5 GT Turbo Project Old5kool

[markg]

Some of you may remember me and my car from another Renault site. Now it's getting to the exciting part of the restoration I thought I would also put a post up here as well for people to have a look at.

Quick condensed history. I purchase my 5 in 1997 from the original owner. I drove it round for about 10 years and put over 120,000 generally trouble free miles on it. Then I had the opportunity to replace it with a cheap run around so I could take it off the road and do a full restore. Here is how the old girl looked when I started tearing it down in 2007.



So what have I been doing for the last 9 years ?. Mainly collecting parts for the rebuild. I always wanted this to be as near as new that I could possibly make it. I'm not a OE purist, as you will see, but the important thing to me was that both inside and out look original.

I do like a bit of engine bling...



Just a small collection of some of the parts I have been collecting over the years in the pics below, there is lots more. All 100% brand new to fit in with what I'm trying to achieve build wise.




Bling'd up new carb vs the old original one.




Alloy rad and new fan etc. I have a new copper core rad as well just in case the alloy one is not that good.


New steering wheel, bought from a chap in France, and new gear knob and gaiter.




and my holy grail find a brand new carpet !



I'm really paying attention to all the small details as well, to me that's the really important part. Every bolt, clip, nut etc will either be replaced or get some attention to make it look like new.



and so it continues. I actually really like trying to track down parts. I thought I was finished with parts buying a while back but as more obscure parts turn up I simply have to have them.

 

[markg]

So I mentioned that we are getting to the exciting part. The car has been in a mates bodyshop longer than I care to remember. However it is being painted this week so I will have it back very soon.

Inner and outer sills replaced.




New wings, bonnet and screen surround prior to being fitted.



New door skins fitted.


The OE brigade might want to look away now... After much cleaning and prep the underside painted in pearl white.



Along with a refurbished rear beam, also in pearl white.


and of course I couldnt leave the subframe out.




So that pretty much brings us to where we are now. Car has been flatted ready for paint both inside and out.





rear quarter after flatting.



It should have been painted at the weekend but the supplier had run out of pearl to make up the paint. I did get a colour chip though. The black dots are just dirt.



So that's a very quick history of where we are. I will keep this thread updated as things progress. Hope you enjoyed reading so far.

 

[andybond]

Wow ! What a build !

 

[DaveL485]

Holy shit.

 

[Brigsy]

Remember this one i have some unused chrome gtt front hubs and chrome wishbones in the loft if you want more bling

 

[mattk]

Fantastic mate well done

 

[Mark Davis]

I love the shot of your room with all the parts.

 

[markg]

Some more progress,

Car is in the booth with the final bits being done before paint.




The new sills have been stone chipped just to give another layer of protection. Obviously wont be seen once the skirts are fitted.




I dug out the uber expensive Renault sill clip rivets so they can be fitted prior to paint.




New sound deadening has been fitted in the boot ready to be painted body colour along with the rest of the interior.




When I left they were still waiting for the stone chip to dry so started prepping one of the doors for paint following the new door skin being fitted previously.

 

[markg]

Some more bits and bobs whilst I'm waiting for the shell to be returned, fingers crossed this weekend . The handbrake cables were about £9 each with the discount code Euro car parts had last week so will give those a go. I got the brake line set a while back, when eBay had that 20% code for a few hours. To be honest by the time I had bought a decent flaring tool, pipe and unions these were probably about the same price. In the 10+ years I was actually driving my car I never had any head gasket problems at all but it doesn't hurt to have a spare set as once the engine is rebuilt it's going to be running a few more psi than before. Finally the new old stock intercooler was a result. I will probably run a GT Tuning double capacity cooler which I bought years ago and never fitted but if I do decide to do a full OE engine bay that's one more less part I need.

 

[markg]

I love the shot of your room with all the parts.

Thanks Mark. That picture was done over 3 years ago now. There has been tons more stuff since then, dont think it would all fit in that room now if I was to do it again. I''m really excited to get the shell back and start fitting it all. Shouldn't be much longer now but I've probably been saying that for the last 2 years.

 

[markg]

Had to have a sit down earlier. Stopped by my mates bodyshop on the way home from work and found this happening.








Some more pics. Paint was still wet at this stage and awaiting another coat of lacquer.













Close up of the pearl using a daylight torch.



Shouldn't be too much longer now before I get it back

 

[andybond]

What a set of satisfying pictures !

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

HOLY SHIT!? How have I not see this thread before now?!

FAPPING AMAZING!!! :ai:

 

[Chrispr5]

Wish that was my 5 in there

 

[rabbitstew]

Wow, that pic with the torch on the paint... awesome looking.

 

[markg]

Well... still not finished but it's back in the booth at least. New sound deadening fitted to the front footwells as the original was removed when the jacking points were done. Inside should be sprayed this week so I should at least have the shell back very soon now. Just finishing the seam sealer on the sides of the boot so it looks 100% oe and repairs are not noticeable. They had lost one of the metal plugs in the floor but a trip to gt turbo spares a few weeks back got that sorted. Thanks again Mike .






And of course some more new parts.... really am running out of things I need now so things like the HT leads were so cheap I've just got them in case I need them for my next build if it ever happens. Fog lights are the Denji one's, again spares as just my luck I will crack a lens on my other set.

 

[Barry spurgeon]

What a fantastic looking build.
Will be keeping an eye out for more pics.

 

[markg]

Went down the body shop earlier to find the inside being prepared for paint. Arguably a bit anal painting the inside but why shouldn't the bits you don't see not be as good as the bits you do...







So I hung around to have a bit of a nose.





#


From the rear footwell backwards it has been fully finished in pearl white whilst the front seats onwards is just a generic off-white as you wont see it and we didn't want to run the risk of running low on the white base and pearl coat just in case it's ever needed for future repairs. Close up of the pearl white on the boot sound deadening which was replaced.

 

[markg]

I also picked up another exhaust, well back box. Previously I had a 4" Scorpion fitted but I'm too old now for drain pipes hanging out the back of the car. So I got a slightly more subtle 3" Scorpion/Prima box when it became available. In all fairness I always liked the sound of the Scorpion so this may well go on, we shall see I have a few to choose from now..

 

[Barry spurgeon]

Just taking another spin through your images.
I can not belive you found a new red carpet,
I hope all passengers will be issued with a pair of plastic over shoes upon entry!
:bp: