Mars Red 1.6 GTi Converted Driver..........

Bit of an update, this is now road legal pretty much bang on 10 years after I got rid of the car first time around and 6 1/2 years since anyone has had it on the road!

Flew through it's MOT yesterday, only close shave was having to switch back to the old GTi wheels which have old perished tyres with a few cracks in them which got me a couple of advisories.

Engine still isn't running anywhere near like it should but now I can get it to people to maybe have a look.

Jobs done since buying it;
New starter motor
New discs and pads
New rear shoes and springs
New rear wheel cylinders
New off-side caliper
New brake bias controller
New hazard light switch
Multiple new sections of brake pipe made and added
1 new sidelight bulb holder.
Terminals cleaned on indicator plugs and relay and a random broken purple wire under the dash re-connected
Various bulbs replaced
Horn replaced with one from an E30 to get it working
New wipers
All filters changed
Oil changed
Various vacuum pipes replaced or tidied
Throttle body cleaned out and refitted with liquid gasket
Rear arches and floor painted in POR15 chassis paint
Sills round back and resprayed
Metering head massaged and checked by Jellybelly

Still much much more to do but at least it's on the road.

Congrats Kedge. Now get out there and enjoy her.

Thought I'd do a little update on this.

Car has been SORN'd since the end of OCT but going to drag it out with a view to getting along to UD next month.

Last summer was good fun but highlighted a few issues, rear shocks are goosed and I really want some more ooomph. I've got some shocks ready to fit but will also get some new bushes while I'm at it. I also want to sort the ride height, I'm happy with how the rear sits at the moment but dare say it'll raise a little with new shocks. Does the front look like its standard height? I'm thinking to 40mm springs should suffice.

Took it down to the German show last summer at Beaulieu motor museum in the New Forest and it didn't miss a beat. Few pics from that weekend;

Looks nice bud, what wheels are they and whats the width?

That's looking tidy Kedge  

I'm guessing the front is standard ride height - it looks about right for that

Cheers guys, one day I've love to do a proper resto as the pictures hide a lot but for now it's just going to be about keeping it on the road with minimum outlay.

Hairyarse said

I'm guessing the front is standard ride height - it looks about right for that

Cool, thought as much. Think I'll try some 40mm lowering springs then.

olethalb said

what wheels are they and whats the width?

They're made by OZ, most common name I've seen used is Turbine. The original finish is more of a chrome look. They're 15x7 but have quite a high off set causing the front to poke a bit, I'd prefer they didn't but there's not really enough meat on the backs to have machined off and pull them in.

They look really good bud, i'm on the lookout for something similar

I've got a set of nearly new weitec shocks and springs that lower by 40mm on ebay if you decide to go that route  

Sweet, will drop you a PM.

Looks gorgeous  

Matt

So I bought the Weitec kit off Olethalb, thanks bud.

Got them fitted today, all went to plan which is always an bonus and never actually expected! The kits came with very good top mounts but my car actually has poly bushes so used my rear mounts but kept the fronts as they were as I hadn't got my spring clamps at home.

Old vs new;


Happy with the amount it looks to have dropped, just thrown the the GTi wheels back on for now as I've still got to torque everything back up (yup, torque wrench isn't at home either). Hoping there's not going to be any clearance issues on the rear, pic of a quick trial kit of one of the OZs, looks better already and hopefully it'll settle down a bit more to;

looking good mate, do you know how much they've lowered it by?

Cheers. Its a 40mm kit.

Spot-on ride height that I reckon  

Oz looks good too  

Looking good Dave 

I may need you and car soon to try something in it I shall let u know

Cheers Matt. Should be taxed on the first so just ping me a message if you do.

jellybelly said

Looking good Dave 

I may need you and car soon to try something in it I shall let u know

That sounds dodgy!      

glad all went smoothly bud, looks much better.

looking forward to full car pics with OZ's on  

Back on the road for the summer  

Nice being back in it after a few months away. Ran it down to my mums loaded up with the OZs in the boot to give them a good clean and wax before refitting. With them in the booth and a big jack there was no sign of any rubbing.


Then with the wheels swapped and loaded back up the rubbing was back when going over bumps so looks like it is all down to the size/offset of the OZ  
Took it for a good run this morning as well and at decent speed on bumpy roads there was the odd rub with just a spare in the boot   Looks like I'm going to be need somekind of arch work…………..

saw you today mate, gave you thumb up but i was in the daily and you were giving it beans off bardon island

Car's looking great    Surprised you've got rubbing, doesn't look too low