vauxhall nova






 

Welcome to this info page on my Nova

I still (5 years after selling the car) get lots of email, and questions, even requests to buy the car via email. I hope that posting these emails here will help answer a few questions.

See http://www.mccaughey.co.uk/gallery/Nova for more pictures

The Spec looks something like this:-

  • Full Novadose Bodykit
  • 15" Integral A2 alloys (195/50/15 tyres)
  • De-locked / debadged
  • Fully colour coded
  • Full custom interior
  • Remote central locking
  • SRI 16V front disks & callipers
  • Started life as 1990 1.2 Merit

More detail

  • Full Novadose Bodykit
    •         from fibresports - as seen in max power etc
            cost £315, paint job + fitting was a further £400
  • 15" Integral A2 alloys (195/50/15 tyres)
    •         came from Motorsport and Spares in Ballymena cost £375
  • De-locked / debadged
    •         delocking was part of the bodykit fitting/paint price
  • Full custom interior
    •         custom made by Paramount Textiles in Campsie, Derry
            cost about £115 including lots of extra material to do doors etc
            Interior came from breakers somewhere outside Limavady, out of a badly smashed car (all covered in glass)
  • Remote central locking
    •         kit bought from ripspeed (same kit thats available from all sorts of places)
            cost about £50
  • SRI 16V front disks & callipers
    •         from local breakers
            cost 40 notes
  • Other
    •         All glass replaced, new windscreen, other windows from breakers

    Other questions and answers

    SwooshRich_at_aol.com
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: <SwooshRich__at__>
    To: <nova__at__.uk>
    Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 4:10 PM
    Subject: white nova trim
    > on the white nova, how did u do the door trim in blue?
    >
    > Cheers
    >
    > Rich Smith
    >
    I just took the door cards off, and used some card to shape the material,
    and lots of spray glue - it was a great job.

    Simon

     
    r.coffer_at_talk21.com
    Hi,
     
    From: <r.colfer__at__com>
    > hello i am thinking about doing what you have done i to currently own a vauxhall nova
     
    cool
     
    > and was just nwondering if could email me back to let me know
    > how much all of the cars equipment came from
     
  • Full Novadose Bodykit
    •         from fibresports - as seen in max power etc
            cost £315, paint job + fitting was a further £400
  • 15" Integral A2 alloys (195/50/15 tyres)
    •         came from Motorsport and Spares in Ballymena cost £375
  • De-locked / debadged
    •         delocking was part of the bodykit fitting/paint price
  • Full custom interior
    •         custom made by Paramount Textiles in Campsie, Derry
            cost about £115 including lots of extra material to do doors etc
  • Remote central locking
    •         kit bought from ripspeed (same kit thats available from all sorts of places)
            cost about £50
  • SRI 16V front disks & callipers
    •         from local breakers
            cost 40 notes
     
     
    > also i where did get your alarm from and how do you open your doors
    > do you have a remote or something along those lines
     
    There was no alarm in ther car, just an imobiliser which was in the carwhen i bought it, it is one of those silly insert a chip things
     
    > it would be nice to hear from you because hopefully
    > i would like my nova to kitted out coz i am fed up with
    > standards looks and i want to get noticed when i drive past someone
    > (IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN) THANKYOU BYE.
     
    No problem , hope that helped

    >
    > R.Colfer
    >
    > --------------------
    > talk21 your FREE portable and private address on the net at     http://www.talk21.com
    >
    >
    Boyracertg_at_aol.com
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Boyracertg__at__
    To: nova__at__.uk
    Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 4:59 PM
    Subject: Nova

    im interested in buying a nova and need some help on doing it up.

    EX: wheel size, lowerd by ect. some help would be appreciated

     
    Mine was 15" wheels, cause I drive >100 miles/day, so it had to be comfortable. You should go for 16", but the only wheels that really fit at 16" are Speedlines, with an offset of ET49. (or all Vauxhall alloys - e.g. softstars http://tinyurl.com/qpk3 )
     
    Lower by 30-35 mm for a decent ride, but if you have the proper alloys you can lower by 60mm.
     
    Hope that helps, and good luck!
     
    Simon
     
    red_devil_manutd_at_hotmail.com

    > ----- Original Message -----
    > From: "Krazy Kunt" <red_devil_manutd__at__.com>
    > To: <    nova__at__.uk>
    > Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:09 AM
    >
    >
    > > cud u plz tel me wer i can buy the novadose kit the same as the 1 u had on
    > > ur 1.2?
    > >
    > > thanx
    > >
    > >
     i got it direct from fibresports, from an advertisement in max power
     
    Simon
     
    lee_coates
    > >From: "Lee Coates" <coatsie_2003__at__.com>
    > >To: <nova__at__.uk>
    > >Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 5:22 PM
    > >Subject: Nova Merit 1.2
    > >
    > >
    > > > Hi my names lee i just been on ur website fink its mint, um iv just
    > >bought
    > >a
    > > > merit 1.2 any help on removin door panels to make new covers etc, and
    > >nefin
    > > > for the exterior i can do to make it look good, im 16, 17 in 3mnths so i
    > > > fought id buy a car do it up and drive it wen im 17 so any advice please
    > > > could u reply thank. btw how muych would all ur covers for your seats
    > >have
    > > > cost you btw der mazin covers lool. thx lee coates
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    >
    > >From: "Simon McCaughey" <simonmcc__at__.uk>
    > >To: "Lee Coates" <coatsie_2003__at__.com>
    > >Subject: Re: Nova Merit 1.2
    > >Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 11:42:43 +0100
    > >
    > >Hi Lee,
    > >
    > >I just removed (pull them off), and re-trimmed the door panels that came
    > >with the car, although I had started to make ones from scratch using
    > >MDF/hardboard and expanding foam...
    > >
    > >I got the seat covers custom made by a company called Paramount Textiles in
    > >Campsie, Derry cost about £115 including lots of extra material to do doors
    > >etc
    > >
    > >HTH
    > >
    > >Simon
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    From: "Lee Coates" <coatsie_2003__at__.com>
    To: <simonmcc__at__.uk>
    Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 12:30 PM
    Subject: Re: Nova Merit 1.2

    > Thx Simon i just wonderd how much it costed you to get all you car sprayed
    > and btw have u got a system and got any pictures of it so i can have a rough
    > idea about how to install and fit mine. Also with the parcel shelf how did
    > you cover that? and made the material go into the nuks and crannies plz
    > reply lee.
    >
     
    The spray job cost me 400 notes. I hadn't finished working on the stereo system, so the system that was in it wasn't very exciting
     
    As for getting material into nooks... it was pretty stretchy, so it was just a matter of pushing and holding
     
    Simon
    1SBrass_at_earnock_s-lanark_sch_uk
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: 1SBrass
    To: nova__at__.uk
    Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 10:53 AM

    hey
     
    it's samantha here
    i like nova car, i am search on the ineternet for a new nova car and i wonder if you are gonna sale the car? or you are keep it? plz email bk thannk (email bk to wicked_babe__at__ please)
    Samantha,
     
    The car was sold about 4 years ago, thanks for your enquiry :)
     
    Simon
     
     
    rattlin_jones_at_virgin_net
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: matto
    To: nova__at__.uk
    Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 5:49 PM

    hi there i have just perchased novadose kit like urself and was wandering what the grille was tht u had and where i could get it from
    cheers mate
    bigmaz50_at_hotmail_com
    Mhari,
     
    I can't really point you in any particular direction, sorry. You could always join the nova_owners email group  on yahoo
     
    HTH

    Simon
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Mhari Lindsay
    To: nova__at__.uk
    Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 12:43 AM
    Subject: Looking for some advive????

    Hi i own a Nova 1.0 trip and it is very boring, the thing is i am a student so dont have a lot of cash. Do you know anywhere that i can buy stuff for the car cheap. even second hand stuff would be great.... I bought 16" alloys and they look good but the car still looks boring.
     
    thanks

    mastablasta500_hotmail_com
    Neil,
     
    I didn't actually get the spots fitted in the end, I was ready to buy spots for it, but I couldnt figure out where to mount them. I got the paint from a local motor factors, I really cant remember which colour it was
     
    Simon
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Neil Hunter
    To: nova__at__.uk
    Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 3:57 PM
    Subject: 1.2i Expression

    Rite Mate,
     
    I own a 1.2i expression and am buying a full novadose bodykit for it (except grille).  Did your front bumper come with the fog lights or did you have to fit them seperately? If u did where can I buy them and how easy are they to fit? Also where did you get your white exterior paint from? Is it astro white cos thats what mine is. Sorry for the big long email.
     
    Cheers,
    Neil

    DoggyTelefizzle_AT_aol_com
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 5:18 PM
    Subject: (no subject)

    hi there i got a 1.2 nova what can i do to the bloody thing to make it look good and perform better
     
    cheers
     
    chris
     
    There is no point in working with the 1.2 for more power, just stick a bigger engine in. I was in the middle of a 1.3/1.2 hybrid conversion when I sold.
     
    Simon
     
     
    parsonswood_at_aol.com
    Check out local upholsterers who specialise in cars
     
    Simon
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 7:38 PM
    Subject: seat retrim?

    Hi, ive been looking at your nova site, my nova project is complete,but the seats have a few fag burns in them which spoils the look,also want them a different colour,where can i have my seats retrimmed the same as yours but with the blue being red,bearing in mind i live on south wales uk,thanks,darren!
    mike_4484_at_hotmail_com
    Mike,
     
    the ET49 offset is significant, that is the offset from the hub, which basically means how far the wheels stick out. What you should be looking for are 6" wide wheels, and ET49, abnd they will fit no problem.
     
    IIRC the wheels I had where 15x6.5" ET49 and they fitted well, however wheels provided by vauxhall will be best, eg the softstars are 16x6
    http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/domino/vauxhall/accessories/AccessoriesECom.nsf/accessories/6x16SoftstarNewCorsa
     
    the other popular choice was the Alesio Speedlines, which I believe came in 16x6 also http://www.rallybits.com/speedline/images/2010.JPG
     
    ET45 should also be ok at 15", but I tried to make a set of ET42 wheels fit, and it was impossible!
     
    Hope that helps!!
     
    Simon
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Mike ..
    Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 10:14 PM
    Subject: Vaux Nova Wheels

    Hi, i have looked in great detail at getting some alloys on my nova 1.2
    i put some 15" on from a friends motor but they stuch out like a bump on the head!
    i was wondering if there is any Spec i need to know, is there something strange with novas or just my nova,
    whats going on

    i have heard about an offset ET49 but not sure what this refurs to,
     
    any advice an knowlege would be helpfull.
    Mike         Nova Mad

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