Hi folks....

[Catho]

...just joined but I'm restoring a 1989 (G) Carlton GSi 3000 12 valve. Been restoring since 2003, then bought a new house in 2006 so it had to put on hold, but the good news is I'm back on the project. I've done what is basically a ground-up restoration with just the re-build of the engine to complete. The bodywork-including the floor-has been totally re-built/welded/replaced/undersealed/sprayed. I've had all the running gear powder coated and spent a small fortune trying to get this girl to as original condition as is (for me) possible...with a few extras like Goodridge braded brake hoses, handbuilt full stainless-steel exhaust system, re-upholstered etc...
I'm really keen to continue this project and hope to get her back on the road this summer.

I will post some photo's (if I can figure out how to) of how the car is now for you guys to look at.

Hope to have some good chats with you all and share some comments about our beloved Barges.

Cheers, Catho.
















The 'Black Death' as bought, before commencing strip down.







































































































































































































































Some more shots taken today......the car has sat here for the last four years.....look at that dust.....disgraceful!!!!

[carlton_mad]

http://totalcarlton.com/forums/index.php/topic,677.0.html

try this guide

[Mitch1965]

Hello & welcome to the Tc mate. Pics would be good & sonds like a good project!!

[Catho]

Thank you Carlton_Mad, just in process now.

[Catho]

Thank you Mitch1965, just trying to upload some pics now (fingers crossed).

[biffbangpow]

omg that looks special
more pics and work done please

and where did you get the 12v badge ?

[colonelk]

WOW! 

[Catho]

Thanks biffbangpow, Will upload more pics tomorrow, (limited angles as the car is in a garage and space is tight). I made the 12v badge myself, I'm in the Graphic Design industry and have a good friend who did my vinyl (I re-drew the original Gsi3000/Vauxhall badges and he cut and printed them for me).

[Catho]

Thanks Colonelk. 

[biffbangpow]

Thanks biffbangpow, Will upload more pics tomorrow, (limited angles as the car is in a garage and space is tight). I made the 12v badge myself, I'm in the Graphic Design industry and have a good friend who did my vinyl (I re-drew the original Gsi3000/Vauxhall badges and he cut and printed them for me).

can you make me 2 ,lol

http://totalcarlton.com/forums/index.php/topic,8880.0.html
http://totalcarlton.com/forums/index.php/topic,11091.0.html

and yours is 3 , lol

[Catho]

Haha, hey, I might want to retain exclusivity on the 12v Badge.... I'll see what I can do, might start some business if I get enough interest...now there's a thought......

P.s: Nice pics from the link, looking good.

[bstardchild]

Sheesh that's nice 

[Murph]

Blimey!
I dont think my VW was that clean - and that was brand new!

[Catho]

Thanks BstardChild, Thanks Murph, appreciate the comments (especially the VW one  )

[24vman]

As a fellow 1988 12v GSI 'Gezza' owner that looks really nice - Make sure its not too nice to drive in the end as this is the trouble with mine, especially considering the rarity.

That's not exactly true - I'm frightened off someone hitting him and not being able to repair him.

I think you've got 24v wheels there, 12v wheels didn't have the JWW mark on them.

[Catho]

Thanks for the comments 24man. I know what you mean about not wanting to drive the car, truth is, I originally bought the car off a friend with the intention of doing in up and selling it.....then I got bitten by the bug and went a little OTT with the restoration, it's at that point I decided to go to town on it and wanted to restore it to show it at events (put mirrors underneath to show the underside etc...) but after four years of it being 'on hold' I simply want to get it back on the road to use as an everyday car, to enjoy it and basically use it as it was intended!! (and worry everytime I meet someone at a junction for fear of them 'pulling out' in front of me!!)
As for the wheels, they were on the car originally and (as far as I know) have never been changed or swapped, so not too sure about them being from a 24 valver (??)

Cheers, Catho.

[24vman]

If you look at each wheel they will have JWW or JBL or similiar type mark in them (four photo).  If they do they are later 24v wheels.

Maybe as your's is a later 12v they were fitted as standard.

To your advantage this does mean that if the car has the small brakes fitted, you can upgrade to 24v 296 brakes without any issues.

[bstardchild]

I think you've got 24v wheels there, 12v wheels didn't have the JWW mark on them.

I spotted that too but considered it an advantage as you can then upgrade to 24V brakes on the front with no clearance issues

[mapblue]

Wow top jop that man,puts my one to shame.

[CraigP]

It looks superb, lot of hard work gone in there.   Will we see it at Ashby Folville car and bike meet in the summer?    PM'd with my location

[Catho]

Thanks for the info guys, I've sorted the brakes without even considering upgrading them to 24 valvers, just put new standard vented discs back on and replaced the calipers all round with new (recons/exchange). I assume the standard brakes will still cope with stopping the car as it is as I don't plan to modify the power from the engine, as I say I'd like to keep it in standard form. I appreciate how people like to upgrade brakes though.....I had a Mini (with drums all round) as my first car.....so I know the perils of trying to stop a car with what are essentially brakes from a Pram!!  

[24vman]

I had a Mini (with drums all round) as my first car.....so I know the perils of trying to stop a car with what are essentially brakes from a Pram!!  

Funny how many people had Mini's for there first car.

My first car with a Mini 1100 special (Import), second 1275GT and I still own my third car another 1275GT 1979 bought on the 1st June 1989 (It even went to NZ and back with me).

Carlton_Mad worked on it with me, as he does with my Carltons now - How old does that make me feel  

[Catho]

Thanks for the comments Mapblue/CraigP

Yeah, beginning to feel old myself, 24man!  Young drivers going round in their brand new Citroens, Peugeots, Fords simply don't know they're born!!

[Winky]

Have to agree with everyone else, sure is looking good Catho. Keep up the good work.

Haha, hey, I might want to retain exclusivity on the 12v Badge.... I'll see what I can do, might start some business if I get enough interest...now there's a thought......

I think if you did 24v badges you could be in the money as I'm sure you'd be able to flog more than a few on here.

[24vman]

Yeah, beginning to feel old myself, 24man!   Young drivers going round in their brand new Citroens, Peugeots, Fords simply don't know they're born!!

They still have trouble catching the GSi's though.

I had some youngster in a Ford Focus ST (35k+ car) last year trying to keep up with me late one night.  Upto a certain speed he was Ok, after this he have loads of trouble keeping up and was dropping back quickly.  Trouble is we went passed the Plod sitting in a cafe (Dougnut break) doing slightly over the speed limit.  They pulled him as I got bored and let him passed, only to be pulled as I was passing him.  The Plod went mad at us.  It took traffic and 6 miles for them to catch us.  Good job it was not Traffic Police as we would have been knackered.

Walked away, not proud, but it was funny, the Misses was not happy when I got back in the car !!!!!

The teeny bopper Guys in the Focus ST could not believe a 20year old car (they would have been 3 - may be - when it was made   ) could better what they saw as a new fast car, driven by there Dad  .