WHEN some people buy a new car they take care of it, polish it and perhaps top up the oil occasionally.
But Viv Rowe has done a bit more than that - he's torn his new metro apart. Roof, doors, bonnet - even the wings have been torn off the car.
Viv's puzzled Astwood Bank neighbours were relieved to hear there is a good reason for his odd behaviour - he plans to turn the Metro into a top rally cross car.
"It's got plenty of potential - but it's going to need a lot of development work," said 33-year-old Viv, who is working on the body at his Astwood Lane home.
And he pointed out there are no established go-faster parts for the motor - it's all do it yourself.
That's why he and last year's driver Tim Greenhill are planning only a few selected races this year.
The car won't be finished for another two months and it will cost them a total of £12,000 to make it competitive.
Last season they came third in their national championships - and now they are hoping to do even better with the unusual car and effective sponsorship.
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