VL Concept Car - Updating to 2010 Technology

[EvilPet]

As many who've been following this thread would know, I had the engine stripped and rebuilt. Thing is, as I'm not here most of the year, I don't drive all that often and the car hasn't even racked up 2000kms since 2010/11.

But besides going through 4 batteries during that time, my water pump gave in this trip.



It was in Rockingham when it finally gave in. Rather than drive with a can of water and top her up as required, and possibly fry the engine, I opted to get her towed to Morley.



Upon taking the water pump off, we noticed a lot of muddy crap in there. The radiator and whole system needed a high pressure flush but I'm doing that again when in get back end of the year. Anyone have any ideas how to slow down or stop the muddy crap buildup from car sitting around I'm open to ideas.

Oh, BTW. Thermostats (genuine) are rare as rocking horse crap so unfortunately had to go non-genuine.

---------- Post added 05-03-17 at 23:04 ----------

UPDATE 2: That Old Steering Rack

I've been wanting to get the steering rack replaced now for two years and finally got it sorted this time around. Bought online through an exchange service this was waiting for me when I got back to Oz.



I managed to even find a BRAND NEW IN BOX Power steering reservoir bottle. Woo Hoo!!



When the work was done there were two issues;

1. We didn't have the boss removal tool so couldn't straighten the wheel. I was flying out a few hours after this work was done so it has to be left until I get back. Can someone on here lend me the tool in December?



2. The steering now seems heavier. Again didn't have time to troubleshoot but if people on here have ideas I can go through each suggestion when I get back.

---------- Post added 05-03-17 at 23:31 ----------

UPDATE 3: More Modifications

Ok, these might be going slightly off brief to what I originally wanted as a "Concept Car" but I think will be invaluable for ongoing use.

Heads Up Display - Version 1

Finally installed this thanks to the help of a few members here (esp. Steve & Simon
Bachig24u).

Next time I'm back, I'll get the little unit which is quite covertly installed colour coded and matched to the dash and see whether I can coat the glass rather than have that small reflective patch, which looks so aftermarket. So the glass may have to come off. But it does the trick. I haven't lost demerit points in over 10 years and last year I lost 6 in a 2 month period.

This of course supports my little digital dash customisation which was a key part of this build.



USB Phone Charger

Yeah yeah, this was never anything anyone ever thought of in the 80s for incorporation into a vehicle as USB wasn't invented (millennials freaking out reading that...and we thought hard drives with 20MB were huge....) but I'm sick and tired of my phone battery draining. So, we looked how they would have done a similar customisation in the 80s and it's apparently vinyl! We manufactured the piece to fit where the ashtray went. Lights up in a nice green to match everything else.





I also did a couple of other mods worth about $7000 which I probably shouldn't put on a public forum but all I can say, to quote Han Solo "I've made a few special Modifications myself..." including a key attribute of the Klingon Bird of Prey....

Anyways, 10 more months and I think I'm on the final leg of the mods including seats retrimmed and restoration.

[SIroller]

very nice.

i thought if you use the correct coolant it didnt rust?

ive been following for ages and was just recently thinking tech changes so much that there are a few things you will need to change so the HUD and usb charger are good.

[belma]

The first photo looks so gross! It's like a dirty wound...

[EvilPet]

Back in Perth and I’ve already taken the ol’ Girl to Toodjyay and Lancelin with no incident. Will be taking her to Margaret River a well. I miss driving long distances in the VL. It’s a second to none feeling putting the foot down and rocketing by cars on an overtake.

So whilst I’m here for the next two or so months, the following will be happening;

Steering Wheel Restore - Currently happening. Get it back Friday.
Dash wiring for digital dash - making the wiring a bit more accessible by extending the loom.
HUD Customisation - Going to mould the HUD into the top of the dash and have the speedometer numbers appearing just above the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position (its off to the side now)
Rebuild and Re-upholster the 2 front seats - I’m waiting for some Repro samples from Melbourne and then I’ll buy the material and get the two seats to the upholsterer.
General tidy up of engine bay - got a nice black anodised thermostat housing to replace the one that’s slightly rusted. Replace the coolant reservoir with a NOS item and just a spruce up.

And then...I think I’m done.

Let’s see whether I can get it all done in 2 months.
I will be really busy so see what I can fit in. Some of you know I’m a pro standup / musical comedian and will be preparing and appearing at Fringeworld in Feb with my show “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Relationship Show. Even got a car song for ya.

[MUS]

Spewing, I can't see the pics

[Curly]

Originally Posted by EvilPet

Steering Wheel Restore - Currently happening. Get it back Friday.

Where have you sent your steering wheel to be restored?

[EvilPet]

Originally Posted by Curly

Where have you sent your steering wheel to be restored?

Hillseez. He’s on Facebook. Got the wheel back today. Oh my god it’s like new!

[Bax]

Before and after pics! Must have.

I've got a mate that wants a skyline wheel restored but nobody locally will touch it. I'm sure my mate would happily send it over to WA

[EvilPet]

Can someone please tell me what tools I need to remove my two front scheel seats and level of difficulty? I need to get mine to upholsterer before I fly out this weekend. Haven’t got car with me right now as it’s in Rockingham getting some work done. Trying to be proactive so got all tools on hand when I get it back tomorrow.

[12maneym]

5mm allen key isnt it?

[Psi_Wagon]

6mm and lots of crc on the threads underneath :P

[EvilPet]

Originally Posted by Psi_Wagon

6mm and lots of crc on the threads underneath :P

Thanks. Seats were out 8yrs ago so hope it comes out easily this time around.

---------- Post added 24-02-18 at 12:12 ----------

Originally Posted by Bax

Before and after pics! Must have.

I've got a mate that wants a skyline wheel restored but nobody locally will touch it. I'm sure my mate would happily send it over to WA

They killed photobucket.

[EvilPet]

I can’t believe it’s been 14 years since I started this project and 9 years since I commenced the VL Concept Car. I’ll post pics up on Dec as I’m back in the UK but in the past 9 months;

1. Got the seats reupholstered using the last of the original velour material I purchased from HDT before Peter Champion bought it from the Pennisi Bros
2. Completed the digital speedo HUD and had all the components colour coded to grey. Looks awesome with those green speedo digits hovering over the dash when driving
3. Installed a new deck AVH-X7800BT which now allows me to Bluetooth from phone
4. Got the tinting completely redone
5. Installed a reversing camera (very discrete) which interfaces with the deck
6. Got Briffa Engineering to re-bling the engine bay to show quality

I nearly got a sunroof installed and was on my way to get it done when I got the call that it wasn’t delivered from Sydney and I had to turn the car around and abandon it as next booking slot was after i’d Left Perth. I guess I saved myself $3,500.

Other than that updated a few other ‘modifications” with the help of Briffa that would make Han Solo proud.

When I’m back this coming Dec, I am going to install rear courtesy lights but will be modifying it so that the interior lights dims after the doors are shut just like you see in new cars.

And finally a discrete custom cradle for my iPhone that will now will serve as a navigation tool instead of a Tom Tom which I bought back in 2009. Albert’s Rockingham will be doing the work. They will also be doing some very slight custom work on the interior on the rear parcel shelf.

Then the journey ends. I hope....

[philby]

that's one ducking insane build!!

[EvilPet]

I just noticed all my photos over the last 15 years on this build has been held hostage by Photobucket. There’s no way I’m paying their extortionate fee so my apologies that you can’t see the progress build photos over the years.

I’ve changed to another service for the new photos but there’s no way I’m going back 15 years and reposting.

Photobucket can go screw itself.

[bo5ton]

Yeah Photobucket screwed everyone over with those massive fees, but they've adjusted their plans and now have a free tier.

I use the chrome extension to continue to see images.

However, the current issues where you see a "currently unavailable" image appears to be a glitch in their system and should be fixed hopefully.

[EvilPet]

Originally Posted by bo5ton

Yeah Photobucket screwed everyone over with those massive fees, but they've adjusted their plans and now have a free tier.

I use the chrome extension to continue to see images.

However, the current issues where you see a "currently unavailable" image appears to be a glitch in their system and should be fixed hopefully.

I downloaded some update photos on my build into Flickr but just can’t find where the [IMG] code is under Embed tab.

Any help would be appreciated.

[bo5ton]

Originally Posted by EvilPet

I downloaded some update photos on my build into Flickr but just can’t find where the [IMG] code is under Embed tab.

Any help would be appreciated.

When you upload an image and view the image there should be a share arrow. Click that it will bring up a dialog which you can choose "BBCode" - copy and paste that.

It's worth noting the Flickr has a limit of 1,000 photos per account.

Another option you could consider is Imgur

[EvilPet]

I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I came up with this idea and after a couple of false starts it’s finally done.

[bdj_007]

Mate, I've been looking at this car for years. It's way cool! I'd love to see it in the flesh one day! Doesn't help being over in Melbourne though

[EvilPet]

Originally Posted by bdj_007

Mate, I've been looking at this car for years. It's way cool! I'd love to see it in the flesh one day! Doesn't help being over in Melbourne though

Yeah that doesn’t help. I’ll be driving it regularly now as I’m back in Perth for around 1-2yrs.

---------- Post added 17-11-20 at 03:57 ----------

NEW POWER WINDOWS

Earlier this year I thought I’d buy these Italian made window motors For Opel vehicles that I was told would replace the very tired VL window motors. You may have seen these on eBay. I went to the Australian distributor as they were 50 bucks cheaper each.
We pulled out the door cards and proceeded to remove the motors and cables thinking it would be a straight swap.

WRONG!

The new rear motors don’t have cables and don’t follow the guides and popped the glass out.

After about 2 weeks of fiddling, some new drill holes and back and forth with the distributor (who admitted I was the first to buy the set and they had not seen a fit on a VL before) they now work awesome.

All windows now power up and down with INCREDIBLE speed.

Well worth the effort in my opinion. A huge thanks to Andrea Santini at Albert’s Car Stereo in Rockingham for having the skill and patience to working this all out.

SERVICE AND BACK TO DRIVING

I took the car back to Briffa Engineering to replace the original core plugs and replace anything that could fail due to my infrequent use of the car. All done. Car will be driven on weekends now. Drives like a rocket!

I’m pretty well done with all the modifications Now.

I also decided to replace the tyres. They’ve only done 3500km on them but I did buy them 10 yrs ago. Briffa has organised a new set he reckons are awesome so they will be fitted this week.

Just some slight tidying up and a detail from sitting under a car cover for most the year and the project is done!

I’ll post pics of the updates soon.