Congratulations
on winning April 2012 COTM Gary! A super rare Nissan Primera P10 eZX Saloon!
She may be an old girl but she’s a cracker! How does it feel bagging this
exclusive award and the awesome COTM trophy as well?
When I was notified that I’d won it, I
was speechless and I’m not the most talkative person as it is.
Once I’d got over the shock, I had a
big beaming smile, in fact I still have it now. I am so happy and proud to have
won this accolade - It’s actually really difficult to put into words how
excited I am. When I found out, I actually went out and told my sexy baby, gave
her a stroke and a kiss just above the drivers door.
To win this award once was a special
moment in my life, to win it twice is something spectacular.
Oooooh and
another two times winner of COTM as well! Your 1st win was in March
2005 with your previous P10 eGT, does it feel any different second time around?
Very much so, I was taken aback when I
won it in 2005, and I was happy as happy can be but this time round it just feels
so different.
The realization that I have become
part of an exclusive “two time winners club” of this coveted award adds that
extra bit of oomph to it.
If the truth be told I don’t think I
was truly happy with how the old eGT looked at the time of winning COTM in
2005, she looked much better later on in life, this time though, I’m loving how
my baby looks, I know looks aren’t everything, but they do go a long way!
Before we talk
cars, modifications and mechanics, we’d love to find out about you the owner. Any
big life changes or anything since we read your original feature in 2005? Please
tell us about yourself and what you get up to, away from the NPOC.
Back in 2005 I had a wonderful lady in
my life Zoe, we were engaged, and buying stuff for the future together but by
July of that year it all ended and it’s taken a long time to come to terms with
that.
I’ve moved house twice since then and
currently living in a very nice spacious bungalow out in the countryside where
it’s quiet and I can chill away from the hustle and bustle of the local town,
it’s also better for playing with the cars as I’m not totally restricted by
space LOL.
In January of this year I got a
special 10 year service award from my employers, even though my 10 years was
last year and all have been on the best shift, the nightshift.
As most of you know, I can be a bit
camera happy but may have noticed these past couple of years, that I’ve been a
bit quiet on that front. Recently I’ve been getting back into it and in a
bigger way than before, so watch out as there could be a Sluffer pointing his
camera at you!
I also have a ginger cat that’s absolutely
brilliant, he likes to spend time with me and follows me most places around the
bungalow and garden, where ever I am, he won’t be too far away. He still hasn’t
mastered switching on the kettle or using a spanner yet but I’ll keep on trying
to train him LOL.
You’re an Elite Member
here (our highest level of paying membership), are you getting value for money
with that? And please sell us the reason, why everyone should become Elite.
I’ve been an Elite Member since the
inception of the membership pay structure, because I wanted to give something
back to the club that has helped me make new friends from around the country
and the world.
Yes the £15 a year for normal
membership does seem a lot cheaper than the £48 a year of the Elite but for the
benefits of being an Elite, from discount tickets at shows, discounts on parts (group
buys for example) and having a say on certain aspects within the club when
proposals are put forward, far outweighs the price differences.
I’ve actually ended up getting money
back from the club, so the Elite membership worked out free last year after all
the discounts.
You are also
a long term serving NPOC Staff Member (respect!).. What’s better, being on the
Staff Team, or just being a club member with no responsibilities?
Both have their plus points and minus
points, but for me personally being on the Staff Team is much better, as I feel
as if (work permitting) I can put more back into the club. Admittedly there are
times when it’s really difficult being a staff member, as you have to do things
that might seem harsh to the club members but they are all for the good of the
club.
Being part of the Staff team and being
a small part in helping making this club the success it is, makes me such a
proud person and I can look back and be happy with what has been achieved over
the past 7 years.
Now we know you are a Nissan Primera
P10 General, in the ranks on NPOC and I’ve personally seen a few P10’s on your
driveway! So how many have you actually got right now and why?
Right now I currently have four P10’s
sat on the driveway, two eZX’s and two eGT’s, all saloons, as have all my
previous P10’s been. Although for several months last year I had 5 sat on the
drive, with the 5th being the COTM 2005 winner who has met a sad
demise, but most of her lives on in various cupboards and boxes anyway!
Why?? Why do you have to ask such a
question? LOL. How can any Primera owner not like the styling and sexiness of
the P10 saloon? To me they are the ultimate Primera. The curves are just right,
the rear end of the saloon is the best looking rear end on any car, stylish,
sexy and thought out by the designers.
The eZX (red saloon) in this feature I
bought in 2010, after a fellow member “prim-n-proper” contacted me and said I
should check it out, so I looked at the photos, arranged a viewing and promptly
fell in love with it.
It comes with all the receipts dating
back to 1992. So thank you to Martin “prim-n-proper” for pointing me in this
direction.
The 2nd eZX, (another red
saloon), I received a phone call from “Grim”, asking me if I wanted it and well
I just couldn’t resist it! No matter how hard I wanted to say no because of
finances etc.. I just couldn’t do it, so she’s now here, with plans for her to
be a casual road / track car.
The 1st eGT (another red
saloon LOL) was a joint eBay buy with “essNchill”, it was to be used as a fun time
/ track time car. It looked good, it felt good, and however, when it came to
stripping it, I happened upon on the P10’s worst enemies, Tin-worm! To say we
were gutted would be an understatement but she will live on as her parts will
be used towards keeping the others alive.
The 2nd eGT, (metallic grey
saloon) again a phone call from “Grim” asking if I was interested, resulted in
it being on my driveway. Although engineless, the engine from the 1st
eGT will be transplanted into this and she’ll be back on the road.
What’s the
combined age of those beauties?
The combined age of the four P10’s if
you go by the 1st day of registration dates, is an eye watering 79
years old!.
But if you go by chassis numbers they
are combined at over 80 years old.
What keeps
you with the Nissan Primera (and specifically the P10) range so far? Most of us
know you are an Old Skool Ford nut as well, never tempted to jump ship for the
blue oval?
Apart from a period of 2 years 1999 -
2000, P10’s have been a part of my life in one way or another since 1994, which
is when I first sat in one and got to manhandle one. It’s hard to describe what
I felt at that moment, but I guess 18 years later and having owned several and
having the 4 sat on the drive now, this should be enough to summarise my
feeling and love for the Nissan Primera!
I do love my Old Skool Fords and if I
could afford one now, I would have one but it would never be a replacement for
my P10, it would be to compliment it.
Old Skool Fords and P10’s to me are
similar in many respects, although the drive layout is different, they all ooze
charm, character, passion and that feeling that they’re a drivers car not just
and A to B car.
As we’ve
already established, your collection of P10 eGT’s and eZX’s have some age..
What’s your philosophy on keeping / owning old cars? Should they just be
enjoyed for what they are and the condition is part of that charm, or should we
all be looking at buying old cars and throwing thousands of pounds and nut and
bolt restorations, to make factory fresh pretty cars?
This is a toughie, I mean if I could
afford to do a full strip down, rebuild, full on nut and bolt restoration to
concourse condition, then I would do that for one of them, but they are a
drivers car!
I try and keep up on the mechanical
side of things, such as servicing, replacing / upgrading worn components and
the biggest threat, keeping the tin-worm at bay for as long as possible.
I look at them and think “You know,
they’re 20 years old”, they’re not going to be minty mint perfect but they’re
in a hell of a lot of a better condition than many more modern vehicles, and
that makes me happy.
On to the modifications,
now would be a great time to tell us all about your Nissan Primera P10 eZX
Saloon! So please list your full spec and all modifications, inside and out:
17” Pro-race 1.2 alloys (in a custom
bronze colour)
D1 Spec lightened wheel nuts in black
HotShot Header and down pipe
Hotshot WAI, was a CAI on the lowport
SR20 P10, but need some extra bendy bits to make it a CAI on the highport SR20
XTD Lightened flywheel
Cusco Top links
A’pexi Neo Geo
Janspeed rear exhaust
Chrome Dial Rings
NPOC Tax Disc Holder
NPOC Stickers… Got to keep the club
flag flying when on the move!
Sheep stickers, need I say more LOL
What’s the
most enjoyable change you’ve made so far?
Can I pick two?
The alloys really changed the look of
the car and the colour of them is just right too! I didn’t want to go black, or
black with a red lip or white, (they’ve been done to death). I wanted something
different but which still stood out, but not so much that they were “in your
face” stood out, just a subtle but effective look.
For my 2nd choice it would
have to be my Cusco Top Links. If you don’t have any, I suggest you get some! The
way the car handled after fitting them was so just fantastic, with a nice
little bit of stagger, not too much, just enough.
If I gave
£500 right now and told you it had to be spent on the car, what would you buy?
Hmmn, the sensible person in me says a
new front cross member, and new sills, get my four pot calipers fitted. The not
so sensible person says get her liveried up in the Old Spice touring car
colours, in memory of the late Keith O’dor.
If money was
no object and you could do anything you wanted to the P10 eZX, what would you
do?
A full strip down and rebuild with the
above new body bits and any others that needed doing and a respray in its
current original AG4 red colour.
Get the aforementioned livery done, a
full on engine rebuild with uprated components, get the suspension sorted, with
coilovers and just make her epic!
Although making a Nissan Primera P10
epic is quite a difficult task, as they already come with that title LOL!
You’re known
for an extensive parts stash, both with OEM gear and aftermarket goodies! Is all
of that part of a retirement plan or something?
No no, no retirement plan, but now
you’ve given me that idea, I’m sat here stroking my invisible goatee beard
thing.
No seriously, the parts will make
their way onto the car(s) at some point, but might just take me several years
to get around to it LOL.
You can never have enough spare parts
and I’m always on the lookout for more but as with most people, finances are
the biggest hold back!
At Japfest in
May 2012, we’re gonna see you out on the track (along with some other club
cars)… How exciting is that gonna be!?!?
Nervous and exciting at the same time,
as I hate being in view of the public… And well, being out on track with a
couple of hundred people watching is going to be pretty daunting, just hope I
don’t bin it and I hope you (essNchill) don’t throw up in the passenger seat as
I won’t be cleaning it, you will be LOL!!!
Time for
the quick fire question round!
How
long have you been an NPOC Member?
9 long and happy years on May 18th
2012.
What makes you smile?
My cat and my cars.
What makes you sad?
Seeing poorly animals.
Tell us something we don't know about
you..
Shh but I do drink the occasional cup of tea!
Your favourite colour?
Black
Your lucky number?
43
What will it say on your gravestone?
Unknown person lies here.
Your favourite drink (any)?
Daft question that like….Coffee is the sure
fire winner here LOL!
If you could steal the keys to someone else’s
car (on NPOC) for 1 day, which car would you steal and why?
Jimmy “sprint”s SR20VE
powered P10, who wouldn’t? It’s a sexy as buggery P10, (albeit with a P11 lump)
but it’s a nicely powered VE lump and one that I will admit, I’m extremely
jealous of and wish it was mine!
Staff / Club
PR hat on now.. Please tell everyone why they should take the time to get out
to our club meets (regional or national).
I went to my 1st meet in
2003 and 9 years later I’m still here LOL. Going to your 1st meet is
daunting, but you will see that we are a happy and laid back family, bring your
dog, rabbit, children, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, all are welcome at our
meets! Break the ice at one of our meets and meet the people behind the screen
names, you will probably get more enjoyment out of being part of the club, by
putting names to faces and becoming more involved.
What’s been
your favourite ever club meet, “of all time” so far and why?
Oh wow, what a bloomin question! I’ve
been to that many in 9 years LOL but I think for obvious reasons it has to last
years JAE (2011), as I won best P10 in show, which was voted for by the members
of this club. To say I was speechless and had a lump in my throat at the time
would be an understatement, it was such a special moment in my life receiving
such a prestigious award - I’ve got tears in my eyes now just writing this as I
think about that moment when I was called up.
Only regret is that I was so
speechless, my acceptance speech was pretty non existent – Sorry!
Now you have
2 x COTM trophies and the Best P10 in Show trophy you won at JAE 2011, this
means you’ve entered into a rather exclusive club of having 3 NPOC trophies.
Wow!!… How does that make you feel?
Winning one NPOC trophy is significant
enough but now having 3 trophies sat proudly on display is just, well simply
mind blowing! I still have to pinch myself after winning the Best P10 trophy,
now I have to pinch myself even harder, downside though, I’m now covered in
bruises LOL!
NPOC for life
(regardless of what car you own and drive) or leg it when you change car?
I’m an NPOC’r baby! I won’t cut my arm
off to prove it, but I am like a stick of rock when it comes to the club, I
have it written inside me!
In your 2005
COTM feature, you were asked if you’d ever stray to the P11 darkside.. Here we
are 7 years on and despite you mentioning the temptation of a P11 144 saloon..
The truth is, you’ve remained faithful to the P10 Army! How does the original
question still hold up?
In a nut it doesn’t anymore LOL. Back
then I never thought my love for the Nissan Primera P10 could get stronger, but
it most certainly has! So there shouldn’t be any P11’s with their V5 in my name
in the future, but none of us know what is round the corner, so never say never
I guess.
What happened
to the P10 eGT COTM winning car from 2005 and do you miss her?... It must be
like losing one of the family?
The poor old girl has gone to heaven,
well the shell and the engine have! The interior parts including dash, plus
doors and boot etc live on in various stashes around the bungalow. One part did
go to America though, so the love has been shared!.
Do I miss her? I do, the week she went
was quite hard but oddly I don’t miss her as much as miss my first eGT… That was
one P10 I do regret letting out of my life.
Tell Carlos Ghosn why he needs to bring back the Nissan Primera
brand:
Just look at this club, you can see
the passion for the Nissan Primera, you can see what gets written about their
now defunct saloon brand! Stop with the SUV’s and shoe boxes and get back to
what you did best in the 90’s and make excellent, fast, fun loving family
saloons that can again wipe the floor of rival saloons. But preferably not with
a lot of the curvy shite you’ve got going on with your new vehicles!
Many thanks
for telling us all about yourself and the Nissan Primera P10 eZX Loon, she’s super
rare and very worthy to now sit in the NPOC history book! Congratulations once
again for winning Car Of The Month for April 2012 Gaz! Please end this feature,
in your own words and feel free to thank anyone who’s made this one possible.
Haven’t I said enough ^^ up there ^^
and you still want me to witter on some more!
What can I say.. As one of the ‘old’ boys now, it’s you the members that have
made this place a huge part of my life for the 9 years. I’ve made many great
friends, got to know many great people that I wouldn’t have done, were it not
for here and I can’t thank you all enough for that!
To all those that have made me part
with my hard earned cash through parts sales and car sales etc… I thank you
through gritted teeth, nah seriously if it wasn’t for you guys, I wouldn’t be
here now writing this and celebrating such a momentous occasion!
A few thanks to individuals now and in
no particular order and sorry if I’ve missed you off, it’s most certainly not
intentional!
“essNchill” & “Princess Fluffy”, for
being there at my low points, my high points, and being brutally honest when
needed and for putting a roof over my head, over the years. Oh and windmills
are ace by the way, especially ones in Norfolk LOL!
“P12DMR” & Pam, again for being there at my low points and my high points,
for getting your hands dirty on my various P10’s when I’ve hit a brick wall
with certain jobs and for being on the end of the phone offering advice when
needed. Also, for the cooking and coffee supplies at your house or at meets x
“Tom-P10”, for the help and advice
over the years and getting the B&B’s organized for Japfest every year too!
“Grim”, for the cars and the help over
the past couple for years, diamond geezer!
“CarlosKongFooey”, my housemate.. For
putting up with my random thoughts and ideas and for suffering my low points
more than most! Also for putting up with finding random Nissan Primera P10
parts in random places around the bungalow LOL!
“prim-n-proper”, for the various parts
you’ve sent me, given me over the years, and the nice surprises at JAE LOL. Baaa
“Ant-Dat” & “eeyore”, for the
advice over the phone and at meets and also for putting me up and feeding me
whenever I visited Scotland.
The Club Owners as a collective, for
making this club what it is today. You’ve done a fantastic job and here’s too
many more happy years of NPOC.
Finally a huge huge thank you to
everyone for making this momentous occasion happen. You’re all special!
Congratulations once again to Gary!
April 2012 COTM - Sluffer