Copy of Article Text Below
.....appreciate the quality of the paint job, when we had finished the car looked a million dollars and turned out as good if not better than expected. You'll see what we mean if you look at the colour pix.
DETAILS
I'm sure you will agree that the car has come a long way since we first got hold of it back in the middle of last year, although it has taken us longer to complete than anticipated, we certainly think that it was well worth the wait. If you've been following the regular build up series based round the car, then you will no doubt be familiar with what we've done under the skin. So you'll probably already know that under the bonnet is fitted a 1600cc engine based on a Federal block, back by full Rallye Sport suspension, increased diameter discs and so on to ensure the rest of the car can cope with the estimated 90bhp. You'll probably also recall that the body modifications were made courtesy of Fibresports (Basildon 27331) and that full replicas are available to the general public. You may also know about the 7" x 13" Rallye Sport wheels and Dunlop D3 tyres (available through Dunlop agents) that we fitted.
What you won't know about though, although most of the mods are clearly evident in the pix is the inclusion of such refinements as a Paddy Hopkirk Interior Silent Travel kit, Britax Sunhatch opening and removeable roof, Smiths Servoglide power windows and super sounds provided by Pioneer in the way of their KP4800 radio/cassette, AD30 equaliser, TS 107 and TS 167 speakers. Complementing this system is the latest Philips electronic aerial. Those seats as you probably guessed are a little bit special too. Cobra (0952 584020) supplied and re-furbished two of their SF5 recliners in Wolfrace striped blue material and also re-covered the rear seat to match.
A neat job they made of it too (This service being available to anyone).
Other detail touches include Lumenition ignition, electric horns from Klaxon and specially machined Wolfrace magnetic lock nuts.
OUTLAY
What has the car cost so far? well, we've included a comprehensive breakdown of what you would have to pay to build a replica, at the end of this feature although obviously you may, for example feel satisfied by fitting just the fibreglass bits with special wheels and tyres to make your own budget look alike.
One thing you may have noticed in the finished car is that we changed the rear spoiler for the Rallye Sport Fiesta item during the final build up stages simply because we were having problems with the one that Fibresports had specially constructed for the car, the hassle being that it is very easy to overtighten to the body causing it to splay out and ripple where the extra tension of the bolts secure it. This problem is further hampered by the fact that the Fiesta hatchback is slightly contoured, which means that any rigid additions need to be tailor made.
We're currently reworking the spoiler and will hopefully re-fit it when we have the problem fully sorted.
Describing the car in any greater detail than has already been said seems a little pointless, as the pictures tell the whole story far easier than I could write it. Although, good as they.....
Captions -
Top - Original styling ideas resemble closely the finished car. Window louvres and ribbed rear panel may come later
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