done and project diary added. Chevette black magic now has carbs fitted, fuel plumbing complete, brake master cylinder arrangement done and MBE igniton fitted and wired. Bespoke heater arrangement, pedal box and power steering now fitted on Ascona. Axle also built up and ready for fitment. The Chevanne is now blasted and awaiting metalwork. We've blasted a couple of other bodyshells in the past week, Aly's Kadett C estate, and a Mini Cabrio. Simon's MK1 Golf is in for some rust repairs, ready for the summer shows, and we've just taken delivery of a gorgeous Firenza for a 16V conversion!

The biggest news is perhaps the Commencement of Kenny's awesome Manta 400 Replica with Nissan Skyline running gear.... Project diary coming very soon!

Also check out the amazing new photos of the little Fiat 126 in the projects section!

Looking forward to delivery of Lotus Sunbeam and Gordon's Manta in the next week or so :)

Saturday 29th January 2011

Well, it's been far too long since my last 'formal' update, but here goes!

The Fiat 126 spaceframe is basically complete - it's now rolling, the 'shell on, and steel body work being fabricated to accommodate the extra track width!

Curt's Ascona is now finally painted and (if i do say so myself) looking awesome!! (see the photos below!)

Last blog entry we were due to start the Porsche metalwork - well coincidentally, today saw it completed! It'll be moving on to prep & paint in around a weeks time.

We've been working on a Manta 400 project on-and-off for the last 12 months, but it's now at the stage where we can push forward on it, so I have added this to the project diary section - take a look!

Next in the workshop will be the wide-body Chevanne - can't wait to get stuck in to that. We are also currently working on a 4-door Pug 205 with great sentimental value to it's owner - I'll add a short project diary over the next couple of weeks.

The other big news is the arrival of a new member of the retropower team! A warm welcome to Gaz, our new paint and body expert.... I'll get a piece about him up in the profile section very soon :)

The next month should see: Ascona rolling and part assembled. Porsche paintwork well under way. Metalwork complete on the 126, Chevette 'Black Magic' finished, Manta 400 fabrication 90% done and Chevanne stripped and blasted.

Thursday 4th November 2010

All hands on deck since the workshop update was finished, and progress to report!!

The Fiat 126 chassis development is coming on nicely and should be 'rolling' in the next couple of weeks. Curt's Ascona is now in primer (including the kit) and the panels are being prep'd - countdown to paint! Edward's Mini is stripped, and the roof has been taken back to the metal, revealing surprisingly few issues. Also, We've started stripping/inspecting and rebuilding the running gear for Tim's Porsche.

The next month should see the Ascona ready for paint, the Fiat chassis 'rolling' and metalwork begun on the Porsche.

I'll leave you with a couple of pics of the Manta GTE that was delivered to us yesterday for a project we are undertaking later next year. Cosmetically tatty, but underneath it's one of the most original and solid Manta's we've seen for years - proof they can still be found, and for sensible money!

Thursday 14th October 2010

Well, not massive progress to report this month on the car projects as we decided shortly after my last post to completely alter our workshop layout. This involved building a custom spray booth into the underside of a Mezzanine floor with an office and storage on top, as well as totally reorganising the layout of the shop floor. You can see some pictures of the work in the 'workshop makeover' project diary!

Car-wise, Dave's CF is complete, final pictures now added to the diary. Work has just begun on designing and building the chassis for the Fiat 126 project, and some more hours have now gone into the Porsche 356 which will shortly be ready for the fabrication/repair stage.

Edward's Red Mini has made it's way to the front of the queue now, and is in the workshop ready for stripdown to begin.

Curt's Ascona is 99% body-kitted and currently awaiting some final fettling before the shell goes into the booth for a good coat of 2k Build Primer.

We are also trying to track down a replacement C20XE for Tim's 'Black Magic' Chevette as the one supplied with the car turned out to be in a rather poor state.

I'll sign off with a photo of our new office/spray booth :) (Incidentally, the Mazda 818 shown here is a roof donor for an RX3 we will be restoring next year).

Wednesday 25th August 2010

Another month, another update! Chris's Capri is up and running and back in his hands. A lot of progress on Dave's CF Van, most of it little 'finishing-off' jobs that are not particularly photogenic, hence not much to report in the project diary! The next couple of weeks however should see it done, and there will be a final photoshoot to come.

We are now back onto Curt's Ascona. Engine & Gearbox have been dummy-fitted, and while they were in, we took the oportunity to make up a stainless exhaust manifold. The all-important 400 bodykit fitment is well underway too :)

The next month or so should see progress on Ivan's 126 project as well as Tim's Porsche 356, both of which have now worked their way to the top of the 'metalwork' queue.

The other priority now is the 16V conversion of Tim Holland's Chevette 'Black Magic'.

Nat's had a busy couple of weeks preparing for his wedding which was last weekend, so congratulations to him - he's currently away on his honeymoon.

Look out for the 'Retropower' company profile in this months copy of Total Vauxhall.

Some great projects to look forward to next year, including a Lotus Sunbeam, Chevanne 'HSR', Vauxhall Firenza, Manta GTE, Mazda RX3 and another Ascona 400R.... Can't wait :D

Saturday 24th July 2010

This must be some kind of record for my blog entry frequency! Anyway, a busy couple of weeks since Billing - we've been getting some of the 'smaller' jobs out of the way before we crack on with the major projects again.

Firstly, repairing floopans on a Punto GT! Also a bulkhead repair on a MK1 Golf, where the clutch cable was pulling through.

We've mounted up a 24V Peugeot V6 in Ben Reed's Renault 19.

Chris's Capri is back for some finishing-off work.

And we've stripped down Ivan's 126, ready to begin it's transformation to Honda power!

Also it was great to see Richard (Green Chevette 4-door 16V) pop by in his HS the other day. First time it's been on the road since it's rebuild, and it looked stunning. Credit to the chaps who did all the work on it.

Thursday 15th July 2010.

Had a fantastic time at the VBOA show at Billing last weekend. Thanks to Curt, Jas, Chris and everyone else for all their help, and hello to everyone who popped by for a chat - thanks for all the positive comments.

Iain did manage to get his Turbo Kadett together in time for the Performance Vauxhall Show, and despite a slightly poor engine setup still managed to run fastest in the 2000cc-3000cc forced induction class with a 12.024 1/4 mile @ 122.22mph.

Chris has been reunited with his Kadett Coupe, just in time for Billing. Sounds like he's enjoying it.... We received a text within a couple of hours of him picking it up stating 'it needs an LSD!!' lol!

Curt's Ascona metalwork is complete and the shell is in Etch Primer. You may have seen it on display at Billing if you were there.

So, currently in the workshop: Bedford CF V8 (nearing completion), Ascona 400R, Manta 400R, Fiat 126, Porsche 356, Chevette 'Black Magic' replica (for 16V conversion), MK1 Golf (minor bulkhead repair), Renault 19 (V6 installation), Vauxhall Victor FE (our own project!).

I leave you with a couple of pictures of our stand at Billing.

Friday 4th June 2010.

Another busy month behind us!

Iain & Glenda have been reunited with their Pink mini, and Chris with his Capri, which it sounds like he is nearing completion of - I look forward to seeing it on the road!

As predicted Dave's van and Chris's Kadett have transformed over the past month or so... The CF has an interior now, with more gadgets than the space shuttle! Lots of nice custom parts, check it out in the project diary. Chris's Kadett is very nearly complete now. Some minor wiring and plumbing to be completed, and a few extra parts needed and she'll be ready to fire up!

The marathon metalwork session is continuing on Curt's Ascona, but there is light at the end of the tunnel - another week should see this about done, then it's on to body prep & paint.

Ivan has now dropped off the 330 BHP Supercharged Blackbird engine which will be going in his 126 later in the year. Tim's Porsche is blasted and ready to begin metalwork, although both these projects are being neglected a little as we are pushing hard on the Bedford & Opel projects to get them ready for the VBOA show at Billing aquadrome on the 10th & 11th July.

Ian has just finished rebuilding the engine in his Kadett Turbo - should be on the rollers this week for mapping and, fingers crossed, running up the 1/4 at PVS next weekend. Best of luck to him!

Callum.

Tuesday 20th April 2010.

Yet again, I've been slack on my blog update! There just aren't enough hours in the day!!

Anyway, a lot has happened in the past two months! Total Vauxhall shoot went ahead as planned - feature will be in Issue 111, and there will be a Retropower company profile feature in 113. Sounds like Richard is happy with his Chevette - he seems to have adopted it as his work run-about, racking up over 1000 miles in the first couple weeks he had it!!

Curt's Ascona 400R is now well under way, and Tim's Porsche 356 is stripped to a shell and ready for blasting.

Iain's (well, Glenda's) mini is 99.9% complete - will be MOT'd this week and delivered back to them shortly after.

Ivan will be popping in later today and dropping off the engine and various other parts for his Fiat 126 Project, which we will be starting very soon.

Dave's van is receiving the last of the fabrication jobs before we get stuck into the interior fitment, and Chris's Kadett Coupe is next on the agenda for reassembly, with the running gear all ready to be slotted in. The next month should see both these projects really transform.

'Crapi' Chris's Mk1 Capri is nearing completion too, and will be collected by him on Friday, so he can get stuck into the conversion to 24V Cosworth power - should be an awesome machine!

Callum.

Wednesday 10th February 2010.

Sorry it's been a little longer than usual since my last proper blog entry, but a lot has happened since then!

First and most obviously I've totally redesigned the website to (hopefully) make it easier to browse, and more informative.

As for the projects, great progress all round. Iain's mini and Dave's van are now painted and looking stunning. Our latest project, 'Crapi' Chris's MK1 Capri arrived on the 18th Jan and is now under way - see it develop in the project diary. We've also made a major start on 'Project X' - watch out for it later in the year. Richard's Chevette is complete, and I've added the photos to the project diary, so take a look. It's also scheduled on a Total Vauxhall Mag photo-shoot later this month, so keep you eye out for it there! Next into the paint shop will be Chris R's Kadett Coupe, which should look stunning in Ford Sea Grey - one of my fave colours. Again, keep your eye on the project diary over the coming weeks.

Curt will be bringing his Ascona 2 door to us on the 22nd, and we are really looking forward to getting stuck into the transformation to stunning 400 replica. Likewise we are excited about Tim's genuine Porsche 356, which we will be collecting on the 1st March.

There is also a plan slowly formulating for Ivan's Supercharged Blackbird powered Fiat 126, which should start the transformation to reality later in the year.

That's about it for the moment.... A lot to get on with, so I'd better get back to it!! I'll leave you with a snap of the finished Chevette :)

Callum.

Thursday 24th December 2009.

It's been a big 'metalwork' month this month, with all the remaining work on Iain's Mini, and Chris's Kadett being completed, so we can now get both, along with Dave's V8 van, on to prep and paint during January, freeing up the fabrication areas for a huge 'secret' project which will be revealed in July. Check out the updates on the Kadett and Mini in the projects section.

Richard's Chevette is essentially complete. It was started up for the first time on Tuesday, and ran faultlessly. We are just waiting for the door cards back from the trim shop, and then we will do a full photo shoot and complete the final installment on the project diary... There is a sneak preview below! We think it looks fantastic, and sums up what we are all about.... Giving a classic looking car the power, comfort and reliability to keep up with the best of today's offerings.

To look forward to in 2010 are a Porsche 356 resto, MK1 Capri 'Cologne', and Ascona 400 replica, amongst others.

Anyway, it's 1pm on Christmas eve, time for me to sign off, and wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year!

Wednesday 3rd December 2009.

We've had a big push on Richard's Chevette over the past couple of weeks to get all the remaining 'big' jobs done. All the running gear is now in place and only minor tasks left now. See the latest photos in the project diary.

Last week we picked up and interesting project car for a customer in Northumberland. It's an early (air cooled) Fiat 126. This project will be undertaken some time in 2010, and will involve fitting a 330 BHP Supercharged Honda Blackbird bike engine in the back! Should be a lively one!!

Friday 13th November 2009.

Right, another busy month behind us! Richard's Chevette is getting there now, paintwork complete, and reassembly well under way. The underside and rear end metalwork is all complete on Iain's Mini Special, just the front end to go before that moves on to the prep & paint stage. Dave's 4.6 V8 CF van project is also now under way and looking set to be an entertaining project! See all the latest in the projects section.

We have recently picked up an Opel Kadett Coupe belonging to Chris Ripley, which will be subject to a 16V 'redtop' conversion and restoration (although the basic metalwork has already been completed). This will shortly be added to the projects page.

We have also picked up an Irmshcer Manta 400 bodykit, as well as an Ascona 400 bodykit, which gives a little hint of what projects we have lined up for 2010... Watch this space ;) Also to look forward to next year will be Porsche 356 restoration job, again, watch this space.

Finally we will leave you with a pic of a Chevette that Richard bought to donate some trim for his 16V project car... Believe it or not it has an MOT & Tax, infact Richard drove it to us from Portsmouth... Rather him than me, there is more filler than metal in the car and the road can been seen through the various holes through the floor.... Didn't realise Stevie Wonder worked in an MOT centre!

Thursday 22nd October 2009.

Video of Ian's 12 second/127mph 1/4 mile run in his Kadett C Turbo added to the projects section.

Friday 2nd October 2009.

September has been a busy month. The Clubman Estate is nearing completion, all the metalwork is complete on Richard's Chevette, Iain's Mini Special restoration is now well under way and we are collecting a custom CF van on Monday.... watch this space. The Strada has moved on to a new owner (not before entertaining us all with it's raw fun driving experience!) but just when we thought we had freed up some workshop space we couldn't resist buying the 'dukes of hazard' Manta pictured below! No firm plans for that yet, but a 400 rep is possible.

Ian's Kadett turbo ran a 12 second-dead quarter mile at the last meeting of the season with a terminal speed of 127mph! (still just on 195 road tyres). more improvments are planned for the next few months, so watch out for it next year!

The world seems to be going RWD Vauxhall mad at the moment. We have had numerous enquiries regarding Chevettes, Kadetts, Mantas and Asconas, so we should have some interesting projects coming up over the next few months. Again, keep checking the site for updates.

Finally I'll leave you with some classic Ebay description amusement. We bought an 1800 Manta hatch as a parts donor. Thankfully that is all we wanted it for... The description read, and I quote.... '....THE GARAGE BOUGHT IT FROM THE OWNER AND STARTED DOING ALL THE WELDING AND THEY HAVE MADE A GOOD JOB BUT WERE DOING IT BETWEEN JOBS SO IT HASNT BEEN FINISHED BUT ONLY NEEDS A BIT ON BOTH REAR ENDS OF THE SILLS...' .... Have a look at these pictures and see if you agree!!

Well the workshop is looking quite busy at the moment! Ian's Kadett Turbo is in having a new 3" stainless exhaust system fabricated, our Mini Clubman Estate has just had it's doors reskinned and is being prepped for paint, we have finally started work on our Vauxhall Victor FE which is now stripped ready for a 'slightly' more powerful engine (watch this space!), and our Strada 130TC project is nearing completion... Just ironing out a few carb-related gremlins before it can be re-homed!

We have also taken delivery of the first of two 4-door Chevettes from which one stunner will be created, powered by the 2.0 XE engine from the red Calibra you can see littering the workshop in the picture below!

Saturday 25th July 2009.

Hello! I have finally found time to get 'virtual' pen to paper, and let you know what we've been up to, and what is in the pipeline!

Work is now underway on the Strada project. The car has been stripped, and it is apparent that it has had a substantial restoration in the past, to a very good standard. It's had inner and outer arches, rear panel, and large sections of floorpan grafted in, and welded to a very high standard. There were a couple of small areas that have since rotted, which we have now tidied up. The engine is out to receive a new clutch, and we are replacing most of the braking components at the same time. Now the welding is complete, we'll be cracking on with the bodywork.... Watch this space!

The Mini Cooper is almost there. Engine went back in yesterday, fingers crossed it will be up and running by the end of today. Thanks to Dave at Custom Classic for sorting us out with a couple of urgently needed parts!

Our Yellow Vauxhall Victor is still standing in the workshop, waiting for us to decide what to do with it. We would still like to drop a V8 into it and style it along an american muscle car theme, but we will have to wait and see, as spare time is going into developing the RWD 205 project at the moment.

Callum.