Start from Scratch!

[simesays]

G'day all...
I have been a member for almost 12 months but have finally purchased a car today... 99 Excel GLX hatch from Fowles salvage for $650... needs a new bonnet and some tlc, 147,000km. I guess I'll start with stripping the trim to put a cage in... anyone got any suggestions on where I can get a cage put in down in Vic as I am not capable of doing this myself... same goes for seam welding etc. Any contacts greatly appreciated so I can start planning the cars build (and budget it!)
Simon

[HMCA]

John Wll be along no doubt soon to give you some Info but I believe there are a number of guys that can help who include

Brown Davis Automotive
47 Holloway Drive
Bayswater Vic. 3153
Tel: 03 9762 8722
Fax: 03 9762 9829


Kaitler Motorsport Engineering
7 Yellow Brick Rd
Benalla
03 5762 1234

Rai Curry
19 Citrus St, Braeside
03 9587 7772
www.rollcages.com.au
fabraications@bigpond.com

[Col Vic]

Simon,

Mick has beaten me to it, but each of the people he has mentioned have done at least 1 of the Victorian cars, so they all know what is required. No doubt some of the others will be able to give you their experiences with each of them.

Col

[ernysp76]

While Rai did indeed do my car I do understand others have done reasonable jobs as well, what I like about Rai is that he is very clear on the work and does an agreed price for work so you know where you stand no surprises. He does seem to have a good understanding of where to stitch weld and plate as well. After two seasons and several extra rallies and hillclimbs the car is as sound today as when it was first built not a single rattle or squeak.One thing you need to think about before you do any work is the rego. If you got the car from the Auctions it probably was a repairable write-off in Victoria this means the VIN number is supended until a full VIV inspection is carried out. Unfortunately these cost about $500 and need to be booked through Vic Roads, this will require the car to be roadworthy and is on top of a roadworthy certificate. This will re-activate the VIN and allow you to do what you want with rego or permits, this is easier to do with a standard car than a modified one so do the guard and bonnet and book it in ASAP. Most of all have fun!!! One thing we learnt early was to mark each part of the loom as we undid plugs so get a good industrial crayon and go and mark things up, most of the other build tips are here on various parts of the forum.

[simesays]

Thanks for that... My local wrecker queried whether I needed to have a VIV whatchamacallit... at lease I have some direction now - fix up car to get the vin reactivated then tear it apart again! Excuse my ignorance (as I have not been involved in rallying before) but do I just register the car as a regular road car as per normal initially? (I am worried if I do this my wife will steal it to replace her fuel guzzling Falcon wagon!). Thanks for the guidance...
Regards Simon

[ernysp76]

If I did it over I would certainly register that car first, in fact I am doing it again and yes my wife did exactly that, however her days in that car are numbered as it will shortly be transformed...... she wants an Auto so we are waiting for an Auto version of the I30 diesel!

[Mooa42]

Excuse my ignorance (as I have not been involved in rallying before) but do I just register the car as a regular road car as per normal initially? (I am worried if I do this my wife will steal it to replace her fuel guzzling Falcon wagon!). Thanks for the guidance...
Regards Simon

From what I understand Rally Rego is the same price as normal reg but has extra requirements and you can only drive it for special circumstances, (rallies, testing etc). To get Rally reg you also have to take the car to a special part of VicRoads in Melbourne to register the car, (not done through normal VicRoads offices). If you get normal rego you can use it as a backup car and, if your wife uses it, then with the savings in fuel you will be able to buy lots more go fast bits. :naughty: