andyp Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 (edited) Hello I have recently re-joined the group after a few years absence.. and pleased to be back as well for more than one reason.... I will re-introduce myself and my connection to the Cavalier Coupe: I am 52 and way back in my youth I had a a 76 cavalier coupe which my younger brother wrapped around a lampost. PPN 288R That is my brother in the image and not me... So a few years ago I managed to purchased a 77 model YBD703S and joined this group. Some older members may recall me doing so. My intention at the time was to attend to the various bits and bobs on this.. although there wasnt a great deal wrong. However... shortly after this I started to not feel quite right.. and being self-employed (taxi driver) I found that my usual hours of work becoming a bit of a strain as I was getting tired all the time with many bouts of severe headaches. In 2009 I had the worse pain in my head imagaginable .. although I got over that at the time. Moving forward I ended up being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012 and in May 2013 it was taken out. Having informed the DVLA I was 'eventually' given a 12 month revocation.. although I got my DVLA licence back yesterday. Whilst the type of tumour I had is quite rare...I am pleased to say that the prognosis is good. I am also worth more now as I have a titanium plate in my head... much like the many cavalier/opels that need plating up... and as others have said... "We always thought you were a 'Tit-Head" People can be so nice So... with all this going on my beloved cavalier coupe sat on my drive. The body now has various rust issues.. .but I made a point of starting it up on a regular basis through all this time.. she is currently purring away at the moment Every time I walk pass her on the drive I give her a pat and apologise to her for not treating her the way I should have done.. I think our relationship is still ok as she lets me throttle her up..... I am gentle with her.. but I know how to treat her gently I have had several people knocking on my door asking if the car is for sale... which it is not... not now.. not ever I am not sure of what progress will now be made... but... as I myself improve..... then so will the coupe. So... I shall be looking at the forum on a regular basis and asking questions every now and then. Andrew Peters Edited June 1, 2014 by andyp 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicsManta Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Just like to say the first welcome back, sounds like you have managed to make a good recovery and hopefully no issues in the future. the cav looks very clean so try to keep it that way and enjoy every drive you have in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks... yes its not too bad although those photos were from 2008... the roof is pitted.. which was like that when I got it but it is a little worse now.. great fun polishing the rust The current rides are imaginary Like a child sitting at the steering wheel of his Dad's car Edited June 1, 2014 by andyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantney Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Welcome, I probably wasn't member when you first were. Best wishes for the restoration, of the car and your health. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapierdave Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Welcome back Andrew Glad to hear you've got your health & license back. Keep us all posted on the progress on the Cav. I see in one of the pics there's a Manta lurking in the background TDV 583R 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Welcome back Andrew, I remember you being on here when I first joined up. Glad to hear you're on the road to recovery! Hopefully some time soon the old girl will see the road again, get her to Billing and I'll park my saphire blue coupe next to it if it's ever finished! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelCityManta Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Hi Andrew, Great to hear your winning your personal health battle. Best of luck with the car and I hope you have it the way you want it very soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the good wishes... much appreciated Regarding the query about TDV 583R in the background.... the following are photos from August 2007 when I first bought YBD. I have no idea of names and cannot even remember where we met up.. but I think it was somewhere in Sussex............ think it was 'Little Billing On Downs' Edited June 1, 2014 by andyp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Pretty sure that green coupe belonged to Pat (who still posts on here occasionally) and possibly Sean Hovell for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapierdave Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Looks like the white Manta TDV 583R in your pics is on a sorn & the last MOT ran out in April 2008. Anybody know if its a members car ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 I remember thinking that OPL601R would have suited an Opel rather than a Vauxhall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Hi Andy, welcome back. I can fill in a few gaps.. I live/lived just up from the road from you in Hangleton, I remember you getting the car and I've popped past a few times over the years to check you still have it and even knowcked the door. I never got an answer but your story explains a lot! That pub meet was one of a handful we did, was it the Bull or something like that? Im in the black T shirt and at that time I had the silver GTE. I now have a baby blue SR on a S plate and my old exclusive in a lockup. The white SR in the pics belonged to a chap called... I cant remember (bad memory) , but he lived in Coolham. Ian possibly? But he won 2nd in class at Billing that year for original B. In fact he reintroduced himself on this website last year but again dissappeared. I sold the GTE to a young guy called Phil who has recently rejoined the club, he has the car stripped and replacing swan necks. Andy H (Hardcore) also would come to the meet, he has a V8 hatch which he is supercharging. Sean Hovell had the green machine which he later sold and replaced with a nice 1.8 hatch. Havent spoken to him in a couple of years now. There is also a guy here on the site from Gatwick with an A series that is currently with Simon Peckham. So theres plenty of Manta folk here in Sussex but absolutely no coordination when it comes to meeting up! I moved recently to Patcham but Im back in Hangleton every now and again so I'll tap your door if Im passing.. Best of luck with the car and its revival! Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Pretty sure that green coupe belonged to Pat (who still posts on here occasionally) and possibly Sean Hovell for a while Right on Both counts , and i still have it, just waiting on some jobs and paint 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Hi Roy Nice to hear from you... yes... my retreat from the world had good reasons.... the car is looking a little sorry for itself and not really sure when it will be back on the road. I actually have a garage to put it in... but you know the old story.. who keeps cars in garages when everything else gets packed into it! Hoping that will change at some point. So.. I have had other things 'on my mind' to think about but when finances are better I intend to sort the car out.... she still starts up AP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Hello Andrew, Welcome back! I really enjoyed reading through your history and story about your Car, I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the Cavalier, more of a Manta nut. But I have the upmost respect for people who own these Cars and keep them on the road, a lot better than all the modern rubbish you see today. It is really sad looking at your original Cavalier in that state, especially as you were not driving at the time. I am interested in the Silver GT/E Hatchback that is parked next to the White one. Is it still around? Looks very nice. Best of luck with your recent Cavalier and I hope finances improve so that you can get the Car sorted more, same problem I have at the minute is finances. Regards, Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavtastic Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 (edited) Hi Andrew, welcome back and I'm glad your ok now but sorry to hear about your illness. I'll still have a photograph of you collecting the car from my house. I've often wondered what happened to you and the Coupe! often talking to members asking if they had seen/heard anything about the car as I began to regret selling it. I found a photograph of the car last month on Google images. There is a few photos of abandoned cars that someone posted in 2011 and tried to contact the guy to see where the photo was taken. Anyway I don't have to worry now as your back!! Well done and I hope you finally get to enjoy the car. I finally found ny dream mint cavalier GL Sapphire blue saloon as well. I of course still have my Manta Edited June 7, 2014 by Cavtastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Hello Andrew, Welcome back! I really enjoyed reading through your history and story about your Car, I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the Cavalier, more of a Manta nut. But I have the upmost respect for people who own these Cars and keep them on the road, a lot better than all the modern rubbish you see today. It is really sad looking at your original Cavalier in that state, especially as you were not driving at the time. I am interested in the Silver GT/E Hatchback that is parked next to the White one. Is it still around? Looks very nice. Best of luck with your recent Cavalier and I hope finances improve so that you can get the Car sorted more, same problem I have at the minute is finances. Regards, Jack. I was wondering how someone can be a fan of a Manta but not of a Cavalier, does a slotted nose cone and a different badge make all that difference? Only curious!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I was wondering how someone can be a fan of a Manta but not of a Cavalier, does a slotted nose cone and a different badge make all that difference? Only curious!!!!! Hi Julian, doesn't mean I don't like them it's something I can't explain with Manta's. Its' not necessarily the slight differences which even alter my preference. Manta's are in my blood but like I said I have the upmost respect for the Cavalier and it's not what I like that's important, it's what the genuine enthusiasts like. One of the things I like is talking to other people about their cars and how they got into them e.t.c. It's really good to learn different things about someone else's Car as well as mine. But to answer your question i'm just a Manta nut and am crazy about them and concentrate all of my passion on the Manta. But I really enjoy talking to other people about their car's too. Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavtastic Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I spent an hour last week talking to a guy with a mint Mk2 Escort Ghia, Mint car worth 10k but I'd not given him £1500 quid for it. Doesn't float my boat so j do understand peoples affection to one brand and model of car!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 (edited) Hello Andrew, Welcome back! I really enjoyed reading through your history and story about your Car, I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the Cavalier, more of a Manta nut. But I have the upmost respect for people who own these Cars and keep them on the road, a lot better than all the modern rubbish you see today. It is really sad looking at your original Cavalier in that state, especially as you were not driving at the time. I am interested in the Silver GT/E Hatchback that is parked next to the White one. Is it still around? Looks very nice. Best of luck with your recent Cavalier and I hope finances improve so that you can get the Car sorted more, same problem I have at the minute is finances. Regards, Jack. Thanks .. Much appreciated Edited June 7, 2014 by andyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 (edited) Hi Andrew, welcome back and I'm glad your ok now but sorry to hear about your illness. I'll still have a photograph of you collecting the car from my house. I've often wondered what happened to you and the Coupe! often talking to members asking if they had seen/heard anything about the car as I began to regret selling it. I found a photograph of the car last month on Google images. There is a few photos of abandoned cars that someone posted in 2011 and tried to contact the guy to see where the photo was taken. Anyway I don't have to worry now as your back!! Well done and I hope you finally get to enjoy the car. I finally found ny dream mint cavalier GL Sapphire blue saloon as well. I of course still have my Manta Hi... I hope you dont have too much regrets in selling it It is a very much loved car.... Its been started up on a very regular basis and been standing on the driveway.. not on damp ground... that is where you saw that photo... funny enough I came accross that photo myself on that website.... which I think is supposed to be all about abandened cars! Which it certainly isn't! Obviously things took a different direction and didnt go quite as planned and it is going to take me time to get back onto the the right track.. but it will be back on the road at some point.. I would like to think it would be this year Here is a photo of me towing the car about 15 minutes after I left your place... my Uncle was waiting for me as I approached.. and didnt know he was taking the shot The Omega was never right after that journey! Head gasket went soon after! Edited June 7, 2014 by andyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavtastic Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 No don't regret it mate as I know how much you wanted one. I asked loads of people what had happened to you and the Cavalier? Obviously we know now.. Really please your back on the scene and hope you make a full recovery from your illness. Keep in touch and good luck with everything you do mate see you soon hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 To 'Jack', the silver GTE hatch was a 65k car with a couple of owners. I sold it to Phil Warren who is also in the photos with the blue shirt. As I mentioned he has chopped out the swan necks at the moment and is planning an engine conversion. He recently rejoined the club and will be heading to Billing in an orange Monza! Andy, best of luck, drop me a message if you like, as Im not that far away and do have some manta spares when it comes to getting her running again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Ok.. thanks Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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