This thread will keep being updated as the Astra Progresses.

Car: Astra 2.0 16V GSi
Colour: Glacier White

The car first hit the road in 24/10/1991, since then it has had 10 owners before coming into my possesion on 03/02/2006. The car itself is in pretty good condition considering its age and 112,000miles. The car has evidentally been well looked after for the majority of its life (especially given the history that comes with the car), however it is evident that the last few owners havent been as kind as previous and a few 'bodges' are evident.

The car is a long term project, with the intention of being stripped right back and being returned to the same condition that it was in when it rolled out of the showroom back in 1991.

After a 250mile drive home, it was evident that there were a few problems, (we made it to Westmooreland services before having to stop and sort the cars washers, a problem which hd been noted in its previous MOT failure sheet).
The car began to get stripped down on 03/02/2006. Initial inspection revealed thankfully that the main structure of the car is very solid. With the sideskirts removed I thankfully found that the sills were all intact, with the exception of the rear area at the 1/4 panel. This is not a big issue as both 1/4's were showing signs of rust round the archs and required replacing anyway (the drivers side has had a previous poor repair around the fuel filler area).

Interior wise the car is again relatively good, both front seats being without the usual rips in the bolsters, these will however really require re-padding and a few stitches replaced. The rear hasnt faired so well with a new parcel shelf and boot carpet required. There are also some intetrior trim parts needing replaced due to a previous owners fetish for silver (door handles, steering wheel centre, electric window & mirror switchs & ETC tray having succome to the can). The car wil also ideally require a new interior wiring loom as its evidentally had ICE of some sort and a previous owner has a fetish for bullet connectors.

Engine wise the car is very suprising, not suffering from any of the usual rattles from the tappets on start up. However it is evident that the headgasket is gone, as a previous owner has removed the thermostat, its fine whilst driving (although never reacing operating temp), but on tickover once warm it will empty its coolant bottle. The engine will be removed anyway to have the engine bay re-painted.

Suspension wise the whole lot really needs binning, the car is still running its standard (and origional) GM parts, and the handling is ropey as hell (there is also something going on with the passenger side front wheel as it leans in towards the car, and also feels unstable at speed). This will be one of the oly areas of the car that wont run standard or GM sourced parts. Standard GSi suspension was never the best when new, so will run a subtle drop and some Bilstein dampers to help things along.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l/Factory1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l/Factory5.jpg