|
Project Cars
Old Project - Astra GTE 16V Introduction Saturday 1st August 2004, Ian finally buys his childhood dream - a G-plate Astra GTE 16V with electric windows and central locking. OK, in 1990 that was something to get excited about, but this really was a shed at the beginning, the 'project' value in getting it back to decent roadworthy condition, re-panelling and respraying it where it needs it and then who knows? Maybe a V6 engine?
I bought this car from Jason in Devon for the princely sum of £400, even had to trailer it all the way back to Kent. He'd had it for several months but not used it, and it had been stored in a field under some trees. Amazingly the green algae / moss / gunk that it was covered in doesn't really show in this picture but you'll have to take my word for it that it has taken some cleaning off. How does it look now? Well, it's on the road, with a very good V6 engine and pretty much all the mechanical work done for now. I've done only about 500 miles in it since I bought it, half those on the new engine. That said, I already know that it can put a big grin on my face and I enjoyed the run up to Santa Pod for the Classics and Retro show in July 06, where the car showed as a project in progress (i.e. a bit tatty in places). The main focus now is on getting the doors finished so that the car is all the same colour and finishing some of the electrical upgrades. Below are a series of progress updates (mainly pictures) detailing some of the work done so far, simply click on the relevant link for more info. Progress updates (more recent stuff is already posted on www.astra-mk2.com ):
I regretfully sold it to James Calvert a couple of years ago, having sourced the already pretty clean white 8v that is in the current projects list. I had always wanted a white GTE since owning the 1.3L when I was 20 and having bought a white one really miss this one. Before the sale I refitted a rebuilt 20XE engine into it and made it standard again from the power perspective, transferring the V6 into the white car even before driving it anywhere. If I'm honest and admit it really quietly, I really do prefer the grey one, and now I'm going for standard, I'd probably prefer a 16v. Ooops.
|
|
