Rivage Number 2

This is the car which started it all for me. It was early 2000's, I'd say circa 2002/3. I've always had VW's at this stage (because of my dad) but I was young, I liked cars, but that was it. Then my friend came home with this one day:




I remember the day quite vividly. Low mileage, even for back then at circa 40k, absolutely immaculate and I remember the period power steering conversion it had and the Ford fluid reservoir on a VW messing with my head. He bought the car with Schmidt TH Line splits and swapped them for BBS plus cash his way. I remember the Poole Boating club sticker in the windscreen. From that point on I was smitten. I always said if he ever sells it to give me first refusal. Over the years I had various cars, including a Green Rivage (one to tick off the list because of my friends Blue Rivage) and I'd all but lost contact with the friend other than chance encounters. But I'd always see the car as it was parked up over the years at his parents place which I drove past on the regular.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I received a random Facebook message from the friend saying he was selling the car. I went to take a look and my heart dropped. I knew it had been neglected over the years and but it was rough. Within the first 30 seconds I had priced up in my head: new wheels, roof, full respray, most seals, engine overhaul and interior renew, plus about 50% on top for everything else it most likely needed. 

The car was his pride and joy so I asked what happened.  In short, his first child. The car was first stored at his Grandparents, then his parents, who then used the car and over the years it became more and more neglected and used as a third car for shopping trips and dirty jobs. In approx 2012 the car was pretty much wheeled back and forth to the MOT centre and for basic upkeep and that's that. The mileage is sat on just 51k. 

Long story short, we negotiated and the car was dropped off at mine the following morning:

PA110014.jpg by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
PA110029.jpg by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
PA110063.jpg by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
PA110043.jpg by Rich Perkins, on Flickr

It's rough. The car has no MOT, a known fuelling issue where it randomly cuts out and won't start again. I've decided on stripping it down completely and rebuilding it. I don't think I'm going to leave it standard and I fancy a Rivage, re-vision. Recaro seats (trimmed in the original cloth where I can). 2.0 16v and various other bits on bobs. I will be very sympathetic to the period and a Rivage, but it'll never be a concours winner so I might as well make it my own. 

The good points are that the shell is very solid and the car is very original, in that a lot of the clips and hard to find fixings are still there. It has the period Steering Developments power steering conversion (with original receipt from '91), Eibach ARBs and suspension kit and 3 point rear seatbelt conversion by Quiffs to get me started.