Will FRP 411 ruin me?

Well probably! I have now owned 411 for about two weeks.

Here are my plans:

Re-cover steering wheel.
I purchased a spare one on ebay for £30 and am sending it on monday to Allon White.

Re-cover both front seat bases.
Found a local trimmer in Romford who will do these in about two weeks.

Refurb wheels; they are currently white. Really fancy a gunmetal grey. Something like the new RX8 wheels?
Will send to Spit and Polish.Have used them before and they put the wheels on a lathe, they dont just sand and spray!

New mats.
£60 on ebay but waiting to see if I can get some cheaper.

Caliper paint and refurb.
Taking car in on 13th September.

New "Racing" badges.
Bought some on ebay.

Performance FordAugust 2004
Bought it on ebay, it features my car in the Puma article.

Chrome door latches.
Bought some on ebay for £11.

Respray or vinyl wrap.
This is the BIG decision. A glass out, panel off respray will cost me £1500. A full vinyl wrap will be about £1300. If I get her resprayed, will I worry about the constant threat of stone chips? If I get a vinyl wrap, I could get pretty much any design,although I was thinking of the s1600 style? (Silver at the front fading to blue at the back) I also really like the black and white chequer roof on the new Fiesta. The wrap can be removed at any time....

ICE
Cheapo head unit upgrade (loads of new 07 models on ebay for about £100) and JBL front speakers.

Underbody.
Would love to paint/stonegaurd the underside.Maybe next year.

Induction.
Purchased the custom air intake from Paul. Will fit soon.

Remap.
£250 for a custom remap inclding rolling road section. Need to confirm clutch is ok as I think its slipping a bit.

Phew.

I would keep it as standard as possible, as like it or not, youve got a piece of history and you have a certain obligation to look after it, and keep it as it is for future generations to enjoy.

Full glass out respray IMO, then armourfend to stop the stone chips k:

If you vinyl wrap it, then take it off, your back to square 1 and wasted £1300.

Dal makes a good point about taking the vinyl off.
I like the standard colour but in my opinion it's your car to enjoy so do with it what ever makes you happy!

I actually know the previous owner of the car (not the guy you bought it off but the one before) She had it a fair while, she owned it when it was in that magazine feature. She lives in the same village as my parents, i'll chat to her next time I see her to see if she has any other memorabilia she might want to pass/sell on

Your wheels would look like this then after a refurb cos you have the speedlines too right?



Looks pretty hot in my opinion

It might cost you a bit but you'll have tons of fun in the car too as long as you don't get to a point of not wanting to drive it for fear of losing a mm of paint :?

Last I heard Ford were selling the racing mats too so you might be able to get them new at a slightly lower price esp if you know someone with discount!

Sounds like it has gone to a good home though

Keep us updated! Also.. Chrome latches? I'm intrigued?

I was having a think and here are a couple of examples which may give you some ideas; you may have seen them before:

Woolley's Beast
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Rapidfit FRP


Dunks Beast


A couple of the S1600's look cool too.

mmm, i voted for respray but i like the idea of doing the silver to blue in vinyl.....but tbh long term best bet is to respray it esp if its been magazine featured; itl help the resale loads....

The chrome latches (interior door handles) are off an Escort MK6 Ghia. Straight easy swap.

Personally I think chrome has no place on an FRP- but at least they are nice metal. Would like quite good on a blinged up black Puma.

DradusContact said:

I would keep it as standard as possible, as like it or not, youve got a piece of history and you have a certain obligation to look after it, and keep it as it is for future generations to enjoy.

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What he said, you do have an obligation

I'd say there's a certain degree of obligation, due to it being a special edition, and if you change anything on an FRP, you'll always get the die-hard fans shooting you down for desecrating it.

Personally, I wouldn't change it from standard, for the same reason I'm keeping my Millie as standard.

However, it's your car, if you want to change something, you change it.

I would suggest though, if it needs a respray, get it done. You'll only de delaying the inevitable otherwise. Then if you want to put a vinyl wrap in it, your paintwork will be mint underneath, and will still look great if/when you decide to take the vinyl off again.

That's quite a comprehensive list you have there mate!

I'd go for the respray - I'm saving my pennies so I can get #013 done.

Respray!

164 just had one and looks stunning!!

Yeh just a respray in imperial blue Red Impact-Has yours finished its stay at the bodyshop then? Was over there this morning as my Dad's BMW is getting some work done.

Thats not to say im not a fan of mods, far from it. There are lots of subtle things you can do to the car, improving it, but in keeping with its original looks. The audio for one, not to mention the orange side repeaters.

after casting my vote its fair to say im well outnumbered as i opted for the vinyl wrap.

its not that i dont agree with the fact that it will become a modern classic to be restored and admired.

but rather that you should build a car for yourself, not for others. its you whos got to drive it at te end of the day. ( not an excuse for barry boys to stick yoghurt pots to their bonnets mind)

Red Impact, what did you pay for your re-spray? Anyone else had one and if so at what cost?

Yeah i got it back last week - finally i might add!

And i would rather not say what i paid as each car would merit its own price dependant on work being done!

I would repaint, whatever graphics you wanted in vinyl can be done in paint aswell........OR get the whole body shell chromed that would be amazing! k:

RED IMPACT said:

Yeah i got it back last week - finally i might add!

And i would rather not say what i paid as each car would merit its own price dependant on work being done!

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Cool, my dad's bmw didn;t need that much doing but was done in 1.5 days and he's done a good job! That FRD place opposite looks interesting don't you think-few drift type cars there.

Ok, let me put it another way. Do you think £1500 for a glass out, bumper off job is a lot or about right?

Sounds like a very reasonable price to me.