Time for a change...

I sold my beloved Steel Grey 16VT in 2008.

Since then, I've wandered around (physically and metaphorically) in car purgatory, but, like a malingering spirit, I've never left this place.

I've amassed quite a few FCCUK car stickers (11 - count'em)...


... and asked many, many stupid questions.

But, enough is enough. It's time for change.

I don't feel that I can carry on hanging around the forum when I haven't had a coupé for more than 8 years. So, I've...









... BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE!!!



Some of you will know that this has (of course, it involves me!) been a bit of a saga and many of you will recognise the car; I would like to say a massive thank you to Reuben (Coupedummy) for entrusting me with the care of his precious Wine Red 20VT, to Joe (Countrycruising) for his work and explaining things to me in little words, to Leighton (Flea) for breathing FC Performance magic dust onto the car today and everyone else who offered advice and help in finding the right car. My apologies to those I've inadvertently messed around, too.

I should also add that MrsC has been typically fabulous in indulging my endless quest to get back behind the wheel of a coupé.

I'm back - and I'm a VERY happy bunny!

It's about bloody time! Well done Jim. Oooooh, the fun and games!!! Hahahaha!

Get those side skirts sprayed and the front bottom skirt .... here we go here we go here we gooooo

I need a new LE kit first, patch!

I'll post the Dyno charts when Flea emails them too...!

That's great news Jim. I know the car well and have followed it around Spa and Belgium a fair bit.
If it brings you as many smiles as it has Reuben then you are on to a good thing.
Enjoy mate.

gutted but glad she's gone to a good home. Guess I'm going have to change my signature now!

Also how's the remap go? Really interested to hear all details

Welcome back Jim



Yes you'll need a new picture of your Red 20vt going backwards

I'll post the dyno results when I get them, but she's good for 260bhp now and that's plenty for me!

It's been so long since I drove a coupe - and it's so different from the Mini - that I need a bit of time to get used to it.

MrsC loved driving it down to Castle Combe today and my stepsons have declared it "sick". So, a result all round!

Thanks again to all those who helped!

Welcome back to the fold Jim, I can take the pair of socks out of my mouth now

This is a coupedummy coop I haven't seen as last Spa, 2014, Reuben was in P***YUF which was a sprinty - perhaps his brother's?

Looking forward to seeing Mrs C's interpretation of it....maybe all of you even at Assen?

Yup Simon, my very own coupe.
Yup was in Neil's sprinty coupe "Neilson " at Spa. Assen will be my new old Abba speed pink coupe.

As "Simon says" be cool to see some Han artwork!

From one owner who had a big gap between Coupe's to another - Well done Jim.

Welcome to the wine red club. It is a club of exquisite taste.



You taking your new prize anywhere? Brooklands perhaps? Would be good to put a face to a name. Even if it's just to prove that you don't look like Malcolm Tucker.

Just viewed the graph results on Flea's FB page, tidy power for a stage 1 Jim

Nice to see Jim again, and really great to see him with his day old Coupe!!



Image links don't always work with Facebook, so can click through to the full page if needed!

Really hope you enjoy it, it performs great and look forward to seeing you at some race meets

Here's the graph for those who couldn't open it.
Certainly felt lively on the drive home!

Omg Jim... You've been let back out of general chat!!!

At least you've finally bought a proper car (again)

Top job.

coupedummy did you take the LE kit off your Coop?

No ,unfortunately the kit was damaged due to the eibach lowing springs and the mahooosive speed bumps around my home. Those who have been to mine can confirm.

I did have a kit for my new one but as it is original 43k I don't think it would be right to start modifying. Maybe a remap..

I have some genuine plus skirts in wine red....... What colour code is it??

And the splitters, and rear bumper.....

Ooh! I'm not sure. Reuben?

I think it's 180a winner red I believe. Check under bonnet though.. Rear bumper is fine as it is sprayed up.

I'll check code for skirts.

Good to see you back in a Coupe Jim

Thanks T! I'll have a look on the car, Reuben, but I remember you wondering if the colour was different after the respray...

Well done Jim!!! Really pleased for you.

So, how does it feel this morning? Waking up knowing you have a coupe again. Excited or scared stiff Hahaha!

Can't wait to see the first posts in "Technical issues"

Hope you have good luck with it

Thanks bezzer. It won't save England, however happy I am! Patch, what do you mean "waking up"? I didn't actually sleep!

Just about to post how nice the Coupe is with it's original concept look i.e sans too fast too furious sills....another LE looky likey on the horizon, Keep it original.

Bingo! Oh, hang on, we didn't have that one

Think you win the award for having the longest hiatus between coupe's!

Cheers, Begbie! A very rare Bingo indeed.

Submariner, it will still be original under the kit!
It's all about personal taste; I prefer the look with the body kit, but until I can afford one, she'll be au naturel.

Nice one Jim. I know what you mean about Coop ownership. Obviously there will come a time when my Coop has to depart from my company, but hopefully that's some time away.


Long live the Coop Jim.......

Cheers, Jim! Long live your coop too!

Didn't see that one coming, congratulations.

Must resist looking at the for sale
Must resist looking at the for sale
Must resist looking at the for sale
Must resist looking at the for sale
Must resist looking at the for sale
Must resist looking at the for sale
Must resist looking at the for sale

I resisted for 8 years... Or at least I resisted *buying*!

I think I'm coming up 7 years next month, I've never completely ruled out coming back though.

Is that X really the seed of another coupe?

The problem is, once you have owned one, you know how good they are and the feelings these cars evoke (especially when on boost).

Therefore, why would anyone who's been a prior owner not want another? There's nothing else on the road like them and they will never be made again (Maybe?).

You only live once and men like fast cars, attractive and unusual cars and cars that make a nice sound (disclaimer - as do some women of course - My wife has a c30 2.5 turbo - not interested in the speed aspect at all - weirdo!).

The 5 pot burble has done it for me since I first heard the Quattro.

The scene is set for higher prices, people are loving these cars these days. - Don't miss out.....

Good for you Jim! Have you stopped smiling yet?

No. Getting face cramp!

Ummmm, welcome back!

Nice sig pic, Gunzi - what a splendid colour!

Happy cooping again Jim
I've seen your new beloved (the car that is) go round the Spa track back in 2012

Those sunroofs do help with the down force

Haven't seen that pic Alesi. I remember that aswell, just after out dragging the fiat coupe pickup past the chequered at spa.

Perhaps not a bad idea for a tad more headroom esp. with a helmet.....

Jim, the car has never been raced or rallied!

It doesn't say anything about being driven at "100+ leptons on a private test track", does it?!

I love the pic, maybe one day I'll get to repeat the feat...

There are a some more Jim, I'll have a look if I have time before I disappear for a few days.

Lovely, Pete - I'm sure by the time my grandkids are old enough to understand, I'll have replaced Reuben in my own memory anyway!

Sorry Jim, it'll take me a bit longer to find them than I'd hoped.

I'll have another go next week.

No worries Pete. I'm not planning on letting go of the car in that time!

Thanks Jim!

Don't get the kit, keep the sills black!

click if you dare Jim