I already love this community, waking up to find support, guidance and an array of interesting thoughts is definitely making this buying process infinitely better so thanks again to everyone.

On the subject of the moonshine one i posted last night (which kept me awake because i found it just before going to bed) some closer photos reveal that the paint has its own issues;
 

  
as you can see from the above the rear arches have been repainted and it doesn't look like they match very well at all (i'm guessing moonshine is a very very difficult colour to match (presumably moreso than David has said about Sunspot as at least there the dual shades are similar whereas moonshine colours are all very different) you can also see a repair to the lower front bumper and boot lid which are quite noticeable. Obviously we've discussed the Sunspot 160 having its own paint issues inside the arches but at least the bodywork paint seems solid and i'd hazard a guess that the inside arches will be easier to paint correct than mid panel areas. I may go and have a look though as it does seem a well cared for car and TA22GT is probably right, the 135 is only very slightly lesser than the 160 really, especially as i'm not planning on racing this or anything, (and besides my daily driver is far faster than either)

Cobber i hadn't heard that whole "hero colours" thing before but it makes good sense arguably the mark 2 focus ST did that with a similar orange to make an impact and perhaps the greatest examples of all time can be seen in Ferrari and Lambo back catalogues. The moonshine does of course stand out on a sunny day (you being in Oz will have more experience of this "sun" thing), but the Sunspot stands out every day in absence of such celestial support

TA22GT my dad had an array of terribly coloured cars with some of leylands being in the mix, when he finally bought something child me thought was "cool" a Golf GTI Mk2 he got it in brown, i would never of course put down any colour as its the colour that person loves on their car and its a very personal thing as you say. In the TF lineup i prefer the Ignition Blue and Sunspot Yellow, but i have to admit this Moonshine does tickle somewhat especially as i can see people thinking "oh its just silver" untill the sun hits it and it becomes a 90s cereal packet toy hologram. Though i do worry its paint issues above may be harder to resolve that those of the Sunspot.

David Aiketgate, thanks for that, i had suspected that the more complicated colours would be harder to treat, and you can see from the photos above that's definitely been an issue with the rear arches of this moonshine example which also requires work to the bumper and boot lid. Would i be right in thinking that while neither is "easy" to deal with the sunspot would be marginally easier because the shades within it are all yellows whereas the moonshine has silvers, greens and pinkypurple? Similarly would the fact that the sunspot (currently) only requires paintwork on the inner arches make it easier to hide than the moonshine which has the issues in the photos above?

D4KGP I'm struggling to notice it as much but my eyes are not great at the best of times, i can see it in the moonshine example above where the rear arches seem a totally different colour, i also know i should be realistic as i doubt there are many 20 year old cars that haven't had or need to have some paintwork. Its a very difficult game this , as i guess there probably arent any (or many) perfect examples and its more a case of what imperfections can you resolve or live with.

Airportable i only wish i could be as eloquent as you, and again you are correct, part of this whole process i suspect is nursing your car when it grazes a knee, my daily driver does not need such nursing and that's great but then if it was all i wanted from driving we would likely not be here. I do feel with the Sunspot there is more i can do to put my stamp on it, some design ideas we've discussed already, whereas with the Moonshine it's more about trying to restore it (i can't imagine moonshine coloured gaitors would be a thing, nor would they appeal)

Digcot65, so a wire wheel is essentially more gentle i take it? only attacking damaged metal we want rid of, while a grinder would of course keep going and potentially do more damage (especially due to my amateur status)

Read More...