White 1.2 LS 3dr Project- New To Corsas!

[DexterSinister]

First purchase, Irmscher front bumper apron



I'd like the rear to match but I'm in no rush. I was really interested in getting a front one as they seem a bit hard to find and I love how they look. Going to be painting in white and leaving the tops as they are like the SXi.

[Domwhitex]

I have a set of spare headlights one of them is smashed but the innards are fine (lens and bolt holes from a crash are knackered on one) other is perfect

[johnny]

I'm fairly sure that apron won't fit your bumper mate, they were made to.fit pre 97 and you've got the post 97

[DexterSinister]

I have a set of spare headlights one of them is smashed but the innards are fine (lens and bolt holes from a crash are knackered on one) other is perfect

Cool I could do with them to play around with, where abouts are you?

I'm fairly sure that apron won't fit your bumper mate, they were made to.fit pre 97 and you've got the post 97

Oh cheers I wasn't sure. I might have to get a pre 97 bumper then, or see how hard it would be to fit it to the bumper I've got.

[Domwhitex]

I'm in corby mate, ive also got a pre 97 bumper with a scuff in it that im not using as ive got a gsi i could put on

[Aknight_811]

Ive also got a set of inards if its any easier to get to mine im luton or milton keynes sorry if im stepping on your toes dom

[Domwhitex]

Haha no worries man :p its just to help out haha its stuff thats taking room up in my shed!

[DexterSinister]

I'm in corby mate, ive also got a pre 97 bumper with a scuff in it that im not using as ive got a gsi i could put on

That's awesome mate you're not far away. Yeah I'd be interested in both, I'll drop you a pm about it because I'll be passing through your way to get the Irmscher bit

[Domwhitex]

Alright awesome buddy!

[DexterSinister]

Okay so first proper drive out this weekend! Did about 180 miles, which is 100 more than it has done in 5 years
Realised that unbelievably, the only Corsa I've ever driven is this one, to the MOT station And I've never owned a GM car before so I was curious to see if I would like it.
A long drive got me used to the car and I have to say I like it! Handles well, steering is lovely (now I've disconnected the power steering... I'm old school and I just can't feel the road with light steering) and the seating position is nice and low and I can see how it would make a great handling car with the right parts.
Despite having a very heavy electric wheelchair stuffed in the back (grabbed it for a project I've got in mind, long story ) it drove really nicely. Until I went to press the brake pedal to slow down for a lorry from about 60 and the pedal just went to the floor I just kept stamping on the pedal like it owed me money and the brakes came back just in time, I was laying fu**ing bricks! Lol

Pulled over and saw there was brake fluid splattered out of my crappy rear wheel trim so I suspect it's the brake cylinder on that side given up. So I limped it home and that was the end of my test drive.

SO, I have concluded that I need more power, lol!
Even though that wheelchair must have weighed as much as 2 adults (I'm storing it in the poor Corsa until I can take it to my workshop and take it apart) I can tell that I'm gonna be needing a few more horsies!
I know it's only a 1.2 so it shouldn't be fast, but modern cars have a lot of bhp for their engine size these days and I think I need to bring it up to date so it's got a fighting chance

Also, the temp guage is reading hardly anything and the fan was cutting in often. To be fair it was a hot day and I was pushing it with with the added weight, so fair enough. But I'd like to flush the system and check the radiator's health anyway after I've fixed the brakes.

Some mods to come, have a deadline of end of August to have it looking nice so I'm going to get busy on this one...
Thanks for reading

[DexterSinister]

Been a while since I updated!
This little Corsa has been a champ, very enjoyable to drive and it's super economical. I've put a few thousand miles on it but I haven't been using it for the past few months. I've been putting off messing with it due to other projects taking my time and money, but I found a bit of time to make a start.

The paintwork is in very good condition but it was sat for a few years without any love and so the paint has a layer of grime that I need to cut through so it can really shine
A reminder of how she stood when bought:



I'd washed it a few times since then but it really needed a good polish, so I brought it in to the workshop for stage one of cleaning. I used some compound and just cut through the dirt by hand, then gave it a wax. This alone took all day! I forgot how long it takes to bring paintwork back!




Not great pics but she's starting to get a deep shine. The next stage is to go through it with some serious paint renovation products, once I have a new head for my mop! I'll do this when I am ready to paint and fit the Irmscher from bumper apron to ensure a good colour match. I really do want it as clean as possible, and then keep it that way
I tried to bring the plastic arches back with some linseed oil, but I think the driver's side rear will need replacing as it's just too faded to bring back. If I wanted to replace one or all of the arch plastics, where would I find some mint ones? Can you buy them new still?

I thought the best place to start with upgrades would be to replace the original stereo. I grabbed my box of head units to see what would suit it best:



A couple of options there! Nothing very recent or high end particularly, but I have a JVC, Sony, Pioneer, Aiwa, Blaupunkt and a few other randoms. I decided to use the Sony Xplod because it had the highest output and a aux-in port for my phone.



Installed

I have a box full of Pioneer speakers that will suit the Corsa too. I didn't fancy cutting the shelf for 6x9s so it will just be a subtle upgrade using the original speaker locations. Not going for decibels, just a good quality sounding system.

Since this is a daily driver and since my other cars are a bit more stripped out and basic, I think what I'd like to do is fit this Corsa with a nice comfortable, well-equipped interior. I considered the Calibra leather option but I think I'm feeling something cloth and sporty from a higher model Corsa instead. I'd also like to fit central locking, those illuminating sun visors, and possibly increase the amount of sound deadening and replace the carpet with a thicker pile one so that it's a bit more luxurious.



So she's still looking pretty stock at the moment. I have removed all the dealer stickers and such. I know some people like them for originality but I prefer clean and simple.
I have now scored the replacement wheels in 16" flavour, now I'm just sourcing the tyres. But they aren't going on until the car is on coilovers!

[DexterSinister]

Almost forgot, I'm toying with the idea of a digital dash but I'm not sure about it yet.
I have one that I put into my mk3 Escort, but that's having standard clocks back in it so the GTE digi dash is going spare now.
Here it is adapted for the Escort:





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I'd want something a bit more standard looking for the Corsa, but I don't know if a digital dash would look too old for it. What do you think?

[mbonner02]

Do you still have the standard tape player!? I'm after one mate would buy it off you if your interested


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[DexterSinister]

I do! There was nothing wrong with it, just needed an upgrade. I dunno, £15?

[mbonner02]

Where you from? I'm in newcastle


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