Blair Waldorf on 9s

[racer86]

Well, before I throw up some pics of the whole car I thought I would get the boring build stuff out the way.

The car was minter than mint when I bought it. It had even won a trophy, so I can't take any glory for just how nice it is. Mountains of cash had been spent on things like a new Vinyl roof, fresh paint, suspension..the list was pretty endless. What it didn't have was stance.

First off was wheels: BMW Mini banded steels in 15x8 and 15x9 with 185/45 and 195 45 tyres. The wheels needed painting so I gave them a coat of gloss black:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6425.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6433.jpg

I gave the car a full service: All fluids, set the tappets, new thermostat and temp sender:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6410.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6407.jpg

Then it was onto what really counts; suspension!

New ARB drop mounts:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6411.jpg

Shortened the springs:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6415.jpg

Rear converted to MX5 adjustable platforms:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6485.jpg

So, the car was on the deck. And that's pretty much where it settled! After a short drive it was sat on the bump stops at the front, even though they had been cut in half. This called for some pretty drastic action as it was pretty much un-drivable.

I swapped out the front dampers as they were bottomed. I used Mini rear dampers as they used the same mounts and were about 2.5" shorter:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6474.jpg

To solve the bump stop issue and get some travel back I had to modify the subframe:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6478.jpg

I removed the rubber bump stops and cut the bump stop towers:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6480.jpg

I then cut the end I removed down to it fit inside the cut-off tower end and welded it back together. This effectively raised the stop 50m. Here it is back together:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6483.jpg

The car is now dropped around 120mm and has loads of plush travel; no crashing, no bone shaking, just a smooth ride like you would expect from a big saloon car. Oh yeah, the car?

Well here's a pic of how it arrived:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/1cav.jpg

It's a 1980 MK1 Vauxhall Cavalier! Stay tuned for "after" pics!

[racer86]

Here's a couple of lame pics from today:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0194-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0123.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0018.jpg

I'm all about this interior:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0158.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0170.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0163.jpg

The truth according to 8380 Labs:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0178.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0214.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0177.jpg

Future plans? Well, I'm just going to enjoy cruising round in it. When it settles I'll probably drop it a bit more, but beyond that I've no real plans. There is a kinda perverse side to me that would love to see it tucking Bentleys but....

[kamberkid]

unique.. new york.. unique.. new york.


super dope! the interior is ballin outrageous, i must say.

[vdubkid]

Dang I like it a lot!

That interior is ridiculous, and I love it

[abest521]

Amazing. Interior is pure secks.

[Chase]

love it man. great stuff

[WhiteStripes]

Wow, that is a fresh fucking car. I love it.

[Stephen]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/DSCF6485.jpg


Are you sure the adjusters are supposed to be apart like that and not bind against them self?

Cool car.

[BadSeed]

Soo tight!

[topi]

Yo Rob bahaha!!


The cav is looking BOSS ;) . I might join you on 4door RWD GM soon.

[topi]

One thing though, I think the wheels should be cream instead of black. Trust me

[Hartgeh27]

man clean ride. but i agree the wheels shouldn't be black.

[hechtspeed]

Dude, Racer86, you're on my google reader! Love your blog dude! You have some sick rides, all stanced too! Now that's a Cavalier!

[gumballer_80]

Fuck that's clean.

[1985zcar]

haha cool car, something i haven't seen before.

[Dr.AK]

That, sir, gets my utmost respect because of how awesome that is.:eek

[timmy plastic]

sexy time

[slimadi]

Fuck me thats quite a rare motor dont see many of them around that is one fine example tho top job :alright

[racer86]

Thanks for the props peoples!

Hearing you on the wheels thing. I kinda wanted to keep it looking OEM so people that don't know, don't know. Plus I have to keep it looking executive in the works car park.

I've been dailying it to work doing 100 miles a day on the motorway; Sticks it with traffic pretty well, has a good heater and is even pretty good on go-juice. Basically, fuck modern cars.

I really need to get some better pics!

[ff_drift_lol]

dayum. that is one dope car. I really like the whole RHD thing too. it's classy, it's old and it's LOW! a whole bag of win.

[bataangpinoy]

you need a nardi rosewood steering wheel.

[vonMonster]

I dig it so much! I've seen one a while ago in Retro Cars, and loved it, but this one is much much classier!

[schroedin]

Basically, fuck modern cars.

I like you.

[NikDev]

I like your style Rob!
Nice work on that suspension, people can learn from mods like that, I have had lowered cars going on the bump stop all the time, its not fun (I extended the strut towers with 7 cm on the last evolution of my car....)
I always enjoy reading your voice mail column in Retro cars mag, keep em coming!

[RD408]

Whats this bumpstop you speak of? :confused

Anyways love the car man! That interior is awesome:eyebrows

[racer86]

I like your style Rob!
I always enjoy reading your voice mail column in Retro cars mag, keep em coming!

Thanks dude, glad you like it! Really appreciate the love!

In other news: I got stickers.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/IMG_0001-WM.jpg

[racer86]

I dig it so much! I've seen one a while ago in Retro Cars, and loved it, but this one is much much classier!

Ha thanks man. Do you mean this one?:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/Chevette/RetroShow09405.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/Chevette/IMG_1913.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/Chevette/IMG_1959.jpg

I bought this Chevette and slammed/ rimmed it over summer. Was a cool car. It's pretty much exactly the same as a Cavalier, but 15% smaller in every direction!

What can I say, I pretend I'm the most JDM kid on the block but lets face it, I'm a total whore for an '80s Vauxhall.

[racer86]

Few new pics from New Year in Swansea. 368 mile round trip and she didn't miss a beat! I love this car!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0100-1WM.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0109.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0076.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0062.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a229/racer_86/MK1%20Cav/IMG_0080.jpg

[UnitedWeStance...]

Sweet ride! I wish the USDM Cavaliers were that cool lookin....

[bigperm]

2 things Rob ....never knew you had another cool vauxhall, which is awesome!!.....no2 you never popped off junc 32 for a cuppa and to show me the new whip!!...shame on you, holla if your passing!!

[Oxer]

That thing is crazy clean... Love it!