I have been waiting a very long time to finally write this post but I am fianlly the owner of a GTM coupe!

I collected the car yesterday but it turned out to be a very long day indeed all in so I just put it in my garage late last night. I will attempt to get some photos of the car as it is in my possesion and add them to this thread as and when I have them.

The car is a project and was bought from Julian on this site. He is a very nice guy and built the car from new back in 1990 so I am now the proud second owner! It is a Super Deluxe version of the kit so has corbeau seats handrake cover box, sunroof, roolbar and other nice bits. Sadly bits is the opperative phrase as it is currently in pieces but I do aim to put it back togther again as quickly as possible.

I still have my Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus and I intend to photograph them together for the purposes of being a car geek and size comparison as I have never seen the two cars side by side before so hopefully a world first!

Anyway I will update the topic soon

Thanks

Rob

gratz!

Been looking through all the bits that I have with the car. Many are rusty and need a good service to re-commission them but look like they'll be okay. I didnt take any pictures because as soon as I touch anything with the car my hands are filthy!

The radiator with the car seems to be the allegro item but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a better more modern alternative?

Congratz on becoming a GTM owner!
But if we don't see the photo's, then we don't believe you've got one!!

It's a bit daunting isn't it - having a car in what seems like a million bits. I hit a milestone last night when the Micra engine ran in my Coupe (must fit a silencer) the feeling when you get to these points makes it all seem worthwhile and when you finally get to drive it.........

I've still got the Allegro rad at the moment and wanted to change it both for future-proofing (thinking that a replacement might be tricky to come by) and I've got a different plan for a heater that meant a rad from an automatic with a transmission fluid heat exchanger in it would be nice. So..... there's a box in my workshop containing a nice shiny new MkIII MR2 automatic radiator that looks like it'll fit a treat. It's wider than the Allegro one but still fits between the brackets for the flip (just) and it's a fraction taller but shouldn't be enough to cause any problems.

Iain

Yes Iain it is a little daunting! I think I have all the components so from that point of view I should be okay but as each car is made differently with shims or homemade brackets for stuff so piecing it back together will be a headache i'm sure.

I have searched the site regarding rads and West mentioned a Corsa radiator so I think I will look at getting one of the those as the allegro one has been stood for many many years and does make some funny sounds inside when I rattle it about!

I want to get the engine checked over as its an MED tuned 1293cc running a weber 32/34 DMTL so should be a nicedrive. The head doesn't look like anything special not even the large version and a valve is damaged so I need to weigh up my options on that front but I do have a few heads around the place so am lucky in that sense.

I have taken some pictures of my car at the moment. They aren't great but here they are:

Looking good...

But may i be the first to point out that you have the bonnet on the wrong way round.

I was waiting for someone to say that!

I need to rig something up so I can hang the bonnet in the roof space of the garage until I am ready to fit it on to the car. it was pleasingly straight forward figuring out which bits went where up front. I don't think figuring out the wiring will be as easy

Well done on your purchase!




Corsa Combi Van 1.7TDi from memory its a very simular size to the allegro one and has simular hose outlet postions.

mine is plastic tanked and ally center section single but wide core.

I did look at a MR2 one but as you say it is a little taller.

Neil

Just as proof that I do actually work on the car sometimes! I thought I'd pop up a couple of pictures.

I have been cleaning down the rear subframe today as I'm almost ready to re-assemble the the engine fully. I am really still wanting to go with a modern engine conversion but if I can't make that happen I'll stick with the A-series which is an MED built 1293cc unit so is fairly decent as far as A-series go.





Bit of struggle on my own but managed to get the frame out without any nasty problems or injuries



as usual with oil covered front subframes this one is in fantastic condition with just surface rust on the underside

If I can figure a way to get the car back in the garage without re-attaching the subframe I may try and get it painted up tomorrow and leave it until next weekend to put it back together

all cleaned ready for soundproofing etc


next stage of the engine rebuild will involve getting the head up to Slark to have it nicely re-vamped then rebuilding the engine


slow and steady

Nice going runk.
That engine bay & frame looks one of the cleanest & rust free that i've seen.

Cheers Sven

I do try and make sure everything is clean I hate touching stuff thats covered in engine oil and road grime! a little bit OCD perhaps I thinks i've spent as much on cleaner as I have on parts

I'd like to buy a parts washer but I don't have any power to my garage so it's a wire wheel and elbow grease.

Hi Runk you're cracking on, starting to look like a car
John

Thought I'd post a pic of the parts that have arrived hopefully get out tomorrow if it stops raining



I went for the Protech Shocks in the end I met up with Kevin and he's a really good bloke. Obviously I can't comment on the performance yet as they aren't on the car but the they seem well built and certainly look the part and it's nice that they have a Union Jack on them



Also got a Weber 32/34 DTML rebuild kit so if the weather is still bad could start cleaning and refurbing that inside (although the girlfriend might not be too happy about that )

It'd be nice to think I could get the engine in by the end of next weekend but chances are it wont be

Hi Rob, is that the engine inside with the carbs? just tell the lady the sooner its finished the sooner it will be out and in the car
You are getting stuck in
John