Retro Power Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 As you probably noticed, the valance still needed replacing (we hadn't tracked down a replacment, but conveniently, with the valance removed we were able to pain the front of the x-member much more easily! Anyway, a new valance was eventually tracked down and fitted: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 That colour looks really deep. I can't believe you fill and flat the underneath! That's going the extra mile. You normally only see that sort of thing on concours VW stuff :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 That colour looks really deep. I can't believe you fill and flat the underneath! That's going the extra mile. You normally only see that sort of thing on concours VW stuff :-) Cheers Kev! Every project we do we want to be better than the last one, and it's all these details that count, even if 99.9% of people will never notice! WIth the valance on, we seam-seal the engine bay, do some basic smoothing out of imperfections in the pressings, and then get it back in the booth (again) to prime the engine bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 Seeing the comment on detail involved with work, made me think I would post this about the work I have been doing on this car over the last couple of days (it's some way ahead of the pictures shown so far!) It's very easy to say "Fit bumpers" in a project diary! Here's a list of the work involved, which explains why simple jobs still take a long time to do "right"!! Take bumpers out of storage and assess condition Decide whether to keep rubber bump strips or not (easy decision, they wont' suit the car and they are damaged!) Remove bump strips - means grinding off several seized bolts! Apply lots of masking tape to all corners of the car to avoid scratching new paint!! Fit bumpers to car to asses the "look" Decide on how to proceed, basically tightening bumpers up to bodyline to make them flow into the car better and look less obtrusive, Also remove numberplate light on rear as it is ugly Remove bumpers Weld up all trim holes using mig welder and copper backing block Clean up all welds and remove dents from bumper using hammer and dolly Cut section of 16swg steel and radius corners etc to fit numberplate lamp hole in rear bumper Roll plate to match curve of bumper TIG weld in flush and dress back so no evidence of lamp hole Cut 2 sections of 5/8" bright bar for rear bumper main mount bosses. Machine these (face off, drill, tap and chamfer) Mark out and weld these into rear bumper Fit bumpers to car and assess distances to move closer to body Remove bumpers Cut front bumper irons and reweld shorter Refit front bumper and mark out corner radii to grind out to match wing profile on corner Remove front bumper and grind out corners Refit front bumper and mark out cut lines each side to narrow bumper to bring corner sections tight in to wings Remove front bumper and cut, re-align and weld up Dress welds back and refit bumper to check clearance Remove bumper and adjust grind on corners Refit front bumper and check again, then measure up for corner mounting bosses Fit rear bumper and mark out corner radius grind out Remove and grind out corners Refit and check, then mark out cut lines for narrowing bumper Remove bumper Cut, realign and weld both sides of rear bumper Dress welds Refit rear bumper and recheck corner grinds Remove rear bumper and adjust corner grinds Refit rear bumper and measure for corner mounting bosses Cut 4 sections of 5/8" bright bar to make corner bosses Machine (face off, drill, tap and chamfer) 4 corner bosses Tack weld corner bosses to front bumper Tack weld corner bosses to rear bumper Refit front bumper and check boss positions Refit rear bumper and check boss positions Remove front bumper Remove rear bumper Fully weld corner bosses on both bumpers Dress outside of both bumpers and fit to car to check everything That's the first stage done, the metalwork is right now they just need blasting, filling, flatting, spraying with reface spray filler, blocking flat, priming, wet blocking, painting and finally fitting.............................. There we go, we've "fitted the bumpers" on the big job sheet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 You love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 I actually slightly jumped the gun on part of the above, Its 18:14 pm on Sat eve according to my pc and I have just fitted the bumpers for the final time before they come off for prep and paint........looks awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Long overdue an update on this one! Primer all blocked and then wet-sanded before masking up and into the booth for final paint! With the 'shell painted we turn attention to the closing panels. The wings have a few small repairs, the trim lugs removed and the arch lips rolled before going through the same preparation process as the 'shell along with the doors, bonnet and boot. finally with everything painted the whole lot is wet sanded with 1500 grit before being compounded with progressively finer grades of compound. Here is the final result, although the dull day didn't do the colour any justice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 In the meantime, we've been cracking on with getting the mechanicals sorted and ready to go in. Firstly the axle is stripped down, the casing blasted and painted ready to be rebuilt with all new bearings and seals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 perfecty job. I would like to just know how to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s11nmg Posted July 6, 2013 Share Posted July 6, 2013 Anyone more updates on the ascona ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted July 14, 2013 Author Share Posted July 14, 2013 (edited) been a bit busy! Will get an update up next week, if you are on facebook, you can follow it on there, do a search for "ascona 4 door by retropower" engine's in, interior is done, loom is done (new loom from scratch) power steering in, fuel tank in, its getting there now! Edited July 14, 2013 by Retro Power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Long time no update, so here's a selection of progress snaps! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Bit of a whistle stop tour there!! Seats are recaros retrimmed in leather and a period cloth, engine is rebuilt with new rings but original pistons and deglazed bores. omega gearbox, one of our manifolds, SPA digital dash pod in stock housing (flocked in house of course!) One of the alloy radiators that we sell (made by HM Turbo on here) Fully rebuilt rear axle with all new bearings. Electric power steering Complete new lightweight wiring loom, made from scratch, all heat shrunk, modern micro-blade fusebox and miniature relays etc Jenvey/QED direct to head throttle bodies, DTA S40 ecu All looking very nice, getting there now!! There are 2 more 2 door asconas "in build" at the moment too, plus another due in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 awesome work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta again Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Lovely looking motor in every aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny dock Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Not to shabby!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantamike Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Absoluty fabulous resto, loads of respect to all the work going in!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Sex! I love the Retropower graphic on the custom dash, the underside looks as good as the top. Put castors on the roof. Great to see someone spending money on a 4 door, it's going to be a show stopper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 thanks folks! As long as there are no major changes of circumstance, it'll be at billing 2014! (along with a few other Asconas that we've built.......;-) ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 PS the Retropower logo on the dash was engraved into the aluminium before it was painted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 A couple of sneaky snaps of the finished car - the full shoot will follow shortly :-) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 A couple more snaps: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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