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January 2016 - Rocker_Kev

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Joined: 18 Dec 2013
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    Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 1:02pm

Congratulations on winning January 2016 MOTM Kevin! How does it feel to be our exclusive Member Of The Month and having your name up in lights?

Thank you Shaun. I have followed the MOTM and previously the COTM. I always enjoying reading the articles and finding out more about people and their cars. I am very honoured to be selected for January 2016 MOTM.

Before we get going and remembering my manners... Happy New Year Kev!! I hope you and yours have an epic 2016. I regularly enjoy your inspirational Facebook postings, so take the stage and please pass on a suitable message to our Members, to help them see in the New Year:

To everyone in the NPOC family, in the forum and on Facebook page. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that 2016 will be a good year for you. Wishing you all a Happy New Year with peace and love.

We’d love to find out about you the person. Please tell us about yourself and what you get up to, away from the NPOC.

I am 51 years young. I live in sunny Hastings on the south coast and have been here 17 years. I am fortunate to own my own house which looks out across the countryside and has views to the sea and Beachy Head. Hastings is a great place to live, it has a good arts and music scene and people actually talk to you in the shops.

I have worked in IT (Operations / Infrastructure) since leaving school in 1983 and have been at Hastings Direct, a local insurance company, for the last 10 years. I have seen many changes since the days of paper tape, punch cards and floppy disks.

I have two boys, David and Oliver and have been with my partner Linda for 2 1/2 years. David lives in North Devon with his girlfriend, and Oliver lives locally in Hastings with his mum. Linda lives opposite me, a very handy arrangement for both of us.

I have had a German Shepherd dog, King, for the last 4 1/2 years. He was a rescue, originally coming from Ireland. He loves going for a ride in the Primera at any opportunity and is a big loyal softie and loves nothing better than cuddling his big yellow duck. Some of you may remember him as he came along to an NPOC meet at Ferry Meadows.

My main thing for keeping fit is walking, particularly in the British hills and mountains, including an annual trip to the Brecon Beacons every year, although everywhere is quite a way from the South-East.

I know it’s been a while now but can you remember how you found the NPOC forums and are we any good? Would you happily recommend the club to other Nissan Primera owners?

I bought my first P11 in December 2012 and was trying to find out about which models had the clear (non-orange) rear indicator lenses as I wanted to replace mine. I posted a question and also a new member post and from then on I was hooked. The NPOC forum is very well run, I know it takes a lot of effort from the owners and admin to keep it that way. Yes, it’s the best forum I have been on and I always keep some NPOC flyers in my car so I can have them to hand to put them on nice Primeras I find and actively promote the club.

Your join date from your profile shows December 2012! Which means you have now racked up 3 years of paying NPOC Membership! Massive respect and well done! What keeps you coming back and signing in every day here?

I have always felt like this is my extended family. I am a quite shy and sensitive person really but NPOC has helped me, along with opening up more to build my self-confidence and come out of my shell more. I enjoy the banter and have made many friendships both virtually and 'real-life' at meets etc.  I am very grateful for all the technical help given and for those special people who have helped me to keep my cars going. I love finding and posting items of interest Primera and Nissan related and also forthcoming events that I think others will enjoy and maybe go along together.

You’re an Elite Member here (our highest level of paying membership and respect to you too)!! Are you still getting value for money with that? And please sell us the reason, why everyone should become Elite.

I am proud of NPOC and want to show my ongoing commitment. Elite membership is definitely value for money, £4 per month is nothing really (a pint of beer and a packet of crisps) and I don’t have to remember to renew my subscription. I would be an Elite member even without the great discounts given, with these factored in it's a no-brainer. A free breakfast at Ace Cafe is always most welcome.

Now most of us that have had the pleasure of meeting you in the flesh, or are friends with you on FaceyB, will be very aware that you’re “a lover and not a fighter”, “will take peace over war” and “a jolly nice and spiritual chap”. I’m just gonna summarise and call you a Hippy (and you know I love you too!).. So what’s this one all about Kev?

Yes I am proud to be a Hippy. I wish Peace and Love and the best for everyone.

My musical tastes are quite eclectic. My main love is of old school classic and hard rock from the 60's onwards. I particularly like The Beatles and John Lennon. I am also partial to some singer-songwriters as well as completely different music styles, ambient and trance! I love going to gigs, but prefer more intimate shows locally now rather than the big stadiums, though I am looking forward to seeing Black Sabbath (again) at Download this year.

I am an atheist and a humanist. I think we are all the same no matter what gender, colour or religion and try to give others respect. I do not judge but try to treat others as I would wish to be treated myself. I try to keep an open mind on everything and am a good listener. I think it better to say nothing rather than something that could be hurtful. One of my heroes is the 14th Dalai Lama and I was lucky enough to see him last year. I am not a Buddhist and I do eat meat, but it has to be really cooked, my steaks are very well done and my bacon crisped until it’s nearly burnt.

So let’s get to previously owned cars sir (but please leave the Nissan Primera’s out of this one and your other crappy Nissan haha!).. Give us your car ownership history from the day you passed please and I’d love you to accompany this lot with some olde photos if you have them?

My brother was always the one into cars and I think some of this is finally rubbing off on me.

Firstly he had a Mini which he transplanted a 1275GT engine into it.

His next project was a Morris Minor which had similar treatment with a Rover V8. That wasn't powerful enough so he put a small block 327 cu in (5.3litre) Chevy engine in.

I passed my test in June 1982 when I was 17. The first car I drove was my mum and dad's Austin Maxi, until I rolled it going too fast round a bend and wrote it off. 5 points for driving without due care and attention and two defective tyres.

The first car I purchased was a 1967 grey VW Beetle. I nicknamed it Raindrop and gave me freedom to go to 6th form and out and about in the evenings with my then girlfriend (David's mum).

The rest is pretty sketchy, I unfortunately don't have photos:

Ford Escort Mk 2

Ford Fiesta (wife's car - shared driving)

Renault 18

Ford Sierra 2.0

Ford Cortina Mk5 1.6 Estate

Toyota Corolla 1.3 auto

Ford Escort 1.6 auto

Toyota Avensis 2.0 auto

Have you got a favourite out of the “previously owned” list above and why?

The Sierra seemed fast at the time (20 years ago). The Avensis kept on going forever and I only got rid of it (for £100 scrap) because it was uneconomic to repair when the alarm wouldn't disable and kept going off and annoying the neighbours.

Tell us about any other Primera's in your past.

About 7 years ago my then girlfriend was looking for a replacement car and being so happy with my Avensis we were on the lookout for something similar. As the Avensis and Primera were both chain-driven these were the choice at the time. A beautiful black 1997 P11 2.0 SLX came along and we had to buy it. I loved driving that car, sadly she took it when we split up. I think she has now sold it on but I still keep a lookout for it locally.

I bought a white P11 2.0 SE (manual) in May 2013 so that I could keep as spare parts for the SLX. I put it through an MOT and it passed so I then had two legal cars on the road. I have kept in contact with the seller and we remain good friends.

In your current fleet right now you have a Nissan Skyline R33 GTST (clearly your daily driver because your Primera is much better and for special occasions haha!).. But joking aside, the R33 is gorgeous so please tell us more about this one and show us some photos:

I had been looking to get a Nissan Skyline for nearly a year - it had to be white and automatic so this limited the choice between an R33 GTST (auto) or an R34 GTT (tiptronic). I saw this beautiful unmolested and unmodified car on an importers website and kept going back to it to see if it had been sold. I knew I would have some money coming up from a company share scheme and discussed this with the importer. In January 2014 I traded in the P11 SE (for a profit after 8 months driving I may add) and the car was mine.

It’s an R33 GTST Spec 2. I have replaced the front and rear seats with those from the R33 GTR, fitted some clear repeaters, a new MP3/USB head unit and replaced the number plates. The engine is still stock and even though I have an air / fuel mix problem at the moment managed to achieve 248HP at the recent NPOC rolling road. I've had a few running issues with it and want to make sure it's all sorted before I start any power modding plans.

I am a member of the SOC and also friends with the GTROC, and have been to a few events with the car, the highlight of which was being in the 25th year parade at the Silverstone Classic 2015 and taking part in a parade lap.

On your driveway alongside the Skyline, we know you own a lovely minty white Nissan Primera P11 2.0 SLX Hatchback. Please tell us more about this one and list all the goodies it has and any changes you’ve made and let’s see some photos too:

Apart from my family this is the love of my life. It really is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Was standard when I bought it in December 2012, had been used as a learner for a while as had the L plates on it still. For a car that’s nearly 20 years old and the standard lower spec SR20DE engine I still achieved 124HP on the rolling road, I was pleased with that as a benchmark. I can cruise quite happily at xxx mph on the motorway (should I put this?) and yet still fold the back seats down and take rubbish to the dump if I need to.

I have to thank all those who have helped me out with advice and parts and especially NPOC Member “Grim”, for helping me get this on the way to be a GT wannabe and also to my local garage who do the servicing and make sure everything is legal.


      Personalised registration P11SLX

      GT bodykit (front and rear spoiler and side skirts fitted)

      GT mudflaps (front and rear)

      P11 SE leather seats front and rear (electric drivers side)

      P11-144 Sport+ 16" alloys refurbished and reshod

      White dash dials and chrome surrounds

      Colour coded door strips and B pillars

      Pioneer MP3 / USB head unit

      GT grills with blue mesh

      Lots of other blueness, interior blue LEDs, blue wipers, blue washers (my first go at painting), blue headsprings, blue aeriel, blue seatbelt covers

      Clear repeaters and clear rears

      Twin rear foglight conversion

      Other bulb upgrades (Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited headlights - The best legal bulbs you can buy), dipped and main beam, LED reversing and stop lights 

Being a white car I have to wash it at least once or twice a week. I am great friends with the boss at the local car wash and was honoured to be invited to attend his wedding last month. 

My short term-dream is to fit some P11 GT cams and get a bit more power. My long term goal is to own a GTR (R35) - white of course.

Now most of us know you from your Nissan Primera whilst you’ve been a member and thankfully we have seen you out and about at Club Meets over the years too but what got you into a Nissan Primera to start with, was it on the list of cars to own back in the day, or a chance encounter?

The best car I have ever owned. I bought this in December 2012. After having owned Toyotas and driven a Nissan Primera before, I knew I wanted something Japanese and reliable. I had to replace the Avensis, being a taller guy and with a big dog I knew I needed a large family hatchback, it was local and at a good price so I snapped it up.

Time for the quick fire question round!

What makes you smile? 

Hugs. Music. Seeing other people happy. Hoping I may have made a difference to someone’s life.

What makes you sad? 

Why can't we all accept each other's differences and just get along.

Tell us something we don't know about you..

I have to tell you my middle name is 'Slade' something that didn't mean much to me when I was young, but something I am proud of and adds to my quirky image. I have been lucky enough to see the band twice and I can tell you for OAP's they still rock!

Your favourite colour? 

White (my rebirth).

Your lucky number? 

23 (Nis-San), also my birthdate (23/11/1964).

What will it say on your gravestone?

Please don't give me a gravestone. I want my ashes scattered on top of a mountain the same as my dad. "If I don’t meet you no more in this world, I’ll meet you in the next one – and don’t be late." Jimi Hendrix.

Your favourite drink (any)? 

Tea (2 cups please, not too strong, milk no sugar).

Your sub £10K second hand dream car would be? 

It would have to be white. Either a Nissan Skyline R33 or Silvia S15.

Your sub £30K second hand dream car would be? 

Again it would have to be white. Nissan Skyline R34 GTR. I can't get a second hand GTR (R35) for sub 30k yet. Maybe in a few years.

If you could steal the keys to someone else’s car (on NPOC) for 1 day, which car would you steal and why? 

I always had a thing for Pinky (P11 ENC), I know it has moved on to new ownership with “michaelp9149” with a new number plate too now but I'd still love to drive it, or “birchyboy3”s white P11-144 GT - a unique car! Both cars pictured below:

As we now move on to discussing Club Meets, it’s worth a mention that you, Linda, NPOC’r “shade” and his son Joshua, are the current reigning NPOC JAE Quiz Champions, after bagging the highly contested trophy at JAE 2013 and we haven’t held it since LOL. Are you naturally super brainy, or did your team mates carry you for that win?

Thank you, as the reigning NPOC JAE Quiz Champions, we got lucky with the questions. I ain't super brainy or anything. It was a great quiz and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. It was a great day and evening. I remember arguing with Linda over one of the answers which she got right and would have lead us to getting an extra point. I throw open the challenge for anyone to take the trophy away from us for at JAE 2016.

You’ve shown up at a few club meets over the years Kev, what’s been your favourite one to date and why?

It has to be my first meet - the Southern NPOC meet at Arundel. As you know it was really snowy and it took me nearly 2 hours to get there. I didn't know what to expect, I didn’t know anyone but you accepted me and my car (which was covered in ice). I missed out on the snowball fight but I knew it was the start of good things to come.

Tell everyone who has never come out and joined us at a Club Meet, why they should..

Seriously - This goes out to each and every one of you, come and join us. We all have a common interest. I'm no mechanic but I love my car, I love Nissan, I love NPOC, I'm a shy guy and think is it really worth driving xxx miles to meet up to see like minded owners. Believe me it will be good to meet up and say hello.

So nearly 3 years of NPOC membership, is there a defining club memory in that lot somewhere and why?

Well lots of memories and fun times, but I wouldn't be where I am today without NPOC Member “Grim”. I also remember the first time at Japfest when you took me and Ollie under your wing.

NPOC for life (regardless of what car you own and drive) or leg it when you change car?

You can't get rid of me. I'm addicted and I'm here for life!

Tell Carlos Ghosn why he needs to bring back the Nissan Primera brand:

Hey Carlos dude, you need to remember your history and how the Primera won the BTCC in its day. It’s good that you are looking into new technologies, the Leaf is a way forward but the infrastructure isn't in place for electric cars yet. The Juke is just ugly, the Qashqai a bit better but underpowered. We love the GTR and all its technologies. The new Pulsar looks good, but please give us a family car NISMO hot version, something that will compete and be better than Honda, Ford or VW.

Final question here and one I’ve been asking all year so far - Most petrol heads have a nick name / pet name for their car(s). What’s yours and why?

No nicknames as such but the Primera is P11 SLX - done and dusted. The Skyline is a Super White Car (as per the registration P789 SWC).

Member Of The Month is all about highlighting the unsung / unknown heroes around this club and also their cars, should they be driving a Nissan Primera. You won this feature because you’re a regular at our Club Meets, always happy and smiley and a pleasure to know and be around too! Thank you Kev, it’s been massively appreciated and here’s to many more years of Club Life! With my thanks out of the way, it’s over to you to see us out.. Congratulations once again for winning Member Of The Month for January 2016! Please end this feature, in your own words and feel free to thank anyone who’s made this one possible.

I have so many people to thank for accepting me into NPOC but special mention must be given to those that have helped me and become my friends, they are the following NPOC Members:

“Grim”, “essNchill”, “Shurv”, “shade”, “Stevie-Boy”, “ragt20”, “FriedGold”, “RS Tom-Hundred”, “Roy.2”, “Dysopath”, “Taz Taylor”, “Prim-n-proper”, “P11PrimeraGT”, “GT786”, “Blue”.

Thank you - I love you!






Congratulations once again to Kev!

January 2016 MOTM - Rocker_Kev

Written by essNchill

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