The life of... SharkyUK's Trophy

[Matt W]

I wish my friend! :smile: There's still a lot to do but it's under control now. When she's done and home I am planning on a photo / video shoot - been inspired by the one that you and Jekyll did recently :smile:

You'll have to let me know when, i'll come along take some amateur photos.

 

[SharkyUK]

Out of interest, why 3?

No real reason mate... those were the 3 colours available so I just decided to go for it 😊 One is for the main key, another for the second key and the third is for... backup? :smile:

You'll have to let me know when, i'll come along take some amateur photos.

No problem, Matt - you're more than welcome.

 

[c4pob]

No real reason mate... those were the 3 colours available so I just decided to go for it 😊 One is for the main key, another for the second key and the third is for... backup? :smile:


No problem, Matt - you're more than welcome. :smile:

I was thinking the same thing, could understand 2 but 3?! Ha! Looking forward to the next update. The photos in due course will be awesome!

 

[masekwm]

Let me get this straight, this car went to:

BTM - Fred left the country,
SJM - Dan has closed,
Diamond - Mick has left the country?

Only joking, I know the ginger one is on holiday ​

 

[SharkyUK]

I was thinking the same thing, could understand 2 but 3?! Ha! Looking forward to the next update. The photos in due course will be awesome!

Hahaha, thanks mate - I hope the photos don't disappoint. I'm looking forward to spamming this thread with loads of pics as I feel they are long overdue!

Let me get this straight, this car went to:

BTM - Fred left the country,
SJM - Dan has closed,
Diamond - Mick has left the country?

Only joking, I know the ginger one is on holiday ​

FLOL! Let's get this straight...

K-Tec - Still going.
TDF - F**k knows.
BTM - Fred left the country.
SJM - Dan has closed.
Diamond - Mick has left the country?

 

[BoatNonce]

Just caught up on this thread after a long time.

Real shame to see the state it got left in by Dan. I think it's the age old problem of becoming too popular to cope with the work, I know back when I had the clio he was close to burning out but didn't want to take someone on as he was worried about quality... but then, when you're that busy, you end up missing things. I know Overboost bought his ex missus' car and it was fucked. All a real shame because he's a nice bloke in person.

 

[Jekyll]

I am gutted for you for the way that the trophy was ill treated down south. I wish that Mick can do a great turnaround and sometime in the near future we can see #165 built and back on the roads.

What a journey it, and you have been through. Gutted for you buddy. Certainly a patience and bank tester. But, good things do come to those that wait.

I'm not local, or the best at hands on, but if there is anything that i can remotely help with, just give me a shout. The offers from many others on here means that we all feel an element of your pain and we all want to see you hacking the trophy in full anger one day soon.

 

[SharkyUK]

Just caught up on this thread after a long time.

Real shame to see the state it got left in by Dan. I think it's the age old problem of becoming too popular to cope with the work, I know back when I had the clio he was close to burning out but didn't want to take someone on as he was worried about quality... but then, when you're that busy, you end up missing things. I know Overboost bought his ex missus' car and it was fucked. All a real shame because he's a nice bloke in person.

Thanks for picking up the thread again mate.
Yeah, it is a shame. He is a nice bloke but I think he took far too much on and couldn't cope. Sometimes you just have to say 'no' as there are only so many hours in the day.

I am gutted for you for the way that the trophy was ill treated down south. I wish that Mick can do a great turnaround and sometime in the near future we can see #165 built and back on the roads.

What a journey it, and you have been through. Gutted for you buddy. Certainly a patience and bank tester. But, good things do come to those that wait.

I'm not local, or the best at hands on, but if there is anything that i can remotely help with, just give me a shout. The offers from many others on here means that we all feel an element of your pain and we all want to see you hacking the trophy in full anger one day soon.

Thank you mate, appreciate the reply and kind words
It has been a heck of a journey but hopefully it will soon bear fruit. Thank you for the offer of help as well. I think we're all good now but will keep you in mind if anything comes up. The offer of support/help from friends and members on the forum has been amazing Cheers!

 

[Jekyll]

CS is a bloody good place for help.

The best I've seen from a forum/club.

 

[leedsboy]

Been reading this thread on and off for a while now. Can only echo what others have said, glad to see it in very capable hands now. Fingers crossed, touch wood etc etc, that it'll be back on the road sooner rather than later

 

[SharkyUK]

CS is a bloody good place for help.

The best I've seen from a forum/club.

There are some special people here, and some 'special' people here, too! LOL! For the record, you fall into the first category!

Been reading this thread on and off for a while now. Can only echo what others have said, glad to see it in very capable hands now. Fingers crossed, touch wood etc etc, that it'll be back on the road sooner rather than later :smiley:

Cheers buddy. Mr Mechanic returned from his holiday and mentioned that we now need to start seriously talking Trophy so here we go...

 

[imprezaworks]

I quote from a famous (not really famous) film. ‘Good Luck’

 

[Jekyll]

That lines already been taken.

 

[haimsey]

I’ve been keeping up to date with this thread, and I (along with everyone else) just hope that the next post is positive. Glad things are looking up for you. Look forward to the updates with pictures of custom/special parts, & and the hidden details (like neatly wrapped wiring looms etc) within the build

 

[SharkyUK]

I quote from a famous (not really famous) film. ‘Good Luck’

No idea what this 'good luck' thing is you talk about...

I’ve been keeping up to date with this thread, and I (along with everyone else) just hope that the next post is positive. Glad things are looking up for you. Look forward to the updates with pictures of custom/special parts, & and the hidden details (like neatly wrapped wiring looms etc) within the build

Thanks for taking time out to keep up with the thread - much appreciated I'll try and get as many pics as possible as things are being put together as I think there are a few people who might be interested in seeing them. Cheers

 

[davo172]

Any progress by Mick?

 

[SharkyUK]

Any progress by Mick?

Nothing much to report at the moment mate. It's happening but there's been a couple of other things that have unexpectedly got in the way. All is good though.

 

[Kyle 86]

Andy I really hope it all works out mate you deserve some luck finally.. It's a epic car and I can't wait to see it back. It's certainly been a Rollercoaster Ride. Hope you are well mate [emoji8]

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[npt]

Hope you get some luck soon, i cant beleive these specislists are struggling to build a fast clio in a matter of months, its all basic mechanics apart from building/mapping the engine, which once its all measured, machined in cleaned etc, should take a few days max to build once you have all the parts.

Lets just hope it stays in one piece after all the specialist work bud

 

[123dan]

Jesus! I opened this thread noting how many bloody pages were in it thinking 'this is gonna be mega'. Seeing the first post, I assumed the following 66 pages were just people telling you what a lovely little car you have. Skip to the end and I was genuinely devastated! I couldn't believe it, skipping through the pages I first thought you had sold it on and then it had not been looked after by the new owner. I was astonished to find out that it belonged to you the whole time.

I can only say you have the patience of a saint and maybe that is your downfall. I am like you, very wary of conflict but the amount of bullshit you've taken with good grace is unbeleivable. The state your car was left in is shocking, there would be murders if any of my property was allowed to get into that state by someone, let alone my pride and joy!

Fingers crossed you get 165 back and it is as superb as you always hoped it would be.

 

[SharkyUK]

Andy I really hope it all works out mate you deserve some luck finally.. It's a epic car and I can't wait to see it back. It's certainly been a Rollercoaster Ride. Hope you are well mate [emoji8]

Hi mate - I'm good, thanks. I hope you are well and in good health, too.
Sadly it won't be ready this year as there's not enough time to fit it in now. I had hoped to maybe get it back around the turn of the New Year (or at least see it significantly progressed) but sometimes things totally out of one's hands crop up and set things back. Alas, this has been the case on many occasions with #165. At least it's in a good place and being cared for until the next stages of the work can be carried out.

Hope you get some luck soon, i cant beleive these specislists are struggling to build a fast clio in a matter of months, its all basic mechanics apart from building/mapping the engine, which once its all measured, machined in cleaned etc, should take a few days max to build once you have all the parts.

Lets just hope it stays in one piece after all the specialist work bud

Thanks buddy - I hear you. There is a little more than just the engine build going on here but, yes, I totally agree. It should not have taken this long. My biggest concern is that the brand new parts, now having been stood and left outside exposed to the elements, may not be in the best condition. Hence the next job involves the teardown and inspection of those components that have already been put together. An unnecessary waste of extra time and expense that I didn't really want to have to deal with. Of course, those brand new bits may also be faulty... but are now waaaaay out of their warranty / guarantee period. I dearly hope everything is ok as this build has cost me a lot already and I don't want to be replacing 'new' (but faulty) bits with new bits again!

Jesus! I opened this thread noting how many bloody pages were in it thinking 'this is gonna be mega'. Seeing the first post, I assumed the following 66 pages were just people telling you what a lovely little car you have. Skip to the end and I was genuinely devastated! I couldn't believe it, skipping through the pages I first thought you had sold it on and then it had not been looked after by the new owner. I was astonished to find out that it belonged to you the whole time.

I can only say you have the patience of a saint and maybe that is your downfall. I am like you, very wary of conflict but the amount of bullshit you've taken with good grace is unbeleivable. The state your car was left in is shocking, there would be murders if any of my property was allowed to get into that state by someone, let alone my pride and joy!

Fingers crossed you get 165 back and it is as superb as you always hoped it would be.

Thanks for taking the time to take a look through the thread mate. As you've seen for yourself, there is no happy ending as yet. I'm sure it will happen at some point - hopefully sooner rather than later. Yep - I have owned the car for a decade or so now and it owes me a LOT; both in terms of money and time behind the wheel. Right now I have lost most of my enthusiasm for it but I'm hoping it will be rekindled as the work is picked up again soon.

 

[gez 172]

I keep coming back to this thread every so often, in hope the next update is the car is home and running.

Fingers are crossed for you, Andy.

As soon as the car is back, I'd be planning on a 10,000 mile trip with 10 track days! Lol. That should start to make up for your patience.

Keep us updated.

 

[davo172]

So what has Mick actually said Andy ? "I will fit it in whenever I get a spare few hours" ? Why can' he just get it done if you are a paying customer I just don't get it!
As said it's Not months work when You have all the bits and no parts take as long to get as Fred used to tell you !
You really desere to be back driving this very soon !

 

[SharkyUK]

As soon as the car is back, I'd be planning on a 10,000 mile trip with 10 track days! Lol. That should start to make up for your patience.

Keep us updated.

Thanks for checking back mate. I'll definitely update as soon as I have something to share I already have lots of road trips and track days planned (well, pencilled in at least) as I'm certainly intending to make the most of it.

So what has Mick actually said Andy ? "I will fit it in whenever I get a spare few hours" ? Why can' he just get it done if you are a paying customer I just don't get it!
As said it's Not months work when You have all the bits and no parts take as long to get as Fred used to tell you !
You really desere to be back driving this very soon !

Believe me mate, I'm more frustrated than anyone. However, this is more than a bit unfair to Mick and I think it's ill-judged given the circumstances (which are private and will remain so). This is genuinely an unfortunate time whereby things happen in life that put things into perspective. Things happen and you realise that car mods, track days, road trips, "car stuff" in general is a VERY distant second to the more important things in life. Life itself, for example. Without that you ain't got much else.

 

[imprezaworks]

Hope everything is ok, reading between lines.

Agreed. Perspective over cars. We’ve just had a new born so haven’t washed my car for two weeks. Sort of similar but probably not.

 

[SharkyUK]

Agreed. Perspective over cars. We’ve just had a new born so haven’t washed my car for two weeks. Sort of similar but probably not.

Great news about the new arrival mate I hope you are all doing well and are in good health!

 

[davo172]

Thanks for checking back mate. I'll definitely update as soon as I have something to share :smile: I already have lots of road trips and track days planned (well, pencilled in at least) as I'm certainly intending to make the most of it.


Believe me mate, I'm more frustrated than anyone. However, this is more than a bit unfair to Mick and I think it's ill-judged given the circumstances (which are private and will remain so). This is genuinely an unfortunate time whereby things happen in life that put things into perspective. Things happen and you realise that car mods, track days, road trips, "car stuff" in general is a VERY distant second to the more important things in life. Life itself, for example. Without that you ain't got much else.

I didn't realise that mate and hope everything is ok micks end .
I was just looking at it with the info we see on here and looked like it was turning into another bad experience for you !

 

[SharkyUK]

I didn't realise that mate and hope everything is ok micks end.
I was just looking at it with the info we see on here and looked like it was turning into another bad experience for you !

All is ok mate, cheers. Everyone is fine and the car is being looked after I'm not going into details but the car can wait a little longer; I'm not being fobbed off or anything like that! Roll on the New Year!

 

[SharkyUK]

FFS - wish I'd just bought an E92 M3 now. This car is killing me.

 

[Stefan.]

FFS - wish I'd just bought an E92 M3 now. This car is killing me.

What happened andy?

 

[imprezaworks]

Can you not cut your losses and just break the car. Sounds like a frikin Royal pita.

 

[davo172]

FFS - wish I'd just bought an E92 M3 now. This car is killing me.

?

 

[rich_h]

There comes a time when you have to cut your losses, that was about 5 years ago! Please don't pump any more cash into it!

Feel bad for you

 

[Daz...]

I’m surprised you didn’t have a standard engine chucked in it years ago tbh. As good as a big boost build is you could’ve enjoyed the car whilst an engine was being built.

I hope you get to enjoy it again soon.

 

[c4pob]

FFS - wish I'd just bought an E92 M3 now. This car is killing me.

Something changed?

 

[SharkyUK]

I'm incredibly pissed off as there is potential for another big bill when there really, REALLY should not be.

Mick at Diamond has been a star and quietly working out a plan for what needs to be finished, what's missing, what's needed, etc. Alas, thoughts were turning to actually getting the engine up and running (i.e. turning it over). BUT... as the freshly built / new engine has been stood exposed and open to the elements since April 2016 he has noticed signs of corrosion and potential problems from not ensuring the engine was at least protected in some way. The upshot of this is that Mick is quite rightly concerned about hooking it up to the starter and turning it over in case, well, you can guess why. The engine was superbly built by Steve and his work is not in doubt at all, and neither is the concern that Mick has, but the state of the engine is in doubt and a concern. When the cost of the engine alone could buy you a handful of Clios it's hard not to be very, very angry.

Can you not cut your losses and just break the car. Sounds like a frikin Royal pita.

There comes a time when you have to cut your losses, that was about 5 years ago! Please don't pump any more cash into it!

Feel bad for you 😧

I hear you chaps but I'm in far, far too deep. I don't think I've ever published this but with all the problems and rebuilds and fixes and mess-ups and delays and parts and labour and yada yada yada... this trophy owes me the best part of £40k. Yes, you read that right. The 'joys' of keeping a spreadsheet of costs.

So... what to do next? After a lengthy chat with Mick last night (he's a good bloke and fully deserving of the reputation he has) there are a few options really. Just man-up, lube it up and see what happens when it's turned over. That could be expensive. Alternatively, I could get it sent back to Steve for a tear down and rebuild. Another expensive option and there is no guarantee that Steve will be available to do it. Or, get Mick to do the engine tear down and rebuild (which I have no issue with, but - again - is not going to be cheap).

Of course, it might be the case that everything works out just fine but the bottom line is that the car / engine should absolutely NOT have been allowed to get in this state. Fuming doesn't even come close to how I feel. I'm f**king raging. This has just about tipped me over the edge. I will have to jump one way or another soon but I just need to decide which way really. As daft as it sounds, what's another few grand on tear down, rebuild and parts replacement in the scheme of things? Well... it's money I shouldn't have to pay and my budget did not account for this sh!t.

I feel thoroughly let-down and demoralised right now. I'll update with what happens over the coming days / weeks.

 

[Mr R.]

Lots. For. Word's.

 

[SharkyUK]

I’m surprised you didn’t have a standard engine chucked in it years ago tbh. As good as a big boost build is you could’ve enjoyed the car whilst an engine was being built.

I hope you get to enjoy it again soon.

Thing is buddy, it wasn't supposed to take this long and I've just been let down time after time. I was told on several occasions that time was to be set aside, I built up my hopes, and then nothing happened again. And then changes were made to the car elsewhere whereby other changes would have to be reversed to drop a standard engine back in. It's all just become a big mess and I'm sorry it's landed on Mick's plate.

 

[Akay]

@SharkyUK I would just try and start it and see how it goes, if it works, great, if it goes pop, whack a standard engine in and just cut your losses. Appreciate you are in deep but anything else is madness surely?

Do you have any comeback at all on those who have let it get to this stage?

IMO the beauty of these cars is the handling and the 'package', the engine is ok but not the highlight.

100% confident that @MicKPM will guide you in the right direction though.

 

[imprezaworks]

So whoever had the car in 2016 and not protected it like it should have been has caused more issues?.

40k is mental. Easy to say what ‘i’ Would do in this situation. Tbf it would never have gone this far.

After all this would you like me to send you my bank details, as you seem to have lots of disposable income lol.

Just a joke to lift the gloom