Blank canvas Mk1 - ideas?

[Gazdaman]

Ok, so I've just bought my first clio. A 1995 Mk1. Y'know, the one with the crappy non colour coded bumpers.

Under 50k miles. And only £500. Time for some mods.

First thing will be some multispoke alloys methinks. Is 15" the biggest I can really go? Lower it a bit aswell, depending how cheap I can get lowering springs at the time. Probably around 40mm.

Subtle backbox (not into silly loud things that you can stick your head in).

So what should I do? Tempted to source some colour coded bumpers, it's that beautiful faded red colour. But then if I'm changing bumpers I could well put a bodykit/skirts on.

Ideas? Advise?

Gaz

 

[kev 3dr]

Hi Gaz and welcome first of all !!!

All depends on look you want to go for ???
Eg Euro, trackday, max flower ???

 

[Gazdaman]

Subtle is the key!

I love a car to look 'hench' for want of a better word. Lower, wider, squatted down.

Nice wide alloys and lowered go the majority of the way there. After that it's down to the details.

I'm really not into the huge bodykits, they make me cringe. But sideskirts might make a load of difference! And whatever I do, I must do something about the black bumpers, they make the car look so budget.

Gaz

 

[kev 3dr]

How about banded steels and a euro look ?
RSI bumpers colour coded to car and lowered 40 to 60mm ?

And other subtle mods ??

 

[Gazdaman]

I like it. Still going to try and keep it relatively inexpensive, so I'll get whatever alloys and stuff appear. But I think a euro look is where it's heading.

first things first. Wheels and lowering. Watch this space.

Gaz

 

[Poopensharten]

Welcome mate, pictures of the said car would help give us a rough indication as to what your working with.

As you said, subtle is the key.

As for the bumpers, you could actualy do them yourself if you have the know how.

Good prep work will make them look the buisness, there are plenty of guides and its really not difficult.

As for the wheels, id go for 16" if you can mate, maybe get some 10-20mm spacers to give it a wider stance perhaps?

Id go for lime green with the callipers and get black (or Titanium/Anthracitre look for the wheels) ?

 

[Gazdaman]

I havn't picked up the car yet. But it's your bog standard mk1.

Looks just like this, but 5dr.

And I agree with black or gun-metal type colour wheels. I would go for 16"s but on my last Corsa I was forever worried about scrubbing arches if I had anyone in the back.

And yeah, I could colour code the bumpers. Takes so much effort with the prepping though, sanding off the little bobbles. No garage here either, and man is it cold outside! Easier just to wait for a red bumper to appear on eBay.

Maybe fit a splitter. Tempted with side skirts, but who knows. And maybe a spoiler, if I can find one that's subtle and doesn't remind me of an ironing board.

Gaz

 

[Savi]

By the sounds of it, if you aren't planning on colour coding it then dont bother spending too much. Just some simple alloys and a 60mm drop will be fine.

It is pretty easy to take the bumpers off so you can colour code them if you have room where it isnt too windy you can paint them. Just keep ontop of any rust issues am make sure the paint is in top condition

 

[Poopensharten]

Id try and get the rear door handles flushed perhaps?

 

[Gazdaman]

Hmm, part of me is wondering if I'm going to be removing and spraying bumpers, why not go for a subtle bodykit and skirts. If such a thing exists!

Some decent alloys and dropped is a given. Those'll be the first two things.

Since it doesn't have an airbag, I'll probably go for an aftermarket steering wheel. Something I always wanted in my Corsa, but never wanted to junk the airbag.

So, some cheap 15s with tyres! I guess I'll keep an eye in the market section and on eBay.

Gaz

 

[Savi]

A full respray done averagely like mine was £300 - £400 in a metalic colour...

worth thinking about. No such thing as a subtle body kit lol

 

[Gazdaman]

That's not bad. I adore black cars, I'd be very tempted with just a plain black.

Been looking around, I'm tempted to go down the rally car look with white multispoke alloys. I really want bucket/recliner seats and 3 point harnesses, but then I guess I render the rear seats useless by mounting the harnesses.

Found lots of sexier bumpers with the front fog lights included for cheap. Nothing a couple of red rattle cans wouldn't make body coloured.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140279314087&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&salenotsupported

Those, dropped 40mm, some white multi spoke 15"s, a valver bonnet and steering wheel, some nice seats and harnesses and I think I would possibly need to change my underwear.

Then get the whole thing coloured black, and some m3 mirrors. I'm one happy guy.

Almost forgot some subtle skirts and a small spoiler.

Gaz

 

[iimushroomzii]

Dont spend any money on it apart from keeping it running! Save up and get a nicer car in a year or two!

 

[Gazdaman]

I've got the money to buy a more expensive car if I so chose. I don't choose.

A few hundred spent tarting this up is my chosen course of action. Tbh, I prefer the actual doing the work rather than the finished article anyway. The thrill is in the chase so to speak.

Gaz

 

[iimushroomzii]

Well ive spent thousands on my mk1 and im still making it better.

 

[iimushroomzii]

Anyway, Valver wings, Valver front bumper, Rsi skirts, lowered 60mm on some nice 15's job done.

 

[Poopensharten]

Id avoid the body kit route mate, maybe just a subtle splitter so to speak

 

[Gazdaman]

Right, keep your eyes open for someone breaking a red valver! Both bumpers, bonnet and steering wheel. Bingo.

Gaz