andy_coops - Iceberg 172

[andy_coops]

I collected my iceberg 172 yesterday, 100 mile drive back across A/B roads, motorway, the lot. And I'm in love - the car's bloody fantastic and I haven't connected with a car this way since selling my first 205, 7 years ago - big mistake.

Anyway, a bit about the car first;
03/53 plate 172 in iceberg silver
113k miles
Cambelt & dephaser done last April
Loads of paperwork going back to 05/06
Completely standard apart from a yellow inlet manifold.
I've had a few toys over the years and most have become projects and ended up being sold. Two 205s and an E36 so far.

This won't be a another "project" - I'm going to enjoy it and not fiddle; I'm half decent with a buffer but not very mechanical.
Plans are clean, tidy, replace and upgrade as needed and no more.
There's a few dings and some paint needed but so far I've refurbished the headlights and treated the upper grill to some Solution Finish.
Until my last 205 (dismantled) sells, it'll be living on the driveway which I could do without but hey ho.
Engine bay is filthy and needs a lot of cleaning up and there's a few clips and bits missing - I'll be a regular at my local dealer I suspect!
I'll try and add some pics but not sure how to from my phone - told you I wasn't technical.
Enjoying the forum too - seems like a really decent place to hang out

 

[andy_coops]

Best laid plans...
There was some sticky residue on the top centre console by the clock. Tried everything
I have to shift it, ending up with nail varnish remover (the wife's of course...)
Replacement top dashboard ordered....

 

[Impuzzable]

I've found the list of "little jobs" is never ending! As soon as I've ticked something off the list, something gets added!

 

[andy_coops]

Here's some of the work so far.
Headlights restored and upper grill treated with Solution Finish.
I've just won a set of Turinis on eBay and ordered replacement upper dash and both window switch surrounds.
Paintwork protected with Zaino AIO and a couple of coats of Fireball Ultimate Coating Wax for now as she's living outside.

 

[andy_coops]

Turinis picked up last night - OE spec Cups.
And straight to a pal's garage for a refurb. They'd been painted satin black poorly so they're going darker silver than the car.
I've searched for blank centre caps as I'm having some Speedline ones made but not sure on size - centre hole is 58mm so for now will a cheap blank fit as I can't stand wheels without a cap of some description!
Replacement dash also landed and window switch panels as they're scruffy too plus a spare upper inlet manifold to paint straight silver.

 

[D4w5on]

Turinis picked up last night - OE spec Cups.
And straight to a pal's garage for a refurb. They'd been painted satin black poorly so they're going darker silver than the car.
I've searched for blank centre caps as I'm having some Speedline ones made but not sure on size - centre hole is 58mm so for now will a cheap blank fit as I can't stand wheels without a cap of some description!
Replacement dash also landed and window switch panels as they're scruffy too plus a spare upper inlet manifold to paint straight silver.

Just had mine done in metallic anthracite looks well

 

[andy_coops]

Mine are going to be somewhere between that and silver. Still looking for a plain centre cap which will work?

 

[Clio_fool]

Plans didn't last long did they? No fiddling, just replace when needed, turini's bought and off to paint! You'll need to replace the springs next then, and probably the map, maybe the inlet as there's a group buy ongoing atm.
This is going to be a good read, I can just tell!

 

[andy_coops]

You might not be wrong there....
I'm stopping with what I've done so far, promise! There's some s/hand trim parts to fit where the existing were knackered but that's pure fussiness on my part.
I will look at suspension later on but I want to get the car to a point I'm happy with and just enjoy it. Mechanically everything's good so some self control needed lol.

 

[andy_coops]

So today's not a project was to replace the dash as the centre top console had melted and was basically fubar'd.
I followed the guide from here and had it out in no time. Refitting was a bit trickier and 2 of the screws in the vents still won't seat.
I also replaced the passenger side window switch surround as that was similarly knackered. Driver's side on its way.
Small touches but I'm a happy boy.
Before / after etc.

 

[andy_coops]

Today was a Turini kind of day...
We also got her up in the air and the chassis is surprisingly clean. New front discs are needed and a pad upgrade at the same time plus new ARB bushes. Otherwise all good.

 

[Clio_fool]

Looking good. Springs next?

 

[andy_coops]

Looking good. Springs next?

It does need it, yes! I don't want to scrape the floor so will look at what's about.

 

[Djw John]

Sportlines will be perfect then

 

[Mr Plums]

I love the colour of those turinis mate, the car is looking good but a cup spoiler, a fabia splitter and some springs would finish that off a treat.

 

[andy_coops]

Splitter's en route mate. Brakes & bushes first, then springs & shocks.

 

[andy_coops]

Brakes are here.
Splitter's here.
Cabasse's here.
And my old project left for pastures new today so I can finally get the garage sorted and start on the Clio :smile:

 

[Alastair.]

Looks great Andy, did you replace the window switch surrounds with the standard non textured ones?

 

[andy_coops]

Thanks chap. Yes, both sides. Standard ones felt like someone had died in them - nasty.

 

[Alastair.]

Yea mine ore that way, will have to do the same.

 

[Bluebeard]

Best laid plans...
There was some sticky residue on the top centre console by the clock. Tried everything
I have to shift it, ending up with nail varnish remover (the wife's of course...)
Replacement top dashboard ordered....

That centre bit goes sticky when people use cleaning chemicals on it. A damp cloth is all that's needed mate. Don't do the same to the next one! Lol

 

[andy_coops]

Splitter fitted today and first coat of paint finished on garage floor. Most of the other jobs can wait until the garage is done so I can work in relative comfort.
I'm loving this little car. Still loads of jobs but pleased with it so far

 

[Daz.]

I really like the colour of your wheels, does this pal do refurbs?

 

[andy_coops]

I really like the colour of your wheels, does this pal do refurbs?

They were done at Super Duper Garage in Basingstoke. Top lads!

 

[Stefan.]

Nice work

 

[andy_coops]

No photos but progressing nicely. Second coat of floor paint done so I can get the car into the garage. Van booked for the weekend to take all the accumulated crap to the tip.
Parts pile coming on nicely too - so far we have new discs & pads, replacement arch liners to clean and fit, waxoyl to treat the arches with behind the trim, replacement a pillar trims as I knackered one removing them, Turini centre caps to refurb & fit, inlet manifold to repaint with OS engine mount and fuel rail, Cabaase radio to fit with AUX adaptor, piles of assorted trim clips and screws to replace broken/rusty ones, oh and brand new front shocks to put to one side where top mounts, rear shocks and springs will be added.
Busy times ahead.

 

[andy_coops]

Not much of an update but at long last the Clio now has a house!
Spent all of today clearing and storing away half a 205 in parts for selling and she's now snug and dry.

 

[andy_coops]

Today was one of those "why the f**k do I bother?" days.
Spent 3 hours achieving nothing apart from screwing a 4" wood screw into my hand so washed the daily and fitted some dress up bolts to the slam panel.
Dressed the lower grill - tit of a job but at least it looks a bit better.
Started to try and remove the front seats and decided to call it a day and build Lego with my daughter. Tomorrow's another day!

 

[andy_coops]

First proper blast last night. Hungerford to Swindon across the Downs. And even with tired brakes and suspension I smiled all the way.
Result today. Brand new non-RS centre caps found for £15 on the bay and the diamonds fit my Turini centre caps. Coat of c5 and ready to fit.
Tomorrow's a big day. Eibachs, new shocks and front top mounts going on with a Powerflex top engine mount and new discs & pads.

 

[andy_coops]

Long day today.
Graham (iyrix) came over and while I gave his black pearl 172 some detailing love he fitted my springs, shocks, discs, pads, top mounts and top engine mount. Legend.
The car is like night & day. The front pads were beyond f***ed, one of the top mount bearings disintegrated on removal so it's fair to say the car was, as I suspected, tired.
Need to bed everything in and fit my PF dog bone mount but for now, some good driving fun beckons!! Chuffed to bits.

 

[andy_coops]

Silvertecs bought and fitted, replaced OS arch liner and fitted ABS sensor cable brackets on the hub.
Sportlines are settling nicely so next is ARB bushes, dog bone and gearbox mount plus an oil service.

 

[iyrix]

Looking smart, little things like the bulbs are a nice touch!

 

[Chris15]

Very clean mate! Inspiring work!

 

[andy_coops]

Engine bay detailing work has commenced. Inlet and cambelt cover painted silver; lettering will be painted a darker contrasting colour.

 

[andy_coops]

Proper detail work underway. I wanted something slightly different as pretty much everything I've done so far is pretty unoriginal lol.
I'm pretty chuffed with this. Couple of coats of VHT clear to finish this and cambelt cover/mount and fuel rail guard to paint silver and I can fit them at the weekend. The Renault script colour is the closest enamel I could find to my wheels.

 

[andy_coops]

And I've pretty much overused the word pretty there.....

 

[Clio_fool]

Looks very pretty. [emoji38]

 

[Chris15]

Yea I pretty much have to agree its a pretty nice car!

 

[andy_coops]

That's pretty nice of you both to say so gents...

 

[Chris15]

:smile:
Do u mind me asking what methods u used to prep and paint the inlet manifold?