Back with an A2 Project – A2Steve

[A2Steve]

I’m glad to report that I am back in A2 ownership (other than breakers). Having had a stint in a TT, it has reminded me of why I like the A2 so much, light, nimble, spacious and most of all frugal ?

The car was recently advertised on the forum by Steve, who had recently lost his Dad to a heart attack.

I arranged a courier to collect the car from Newcastle and it made its 320+ mile journey down to me in South Wales.

It’s a one previous owner 100k mile TDI with service history. I think the saying ‘right place right time’ comes to mind. To say I’m pleased and grateful would be an understatement.

Here she is when she arrived.

Plans are to firstly give her a damn good clean as she’s been standing for quite some time. Looking at the paintwork though through the grime, it’s all in very good shape and there’s a diamond hidden in the rough.

It needs a timing belt and service, and there’s a heavy vibration coming from the driver’s front wheel even at low speeds.

I’m unsure as yet about which way I’m going to take the project, but I’m now in my late 30’s and I whilst I like building ‘show cars’, my bank balance doesn’t enjoy it and I also end up feeling a bit daft driving them at my age.

I’ve got a number of parts here that I think will be making their way onto the car:

• Monroe reflex front and rear dampers
• Eibach 25mm springs
• H&R front anti-roll bar
• Whiteline rear anti roll bar
• Fabia VRS 288mm brake upgrade
• A set of TT 17 inch alloys

I’m always open to suggestions and input, so if anyone had any ideas on where I should go with this project then please let me know, but the overall theme is definitely going to be OEM+ rather than full-on boy racer ?

 

[Jayw13702]

Lovely colour, a great find there

Looking forward to seeing the progress


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[gangitano85]

Sorry for being so off-topic, but it seems - judging from the photos - that there's quite a steep hill in the street where you live.

 

[A2Steve]

Sorry for being so off-topic, but it seems - judging from the photos - that there's quite a steep hill in the street where you live.

I live in the welsh valleys, everything is on a hill The photo's are deceptive though.

 

[gangitano85]

I put my hand up for it and queried how much Steve wanted for the car. To my surprise it was free to a good home. He wouldn’t except anything for the car, just wanting it to go to a good home and to send some photos when it’s back to its former glory (a task I can definitely oblige with).

This, to me, highlights how great this community is and how lucky I am to be a small part of it

 

[A2Steve]

A coupe of hours spent this morning, pressure wash, hand wash and then a clay bar to see what I’m working with.

Other than a ding on the passenger door and a small crease on the back bumper she’s looking very well.

Need to go over it now with my DA and some cutting compound as there is some sort of white paint flecks all over the car that the claybar isn’t managing to remove.

 

[RZX]

Looking good and my personal feeling would to keep it standard ish, love the colour. We all know the fantastic projects you have turned out in the past so I may eat my words.
Good luck with it. If you decide to sell the wheels can I have 1st dibs please ?

 

[dj_efk]

My personal inclination is to go standard with some choice OE upgrades too. Such a lovely condition car.

 

[Hedley]

View attachment 77612

A coupe of hours spent this morning, pressure wash, hand wash and then a clay bar to see what I’m working with.

Other than a ding on the passenger door and a small crease on the back bumper she’s looking very well.

Need to go over it now with my DA and some cutting compound as there is some sort of white paint flecks all over the car that the claybar isn’t managing to remove.

Hi Steve as I live no more than 5 miles from the Steve that you got the car from when you get it up to your high standards please let me know as I may be interested in buying it I it would be good for me to let him see what you have done to it Kind regards Bob

 

[PlasticMac]

In the spirit of it's provenance, I'd like you to stick to OE.
Mac.

 

[A2Steve]

If you decide to sell the wheels can I have 1st dibs please ?

Hi Mandy. I wouldn’t be looking to sell them, but would do a swap for a set of 17 inch 9 spokes if you have any on one of your cars?

 

[A2Steve]

Hmmm the consensus seems to be for oem. 8 years ago when I first got into A2’s I felt the need to modify to stand out from the crowd, but given that A2’s are getting so rare now, perhaps it’s enough just to have a clean example.

 

[TYP 8Z]

Hmmm the consensus seems to be for oem. 8 years ago when I first got into A2’s I felt the need to modify to stand out from the crowd, but given that A2’s are getting so rare now, perhaps it’s enough just to have a clean example.

As they say these days “It’s only original once” ?

 

[Hedley]

Hi Bob, I’ll bare it in mind, but seeing as the car was given to me in good faith and only owes me around £400 in transport costs, it wouldn’t be right for me to sell it for what would invariably be a profit. I think I’ll hold onto it and make use of it instead.

Fair comment Steve

 

[RZX]

Hi Mandy. I wouldn’t be looking to sell them, but would do a swap for a set of 17 inch 9 spokes if you have any on one of your cars?

Hi Steve, no 17" sorry. Good luck with the car and look forward to seeing it at a social hopefully, when we are allowed

 

[sciroccorrado]

I'm with the OEM(+) camp myself ...

It looks nice Steve!

 

[Cenick]

Subtle upgrades Steve


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[TheLardMeister]

OEM upgrades definitely the way to go,

 

[Kleynie]

You lucky b****r! Love those wheels and they would look great on Mandy's car

Ian

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Nicest looking car you've owned to my mind Steve, it just looks perfect! Leave it OEM but if the need for playing with it is strong get Tom to lavish it with some very nice OEM upgrades.