Back with an A2 Project – A2Steve

A2Steve said:
View attachment 79381

The parts to be fitted next week are piling up nicely in the boot.

New track rod ends, new thermostat, air filter, oil filter, oil, waterpump, timing belt and tensioner. Also H&R front anti roll bar, alternator, tensioner and cast wishbones.

I’ve also got a nearly new starter motor here but I suppose if it isn’t broken then I shouldn’t try to fix it.
Click to expand...
I love how this is aswell, too often how my boot looks
 
Well she’s out of my garage having been polished and buffed to within an inch of her life but I’m now happy with the results.

It’s been 6 weeks of hard work on and off amongst breaking but in that time she’s had

- new monroe shocks all round
- new Eibach pro 25mm springs
- Whiteline rear anti roll bar
- H&R front anti roll bar
- 288mm big brake conversion
- HEL braided brake lines
- cast wishbones with polybushes
- 17 inch TT comps powdercoated in anthracite with Continental tyres
- serviced and timing kit
- A4 solid wood steering wheel and gearknob
- all blackwork now has a gloss finish
- all underside components that can rust painted in black hammerite
- wet sand and machine polish to remove a large amount of white paint flecks all over the car.

On arrival
62C92AFB-AEF1-4ECD-97AE-37B6EC0D3784.jpeg


Today

DAABB66F-CCF0-4EEF-B850-B44554791E58.jpeg
45E70BFA-DB59-41E3-B951-41D24A574ED0.jpeg
 
Last edited:
A2Steve said:
Well she’s out of my garage having been polished and buffed to within an inch of her life but I’m now happy with the results.

It’s been 6 weeks of hard work on and off amongst breaking but in that time she’s had

- new monroe shocks all round
- new Eibach pro 25mm springs
- Whiteline rear anti roll bar
- H&R front anti roll bar
- 288mm big brake conversion
- HEL braided brake lines
- cast wishbones with polybushes
- 17 inch TT comps powdercoated in anthracite with Continental tyres
- serviced and timing kit
- A4 solid wood steering wheel and gearknob
- all blackwork now has a gloss finish
- all underside components that can rust painted in black hammerite
- wet sand and machine polish to remove a large amount of white paint flecks all over the car.

On arrival
View attachment 80191

Today
View attachment 80193
View attachment 80192
Click to expand...
The car definitely went to the right place Steve. Looks great ?
 
A2Steve said:
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. He had no further use for the car and wanted it to go to someone who was going to make use of it and not use it for parts.

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).

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.



View attachment 77584View attachment 77585View attachment 77586









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 ?
Click to expand...
Hi Steve
What a touch.. I'm definitely in the oem + camp .. it looks a peach .. interested in ur observations with regards tt & A2.. u made chuckle tho with regards age .. ur mere child compared to me ...ha ha
 
barryleng.bl said:
Hi Steve
What a touch.. I'm definitely in the oem + camp .. it looks a peach .. interested in ur observations with regards tt & A2.. u made chuckle tho with regards age .. ur mere child compared to me ...ha ha
Click to expand...

After years of working in the garage I bet your knees are better than mine, even at your vast years ??
 
Well it failed the MOT on saturday; but only on the handbrake efficiency on the driver side ?

The guy doing the MOT said it was "like a new car underneath" and "someone's been spending on this". I wonder how much of the work we do is just to impress the MOT man! I'm happy with that fail. For a car that was off the road for 6 months at least and was heavily corroded on the consumables, that's a good result.

It's going in for the timing kit and re-test on friday hopefully, so it will be ready for the social the week after.
 
A2Steve said:
Well it failed the MOT on saturday; but only on the handbrake efficiency on the driver side ?

The guy doing the MOT said it was "like a new car underneath" and "someone's been spending on this". I wonder how much of the work we do is just to impress the MOT man! I'm happy with that fail. For a car that was off the road for 6 months at least and was heavily corroded on the consumables, that's a good result.

It's going in for the timing kit and re-test on friday hopefully, so it will be ready for the social the week after.
Click to expand...
Morning Steve,

I fully understand you happiness with the outcome of the MOT. Very similar to 250 A2.

Looking forward to the results of this project. You always impress me with what you achieve in such a short time.

Best of luck sir.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
A2Steve said:
And passed this morning with a clean sheet. Will now be my main mode of transport from tomorrow morning once its had its timing kit done this afternoon.
Click to expand...
Brilliant news Steve,

Your efforts have certainly paid off here.

Looking forward to see what you do to this one once your ideas are applied to it. Your project threads are always inspirational and a great read.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
A2Steve said:
I think its crying out for a votex with the top half of the car painted in a gunmetal grey or black. But finding one is the key :)
Click to expand...
Hi Steve,

Finding a Votex kit isn’t as easy recently, not even any 4 figure offerings on eBay! I’ve still not had much luck with the supplier I had in mind so far. They’re not interested in taking on such works right now but I’ll keep pestering them.

I understand that someone elsewhere is close to going into production though which could be your answer.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
A2Steve said:
I think its crying out for a votex with the top half of the car painted in a gunmetal grey or black. But finding one is the key :)
Click to expand...
Hopefully going to look at a black one with votex on Sunday if it's still available by then, purely out of curiosity, happy to report my findings. Probably could get the car for £1k.
 
RZX said:
Hopefully going to look at a black one with votex on Sunday if it's still available by then, purely out of curiosity, happy to report my findings. Probably could get the car for £1k.
Click to expand...
Don't do it Mandy, you'll end up with another A2.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top