112 replies to this topic

[Connor]

Hello everybody, well to start this topic off I would like to say I'm new to the forum & new to owning a VX220! This said I am a ChipsAway SMART repairer by trade & also work with a friend who has a bodyshop & specialises in repairing Lotus Elise's, Exige's & VX220's. He also is very experienced in doing custom colour change's / full re-spray's for customers. I had the chance to buy a damaged Cat C Vx220 at a bargain price with a new crash box included in the deal so I took the plunge & these are my plans:

1. Repair the vehicle to it's original roadworthy condition (obviously).
2. Full re-sray to get the car looking as good as new.
3. Refurb interior where needed & colour code to exterior.
4. Possible alloy change & colour change.
5. Badgeless front grill, possible re-spray of engine top & whatever else I think will suit the car as the build progresses...

This is the car as I bought it:












As you can see the vehicle is in good condition from the rear & the previous owner must have taken good care of the car as if you look closely you can see all the stone chip protection film on the front clam & rear arches. The car also has uprated speakers & drilled front brake discs...

[MrSimba]

Looks like someone's already done the 'badgeless front grill' conversion for you! Welcome & I'll be interested to follow the project especially if you go for a full colour change as I'm thinking this direction myself at the moment...

Edited by MrSimba, 20 March 2011 - 10:14 AM.

[jonnyboy]

Should be interesting theres some pretty extensive work to be done there.

[Connor]

These are the pics of when we got the VX back to the unit where we would be working on the car:











The first task was to get the car inside the unit which was harder than it sounds due to the steering rack being shattered but with help from my friends we got the car into a place where work could commence. As you can see from the pics of the seat, the drivers side edge has worn away so I was thinking of getting just the sides on both seats upholstered in a a bright orange (if anybody knows of a good seat upholsterer please let me know)

[Connor]

First job (& probably the dirtiest) was to remove the damaged crash box. I cut most of the old crash box off with a still saw being carefull not to cut into the 2 pipes protruding from the front of the chassis. When this was removed I used 2 heat-guns blowing hot air into either side of the front of the chassis to loosen up the bond that was remaining on what was left of the old crash box. When this was warm enough to be pulled off by hand, I removed as much of the old bond that was stuck to the front of the chassis with a scraper tool. Then the front of the car was covered with a strong acid based cleaner & washed off with water. The new crash box was then bonded & clamped to the car.

[Connor]

The steering rack was damaged so this was the next job to undertake, the ball joint on the nearside had to be cut with a grinder as it was bent more than Louie Spence...




The steering rack removal itself was a pain as there isn't much space under the dash to work but after a bit of a struggle we got it out...

[Connor]

I have also started to strip the car to get it ready for the full respray in FORD ULTIMATE GREEN EFFECT! I mixed some paint up on a test card & sprayed an old panel to test coverage of the paint (not an easy colour to do as it will probably have to be backed in white to get the brightest overall colour.)

Edited by Connor, 22 March 2011 - 08:43 AM.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Welcome. Good on you for resurrecting a VX, good luck with it all, it looks like you will make a really good job of it too. Liking the green... Cliffie

[fiveoclock]

Good work but not ANOTHER green. I'm changing colour!!

[Connor]

Good work but not ANOTHER green. I'm changing colour!!

Green is THE colour of 2011, lol!!! Everybody wants a mean, green racing machine...

[luke.]

I'd love to see a dynorod orange vx. And i would love to have dynorod myself but not having a garage it just isn't viable unless i want a respray once a year

[N17VES]

Good work - don't hang around do you! I'm sure I recognise that garage....not Stephens workshop by any chance?

[Connor]

Good work - don't hang around do you!

I'm sure I recognise that garage....not Stephens workshop by any chance?

Ha, yes you're correct, it is Ste's workshop & that's who's helping me with the build!

[vocky]

I do hope you put primer on the new crashbox before you put the glue on

[Connor]

I do hope you put primer on the new crashbox before you put the glue on

I'm confused now, lol! Why does the crashbox need primer on it?

[Connor]

Continuation of stripping the interior today to get it ready for the re-spray. Removed the seats, wing mirrors, dash facia, gearbox surround, door panels, rear headlights etc.. plus the rest of the stone chip protective plastic. The drivers headrest cover has split into 3 pieces & needs to be replaced, it also had a mark on the front so needed replacing anyway...

[The Batman]

Just out of interest is that not chassis damage under the arb? And regards to the crash box glue and primer you will need to buy it from autovaux £40 primer then glue

[Connor]

Just out of interest is that not chassis damage under the arb?

And regards to the crash box glue and primer you will need to buy it from autovaux £40 primer then glue

Yes there's a slight "tear" under the ARB in the chassis but it's superficial & can be hammered back into place. Must have been where the previous owner hit the kerb...

[Zoobeef]

The headrests can just be removed and the metal brackets ground off the rollover bar. Saves weight and means you can see through the rear mirror

[vocky]

I do hope you put primer on the new crashbox before you put the glue on

I'm confused now, lol! Why does the crashbox need primer on it?

it's a black primer for the glue, however it looks like you keyed the crashbox to allow the glue to adhere