My GTE 16V Restoration Thread.

**Astra Dan** · 07-08-2006, 20:09

At last, the major bodywork is complete. Both arches replaced and a patch on the rear driver's sill and passenger spring mount. Fresh MOT on Saturday, ready for the next year in my ownership.

The pics:

As it arrived:

Very good interior, despite 140k miles:

Un-molested engine:

Faded, very rusty, but drove OK. Except that the ABS cut in at low speed braking.

Arch details:

Sills:

Slightly grotty, but solid. So off it went to Station Bodyshop for about 8 years. Well OK, it was 3 weeks but it felt like a century. Restoration begins:

Inner arches not too bad (i.e. still exist).

Ready for primer etc:

Painted:

As it left the bodyshop (I'd painted the wheels myself by this point):

Quick mince over to John's (Dave (whitevan)'s dad) for Benn to mop the faded bits and time to pose with John's new Champion beaut, Dave's 52k mile minter and John's old 8V:

Back home, the rebuilding commences, starting with a the skirts. These rear bits with the proper Vaux clips was surprisingly satisfying:

Whilst Benn gets the body work looking like this:

Using this stuff:

Enough for the day, we went for some mince pics. These are the pics that will make Rusty (previous onwer) cry. Unless he's cold and dead inside:

One of the best bottoms in the business:

I'm dead chuffed. the car drives very well, although I've not been for a proper drive yet. IT still has original suspension components at the moment. I don't plan to lower it, but some Bilstein blacks are on the cards, along with new arms, joints, etc. It still has the standard exhaust, including the cat! I don't mind loosing the cat, but I like the standard rear box and tail pipes, but as these are £110+VAT from Vauxhall Trade Club, I'm gonna try and remove this one and clean/ paint it.

Cost breakdown:

Initial purchase: £175 (Crazy, crazy man!)
Cambelt, rollers, water pump: £110
Arches, re-spray etc: £400
Two Firestone tyres: £60
Remote locking kit: £20
Total: £765.

Not too bad I think. As said, the car has 140k dead on. It came with an obscene amount of bills from Vauxall, with the service book all stamped up. It even had the manufacturer's specified 100k service at about £400! I've always wanted one, and now I have.

Just need a new bumper trim with towing eye cover and a wheel centre.

pitstoppete · 07-08-2006, 20:13

put yur bott away benn..

lovely result mincers.
cant wait to thrash its ass at RWYB

alistairolsen · 07-08-2006, 20:17

that looks awesome my man! just need ablack one in south central to finsh it off!

Jamie_F · 07-08-2006, 20:17

was looking minty fresh yesturday

AL · 07-08-2006, 20:18

Fack me - thats looking well now!

Lot of car for the money

**Tom Williams** · 07-08-2006, 20:19

hubba hubba

that is looking superb Dan (and benn for polishing)

Well worth the wait i think Dan!!

cannot wait to see it at the meet in a couple of weeks time!!

cannot beleive benn did that, child!!

The Simps · 07-08-2006, 20:28

I cannot believe Benn hasn't got a hairy bum!

looking forward to giving this a mintiness inspection at the weekend Dan!

Simps.

**Benn** · 07-08-2006, 20:42

nah its hairy,

she had come up well,
will geta 2/3rd coat of wax(megs stage 3) tomoz,
and all the trims and rubbers will be treathed aswell,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Williams

cannot believe benn did that, child!!

did what?

Neo_Daz · 07-08-2006, 20:55

Car is looking rather snazzy

You want to buy the GTE rear box i have on my GSI ?

**Tom Williams** · 07-08-2006, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benn

did what?

pulled your trousers down when dan was taking a proper photo

novagsix · 07-08-2006, 21:03

looks good mate.now look after it.

Byron · 07-08-2006, 21:04

****in beauty.
Rusty gave it away at that price! Its looking like a different car now. Just get them tyres blacked up!

**Tom Williams** · 07-08-2006, 21:04

love the jaguar!!

**Benn** · 07-08-2006, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Williams

pulled your trousers down when dan was taking a proper photo

dan wasnt,

0ddball · 07-08-2006, 21:12

top job on the paint. takes some balls to spray the arches the colour the car should be and hope to cut/polish the rest back to match. turned out great.

standard is the new modified !

**Benn** · 07-08-2006, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ddball

top job on the paint. takes some balls to spray the arches the colour the car should be and hope to cut/polish the rest back to match. turned out great.

4shades,
had to polish a bit to get a semi match...

nrj · 07-08-2006, 21:15

i nearly cried when i saw that orange peel pic, but then read later on been sorted it, phew.

Looks good and still not spent too much, well done chap.

(you need a cav gsi now

)

**Astra Dan** · 07-08-2006, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ddball

top job on the paint. takes some balls to spray the arches the colour the car should be and hope to cut/polish the rest back to match. turned out great.

standard is the new modified !

I'm well pleased will the colour match .

**Benn** · 07-08-2006, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrj

i nearly cried when i saw that orange peel pic, but then read later on been sorted it, phew.

was taken the day after painting it,
was flatt and polished to match the paint finish on the car..

Zoe · 07-08-2006, 21:20

Very nice indeed

Byron · 07-08-2006, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ddball

standard is the new modified !

Sent an e-mail to Dan saying that earlier today. Almost word for word.
Standard older vauxhalls are a rarerity (sp)

Rustwagon · 07-08-2006, 21:35

Needs some 15" alloys my m8 has sum fink dey are tsw venins or somfing? & Exorzt is abit puny needs 2 be jap cut dem engins sound well sweet on a big boar bakbox & gd gains 2!!!1!!1!1!!

In seriousness though, that is a stunning turnaround got a bargain and have ended up for a better example of what you could of bought for similar money. Arch job looks fantastic aswell!

Ginge · 07-08-2006, 21:36

ive done a small ginger sex wee all over myself..

When you gays coming up my way for a photo session and general mince/giggle session?

Ginge

alistairolsen · 07-08-2006, 22:08

you need to further tighten your grasp on the worls supply of cesaros IMO!

carpartnut · 07-08-2006, 22:15

Sweet !
Just about to go through the same only all of my outer sills are completely shot !
Rear archers too and the front wings but everything else including the wishbone mounts are excellent.
Whats the sills like to replace,did you replace yours or patch up ?
Cheers in advance,newcomer.......

07-08-2006, 20:09	#1
Astra Dan Memberships / Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fareham, Hants. Drives: 1.3L GTE16V Mk4 SRI iTrader: (8) Posts: 15,425	My GTE 16V Restoration Thread. At last, the major bodywork is complete. Both arches replaced and a patch on the rear driver's sill and passenger spring mount. Fresh MOT on Saturday, ready for the next year in my ownership. The pics: As it arrived: Very good interior, despite 140k miles: Un-molested engine: Faded, very rusty, but drove OK. Except that the ABS cut in at low speed braking. Arch details: Sills: Slightly grotty, but solid. So off it went to Station Bodyshop for about 8 years. Well OK, it was 3 weeks but it felt like a century. Restoration begins: Inner arches not too bad (i.e. still exist). Ready for primer etc: Painted: As it left the bodyshop (I'd painted the wheels myself by this point): Quick mince over to John's (Dave (whitevan)'s dad) for Benn to mop the faded bits and time to pose with John's new Champion beaut, Dave's 52k mile minter and John's old 8V: Back home, the rebuilding commences, starting with a the skirts. These rear bits with the proper Vaux clips was surprisingly satisfying: Whilst Benn gets the body work looking like this: Using this stuff: Enough for the day, we went for some mince pics. These are the pics that will make Rusty (previous onwer) cry. Unless he's cold and dead inside: One of the best bottoms in the business: I'm dead chuffed. the car drives very well, although I've not been for a proper drive yet. IT still has original suspension components at the moment. I don't plan to lower it, but some Bilstein blacks are on the cards, along with new arms, joints, etc. It still has the standard exhaust, including the cat! I don't mind loosing the cat, but I like the standard rear box and tail pipes, but as these are £110+VAT from Vauxhall Trade Club, I'm gonna try and remove this one and clean/ paint it. Cost breakdown: Initial purchase: £175 (Crazy, crazy man!) Cambelt, rollers, water pump: £110 Arches, re-spray etc: £400 Two Firestone tyres: £60 Remote locking kit: £20 Total: £765. Not too bad I think. As said, the car has 140k dead on. It came with an obscene amount of bills from Vauxall, with the service book all stamped up. It even had the manufacturer's specified 100k service at about £400! I've always wanted one, and now I have. Just need a new bumper trim with towing eye cover and a wheel centre. __________________ Click for info: Mk2 GTE16V Mk2 1.3L Mk4 2.0 SRI They're there, in their room.

07-08-2006, 20:13	#2
pitstoppete MIGClub Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southampton, SO52 Drives: 82&175&210&300 hp iTrader: (5) Posts: 1,324	put yur bott away benn.. lovely result mincers. cant wait to thrash its ass at RWYB __________________ South Central, Winners of Best Region - Billing 2008 and 2009.

07-08-2006, 20:17	#3
alistairolsen MIGWeb User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: glasgow/oban Drives: like its a hire car iTrader: (8) Posts: 5,689	that looks awesome my man! just need ablack one in south central to finsh it off! __________________ Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming... "f*ck, what a trip!"

07-08-2006, 20:18	#5
AL Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Birmingham Drives: Backwards on the M62 iTrader: (11) Posts: 6,091	Fack me - thats looking well now! Lot of car for the money __________________ teamdynamite.eu - un-moderated, no bullsh!t - just drag racing and Now logged out for the last time, Migweb is not the site we once enjoyed.

07-08-2006, 20:19	#6
Tom Williams Administrator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hampshire, UK Drives: Vectra Derv Wagon iTrader: (7) Posts: 28,944	hubba hubba that is looking superb Dan (and benn for polishing) Well worth the wait i think Dan!! cannot wait to see it at the meet in a couple of weeks time!! cannot beleive benn did that, child!! __________________ South Central, Winners of Best Region - Billing 2008 and 2009. Please email tom@migweb.co.uk - do not PM me. Thanks

07-08-2006, 20:17	#4
Jamie_F MIGWeb User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sheffield Drives: Mk2 Astra Estate iTrader: (4) Posts: 13,687	was looking minty fresh yesturday

07-08-2006, 20:28	#7
The Simps MIGWeb User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Norwich Drives: Nova Coupe iTrader: (8) Posts: 8,560	I cannot believe Benn hasn't got a hairy bum! looking forward to giving this a mintiness inspection at the weekend Dan! Simps.

07-08-2006, 20:55	#9
Neo_Daz MIGWeb User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Drives: Focus mk5/Golf mk4 iTrader: (2) Posts: 2,514	Car is looking rather snazzy You want to buy the GTE rear box i have on my GSI ? __________________ I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work

07-08-2006, 21:04	#12
Byron MIGWeb User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hampshire Drives: '58 Audi Q5 iTrader: (1) Posts: 2,329	**in beauty. Rusty gave it away at that price! Its looking like a different car now. Just get them tyres blacked up! __________________ LMF VAUXHALL - 01858 433599**

07-08-2006, 21:12	#15
0ddball MIGWeb User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northeast Kent iTrader: (11) Posts: 28,776	top job on the paint. takes some balls to spray the arches the colour the car should be and hope to cut/polish the rest back to match. turned out great. standard is the new modified !

07-08-2006, 21:15	#17
nrj MIGWeb User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Hampshire Drives: Corsa Zafira iTrader: (23) Posts: 5,416	i nearly cried when i saw that orange peel pic, but then read later on been sorted it, phew. Looks good and still not spent too much, well done chap. (you need a cav gsi now ) __________________ CAR FOR SALE: Corsa X12XE Cavalier 2.0 16v Astra Mk3 Estate Nissan Micra K10 BREAKING: Corsa B Flair in Caribic Blue FOR SALE: My Complete Music Collection - Vinyl

07-08-2006, 21:20	#20
Zoe Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 iTrader: (6) Posts: 9,591	Very nice indeed

07-08-2006, 21:35	#22
Rustwagon MIGWeb User Join Date: Feb 2003 iTrader: (0) Posts: 422	Needs some 15" alloys my m8 has sum fink dey are tsw venins or somfing? & Exorzt is abit puny needs 2 be jap cut dem engins sound well sweet on a big boar bakbox & gd gains 2!!!1!!1!1!! In seriousness though, that is a stunning turnaround got a bargain and have ended up for a better example of what you could of bought for similar money. Arch job looks fantastic aswell!

07-08-2006, 21:36	#23
Ginge MIGWeb User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Thatcham,Berkshire Drives: Fear into children iTrader: (1) Posts: 6,418	ive done a small ginger sex wee all over myself.. When you gays coming up my way for a photo session and general mince/giggle session? Ginge __________________ www.virtualseason.net For all your sports streaming needs

07-08-2006, 22:08	#24
alistairolsen MIGWeb User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: glasgow/oban Drives: like its a hire car iTrader: (8) Posts: 5,689	you need to further tighten your grasp on the worls supply of cesaros IMO!

07-08-2006, 22:15	#25
carpartnut MIGWeb User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Yorkshire Drives: Astra GTE 16V iTrader: (0) Posts: 1	Sweet ! Just about to go through the same only all of my outer sills are completely shot ! Rear archers too and the front wings but everything else including the wishbone mounts are excellent. Whats the sills like to replace,did you replace yours or patch up ? Cheers in advance,newcomer.......

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