Hi all. I'm in the process of fixing and modifying my brothers UC hatchback. It was bought off ebay with a 308, T5G and 9 inch. The dents and rust were included for free : ) I've got stacks of pics, so once I've figured out how to post them I'll start sticking them up here.
It's going to be a pretty special car when it's done, and so far I've really enjoyed working on it. I think my brother is going to have some trouble getting this car back. He might have to pry the keys out of my cold dead hands : )
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Fixing my brothers UC hatch
Started by
_dirtbag_
, Dec 30 2009 01:19 PM
1690 replies to this topic
#2
_niterida_
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 01:26 PM
Tell us more about your plans - why is it going to be so special 
#3
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 06:25 PM
Here's the ugly beast as it arrived at my place. I don't know what's worse, the chrome steelies or the musical air horns : )
There's a few wobbles down the side, but at least it doesn't have a sunroof.
There's a few wobbles down the side, but at least it doesn't have a sunroof.
#4
LXM21
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 06:31 PM
Heaps of potential there, hows the C pillars ?
#5
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 07:16 PM
Here's a few of the crusty bits. Nothing really surprising though for a hatch.
Of course the C pillars are stuffed. It wouldn't be a proper hatch otherwise : )
At least it's a 308 and 5 speed. For now.
Having a 9 inch doesn't hurt either.
Here's a pic of the lovely interior. That steering wheel is awesome : )
#6
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 07:26 PM
After taking the rear spoiler off, I noticed how well it was fitted : ) Not bad if you need a half inch of adjustment.
Finally!!!! The transformation from ugly bucket of crap to proper torana begins. The removal of any UC panels is a good look. This is just the start.
The front end is going to get a bit of a frankenstein job done to it. Some will like, others will hate. Either way, at least it'll be different. Here you can see how much long the UC guards are against the LX bonnet.
I decided to go with the LX nosecone look, but preferred the smoothness of the lower valance of the UC, so I used what I liked.
This gives a bit of a clearer idea of what I'm going for.
Obviously the LX nosecone wont just magically line up with the cut UC guards. But they will soon.
Finally!!!! The transformation from ugly bucket of crap to proper torana begins. The removal of any UC panels is a good look. This is just the start.
The front end is going to get a bit of a frankenstein job done to it. Some will like, others will hate. Either way, at least it'll be different. Here you can see how much long the UC guards are against the LX bonnet.
I decided to go with the LX nosecone look, but preferred the smoothness of the lower valance of the UC, so I used what I liked.
This gives a bit of a clearer idea of what I'm going for.
Obviously the LX nosecone wont just magically line up with the cut UC guards. But they will soon.
#7
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 07:37 PM
Found a couple of nice things when stripping paint from the roof. You've got to love all these good repairs : )
I thought the yanks were the only ones stupid enough to drill holes in sheetmetal to pull dents??? I'm proven wrong : )
There was a fairly large low spot on each side above the doors too.
It took a while to dig all the bog out of these low spots.
Getting the paint off this thing was a pain. It just melted into the sanding discs, so took a while.
I was amazed at how badly the hatch lined up. No wonder they put that horrid rear spoiler on it, to cover this up : )
The C pillar after a bit of sanding.
The rear panel under the lights was a mess too. The whole rear end is pushed in, and full of bog. Awesome : )
I thought the yanks were the only ones stupid enough to drill holes in sheetmetal to pull dents??? I'm proven wrong : )
There was a fairly large low spot on each side above the doors too.
It took a while to dig all the bog out of these low spots.
Getting the paint off this thing was a pain. It just melted into the sanding discs, so took a while.
I was amazed at how badly the hatch lined up. No wonder they put that horrid rear spoiler on it, to cover this up : )
The C pillar after a bit of sanding.
The rear panel under the lights was a mess too. The whole rear end is pushed in, and full of bog. Awesome : )
#8
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 07:43 PM
Now for mounting the LX nose cone to the UC guards. I cut a plate from 1.6mm plate the is the exact same outer shape as the nosecone. This will be the front lip of the guards where the nosecone bolts to. I bolted this new piece to the nosecone, then positioned the nosecone where I wanted it, and started bringing the guards out to meet it. Once it's all done, I'll know the guards will be the same shape as the nosecone. Does that make sense??? I'm not very good at explaining things.
Here you can see the plate I made earlier is now part of the guard.
Here you can see the plate I made earlier is now part of the guard.
#9
_evil UC hatch_
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 07:46 PM
thats a different way of converting the front to look like an LX, I have only seen people replace the whole radiator support and inner skirts. where abouts on the sunny coast are you?
#10
Neils LX
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:01 PM
Hi
Love the hatchback and i like the idea of changing the UC front to a LX one. With the UC stone tray still in place where are you going to fit the indicators?
Chears Neil
Love the hatchback and i like the idea of changing the UC front to a LX one. With the UC stone tray still in place where are you going to fit the indicators?
Chears Neil
#11
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:07 PM
Once that side was done, I figured I'd better do the other side too : )
I then decided a front spoiler would look good. I want to make it from the UC front panel, but it isn't low enough. Yet.
Whoops!!! The front fell off : )
I added 60mm to the length of the guards to give them a more "spoiler" look.
With the bumper sort of in place, I knew I'd have to modify the guards where they peak out the front.
Thanks guys, glad you like it. It's a love it or hate it thing I feel : )
I'm in Perwillowen, about 5 minutes from Nambour.
As for the indicators, you'll see : )
I then decided a front spoiler would look good. I want to make it from the UC front panel, but it isn't low enough. Yet.
Whoops!!! The front fell off : )
I added 60mm to the length of the guards to give them a more "spoiler" look.
With the bumper sort of in place, I knew I'd have to modify the guards where they peak out the front.
Thanks guys, glad you like it. It's a love it or hate it thing I feel : )
I'm in Perwillowen, about 5 minutes from Nambour.
As for the indicators, you'll see : )
#12
Neils LX
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:16 PM
Hi
Are you changing the rear tailights to LX ones or something different?
Chears Neil
Are you changing the rear tailights to LX ones or something different?
Chears Neil
#13
Statler
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:22 PM
I actually like the work you have done on the front m8. 
Well done!
I hope you dont have to change the front guards for any reason.
Regarding the 'C' pillars......if the seam is bogged up, there is a fair assumption that the previous repairs wern't that good!
Just my humble opinion!
Well done! I hope you dont have to change the front guards for any reason.
Regarding the 'C' pillars......if the seam is bogged up, there is a fair assumption that the previous repairs wern't that good!
Just my humble opinion!
#14
_evil UC hatch_
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:23 PM
yeah I am a fan of thinking outside of the box. do you have something similar planned for the bum?
#15
racean69
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:30 PM
good work there mate.
wots the go with the passengers side brake line under the hood?
Is that a camaro in the background also?
wots the go with the passengers side brake line under the hood?
Is that a camaro in the background also?
#16
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 08:48 PM
Awesome. I'll be keeping an eye on this one for sure!
#17
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 09:06 PM
I actually like the work you have done on the front m8.
I hope you dont have to change the front guards for any reason.
Regarding the 'C' pillars......if the seam is bogged up, there is a fair assumption that the previous repairs wern't that good!
Just my humble opinion!
Yep I would say a certainty !, the only way is to replace the inner & outer sections where they join, did this to mine, both sides.
#18
rodomo
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 09:27 PM
I luv this shit. Good work Chip! 
#19
Heath
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 09:53 PM
At first I thought you were being really harsh on a car that I actually thought looked quite okay, a bit retro/dated and tired but still kinda cool.
But woah!!! Great work, definitely a unique approach, and yeah I really like how it's coming along. Genuinely inspiring.
What experience do you have with this kinda thing?
But woah!!! Great work, definitely a unique approach, and yeah I really like how it's coming along. Genuinely inspiring.
What experience do you have with this kinda thing?
#20
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Posted 30 December 2009 - 10:06 PM
Love the spoiler extension.
very impressive rebuild for it's originality..Look forward to updates
very impressive rebuild for it's originality..Look forward to updates
#21
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Posted 31 December 2009 - 04:47 AM
Here's one of the guards all welded. Note the big peak at the front. This will have to be brought in a little.
You can see the difference here after I changed one of the guards.
It's starting to get a nice low spoiler look to it now I feel.
You can see here just how much I reduced the peak in the front guards. I also need to fill in the section of the guard that gets covered by the bumper.
Here's all the welding on the guard finished now the part behind the bumper is filled in.
You can see the difference here after I changed one of the guards.
It's starting to get a nice low spoiler look to it now I feel.
You can see here just how much I reduced the peak in the front guards. I also need to fill in the section of the guard that gets covered by the bumper.
Here's all the welding on the guard finished now the part behind the bumper is filled in.
#22
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Posted 31 December 2009 - 04:59 AM
Hey all, thanks so much for the kind words. I didn't know how my butchery would be received : ) And as for me ripping on UC's, in all honesty I like all toranas, I'm just a chronic stirrer.
In regards to the question about the passengers brakeline, I have no idea what they were thinking. If they were trying to hide the lines for a smoother look, they should have at least pulled the old grommet out and welded up the hole : )
In regards to the question about the passengers brakeline, I have no idea what they were thinking. If they were trying to hide the lines for a smoother look, they should have at least pulled the old grommet out and welded up the hole : )
#23
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Posted 31 December 2009 - 05:06 AM
The car in the background is a 1968 firebird I'm building for my wife. It's a frankenstein too. Camaro rear quarters (no vents - smoother) BA falcon front brakes, VL commodore diff with VN discs, Nissan VH45 4.5litre all alloy quad cam V8 and 4 speed auto (yuck, if it were mine it would be manual. Silly wife : ) shortened nissan power rack, nissan column and gauges, 18 & 20 inch wheels etc etc. It's a bit of a long term project : )
#24
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Posted 31 December 2009 - 05:11 AM
So discussions with my brother led us to thinking making the UC stone tray look like an LX spoiler would be fun. So I started by making the brake ducts.
I copied the shape of the ducts right off a fibreglass spoiler out of 6mm rod, then used 1mm zincaneal (spelling??) to form the rest.
And finally, the brake ducts are made. The weren't too hard to make. Fitting them, well that's another story : )
I copied the shape of the ducts right off a fibreglass spoiler out of 6mm rod, then used 1mm zincaneal (spelling??) to form the rest.
And finally, the brake ducts are made. The weren't too hard to make. Fitting them, well that's another story : )
#25
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Posted 31 December 2009 - 05:21 AM
After butchering out huge sections of the radiator support panel, I was able to sit one of the brake ducts into place.
Obviously it looks pretty terrible, but I thought if I extended the lower lip it would look better, so I gave that a go.
Now I'm starting to like it more. I know it seems weird doing all this, when screwing on a plastic one would look the same, but we didn't want the screwed on spoiler look, and metal is fun : )
Once the lip was added to the stone tray, I also had to incorporate it into the corners of the guards.
With the other side welded into place it looks something like this.
Here you can see I was toying with the idea of using the LX indicators, but with the vertical seam of the UC stone tray in the way, they looked too big, so I went with something else.
Obviously it looks pretty terrible, but I thought if I extended the lower lip it would look better, so I gave that a go.
Now I'm starting to like it more. I know it seems weird doing all this, when screwing on a plastic one would look the same, but we didn't want the screwed on spoiler look, and metal is fun : )
Once the lip was added to the stone tray, I also had to incorporate it into the corners of the guards.
With the other side welded into place it looks something like this.
Here you can see I was toying with the idea of using the LX indicators, but with the vertical seam of the UC stone tray in the way, they looked too big, so I went with something else.
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