There once was a (not so) ugly duckling ....
 

....that was actually quite sad and craved looking after .... It was listed on the bay of E for anyone just to dip in and abuse her further and run her into the ground ....

But a sharp eyed young man - ;) - saw her and knew that lurking underneath was beauty just waiting to be seen. He asked his knowledgeable friend to check her out and he concurred that there was a decent heart beating under a quite tired exterior.

A train ride and £500 later she met her new owner and the relationship began .....

On the trip home it was clear that there were some issues - it was a little rough running and wouldn't start from hot. Seemed a bit breathless too.

On arrival after a wash chez moi .....

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...nsnewZS003.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...nsnewZS005.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...nsnewZS006.jpg



Now I'd be lieing through my teeth if I didn't mention that I've spent a few quid ....

Alcantara interior - alloys - renault splitter - front bumper - fogs - vis motors - headlights - cam sensor - rear strut brace - 45 steering wheel - badges - focal rear speaker upgrade - and a full service which cured the rough running mainly due to replacing the fuel and air filters - comes to mind ...... And some nice new plates.... ;)

But - Not quite the most stunning ZS out there - but I must admit - I've fallen for her .... :love:

Behold - The RedShed is dead - Long live "Red"

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...Windows015.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...Windows016.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...Windows017.jpg


:clap::clap::clap:

Looking very good indeed Dan, I do love the solar red hatchs. Certainly worthy of dropping the "shed" title now ;)

Cheers Craig ....

Looking really good Dan, you seem to have a good eye for putting nice little touches to make it stand out.
Liking the red rims, black mirrors & Opie decals.

Ive only just noticed the black mirrors after looking again. Really liking that, nice touch. Its amazing how much the fronts changed now with the bumper & lights, much fresher look.

Cheers ... There are site ones by the back wheels, but they are a bit small, and another one over the exhaust at the back ...

Welcome Red.

Certainly a vast improvement on The Shed.

Great work and just shows there are still great bargains out there.

:yes::yes::yes:

nice looking car m8, what was up with the motor?

P.

She looks brilliant. Inspiring, as i too have a solar red ZS. Great job :mml:

Cheers for the comments guys ....

When you say what was up with the motor - I'm guessing you're on about me mentioning it running rough on the return trip and not starting when hot.

The rough running - I think - was down to a very clogged up and manky air filter and a 10 yr old fuel filter. Sure the new bits from the service - full oil and spark plug change helped too .... Also changed both vis motors.

The starting when hot issue was resolved with a new crank sensor.

Now running really well and looking forward to the RR in February.

Looking very smart (for a RED one), the mirrors do look good, that was a good idea, and I do like the splitter, looks like it was put on by pro's, and some smart looking plates too.....

;)

Looks fab Dan, a credit to you. Money well spent and looks to be worth alot more.

nice car, I do love a 180 hatch in red

Which Renault splitter did you use could do with 1 for mine car looks mint mate


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is a great turnaround there dan, credit to yourself. She is looking red hot noo:D

Mine came off an Espace (£30 from a breaker) but a laguna one's the same. 2 on ebay going for £15/£16 just now.

Thanks again for the comments guys.

Up close she still has a fair few marks and scars, so far from perfect but I'm really happy with the changes and - some with a little help from friends on here - but most of it I've actually done myself !

That has made it even more special for me as I'm normally a pay to get it done kind of guy ..... :strongbench:

She's coming along nicely you have done a good job there Dan. I do like the ZS in red, wing mirrors in black is a nice touch:yes:

Back at you - great job with yours too. Black mirrors would be a nice touch on yours aswell ...;)

Black and red or black and yellow always go well togeather.

Thinking it needed a bit more Yellow!!!

:yes::mml::yes:

Funny you should say that, when i get the rest of the bodywork sprayed i might just do that:yes:

or ....... pop them off and do it with a rattle can. If you don't like it then you can get them done yellow again when you get the rest done ....

It's becoming a very nice looking car Dan.just shows what a bit of tlc can do to a car.its a credit to you mate.well done

Cheers Grimmy....

Finishing touch on the wheels ...
 

MG Red and black centres ....

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...alex/005-2.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...alex/011-1.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...aualex/010.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...alex/006-1.jpg

Nice touch, been looking at that style for mine for a while now but in Black with Blue. Sets the wheels off even more now Dan, very nice.

Cheers .... Really chuffed - pics aren't the best, but you get the message.

I'm done with the outside now short of a respray although I'm putting the feelers out re viper stripes.

To do -

Decat
Lowered
Induction

No rush though ..... :whistle:

Sounds good. I keep looking for a front splitter but not sure if to go with a cupra r one or laguna. Still undecided.
I love my decat, sounds great even with my rear box hanging, it still sounds great. Hopefully getting the system sorted over the next week or so and will also be going lower on springs from same source.
Induction and decat transform the V6 into an amazing sound, get it done when you can mate :)

My last Mk1 had both so I know what you mean ....

Sorry, forgot you have had a couple of them now :slap: I wont go telling you how to suck eggs then lol.
I would personally still decat before lowering, more smiles for less agro.

Looking great Dan.... just goes to show what can be acheived if you have the vision.





Cheers,
Matt

And now she can breathe ....
 

Popped to "ZS" today for a bit of a doo stuff ....

ITG fitted with cold air piped from the inner wing.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...psf4a27eda.jpg

Also collected a decat - couldnt fit it due to the bolts so I'll leave it until I get it MOTd, and changed the wheel bearing/hub. Picked up a catch tank and another front grill while I was there to mess about with.

Really chuffed .... Thanks so much Sam - nice to see Pete and Chris who popped over too.

Great drive back - far quieter on the road after changing the bearing/hub and the induction made a very healthy roar going through the tunnel....

Its all coming on nice Dan............All it needs now is a TY respray...............

No..... the plan is to improve it ..... ;)

Glad it all went to plan, apart from the pesky exhaust nuts.

ZS does make it all look easy!!!

Bit quicker on the way back???

:happy2::happy2::happy2:

Just a bit..... ;)

I was tempted but need to keep my costs down.

youve done really well with this zed dan,it just goes to show with a wee bit,care attention and an eye for detail,you can turn a car around,looks great,changed my views on red zeds for sure