The warm baguette - 2005 Clio Trophy
Discussion
Well, the start of the year has been anything but smooth. I had a plan to sell my rarely used weekend car (a mint Lotus Elise S-Cup to a lovely chap who is currently enjoying it on the nordschleife. My intention was to buy a mint car from my birth year (a Mk2 16v GTI. I had a Mk1 a few years ago and loved the experience) I thought this would be my Sunday blast car, but also something I could take the family out in.
Long story short, I bought a mint 16v GTI, three weeks later I sold it (wasn t as advertised and I lost money. It wasn t a great dealer experience)
However, I have an acquaintance (an Instagram friend) who loves French hot hatches. Since I was selling the Elise, he d been trying to help me get into a Clio Trophy. He s an active member of the UK Trophy scene. So, I m now the proud owner of a 2005 three-owner, 79k-mile Capsicum red Trophy.
I ve been lucky to own a few nice and exciting occasional use cars over my 22-year driving career, but I had not owned a French car. I had lusted over the 205 Rallye but couldn t find a decent one in the last couple of years. I digress.
A few weeks into owning the warm baguette, I can confidently say I haven t driven as many miles in a weekend fun car in the first couple of weeks as I have in this one. I ve also confirmed that big-engined, lightish-weight hot hatches are a lot of fun on tight British b roads.
The little T is in wonderful condition for its age, but as with anything, there s still some work to do. I ve already polished the headlights (when the Mrs was away for the weekend - tsk tsk - took much longer to get to the result than I anticipated) and re-fitted the alternator (it had bolts missing - made the engine bay sound like engine was going to fall apart). It s going off to Mick at Diamond Motors in a few weeks for an annual service and a check-over. I need the fancy Sachs dampers rebuilt (they re a bit pogo-ish so off to BG motorsport ) and the bonnet needs a good polish (there are some weird bubbles in the lacquer). But other than that it s in good order
it s only been a few weeks with my first French car experience, but I have a good feeling about this. The Lotus owners community was friendly along with being a great resource, already my experience with the T community is just as positive. I ll report back once it s been through the service and check-up. Fingers crossed!
Long story short, I bought a mint 16v GTI, three weeks later I sold it (wasn t as advertised and I lost money. It wasn t a great dealer experience)
However, I have an acquaintance (an Instagram friend) who loves French hot hatches. Since I was selling the Elise, he d been trying to help me get into a Clio Trophy. He s an active member of the UK Trophy scene. So, I m now the proud owner of a 2005 three-owner, 79k-mile Capsicum red Trophy.
I ve been lucky to own a few nice and exciting occasional use cars over my 22-year driving career, but I had not owned a French car. I had lusted over the 205 Rallye but couldn t find a decent one in the last couple of years. I digress.
A few weeks into owning the warm baguette, I can confidently say I haven t driven as many miles in a weekend fun car in the first couple of weeks as I have in this one. I ve also confirmed that big-engined, lightish-weight hot hatches are a lot of fun on tight British b roads.
The little T is in wonderful condition for its age, but as with anything, there s still some work to do. I ve already polished the headlights (when the Mrs was away for the weekend - tsk tsk - took much longer to get to the result than I anticipated) and re-fitted the alternator (it had bolts missing - made the engine bay sound like engine was going to fall apart). It s going off to Mick at Diamond Motors in a few weeks for an annual service and a check-over. I need the fancy Sachs dampers rebuilt (they re a bit pogo-ish so off to BG motorsport ) and the bonnet needs a good polish (there are some weird bubbles in the lacquer). But other than that it s in good order
it s only been a few weeks with my first French car experience, but I have a good feeling about this. The Lotus owners community was friendly along with being a great resource, already my experience with the T community is just as positive. I ll report back once it s been through the service and check-up. Fingers crossed!
Edited by oxnop on Saturday 4th April 16:07
Edited by oxnop on Wednesday 6th May 20:59
Tickle said:
Lovely - I had a Trophy in-between Elise ownership. Great cars!
Thank you. Clearly it’s not going to have the poise of an Elise (still think a sorted Elise has to be one of best handling cars on a dry twisty road) but I’m hoping I can get this into a close ball park on the fun scale. oxnop said:
Tickle said:
Lovely - I had a Trophy in-between Elise ownership. Great cars!
Thank you. Clearly it s not going to have the poise of an Elise (still think a sorted Elise has to be one of best handling cars on a dry twisty road) but I m hoping I can get this into a close ball park on the fun scale. Edited by Tickle on Sunday 5th April 10:07
Tickle said:
oxnop said:
Tickle said:
Lovely - I had a Trophy in-between Elise ownership. Great cars!
Thank you. Clearly it s not going to have the poise of an Elise (still think a sorted Elise has to be one of best handling cars on a dry twisty road) but I m hoping I can get this into a close ball park on the fun scale. Edited by Tickle on Sunday 5th April 10:07
Well I’m getting to know the trophy a little more
It’s caused me some probs - the clutch pedal actuator rod popping off, 5 times to be exact whilst on a trip with my 8yo up to the Yorkshire dales. At one point stranding me in the middle of a market town with about 20 cars queuing whilst I folded my 42 year old body in half to refit - common issue I believe, so replaced with a new one. Cue me having to fold my body and arms into many different shapes to re fit
This is the old one, you can see the nylon insert is cracked.
It’s been to Mick at Diamond Motorsport (Nottingham) for a service and a check over. He confirmed what I thought about the Sachs dampers - they need a rebuild but other than it needing a new aux belt kit it got a clean bill of health. So it got a clean..
I did notice the exhaust had been adjusted using jubilee clips and zip ties to get it straight in relation to bumper cut outs. Another common issue I think, but as the rubber hangers were perished I went about trying to find some replacements. Obviously there were none readily available for my exhaust (it’s a French made ‘Orbisound’) but though some forum searching I found that the part numbers on the hangers were for a 1st gen BMW x5 - I managed to get some new ones from a classic BMW shop in Greece. 5 days post ordering I was on the floor of my garage swearing at them, whilst scraping my knuckles to get all fitted up.
But as I’m finding with older cars, nothing is simple. So even though it’s got new rubber mounts… once it warms up the exhaust goes off centre! Typical.
It’s caused me some probs - the clutch pedal actuator rod popping off, 5 times to be exact whilst on a trip with my 8yo up to the Yorkshire dales. At one point stranding me in the middle of a market town with about 20 cars queuing whilst I folded my 42 year old body in half to refit - common issue I believe, so replaced with a new one. Cue me having to fold my body and arms into many different shapes to re fit
This is the old one, you can see the nylon insert is cracked.
It’s been to Mick at Diamond Motorsport (Nottingham) for a service and a check over. He confirmed what I thought about the Sachs dampers - they need a rebuild but other than it needing a new aux belt kit it got a clean bill of health. So it got a clean..
I did notice the exhaust had been adjusted using jubilee clips and zip ties to get it straight in relation to bumper cut outs. Another common issue I think, but as the rubber hangers were perished I went about trying to find some replacements. Obviously there were none readily available for my exhaust (it’s a French made ‘Orbisound’) but though some forum searching I found that the part numbers on the hangers were for a 1st gen BMW x5 - I managed to get some new ones from a classic BMW shop in Greece. 5 days post ordering I was on the floor of my garage swearing at them, whilst scraping my knuckles to get all fitted up.
But as I’m finding with older cars, nothing is simple. So even though it’s got new rubber mounts… once it warms up the exhaust goes off centre! Typical.
Welcome to the 182 club!
For the exhaust you need Powerflex bushes in the existing brackets. On my exhaust, the rods that sit in the hole have a threaded end, so I put some BIG washers over and locktite'd a bolt in the end, so they can't pull out. I then had to cable tie the bushes to the bracket as they'd pop out. It's a really poor system!
This was my 1st attempt...
For the exhaust you need Powerflex bushes in the existing brackets. On my exhaust, the rods that sit in the hole have a threaded end, so I put some BIG washers over and locktite'd a bolt in the end, so they can't pull out. I then had to cable tie the bushes to the bracket as they'd pop out. It's a really poor system!
This was my 1st attempt...
Thanks guys! I m glad it s not just me with these issues - whilst the wife was making tea, looking after the kids and working I decided to go out and have another go at aligning it.
Cold - not too bad
After a 30 mile b road blast - hot - still not bad
I’ll take that as a win 🥇
Cold - not too bad
After a 30 mile b road blast - hot - still not bad
I’ll take that as a win 🥇
Edited by oxnop on Wednesday 6th May 21:21
Well.. I’ve done a fair bit to car since my last update
It’s had its timing set properly (was massively advanced), it’s had the bracket that holds the alternator in place replaced (was snapped in half), it’s had a new aux belt tensioner and full kit (all done by Mick at Diamond Motors).
The big thing is that I’ve had the Trophy Sachs dampers rebuilt, shafts replaced plus some other bits by BG motorsport I’ve also done some maintenance bits like get some new bump stops and shaft covers made, genuine top mount kit plus replace the spark plugs as mine had some fake Bosch ones fitted so I’ve now got the genuine OEM NGK platinum. On the aesthetic side I’ve also fitted a ‘snappy’ trimmed steering wheel
All I can say is that the car is transformed, in the past I’ve really got on with a few of my past fun cars. Really likes the rawness of the Mini JCW, enjoyed wet blasts in my Evo 6 and was in awe at the scalpel like ability of the Elise. BUT this one just ticks more of my boxes.
I’ve been abroad a bit recently doing some active things like climb mountains which has meant a week of only a few hours sleep a night. But since coming back, rather than catch up on my sleep I’ve been setting my alarm for 5am so I can get 2 hours in on some nice local roads before the family wake up. I am loving the little French hot hatch
The wife also drove it for her first time and with the kids in the back. Her view ‘it handles ok doesn’t it’ and the kids experienced an old car that doesn’t have headrests for the first time when then fell asleep…
It’s had its timing set properly (was massively advanced), it’s had the bracket that holds the alternator in place replaced (was snapped in half), it’s had a new aux belt tensioner and full kit (all done by Mick at Diamond Motors).
The big thing is that I’ve had the Trophy Sachs dampers rebuilt, shafts replaced plus some other bits by BG motorsport I’ve also done some maintenance bits like get some new bump stops and shaft covers made, genuine top mount kit plus replace the spark plugs as mine had some fake Bosch ones fitted so I’ve now got the genuine OEM NGK platinum. On the aesthetic side I’ve also fitted a ‘snappy’ trimmed steering wheel
All I can say is that the car is transformed, in the past I’ve really got on with a few of my past fun cars. Really likes the rawness of the Mini JCW, enjoyed wet blasts in my Evo 6 and was in awe at the scalpel like ability of the Elise. BUT this one just ticks more of my boxes.
I’ve been abroad a bit recently doing some active things like climb mountains which has meant a week of only a few hours sleep a night. But since coming back, rather than catch up on my sleep I’ve been setting my alarm for 5am so I can get 2 hours in on some nice local roads before the family wake up. I am loving the little French hot hatch
The wife also drove it for her first time and with the kids in the back. Her view ‘it handles ok doesn’t it’ and the kids experienced an old car that doesn’t have headrests for the first time when then fell asleep…
I had a Trophy years ago, miss it the most out of all my cars. I really regret selling it. I had the dampers rebuilt on mine. I think the lad who I sold it to modified it and made it into a track car.
I just had good brake pads and a custom exhaust as the original rotted.
Enjoy it and keep up the updates!
I just had good brake pads and a custom exhaust as the original rotted.
Enjoy it and keep up the updates!
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