Re. Restoration finally complete for Le Mans (Pic Heavy!)

[MG1980]

I though I would post up a (minor) build thread on my Williams 2, prior to getting it decalled for Le Mans. I bought the car last October, and although in no sorry state, I felt it needed a bit of love to restore it to former glory. I spent 15 long years wanting my own little piece of cheese-powered blue thunder, and it took me until I was 32 to achieve my passion. Sure, there were a few other hot Clios in between, but I think I finally reached that point in my life that I realised retro was cool. In fact I went one stage further, and added a 106 S1 Rallye which I'm building as a pure track car. Next on the agenda is probably an E30 M Sport or something similar.

I picked up the car from Ongar, Essex, last October. The car had been stored for over a year, and although on 105,000 miles, had only seen 4,000 miles in 4 years, and most of therm dry. Any rot was very superficial, but there were a few other issues that needed attending to. The bonnet had a nice car park dent, there was a gigantic black sponge where the airbox should be (and I didn't want my Willy sounding like a Scooby), the polished lip was missing, a few stickers were out of place and it was in need of a new Cambelt and a major service. Certainly no dog, but this was the car that I picked up (excuse the dodgy showplate that was on the car!)...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...290180/001.jpg

First up was to get rid of that hideous filter, replace the standard airbox with a minty panel filter and get it down to the guy at Ren7Oaks for a major service...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...290180/015.jpg

No major issues with the car up on the ramps, and the sills were solid as a rock. In the interests of doing things properly, I had the underside of the car cleaned and waxoyled at the same time.

Next small job was a toss up between yellow fogs or cibie caps. Fab fixed it for me with two brand new Valeo units, fresh out of the box. I think they came from ebay Italy or alike, but 65 notes later, I was suitably happy with my little piece of retro French chic...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...290180/060.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...290180/058.jpg

Now down to the bonnet. I managed to pick one up from a breaking track car in Gravesend. It was an effing nightmare to get it home as a I had both seats as far forward as would physically go, and at 6'3", I had to hang a leg out of the window! Worth it though! The paintwork wasn't great, but the bonnet was solid and straight, so a quick front-end respray and the car was taking shape nicely...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...0180/008-1.jpg

Fatboy came down to pick up the old bonnet for the grand price of £0. Great day for a mini-meet and the first time I had met another Williams owner...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...290180/009.jpg

Now that just left me with wheels and bump strips. A friend of mine close by refurbed the wheels for me. They are generally retained by Lambo and Aston Martin locally and only do trade work, but for the grand sum of £150 (usually £380), he refurbed all four wheels - Tyres off, whole face diamond cut, acid-dipped, painted, polished lip diamond cut and the face lacquered. Four new Michelin PE2s later and the wheels are back on the car.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...0180/007-1.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...0180/005-2.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...0180/008-2.jpg

Whilst the wheels were off, I also took the time to respray all of the side strips, bumper strips and scuttle satin black. Now, before I get ruined for doing this the most rediculous way possible, I decided to mask up the car and spray the trim whilst in place, as I was worried about snapping the plastic clips. It took me bloody hours to prep the car, but happy with the results.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...290180/007.jpg

The final piece of the jigsaw was to give the car a through details. Jetwash with snow foam, clay bar, dry, a good four hours correcting the paintwork with various cutting compounds and three decent coats of top wax later, and I give you the final results...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...0180/011-1.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...0180/009-1.jpg

The car has been dry-stored for a month now in prep for Le Mans. It's getting decalled up on Saturday, but if you fancy a good laugh as to how it will look, please appreciate my highly skilled work using 'Paint!'

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/.../CWMock-up.jpg

[Smokey McPot]

Your attention to detail on perspective on the decals are top drawer.

[Wobba]

Looks great, a definite improvement to the way it was.

I would always take the bumpstrips off though! Easy to do

[wrighty]

Like the wheels and the car looks great!

Wish I could get access to a 150 quid wheel refurb of that standard!

[ThRaXaIR]

Dude that looks bang on well done! I have also been blown away by your skills on paint...

MY criticism however is the lack of page 3 on your trim respray photo... :P

[MG1980]

Dude that looks bang on well done! I have also been blown away by your skills on paint...

MY criticism however is the lack of page 3 on your trim respray photo... :P

Wet myself when I saw this... Funny enough, the b00bs were on the front bumper rub strips. I'll dig out a picture for you!!