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View Full Version : Picked up the 'new' CDi today!


Orange Peel
01-02-2006, 06:49 PM
Went down to Enfield today to pick up the Astra CDi I’d won on ebay. Met Tim the guy selling the car on behalf of the owner, an 89 year old lady who had owned the car from new. I was a little worried about the description not being accurate but once we had checked it out there was very little to complain about. The car is standard in everyway and looks like it’s just left the showroom. The interior is unmarked with firm seats that still have their original feel. The switches and wiper motors all work like new as does all the other electronics. We went over every inch of the car to check for rust and only found two small patches on the rear arches that a good strip back, prep and paint will fix. The inner arches are like new as is the engine bay. Every hinge has been greased, which looks a little unsightly but provides excellent protection. The doors are all solid and clean as is the bonnet and hatch. I’ve taken some pics but as it was quite overcast today they don’t really show it very well.

The seller also had a nice motor stashed in his garage that he brought out to show us.

Now for some pics!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture124.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture130a.jpg

The engine bay has been 'treated' with the wax gun so has a slightly yellow tint. However looking past this all the components look like new.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture141.jpg

Originall radio (has a working electric ariel too!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture156.jpg

genuine milliage as backed up by the service history and MOT's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture155.jpg

Then we spotted this beast! He's just had 6 grands woth of engine recon done with a few tweaks! Should go well lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture121.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture123.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture114.jpg

Back homw with the other one :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture136.jpg


Short term plans are to sort the arches and wax oild everything and give it a wash and polish.
Tony K
01-02-2006, 06:54 PM
Back homw with the other one :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/NASOP1975/Picture136.jpg




You're just being greedy now!:grumpy:

Motor looks top-notch m8. You've scored there!
richie00boy
01-02-2006, 07:16 PM
Looks mint, glad to see it's gone to a good home as well.
James C
01-02-2006, 07:56 PM
A truely good example, classic vauxhall winner I reckon ;)
Brett
01-02-2006, 08:44 PM
enjoy it buddy!!

Aston V8... lucky git!
Orange Peel
01-02-2006, 09:41 PM
Thanks for the comments guys :)

I'm really happy with it. Just need to looks for some new suspension has its on stilts at the moment!

Also, It seems a darker white to my old one! Could be a polish issue I guess or maybe a different code?
rhydgte
01-02-2006, 09:43 PM
Looks good mate, very clean, although not to my taste it's still good to see one in such good condition!
Orange Peel
01-02-2006, 10:17 PM
Looks good mate, very clean, although not to my taste it's still good to see one in such good condition!

I'm not keen on the standard looks of the CDi to be honest. The upper line looks very dated, however with the right wheels and dropping it abit the whole looks is transformed. See example to the left in the last pic :)
rhydgte
01-02-2006, 10:23 PM
I'm not keen on the standard looks of the CDi to be honest. The upper line looks very dated, however with the right wheels and dropping it abit the whole looks is transformed. See example to the left in the last pic :)

I know what you mean, but I'm on about the two extra doors...

It's not just a mk2 thing, I just hate any small hatchback car that has 4 doors, e.g 4 door nova, corsa, astra, polo, ibiza etc - just looks so wrong imho

P.S On a practical note and being a family man I still won't have the 4 doors!

Yes slammed with the right wheels makes it look far better!
Harvey
01-02-2006, 10:23 PM
Nice...check your PM bud.
Orange Peel
01-02-2006, 10:25 PM
I know what you mean, but I'm on about the two extra doors...

It's not just a mk2 thing, I just hate any small hatchback car that has 4 doors, e.g 4 door nova, corsa, astra, polo, ibiza etc - just looks so wrong imho

P.S On a practical note and being a family man I still won't have the 4 doors!

Yes slammed with the right wheels makes it look far better!

I know what your saying. I'm with you on that way of thinking for just about all cars and most MK2's except the CDi! For some reason I really have a soft spot for the 5 door. Don't know why!
bigdrifter
01-02-2006, 11:43 PM
Was watching this on Ebay- a very good buy
alex
02-02-2006, 12:12 AM
Very nice, lucky find there :)
DarrenH
02-02-2006, 01:32 AM
nice little car that.

have you had a peep through the little plastic hatch in the boot space, too see the inner arches ??
Addz
02-02-2006, 01:37 AM
Glad it went to someone on here :D

Nice one mate, look after it!
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 09:21 AM
nice little car that.

have you had a peep through the little plastic hatch in the boot space, too see the inner arches ??

First thing I looked at mate. Not a spot of rust or corrosion :)

The only rust on the whole car is the lower rear arches. Drivers side is just surface and needs rubbing back and painting. Passanger side is the same but with a slightly worse spot near the sill.
MK2-JOHN
02-02-2006, 10:24 AM
Thanks for the comments guys :)

I'm really happy with it. Just need to looks for some new suspension has its on stilts at the moment!

Also, It seems a darker white to my old one! Could be a polish issue I guess or maybe a different code?



it should be the same colour code, but there is about 3 or 4 different shade variations for every colour of car, so it could just be 1 has been painted in a lighter or darker shade of glacier white to the other 1
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 01:10 PM
it should be the same colour code, but there is about 3 or 4 different shade variations for every colour of car, so it could just be 1 has been painted in a lighter or darker shade of glacier white to the other 1

Cool, thanks for the info mate :)
Sipo
02-02-2006, 03:11 PM
That should literally be in a show room/museum!!

Nice find matey, looks like blooming new!!
richie00boy
02-02-2006, 03:49 PM
That should literally be in a show room/museum!!

Nice find matey, looks like blooming new!!

I know. Please keep it all original :angel: including the suspension and wheels :)
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 03:57 PM
I know. Please keep it all original :angel: including the suspension and wheels :)

The more I look at it the more I want to keep it original. I did buy this as a base for my project so I'm still in two minds as what to do. Just met up with Harvey who said my old one isnt 'too bad' so I may get that fixed too, so who knows.
Sipo
02-02-2006, 03:58 PM
I know. Please keep it all original :angel: including the suspension and wheels :)

Please sit down Rich.









Are you seated?








Its having a LET fitted, so the chances of a lot of things staying standard are very very slim ;)

I seriously think you could sell this car onto a motor museum of some description, looks in top nick. No wonder you are pleased! No arsing about with this one fighting the rust monster in every corner. :Banane42:
richie00boy
02-02-2006, 04:25 PM
Yeah I knew that Si, was just begging him :D
James C
02-02-2006, 04:41 PM
i think it would appreciate the change. It has obviously serviced the old lady (he he) adequatley and had a good life.

Out of interest what is to become of that 24,000 mile 1.8?
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 05:38 PM
i think it would appreciate the change. It has obviously serviced the old lady (he he) adequatley and had a good life.

Out of interest what is to become of that 24,000 mile 1.8?

That way off looking at it has really made me think now :)

If I remove the old engine it will probably be kept somewhere safe and dry. Not sure yet, but initially I think I'd like to keep it.
richie00boy
02-02-2006, 05:41 PM
Aren't the 8V shells a paint to fit a LET in though with the crossmember like it is? Won't you have to cut that nice mint original x-member slightly? hehe don't do it ;)
James C
02-02-2006, 06:19 PM
This one has got to be as good as a bare shell rebuild in terms of its original strength etc.

I think you have prob got one of the best start points for a conversion project.

Can you get a turbo conversion for the 1.8 already in it? Not heard of one of those!?

Turbo auto here you come :applause:
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 07:07 PM
This one has got to be as good as a bare shell rebuild in terms of its original strength etc.

I think you have prob got one of the best start points for a conversion project.

Can you get a turbo conversion for the 1.8 already in it? Not heard of one of those!?

Turbo auto here you come :applause:

If it gets Turbo'd it will be a LET. I think I'd rather have and XE than a Turbo 1.8

I actually wondered if the auto box would fit an XE/LET. Wouldnt last long!
mking
02-02-2006, 07:16 PM
looks a minter mate. if you did LET it and didn't change much on the outside, it would be a real wolf in sheep's clothing!
Harvey
02-02-2006, 09:10 PM
It is mint, after seeing it in the flesh today I can say it's fantastic condition.

Nice meeting up with you Neil and speaking with your brother (don't know his name). If you did want to get your XEed CD to the body shop I used for a quote let me know and I'll borrow my mates Monty and drag you down on a fixed bar so all you need to do is steer.
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 09:11 PM
It is mint, after seeing it in the flesh today I can say it's fantastic condition.

Nice meeting up with you Neil and speaking with your brother (don't know his name). If you did want to get your XEed CD to the body shop I used for a quote let me know and I'll borrow my mates Monty and drag you down on a fixed bar so all you need to do is steer.

Nice to meet you too mate. I think I'll be taking you up on your offer sometime soon. I'll give you plenty of notice though :)

Brothers called Ian or any other name that gets his attention lol.
Orange Peel
02-02-2006, 09:16 PM
looks a minter mate. if you did LET it and didn't change much on the outside, it would be a real wolf in sheep's clothing!

Only changes to the exterior would be..

Different alloys, either the MK3 GSi or Cav/Cally T wheels.
Lowered
Different backbox to go with the exhaust.

When my old CDi was mint it used to attract all the right kind of attention. Loads of people liked what I'd done and couldnt believe how nippy it was. Ultimatly I want to LET something. After talking to Harvey today it may be viable to fix up my old CDi and LET that, then keep this one 90% standard, bar lowering and a different set of alloys (GSi Mk3's)

I really miss the XE CDi, which is why I bought this. I need something quicker than the 1.6 SXI Company car so its either fix the old one or mod the new one. Going to count my pennies and see whats possible!
a4r8n
03-02-2006, 12:28 AM
Nice one good concourse winner maybe?
Orange Peel
03-02-2006, 02:24 AM
Nice one good concourse winner maybe?

I don't see it ever being good enough to win a concourse comp mate. Its been used for a start. Maybe a 'Best original car' comp etc but it would require alot of work to make it concourse and render it a show car only.
robbie1380
03-02-2006, 06:57 PM
so what does a 24k mile mk2 drive like? bet its almost like driving one straight out of a showroom?:applause:
GazJevs84
03-02-2006, 08:52 PM
looks really tidy mate good buy
Orange Peel
03-02-2006, 10:05 PM
so what does a 24k mile mk2 drive like? bet its almost like driving one straight out of a showroom?:applause:

Exactly that mate. Steering and brakes are tight as is the engine. The gearbox changes smoothly and kickdown works a treat. I re-checked the service history and MOT's. Its only done 350 miles in the last 2 years and had full services every year since new!

I really want you lot to see it but meeting up is a real trek to get to most of you :(
robbie1380
04-02-2006, 12:26 PM
it sounds almost too good to modify?, i guess if you do make any changes it would be stuff that could be changed back?
Orange Peel
04-02-2006, 02:06 PM
it sounds almost too good to modify?, i guess if you do make any changes it would be stuff that could be changed back?

Yes it could. I'd keep everything that was removed just incase. If it was converted I'd make sure it looks as good as it does now and keep it in the same condition.
richie00boy
04-02-2006, 04:07 PM
Sorry to keep bleating on, but I think you missed earlier that the crossmember would have to be modified/cut to fit a LET.

It's up to you though at the end of the day :) and I'm you will do a nice job whatever.
GTE16v
04-02-2006, 07:06 PM
I really want you lot to see it but meeting up is a real trek to get to most of you :(

bring it to PV or Billing so we can dribble over it...
Orange Peel
04-02-2006, 08:41 PM
Sorry to keep bleating on, but I think you missed earlier that the crossmember would have to be modified/cut to fit a LET.

It's up to you though at the end of the day :) and I'm you will do a nice job whatever.

I wouldnt want to cut anything so if it was LET'd I'd work around it. Whatever the outcome it will all look factory fit with no corners 'cut' :)
Orange Peel
04-02-2006, 08:42 PM
bring it to PV or Billing so we can dribble over it...

It will be at PV, Billing, Traxx and Retro this year :)
md28
04-02-2006, 10:09 PM
A lovely example of a Mk2 there!

Look after it mate! :)
Orange Peel
05-02-2006, 02:40 PM
When will it start to warm up!!!

I've been waiting since Wednesday to get a nice 0*C+ day to wash and wax the car but its been freezing since then! Can't even wash the interior as its too cold!!!

Rant over!
Harvey
05-02-2006, 02:53 PM
Just get out there and start the cleaning, I've been working on the GTE this morning and once you start moving you soon warm up....your just like a woman
Orange Peel
05-02-2006, 02:55 PM
Just get out there and start the cleaning, I've been working on the GTE this morning and once you start moving you soon warm up....your just like a woman

Its not me I'm worried about. just dont think the interior will dry out with it being so cold and I've had some bad experiences with freezing temps when washing cars :(