astra gte project

[mbjoyce]

http://premium.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//astra-1.jpg
http://premium.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//astra-2.jpg
http://premium.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//astra-3.jpg

ok here we go
bought this car back in jan after regretting selling my cav gsi
wanted a redtop engine again and always wanted one of these
work done so far

new gearbox/clutch/skimmed flywheel
new rear discs/pads/handbrake cable
two new front cv gaiters

car is now mechanically sound

had clear rear lights when i bought it so put originals back on

jobs to do

my intention is to never sell this car!!
always said this about my cav but did sell and instantly missed it too much!!
therefore i am looking to restore it to original mint cond
not concours but very good
body work will be next however as i was recently made redundant things are on the back burner hopefully not too long though

any advice comments or suggestions welcome!

cheers folks

[Jon S]

fookin lovely , it would be ace if you could get it to concours condidtion

[BazW]

looks like you've got a good base to start with there mate :)

[Ian T]

Looks like you've got a good starting point. I guess the priority is to attack the metalworm and get it properly protected, inside and out.

Good luck...

Ian.

[Dazzi-Gsi]

nice gte that

[jimmyhoster]

I am currently working on a gte cab and the main work of it is the body, to look good everthing takes time, so my advice is not too rush anything and enjoy it!!!

[Sipo]

Aye, very nice, seem in a very tidy condition as it is, luck sod :D

[mbjoyce]

ok latest news

havent been able to do much on the car for ages due to severe lack of funds and time

however managed the other day to start some body prep work
started by removing from both sides the bump strips gte decals and side skirts

here is a pic of one of the sides
http://premium1.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//flank.jpg
with the side skirts of i was able to get a good look at the sills

here is the left side
http://premium1.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//lh-sill-arch.jpg

here is the right side
http://premium1.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//rh-arch.jpg

this is some of the stuff i have been accumalating for the rebuild
http://premium1.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//boot-junk.jpg

and finally here is a pic of one of the wheels i managed to get hold of
http://premium1.uploadit.org/mbjoyce//wheel-2.jpg

next up i will be getting the parts for the body repairs
how bad does it look compared to others?

[mbjoyce]

ok an update on my very long term project!!

had the sills done to get the mot and then used the car on and off for a while

tax came up on 1st of jan so decided to put car in garage and sorn it for time being

having looked at steve heley s car and harvey s strip down i am very tempted to do something similar to mine and completely rebuild

realise the cost would be high but i think if you end up with a minter you can keep it forever and know it is solid

[Belmont turbo]

first time ive seen this thread. looks like you have got yourself a minter if its all original
keep up the good work

[James C]

What are you doing with the wheels that were on the car when you put the camp type ones on?

[Sipo]

lol, thats why we never saw a pic of the passenger side then :D

Glad progress is being made matey, those wheels have fascinated me! What are they and what size?

[Harvey]

I know what you mean as my initial intention was to keep mine stock but I just ended up buying stuff like the cage and when it failed the MOT on the steering rack box section it helped me make my mind up to strip it. If you do decide to keep yours stock I've got a loft full of spares. My intention was to build the track car on a budget but that has now gone out of the window and I'm scrimping and saving to get everything sorted but retain a stock engine as there is no way I can afford the TB's I want this year.

Good luck with it...whatever you decide.

[mbjoyce]

What are you doing with the wheels that were on the car when you put the camp type ones on?

they are now on my cav sri 16v

[mbjoyce]

sipo

the wheels are 6x15 et 49 made by irmscher
the backs are black but the fronts are polished really nice wheels
the guy i bought them from got them for a nova sport direct from irmscher in germany he said they were the last set available
i have always assumed they are the same as the ones on the champs although i know that there are some similar ones with slightly different spokes
whatever i just thought they were close enough to champ wheels for me and coming in the boxes having never been on a car was the icing on the cake

[mbjoyce]

thanks harvey

if i need anything i will definately be in touch!!

how long would you say it took you to strip yours down?

[Harvey]

Took me quote a while as I was doing it at weekends on my own over last summer and only had a mate down to help with the engine and box removal. You could probably do it on your own within a week if you knuckled down to it.

[alistair j]

looks very good. you gonna go for the 16 v rims then. you cant beat em i recon they look ace standard and recon i want a total boggo standard effort now getting addicted to em.ha

[westurbo]

like the car m8 you got a good 1 there.. i think a good gte is geting hard to find now..dont see any on the road no more,,,

[GazJevs84]

nice looking car mate

[mbjoyce]

ok bit of an update

not much progress lately due to family commitments

have so far stripped out all the interior except the dash and taken off the front and rear bumpers lights and mirrors etc

am slowly getting together as many new parts for it as i can

have decided my plan now is to get it completely rebuilt from the ground up
renewing as many bits as possible or reconditioning anything else

this will be a money and time no object thing so no idea when it will be finished but hopefully at the end of it all i will have a classic car in mint condition which the wife can bury me in!!

and by then she probably will:Banane14: