Hot hatch to restore - what say you?

fullspizz · 5 Apr 2018 at 01:23

Renault 5GT Turbo
Fiat Uno Turbo - if there is enough of it left in metal
XR2i - nice little cars.
Another shout for an Astra GTE, mate had an 8 valve and then a 16 valve and crashed them both (his silliness)

Lopéz · 5 Apr 2018 at 11:44

You can buy my 205 GTI if you like

AHarvey · 5 Apr 2018 at 22:12

This never ends well said:
Whats a golf gti 8v like, its a mrk2 or mrk3, i got offered one for £150 but needs a new key and immobiliser as both was lost, has logbook and know the car was running before parked up.

If it's a mk2 snap his hand off at that price, or i'll have it.

Mk3 was that rounded shape and tbh, they were all pretty rubbish. I've had a mk3, mk4 and now a mk5 and I'd only have a mk1,2 or 5 out of them.

AHarvey · 5 Apr 2018 at 22:14

Other than a kit car, what about a VW corrado?

Rare but great forums out there for help, parts still available and they turn heads everywhere you go.

Of look at buying a rolling shell/busted engine one and pop a gti engine in.

InvaderGIR · 6 Apr 2018 at 09:16

AHarvey said:
If it's a mk2 snap his hand off at that price, or i'll have it.

Mk3 was that rounded shape and tbh, they were all pretty rubbish. I've had a mk3, mk4 and now a mk5 and I'd only have a mk1,2 or 5 out of them.

Says immobiliser so that'll be a mk3 as mk2s never had them, only rubbish aftermarket alarm systems.

This never ends well · 6 Apr 2018 at 16:54

InvaderGIR said:
Says immobiliser so that'll be a mk3 as mk2s never had them, only rubbish aftermarket alarm systems.

They got their own one fitted.

Hades · 6 Apr 2018 at 18:09

AHarvey said:
Other than a kit car, what about a VW corrado?

Rare but great forums out there for help, parts still available and they turn heads everywhere you go.

Of look at buying a rolling shell/busted engine one and pop a gti engine in.

Corrado parts are getting very hard to come by now. The mechanicals are still mostly available because they we're from more popular VAG models. But the bodywork, trim and interior trim are hard to find now. I managed to get one of the last 7 new old stock steering wheels still held by VW a few years ago

Bug One · 13 Nov 2020 at 14:23

Fixing up a classic is all about availability of parts. And for that reason, the best car by a mile is a VW Beetle. Be that a Baja or other variant.

Thanks to the Brazillians and american off road scene - you can buy every single nut, bolt, washer, component, body panel, trim, glass and specialised tool brand new. And you're not relying on VW anymore, there are companies still making all the bits. There is a wealth of information in books and online to help you along the way - as well as specialist builders around the country to help out along the way.

For the vast majority of classics - that's simply not the case.

Joe T · 13 Nov 2020 at 14:45

Holy thread revival Batman!

adam cool dude · 13 Nov 2020 at 15:02

Bug One said:
Fixing up a classic is all about availability of parts. And for that reason, the best car by a mile is a VW Beetle. Be that a Baja or other variant.

Thanks to the Brazillians and american off road scene - you can buy every single nut, bolt, washer, component, body panel, trim, glass and specialised tool brand new. And you're not relying on VW anymore, there are companies still making all the bits. There is a wealth of information in books and online to help you along the way - as well as specialist builders around the country to help out along the way.

For the vast majority of classics - that's simply not the case.

You could say the same about Lada. Would I want to restore one? Not really. Same applies to Hitler's car.

vanpeebles · 13 Nov 2020 at 15:15

I'd have a mini or mgb over them any day of the week.

savagesam117 · 13 Nov 2020 at 16:30

I’ve got an early mk2 Golf GTi I’m restoring/heavily modifying. I won’t be doing another.

Classic mini is my next one to do!

Torch [P4] · 13 Nov 2020 at 16:45

ooft choices id have to say Escort RS Series 1 or possibly RS1600i would be my first choice but i would like to do a Manta with a big old V8 just like the film Manta - Der Film

The Running Man · 13 Nov 2020 at 21:25

Simple and cheap

Almera GTI

Bit more fiddly but worth it

CRX VTi

Left field

Mitsubishi FTO V6

mattyg · 13 Nov 2020 at 21:45

CRX with a B18 turbo engine....Mental

The Running Man · 13 Nov 2020 at 21:48

mattyg said:
CRX with a B18 turbo engine....Mental

Mental yea but would like lose value.

Tbh if I wasgoing down that route I'd buy a mk3 MR2 turbo conversion or 2zz swap.

Diddums · 14 Nov 2020 at 07:18

I'd love to find an S2000 with a knackered engine and LS swap it.

HoneyBadger · 14 Nov 2020 at 08:00

Having owned some 205 GTis and 306 GTI-6 which in my view was so much better than the 205, I’d be on the look out for Gti-6 or Rallye variant.

Nasher · 14 Nov 2020 at 12:54

It will be hard to find one which needs restoring now. Most surviving ones are already in good condition.

adam cool dude · 14 Nov 2020 at 14:24

This is a pretty good shout. Seat Ibiza Cupra. 2.0 16V so the one to have really.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seat-Ibi...823340?hash=item28a13d07ec:g:51cAAOSw6odfoVQ1

They also have motorsport pedigree winning the F2 kit car championship 3 times on the trot.