New NSX member/Owner - introducing myself and looking for details...

[Danny Boy]

Hi All,
Just dipped my toes into NSX ownership for the first time - picked up the Imola Orange 3.2 6 speed `99 thats been on Piston Heads - needs a little TLC but drives great.

Reg is T, though its had a private plate in the past.

Work planned: Full fluids inc. brake & Clutch, Cam Belt & Service, then wheel refurb and paint - its the rather stunning Imola Orange but has a few stone chips and minor scuffs that will need a professional sort out.

The car had a cat d back in 2006 - front left wing/bumper and light - the repair is prettry good - good fit and staight - checked the driving very carefully but it drives straight, stops straight and no pulls + no evidence of chassis repair.


I`m guessing the NSX world is small - anyone out there familiar with this car?


How rare is the Imola Orange ? Dude selling the car thought it pretty rare in the UK?


Thanks, Dan.


PS - man its fast - drove just like a Murcialago I took round a track earlier this year....

[Silver Surfer]

Hi Dan,
Welcome to NSX ownership.
I hope you have a chair ready when the history of your car comes to light.
If you type imola orange into the search function it should show some recent threads discussing your car.

SS

[Silver Surfer]

Here it is.
http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/showthread.php?8115-Arys-Old-Car&highlight=ImolA+orang

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/showthread.php?9425-NSX-on-Pistonheads-3-2-for-under-%A320k&highlight=Ary%27s+old+car

SS

[Danny Boy]

Not sure this is the same car - the sale threads do not work any more but its a different pistonheads reference. I did do a HPI check and it has only had one cat d back in 2006 - no cat c at any time. Also, v5 shows one owner called Raja since 2008. Paint repair was drivers side wing, bumper and light - not the whole front (not a bad job but can be seen onder a street light).

Might be clutching at straws of course.....

To be honest it drives really, really well - my understanding of the ally mono chassis is that once its bent its bent - this ones straight.

Does anyone have the plate no. or chassis no. of "Ary"s old car? - the HPI gives me all the previous details.

Cheers, Dan.

[NSXGB]

I'm sure Ary will be along soon to confirm...
He does have plate T1 NSX for sale, I'm guessing that was possibly on it.




Not sure this is the same car - the sale threads do not work any more but its a different pistonheads reference. I did do a HPI check and it has only had one cat d back in 2006 - no cat c at any time. Also, v5 shows one owner called Raja since 2008. Paint repair was drivers side wing, bumper and light - not the whole front (not a bad job but can be seen onder a street light).

Might be clutching at straws of course.....

To be honest it drives really, really well - my understanding of the ally mono chassis is that once its bent its bent - this ones straight.

Does anyone have the plate no. or chassis no. of "Ary"s old car? - the HPI gives me all the previous details.

Cheers, Dan.

[Danny Boy]

Ah, just spotted another thread - T1nsx - thats the one. I bought it knowing it was cat d - hpi report does not show it as having been examined by DVLA for cat c repairs - though it sound like it was fairly bashed up in the past. My plan is to strip the whole front end and re-assemble as the little black rubber strips show over-spray then have the paint sorted. I`ll check into the loose light and air-con pipe mentioned from a previous inspection made by a member.


Still a really nice NSX - repairs are fine if they are structurally good - paint is the easiest thing to tackle!


Cheers, Dan.

[NSXGB]

Glad it's gone to a good home and someone who is prepared to restore it to it's former glory. Good luck.

[TheSebringOne]

Danny? Welcome & good luck in your restoration project.

Anything you need to know, just ask as we are a friendly bunch!

[m666 edd]

Welcome.

I think people's biggest fear is that written off cars don't get the proper time and money spent on them to repair them correctly. If you're going to do further work just document and photo what you can. It can only help with resale.

Cheers, Ed

[214nsx]

Not sure this is the same car - the sale threads do not work any more but its a different pistonheads reference. I did do a HPI check and it has only had one cat d back in 2006 - no cat c at any time. Also, v5 shows one owner called Raja since 2008. Paint repair was drivers side wing, bumper and light - not the whole front (not a bad job but can be seen onder a street light).

Might be clutching at straws of course.....

To be honest it drives really, really well - my understanding of the ally mono chassis is that once its bent its bent - this ones straight.

Does anyone have the plate no. or chassis no. of "Ary"s old car? - the HPI gives me all the previous details.

Cheers, Dan.

Hi Dan,

I test drive this in the summer and it no way drive like a murcialago, more like a vauxhall corsa, it feel unsafe and wanted to get after 5 mins, plus it had 9 owners from HPI check.
there also another menber here mention that only 5 cylinders is working.

phill

[Danny Boy]

Yep, I bought this one with my eyes open and aware of its faults - it needs work - though all 6 cylinders are definatly working - might have had a fault in the past but OK now.

The plan is:
1. Strip the front panel work back to the frame, check, photo, clean, then reassemble. Sort the paint - maybe just the front - looking at the pearl it may be the whole car that needs it - not sure about the black roof - I think it was probably orange when new so will probably take it back to orange as well.

2. Cam belts change, all fluids and sundries, air-con etc. 4 new disks and pads.

3. Wheel refurb and new tyres (backs worn out, front are half - even wear accross each tyre) - then full tracking and alignment check.

4. Some slight work on the seat bolsters - small worn patches to deal with.

5. Drive and enjoy.

May sound like a lot of work - I figure any car thats been on the road for 10+ years will need, at the least, the consumables listed above to make it a really fine car. As long as the structure is good - and seems to be (front strip and alignment checks will prove for sure) then the rest is cosmetic - though with this paint code you can`t just touch it up, you must do a proper job. I drove it back through a nightmare of 4 hours of M25 rush hour rain soaked jam and it did not miss a beat - as good a test as any in my book!

Sorry if any of you think its a bad car - its not without faults - but if you dig around most old cars you can uncover plenty of issues - just depends how they have been dealt with.

For an example of some of my previous work, check out www.datsun240z-v8.co.uk (http://www.datsun240z-v8.co.uk) as you`ll see, I don`t like to cut corners.

Thanks, Dan.

[paulc]

Dan love the Datsun friend of mine had one in the late seventies. Good luck with the NSX you will love it and I agree 4 hours on the M25 should identify any issues. Mine was also cat d, mainly front end but just the panels (they are bloody expensive!!). The problem seems to be getting the replacement panels to line up correctly, had a go myself but failed miserably so its off to a body specialist over the winter months for a "sort out".

All the best

Paul

[Danny Boy]

Hi Paul,
Glad you like the Z - it was awesome but I made the mistake of developing it into an un-usable car - far to much torque for the chassis:(


I agree that professional body shops are the way forward for the NSX`s - panel gap has to be spot on and the paint just right or it will stand out like mad!


Thanks, Dan.

[Nick Graves]

Hi Dan,

Had to laugh at the 240Z V8 - bonkers, but it looks like a very tidy job.

Looks like you've got the experience to sort out the NSX, if abyone can.

Aligning panels is a black art - it takes me ages to be satisfied re-hanging a bumper. A body shop will be able to measure the datum points too & make sure the thing is straight & has been welded correctly & check for cracks; ally is funny stuff, which is why NSXs are a nightmare to repair correctly.

I hope you get it sorted OK.

[Dragonlady]

Great 'Z' Danny, love the colour, very close to LBBP. Good luck with the car it seems tobe in good hands.
See you at some shows next year.

Regards Ian

[Senninha]

Hi Dan and welcome,

There are several owners in the States that spend a lot of time bringing back NSX's to life with full detailed rebuilds. Its not something that happens here too often so I'm sure if you start of a rebuild thread for your car it will prove of interest to many a potential owner considering a similar route.

The 240 looks great and if you return your NSX to anything like the final finish of the 240 then it will be a stunning car.

Ref the roof being black, this car was finished from the factory this way. Just my opinion but I think IOP looks better with a colour match roof and bright wheels. Check out Boomin33 (Rob) car to see what it can look like.

I hope when you strip it down its all OK for you. I do however think you will be in for a full paint to get it finished properly as I doubt you will find a paint shop capable of matching the original paint colour after 10 yrs of use.

Do I detect from your earlier posts that you're in the South East area of the country?

regards, Paul

[Danny Boy]

Hi Senninha,
Yep, down on the Surrey/Sussex/Kent border, close to Lingfield Park Racecourse.

You think the roof was black when manufactured? If it was then I`ll keep it that way - its just theres a few bits of orange poking through around the leading edge - made me think it had been alterered.

Yep, got a feeling that to do a proper job on the paint it will require the whole car - old pearls just don`t match up - and lets be fair - it`ll be the first thing that will stand out if its done wrong!

The rear light lenses have also been blacked - I can`t imagine this has been done at the factory - something else that will need to be sorted - another job on the list....

[markc]

You think the roof was black when manufactured? If it was then I`ll keep it that way - its just theres a few bits of orange poking through around the leading edge - made me think it had been alterered.

I believe ALL NSX's were painted a single body colour and the black roof paint was applied later along the production line. The exception to this rule being the all Black cars :)


The rear light lenses have also been blacked - I can`t imagine this has been done at the factory - something else that will need to be sorted - another job on the list....

A fashion mistake that as you say needs to be corrected. When AR had the car it also had "privacy" glass tints which, if still fitted, should IMHO also be removed.

Good luck with the car, it's a fabulous colour :cool:

Cheers

Mark

[m666 edd]

I believe ALL NSX's were painted a single body colour and the black roof paint was applied later along the production line. The exception to this rule being the all Black cars :)

Does this mean apart from all body coloured cars, black cars are lighter? :)

[WhyOne?]

Hi Senninha,
Yep, down on the Surrey/Sussex/Kent border, close to Lingfield Park Racecourse.



Very close to a merry band of NSX owners then!

I am in West Hoathly.

Half a dozen or so of us get together every now and again for a drink and a chat - you'd be very welcome. Watch the meets forum.

[Danny Boy]

Ah yes, privacy glass...... I`ll be stipping the doors doen to grease the window runners (they work but slow at the top) - and that will be the end of the privacy glass.

Cool - a group of owners in the area - give me few months and plenty of £££ to do the work then lets meet up.

Thanks, Dan.

PS - Wheels and tyres - its fitted with 18" rims with 35 profile rubber - at the very least needs new rear rubber - can anyone reccomend a good size for general road use rather than track?

[m666 edd]

PS - Wheels and tyres - its fitted with 18" rims with 35 profile rubber - at the very least needs new rear rubber - can anyone reccomend a good size for general road use rather than track?

Are the tyres 215/35/18 & 255/35/18? If so for 18" wheels they are probably about the best sizes for remaining as close as possible to OEM overall diametres. Bigger than 35 profile on the fronts will cause traction control and arch rubbing problems probably.

[NSXGB]

Lingfield, just up the road, NSX's getting too common around here!

When you do the windows, there is a 'fix' available to make them smoother / faster. A guy on NSXPRIME called Hugabuga sells the kit.

[AR]

On hols at the moment, will reply whenback in the UK, IMHO the car should not be back as a road car but we all have different opinions. If you are happy that is what counts.

[WhyOne?]

Lingfield, just up the road, NSX's getting too common around here!

When you do the windows, there is a 'fix' available to make them smoother / faster. A guy on NSXPRIME called Hugabuga sells the kit.

Agreed!

Having bought the 'fix' I really ought to do something about installing it more thoroughly than it just bouncing about in the glove box!

[NSX 2000]

I believe ALL NSX's were painted a single body colour and the black roof paint was applied later along the production line. The exception to this rule being the all Black cars :)




Does this mean apart from all body coloured cars, black cars are lighter? :)

Yes, all black NSX's are lighter, faster, quicker, in fact they are just better :) :D

[NSX 2000]

Nearley forgot, hello Danny Boy

The first thing you should know about NSX ownership, is you always slag off all colours but the colour of your car; and just in case you were wondering Silver is the slowest colour :D

I'm another owner only up the road from Lingfield, there is a very nice road that links Lingfield to Edenbridge.

Paul

[NSXGB]

Nearley forgot, hello Danny Boy

The first thing you should know about NSX ownership, is you always slag off all colours but the colour of your car; and just in case you were wondering Silver is the slowest colour :D

I'm another owner only up the road from Lingfield, there is a very nice road that links Lingfield to Edenbridge.

Paul

....they are all silver underneath... ;)

Know that road well.

[Danny Boy]

Lingfield to Edenbridge - depends which one - I used to live on the one that goes via Marsh Green - I have never seen so many accidents in my life - on one frosty day I counted six on a two mile strech - though none of these involved an NSX of course....


Colour - as Lambourgini clearly copied the Orange from Honda, they must have been motivated by its clear advantage in terms of speed....


Cheers, Dan.

[Senninha]

Colour - as Lambourgini clearly copied the Orange from Honda, they must have been motivated by its clear advantage in terms of speed....

Cheers, Dan.

I see you're getting the hang of this bit really quickly ;o)

Ref tyres, my winter rims are 17/18 combo so I retain the std front 215/40 but on the rear I run 265/35 without issue. Tyres used are Hankooks.

regards, Paul

[p33tef]

Hi
I had this car inspected and will be happy to e-mail you the report but it is not great reading. The guy who inspected said repairs had not been done properly and would not recommend buying at any price. I hope he was wrong.

[Silver Surfer]

If the new current owner repairs this properly and documents it then this issue will be more or less resolve for the future....will cost £££ though unless the owner has access to body workshop to remove the labour charges.

For 'normal' owners not in the car repair industry..the repair cost will far exceed the cost of buying a straight car from the start.

Goodluck in this project Danny.

SS

[havoc]

If the new current owner repairs this properly and documents it then this issue will be more or less resolve for the future....

I think that'll be the key - good documentation and photos of what was done (at the time???) would be a fantastic reassurance to anyone buying it off you Danny, and would probably recoup you a fair chunk of the outlay.

As an enthusiast, I'm really chuffed to see someone buy it up who wants to sort it properly, keep another one on the road and back in good nick...

[nobby]

+ 1 - Agreed

Hope you are able to get her into top condition and save another UK based NSX


I think that'll be the key - good documentation and photos of what was done (at the time???) would be a fantastic reassurance to anyone buying it off you Danny, and would probably recoup you a fair chunk of the outlay.

As an enthusiast, I'm really chuffed to see someone buy it up who wants to sort it properly, keep another one on the road and back in good nick...

[kingsley]

Hi Danny Boy,
Nice to see new owners ....There are some fantastic guys here with a wealth of knowledge to provide assistance and guidance. I have a Silver NSX and it is not the slowest colour.......I love all colours but Silver looks good on the car. I have a Silver BMW Z4 and a Silver VW Torguan as well. Good luck with the car.


Kingsley