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:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psjvce6yqz.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psfz0amkwi.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psnozib9tm.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pswqg84hkh.jpg

Off it came home with me to a lock up arranged until I was ready to spend some time assessing what needed doing
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psx1kymmnx.jpg

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!
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psdrulnsg7.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psivqpgzhv.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pswaoi4y2l.jpg
Yep, that's a standard exhaust!
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psbgeywyeb.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps0ywj5btz.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psg1saqxev.jpg

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....
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psznucvcwx.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psuwhryimp.mp4

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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps9flwtkkn.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psmkxvptir.jpg
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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psiomiip02.jpg
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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psbqnt72s4.jpg
I was quite surprised to find the inner wings to be pretty much perfect
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psbzixf084.jpg
And the front crossmember plus near side front bumper mount
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psnyz97iip.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pszfzrbhoz.jpg
Now onto the sills
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psop6sqfpj.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psbpeerom3.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psy1usimi8.jpg
Both with a first sized hole as expected and they will be replaced, as will the inners
Rear panel is solid
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psznucvcwx.jpg
Passenger quater and wing are all good
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psvbsar1ck.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psxnclbaex.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pso1hutr89.jpg

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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pszhopjdl9.jpg
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]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pslzjwrfjn.jpg[/URL

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).

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psesg7hhdw.jpg
A bargain pipercross induction kit with heatshield for £20
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psncjbsmqd.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psjgb7ts1g.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psgdxpfjus.jpg

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.

Nice thread so good to see a car being restored.:agree::agree:

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!!
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps09mayptl.jpg
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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psi3o6moqk.jpg

I don't get much spare time, but I'll keep this thread upto date as I (slowly) go

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

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

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?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alex

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?

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Appears to be ok, but we all know better then to say that until the screen is removed :eek:

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

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...

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Matt Cole

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.

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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psmtb4jfsw.jpg

So i got to work bonding, plastic welding and filling to make my own lugs
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psmbgoylwa.jpgSuch a good job you can't even tell from behind
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psrnkj7syx.jpgAll I need to do is re drill the holes and it's ready for priming
Lower grille all repaired
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psvnhe8rd3.jpg

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.

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

Any updates Clarky?;)

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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psnwxgugef.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps2gozfzri.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps59dzy7ws.jpg

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

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psfkgy3itq.jpg


And a few shots of the floor and jacking points, a lot better than I expected. Check out the standard exhaust ha!
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps4stqj3ej.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pstu1bn4ru.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psawojyozt.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psbkmkzsiq.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psm1ona5ze.jpg


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

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

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

Had more bits arrive
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pstecxslmt.jpg

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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psqz7nqrdi.jpg
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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psxfttmhiv.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pslgoby4nv.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps0nibgnpq.jpg
[URL=http://s90.photobucket.com/user/clarky_gtt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1170_zpsxaikn1ji.jpg.html]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psxaikn1ji.jpg
So not all bad, hopefully new quater panel will arrive soon

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

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
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps8qwmdfmq.jpg

The floor is completely solid and in great condition
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psfjdmn8im.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps25md6ttc.jpg

Does anyone have any hints or tips to refurbish number plate lenses? They are impossible to get inside to Polish
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psgwow6zw8.jpg

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

Be interesting to see if they find any mate. ;)

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 :agree:

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

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

Anyone remember it??

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

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

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psokdke3bv.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pshzomwkvc.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psvwraqmmw.jpg

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

Any news on those number plate lenses?

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

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

That's some major surgery that!

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


http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psjuxq8qgz.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psqgnigwko.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psxk5xlx15.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pst7aoup4u.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pssy22vayk.jpg[/URL

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!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s9xvd0uow.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...sgvcquxtm.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...sicvvlfxv.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...sfuhjmgxr.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...skdnrof7a.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...slocfqguk.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...sikoc9trg.jpeg

Next up, the passenger side and a few more little bits of welding

Fantastic quality work :cool:

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

Awesome work, very nicely done! :agree::agree::cool:

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

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

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

Clarky,

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

It help's if you run a bodyshop haha


just a air saw

Ah cool. Need to get one. ;)

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Matt Cole

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clarky_gtt

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. :crap:

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?

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.


http://turborenault.co.uk/data/MetaM...s3lj4anqv.jpeg


http://turborenault.co.uk/data/MetaM...syil388mz.jpeg


http://turborenault.co.uk/data/MetaM...sbpvguhnu.jpeg

Sounds like its making good progress, keep the pics coming fella ;) :agree:

No photos

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s3lj4anqv.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...syil388mz.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...sbpvguhnu.jpeg

Good job! The last photo bottom rear you have that inner part of the inner arch still in one piece. Both mine have rotted away. Luckily the new sill covers it all and it's nothing structural.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Matt Cole

Good job! The last photo bottom rear you have that inner part of the inner arch still in one piece. Both mine have rotted away. Luckily the new sill covers it all and it's nothing structural.

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Doing a fantastic job:):)

So things are still moving along, although I received a call this week from the metal workers. I thought it was going to be a call to say it's all welded and complete....but nope, they now want another £1,100 to complete the work. Keeping in mind there was hardly any fabrication needed as I supplied ALL new parts. Complete p1ss take, especially as I only paid someone to do it due to my time constraints.

So I'm expecting another call from them next week to discuss keeping in mind I'm only a few quid off 3k so far already! I'm not best pleased and going to kick off, especially seeing as I'm probably more qualified than anyone under their roof!

Anyway, in the mean time I have re-repaired the original front bumper. The old repairs where seriously "old school" throw loads of filler both sides. I've cut and ground all the old filler out, strengthened behind and filled the front.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psynmsesnl.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps1xztrfx2.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps9wvgxazb.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psgd1aztzc.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psunlcjytv.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psidp4wkpy.jpg

I'll let you know how things go

Nicely done. Proper skill. :cool:

As for the welding. Sounds like we'll be seeing those guys on Watchdog at some point then. :sad2:

Well, they completed welding....without my permission and I just received an invoice for another £1,000. So currently making my feelings known and things are on going

Well it's nice to have a solid foundation to work with now, the car is being delivered back to me soon and I'll make sure the job is worth the extortionate price I paid. Least I can now finish the paint, mechanicals etc myself!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psaajbmyat.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psosxsyedn.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psfoawdvs4.jpg

is that the weld join line across the pillars :eek: err :scared: dont think you'll be happy when you see that in person

Yep, already kicked off on a number of points

Welding now 99% complete, very soon it's time for me to do all the filling, sealing, Undersealing and prep. here's some more pics...

Fortunately they have now cleaned up all the welds and warping/gaps

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps3vdpbswd.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s9xvd0uow.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pst7aoup4u.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psxk5xlx15.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pssy22vayk.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s3lj4anqv.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...syil388mz.jpeg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps4vndh7zs.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps1wyhygat.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pspjewd5zj.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pstxmfkoaf.jpg

So after finding a few bits that I weren't happy with the finishing of the welding, it's now gone back up to the welders for some re-work

in the mean time, sods law I found a brand genuine NOS passenger rear quarter panel and purchased it. So now i'll have 2 new quarters, overkill but I'm well into making this shell as new as possible and to last another 25 years. I wasn't happy with the used quarter I had fitted at all, so made sense to go all out.

the car comes back in the second week of January when i'll get busy sealing, undersealing and painting the cabin

Dont blame you mate getting that new quarter panel, do it once do it right great work. :):agree:

Lucky to find any new panels this day and age!:scared: I've resorted to second hand...