Post #102
A little update for this project, and curiously a step in the direction of luxury and not 'track', which leaves me a little uneasy and almost questioning my sexual preference, but hey ho, I do live in Brighton. When in Rome...
As ever, mine is a car of compromise. All things to all men, or perhaps more accurately few things to even fewer men. But whilst driver feedback and fun has always been at the very root of my modifications, I can't get away from the fact that I steer the old girl to work every day, and 2 pokey little paper speakers just don't cut the mustard when going head to head with 2metres of stainless pipework and no rear seats. So audio upgrade was next on the seemingly endless list of things to do to the car (A list I've "finished" on more than one occasion...I thought)
I know sweet FA about wires and speakers and head units, so last year struck up an accord with a chap from
Huets, and set about spec'ing a bespoke, light, non-invasive audio package to allow me to sing at the top of my voice and not have to hear it. I definitely didn't want some filthy great boom box in the boot, but equally wanted good quality and clarity. And didn't want to spend that much..
I bought a few used bits and bobs, and few bits from him, and then left it with him to do his craftsman thing.
Theres an Alpine amp tucked away beneath the centre console.
New front JL speakers with independent tweeters carefully, sympathetically installed.
JL 6x9's in the rear door cards (parcel shelves are for ladies) and some lightweight Dinomat to keep resonance down on the inside of the panels
And it really does sound amazing. Yes theres a few extra kilos back i the car, but my drive to work is musical extravaganza now!! Really happy with Huets workmanship and quality. The gaffer, Pete, shared my interests and passions, and didn't seem to mind me getting a bit anal about certain things. I highly recommend them.
The keen eyes among you will also notice I've slipped a thin acoustic carpet in the back for day to day living, for that factory R26.R OEM look.
The next, and more recent update is all about aesthetics. Its not new, you've all seen it before, but the white and black theme has finally, inevitably made its way to the headlights. Like many others, I've lined Gnrlee's pockets and picked up some black masks (mate, you should cut down on the fags, you made my car smell simply from the ambient perfume of the box you packaged them up in!) Great quality and finish, and now on, it really has freshened up the front end, and given it a more purposeful look.
Heres a few before and afters. Whats not to like...
(excuse my shadow...apparently we still have a sun!!)
Thats about it for now.
Tune in next month when I'll be bringing news of Quaife and Goodwood...
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Rallye-R
Nurburgring article