Paul's R32 Gtr Track Build

[sav man]

mmmm crinkle

[Roy]

That engine almost ended up in my car...but Chris wouldnt leave me alone in the workshop!

[paulR32gtr]

Hehe nice. I wanted to hug it when I first saw it, then maybe see if I could eat it.

Sadly though - not sure if I am going to ever get a chance to fire it up - looking at another option that could have me abandon the entire build...

[R31Nismoid]

And fair enough too

[N1GTR]

Is that an RB30 block in the background of Chris's engine room?! Whats he doing! lol

Why would you stop so far into this build? It seems everything has been done properly from the outset, the end result wouldve been just awesome.

[paulR32gtr]

Why would you stop so far into this build? It seems everything has been done properly from the outset, the end result wouldve been just awesome.

Believe me I know how nuts it sounds and it kills me to be doing it.

Problem is I am still a good $25k+ short of rolling up to a start line. If I cut my losses now while most of the parts are still brand new and in their boxes, motor is new etc, it is going to end up costing me the same or less to get into an already fully developed car, built to the rule book, with proven pace, that is also pretty fresh.

Most of the parts will be sold off.

Trying to work out the best thing to do with the shell. Will probably still put it in paint and get it for the most part back together so it's an attractive option for someone wanting to build a caged car. If I can convince the missus that nobody wants it for long enough to get enough cash back together I might end up keeping it. Still very attached and would love to see it back together in my garage.

Anyway - no signed sealed deal done as yet but its in the works.

[Beer Baron]

I bet I know which car is making you change your mind...... good luck either way. and I can see why it would be an attractive option.

[willL]

that black wrinkle paint job on the motor came up mint

did you spray it? if not where did you get it done?

great build thread

[paulR32gtr]

I bet I know which car is making you change your mind...... good luck either way. and I can see why it would be an attractive option.

Eheh I bet you do

[paulR32gtr]

that black wrinkle paint job on the motor came up mint

did you spray it? if not where did you get it done?

great build thread

The guys from Racepace did it for me. It's just the VHT wrinkle black you get from Repco, Supercheap etc. Looks awesome.

You need to make sure you do it in warm weather and put enough of the stuff on otherwise it can come up a bit weird. Even better if you can get it in a low bake oven - my spray painter showed me a strut brace he did in his oven and it came up really sharp.

[paulR32gtr]

Some more progress. Mick was almost finished cleaning up the underneath when I dropped in.

The rails had the usual distortions from years of jacking / hoists, these were pulled back out, cleaned prepped and zinc primered, and for the fronts a 1.5mm plate tacked over the top. Holes will be drilled where the factory ones are to make sure they still drain water correctly. The car had been jacked up from the rail rears as well instead of the diff, so these were pretty ugly but looking perfect again now.

The sill panel seams and roadside tyre change jacking point that was buckled in have also been completely repaired. As of Friday night it should all be sitting in chip coat now!! Going to get a good bake first before it comes back down off the rotisserie just to really make sure everything is dried out, then work on the interior and panels will begin.

I have decided I am still going to get this thing screwed back together properly and then see from there if I can afford to keep it, don't know how I could possibly sell it though.

Some photos:

[boost_bus180]

looks awesome so far mate! Ive had a fiar bit of fabrication done to my car by Meridian aswell, currently there at the moment actually. keep the pics coming, glad to read you're keen to build it again

[Roy]

So what is happening to the bus these days?

[paulR32gtr]

So what is happening to the bus these days?

It has been put on slow-mo for now.

Bought Snowy's white 34 so getting out and about in that at the moment, entered in Targa High Country and Targa Tas next year so funds are all aimed at that at the moment.

It is however going back together an intended, with the Racepace motor and GT-SS turbos. It will be my tribute to the car that I love so much, and I will get it out to track days where there is minimal risk of damaging it's pristine state!

As much as I would love to drive it in a Targa event, it's kind of a better outcome 1) because it is going to be another one of Mick's works of art once finished that I couldn't bear to scratch, and 2) I can have some freedom with it from rules to do some crazy stuff down the track.. thinking v-cam, maybe some of these newer gen turbos coming through and possibly a larger capacity motor for an absolute response monster.

Should be in paint by the end of the year I would say, and Mick has kindly allowed me to re-assemble as much of it as I can at his shop once his bit is done.

[paulR32gtr]

Underneath all finished and in chip coat. Interior, cage and exterior going into primer and being painted over the Christmas / New Year break.

[Bsa]

Wicked build man looks unreal good job. Looking forward to seeing it finished

[SHOWOFFR32]

Goodluck with the rest of the build mate, you seem like care alot about it...

[paulR32gtr]

Time for an update... paint is done minus front and rear bars and could not get the smile off my face. Paint is VW candyweiss.

[paulR32gtr]

[zebra]

Looks great!