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  1. #1
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    Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    So my story is that I had a r 5 gtt as my first car when passing my test 15 or so years ago now.
    I did the usual respray, bodykit and engine mods that were all the rage back then. I loved the car, it's noises, character and the fact it was a turbo go kart. There was nothing else like it!
    As time passed it was sold and moved onto more modern skyline gtr's, e60 m5 v10 and lately porsche's.

    Recently I had sold all my toys in search of a new house, but I was getting bored as I always had a project or nice car to tinker with. So i thought why not search for a 5 to restore the love and save a classic. I started looking near the end of 2014, i was shocked to see the price of gtt's selling for 6,000 to £15,000!
    Anyway, I traveled the country for a few months, from Bradford to Devon in the search of a decent original car that needed some love. I looked at a few and was so disappointed at how abused, how delusional some sellers were and the sheer state of the cars for £3,000 +

    I very nearly threw in the towel and bought a new Nissan Gtr, but I preferred the money in the bank then sat on the driveway. But then one Friday night I was on my phone searching and I came across a car on Gumtree in Leicester. The catch? Well it had been stood since 2003, didn't run, no log book and no history! BUT, it was 98% original, 70k miles, Red (well faded pink and mouldy) and even amber indicators still! So the next morning I did the hour and a half trip to see it, it ticked a lot of boxes but wow it was rough as you'd imagine! Still I know these cars well and there's not a lot to them, I had restored a fair few back when I owned a body shop, but that was 10 years ago when I had all the time in the world!

    So I just had to have it, I booked a recovery truck there and then. Here's how it looked:





    Off it came home with me to a lock up arranged until I was ready to spend some time assessing what needed doing


    So first I had to get me and a friend to give it a bloody good wash to get years worth of grime and leaves off it! And I gave the car a going over listing what's what. It still even had a revs mag air freshener in it!



    Yep, that's a standard exhaust!




    Then I wanted to try and figure out why it wouldn't start. It wouldn't turn over with a jump pack on, although there was power to the starter...=seized starter. So, I fitted a new starter motor, filled it with £10 worth of fuel and....nothing. The starter would turn the engine, well every other turn of the key(solenoid click,click,click..) but nothing else. So i obviously had no fuel or spark. So i ordered up new ht leads, plugs, fuel pump relay and tdc sensor. Once they had arrived I got everything all together, then I heard the sweet sound of the fuel pump buzzing so I knew I was getting fuel on cranking the engine but then realised the carb accelerator butterfly had completely seized! No matter how hard I stamped on the accelerator or forced the cable it wouldn't open, so the engine wasn't seeing air or fuel! So next purchase was a fully rebuilt carb, I popped that on and then....




    It runs! Well it has a little misfire and I need to set the idle. But for some reason there was a new renault dizzy cap and worm drive boxed with a invoice from 2003 in the car, maybe why it was taken off the road? Who knows

    So next I had the car taken to my work where I could spend a hour or so after work stripping it down and to see what's not Crusty baguette and what's salvageable


    Lovely stock bumpers, complete with original yellow fogs and bump strips, although the front bumper has seen better days with some interesting previous repairs on the inside which I'll sort.
    The drivers side of the car had had some poor previous repairs and hadn't last well, the front wing was completely rotten through out, so I picked up a decent used one. The rear quater had had a bad time as the rear arch and seal were never refitted correctly and water just sat there for years resulting in this

    Fortunately this is the only bad part that I've found so far, as I expected the sills and rear bumper mounts to be all but gone anyway...and I was pretty much right

    I was quite surprised to find the inner wings to be pretty much perfect

    And the front crossmember plus near side front bumper mount


    Now onto the sills



    Both with a first sized hole as expected and they will be replaced, as will the inners
    Rear panel is solid

    Passenger quater and wing are all good




    So, I've ordered new sills inner and outer, already have both rear bumper mount panels and I need a good look at the jacking points

    I've tried to buy as much stuff that's still available from renault, I wanted two new doors but only the drivers is the only one that was left in stock

    While I was at it I bought a new clutch cable and turbo heatshield before they are gone
    [URL=http://s90.photobucket.com/user/clarky_gtt/media/DSC_0901_zpslzjwrfjn.jpg.html][/URL

  2. #2
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Along the way I've have bought a few things without hesitation, knowing they'd be a pain to track down
    Like side decals, skirt clips, seat material to trim the seats to factory condition and above the clutch cable and heat shield. I even bought a forge carb lobster (you'll see why if you keep reading).


    A bargain pipercross induction kit with heatshield for £20




    So what's the plan? Well I want o.e. Looks, yet I fancy a good 180-200bhp car, I don't want to be overtaken easily by more modern cars. I want everything to be immaculate, yet if I wanted to I could swap back any engine hoses or the like back to stock as I will keep all original bits I remove.

  3. #3
    Non-member B18ftMOJO5's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Nice thread so good to see a car being restored.

  4. #4
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    I forgot to mention, I was panicking that I didn't have the original boot badges, but when I was removing the boot carpet the other day, they were hidden under neath! Win!!

    oh and here's the kit all removed, I can't edit my original post lovely stock bumpers with original yellow fogs and bump strips


    I don't get much spare time, but I'll keep this thread upto date as I (slowly) go
    Last edited by clarky_gtt; 01-08-2015 at 23:03.

  5. #5
    Non-member Hoolio's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    I guess you won't be keeping the paint line or black door pillars, weird. Nice save by the way.

  6. #6
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    80's go faster stripe haha, no they got to go! As will the bk racing alloys

  7. #7
    Committee, NW Regional Rep Alex's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Great thread, it's always good to see cars being saved. The rot on it doesn't look too bad to be fair. How's the scuttle panel around the windscreen?

  8. #8
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Quote Originally Posted by Alex View Post
    Great thread, it's always good to see cars being saved. The rot on it doesn't look too bad to be fair. How's the scuttle panel around the windscreen?
    Appears to be ok, but we all know better then to say that until the screen is removed

  9. #9
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Great project! Will be keen to see how you get along

  10. #10
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Aha!

    I saw some of your posts on FB the other day mate.

    Good read!

    I should start a thread for mine really. Amassing parts at a good rate myself now...

  11. #11
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Do it mat s. You then have a record of your work!

  12. #12
    East Midlands Area Rep Mr Raider's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Great project looks like it all there, looking forward to the next update!

  13. #13
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Cole View Post
    Do it mat s. You then have a record of your work!
    Yes. Very true. It's only the front end stripped and seats and carpet out ATM whilst I find somewhere covered to carry on.

  14. #14
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    I had a bit of time today to do a fiddly job, my grille had split each side, top lugs snapped off and lower part of the grille lug broken
    Here you can see I'd already plastic welded the splits on each side and filled, but notice the top two outter lugs (the grille is upside down in the pic) are completely snapped and missing


    So i got to work bonding, plastic welding and filling to make my own lugs
    Such a good job you can't even tell from behind
    All I need to do is re drill the holes and it's ready for priming
    Lower grille all repaired


    One job off the list
    I've not got around to removing the interior or anything else yet ready for new sills, so I'm going to start doing a few little jobs on the body kit and bumpers so I'm atleast making some progress.

  15. #15
    East Midlands Area Rep Mr Raider's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Nice work mate, oe grills go for a fortune now even broken ones!

  16. #16
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Any updates Clarky?

  17. #17
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Since the last posts....no progress. Just more parts hoarding and the car having to move workshops
    Here's some of the bits, unfortunately it appears renault have supplied me with the thinner driveshafts and not the thicker gtt items. Even though the part numbers cross reference the correct gtt one's

    Oh and a magnex exhaust



  18. #18
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Well it's been nearly a yearly with hardly any progress, but finally I've managed to fit the car into the panel work shop at my work (Fortunately I been in the body repair trade 15 years).


    So time to replace the inner and outter sills, jacking points and do a few repairs to get the car solid. And then I'll bring the car home and prep for the full respray


    Finally in the panel work shop




    And a few shots of the floor and jacking points, a lot better than I expected. Check out the standard exhaust ha!











    Now lots of cutting and welding, I'll take pics as we go

  19. #19
    East Midlands Area Rep Mr Raider's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Looking sweet on the turbines, great project and very original 5 that.

  20. #20
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Good effort clarky. Typical rot in all the usual places.

  21. #21
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Had more bits arrive


    Now the not so good...drivers rear quater was going to be repaired. Unfortunately the rust around the 1/4 glass was worse than expected

    But good news, I have traced a new quater panel. All be it a campus one which I'll adapt for the gtt arch.

    Also had the screen removed, not to bad compared to most and easily repairable



    [URL=http://s90.photobucket.com/user/clarky_gtt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1170_zpsxaikn1ji.jpg.html]
    So not all bad, hopefully new quater panel will arrive soon

  22. #22
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Your lucky on the screen surround. They are nasty to replace.

  23. #23
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    It's now all stripped
    A new drivers side quater panel (campus) has arrived, but I've ordered both sides from renault (gt turbo specific) , they are yet to confirm when they'll arrive or even if they are available. So i may not need this campus quater


    The floor is completely solid and in great condition




    Does anyone have any hints or tips to refurbish number plate lenses? They are impossible to get inside to Polish


    Up next it's waiting to see if renault deliver the goods of two new quaters and get on with the sills, inners and jacking points

  24. #24
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Be interesting to see if they find any mate.

  25. #25
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Those lenses really need to be replaced. You could try and wet/dry and polish the tops to see if they come up a bit better.

    When you find out about the GTT rear quarters, let us know (incl price if they are available), so we can update the Dialogys section

    https://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?t=40465

  26. #26
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    I did a history check on the car tonight, it had the registration A14 Gtt which is quite recognisable

    Anyone remember it??

  27. #27
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Could put your number plate lights through the dishwasher, can't do any harm to try!

  28. #28
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Ive finally got another quater and things have finally started to get serious, it's all up hill from here:




  29. #29
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Fantastic pics. Parts of a GTT I've not seen before!!

    Any news on those number plate lenses?

  30. #30
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Not attempted to stick them in my new dishwasher yet, will do once it starts to resemble a car again.

  31. #31
    East Midlands Area Rep Mr Raider's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Great pics, certainly got this project by the scruff of the neck, be worth it when its done, - awesome work!

  32. #32
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    That's some major surgery that!

  33. #33
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Day two, drivers jacking point replaced. Drivers Offside bumper mount made good






    [/URL
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  34. #34
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Finally, more progress!
    Driver's inner sill, outter sill, new drivers quarter panel (campus, will cut as required for the gtt arch, easy job), inner jacking point repair and finally inner quarter repair done. All metal work will be finished by November, then I'll take it home to seal, repair bodywork and prep for paint. In the mean time I need to finish decorating my new garage!















    Next up, the passenger side and a few more little bits of welding
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  35. #35
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Fantastic quality work

  36. #36
    Non-member tubbyG's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    WOW......... great job on the repairs!!!

  37. #37
    East Midlands Area Rep Mr Raider's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Awesome work, very nicely done!

  38. #38
    Non-member Goobie's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Woah, that is one stripped 5! Nerves of steal chopping off panels etc, coming along nicely.

  39. #39
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    This thread is going to be very useful for when I do mine! Great effort.

  40. #40
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    it's going to take me quite some time to finish it.

    I only have one evening free a week to get my hands dirty

  41. #41
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Clarky,

    How are you removing the panels so cleanly and what tools are you using?

  42. #42
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    It help's if you run a bodyshop haha


    just a air saw

  43. #43
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Ah cool. Need to get one.

  44. #44
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Clarky,

    What stuff are you using to paint the bare metal with? My car is outside and I need to paint the bare metal asap once welded.

  45. #45
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Cole View Post
    Clarky,

    What stuff are you using to paint the bare metal with? My car is outside and I need to paint the bare metal asap once welded.
    Zinc primer and etch primer

    but I personally wouldn't store it outside while you're doing the repairs

  46. #46
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Quote Originally Posted by clarky_gtt View Post
    Zinc primer and etch primer

    but I personally wouldn't store it outside while you're doing the repairs
    No choice to store outside but certainly agree.

    I have been using Hammerite 3 in 1 rust remover/primer:- https://www.manomano.co.uk/aerosol-p...FQaNGwodARsG5Q

    I just want to do the repair then blast this stuff on so it doesn't rust again. Any experience with it?

  47. #47
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    All the while I'm renovating my home garage in preparation of the Renault coming home from the metal workers, the drivers side welding and new panels is complete


    Now onto the passenger side, new Renault jack point, inner and outter sill and repair the quarter panel.








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  48. #48
    East Midlands Area Rep Mr Raider's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    Sounds like its making good progress, keep the pics coming fella

  49. #49
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt

    No photos

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    Re: Abandoned in 2003, saving a gtt





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