Project OEM (2002 Azure Blue TDI AMF)

Stan H said:
Never keen on leaving it gear on the odd occasion you forget and lurch into something close by, wheels turned into the kerb as a secondary works ok.
Used to have a Saab 99 couldn't loose with that tank. Locked in gear with the ignition switch and with those big bumpers front and rear you could just move the vehicle that had parked to close to you.
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Hi Stan,

I remember my old Saab 900 Carlsson having the very same feature Sir:

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Personally I leave my A2 in gear as I’m well rehearsed in pressing the clutch pedal prior to starting and always ensure it’s in neutral before turning the key but totally get your point; my habbit possibly stems back to the many Saab 900s I’ve had in the past. There are some forgetful people out there though, my above post is evident of it.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
simon martyn said:
Am a fully paid up member of the "leave it in gear" club. Very useful tear avoidance measure.
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Hello Simon,

Yes I agree too but this is obviously a personal preference here. There are of course sound arguments for and against I suppose . To me the less I use the handbrake the longer I may have to conduct the cable swap.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Evening all.

After really liking these wheels on the Jaipur Red Project EUD…:

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I thought I’d hunt for another set for the Azure Blue Project OEM A2:

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A best offer of €220 was accepted and they have since landed at Rickmeister Towers:

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After some fresh rubber these should be fitted to this A2 over the festive period. Will look great but feeling that it’ll make be hunt for another Votex bodykit to suit. I knew I’d regret selling the spare kit earlier this year.

Updates to follow once the wheels are on our shores.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Morning all,

Very aware that this thread hasn’t seen any significant updates in some time now. With another Votex kit (actually 2 somehow) and additional set of A8 D2 wheels secured I think this vehicle will be looking rather different early in 2024. A future episode for sure. so why am I here today…

This fantastic A2 at 211k miles has successfully made it through yet another MOT:

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The front tyres were not quite up to scratch so a set of new rubber all round have been fitted earlier today. I was hoping to avoid such a cost as I’ll be needing to add fresh rubber to the A8 D2 wheels in the coming weeks once I have them in my possession, I’m sure someone will benefit from a set of Pepperpots with new rubber on, available on another thread another time.

What I can say though is that whilst waiting for the test to be completed I noticed that the OS number plate light was out. Knowing I’ve not changed the screws to the stainless steel variety I can only assume I’m going to have fun swapping that bulb in the coming days. Hopefully a few days of penetration fluid with save me stripping down the tailgate but am prepared for it.

It was a welcomed pleasure going for a spin in my old commuter to get things warmed up (not the Webasto unfortunately) prior to the test. The 9k miles it’s done since the last MOT were not done at my hands as I very rarely get to drive this one anymore. The MYP makes it feel like a totally different car than my current commuter. It’s such a great A2 which I think will look even better with the additions I have planned for it.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
2work said:
Morning all,

Very aware that this thread hasn’t seen any significant updates in some time now. With another Votex kit (actually 2 somehow) and additional set of A8 D2 wheels secured I think this vehicle will be looking rather different early in 2024. A future episode for sure. so why am I here today…

This fantastic A2 at 211k miles has successfully made it through yet another MOT:

View attachment 116100

The front tyres were not quite up to scratch so a set of new rubber all round have been fitted earlier today. I was hoping to avoid such a cost as I’ll be needing to add fresh rubber to the A8 D2 wheels in the coming weeks once I have them in my possession, I’m sure someone will benefit from a set of Pepperpots with new rubber on, available on another thread another time.

What I can say though is that whilst waiting for the test to be completed I noticed that the OS number plate light was out. Knowing I’ve not changed the screws to the stainless steel variety I can only assume I’m going to have fun swapping that bulb in the coming days. Hopefully a few days of penetration fluid with save me stripping down the tailgate but am prepared for it.

It was a welcomed pleasure going for a spin in my old commuter to get things warmed up (not the Webasto unfortunately) prior to the test. The 9k miles it’s done since the last MOT were not done at my hands as I very rarely get to drive this one anymore. The MYP makes it feel like a totally different car than my current commuter. It’s such a great A2 which I think will look even better with the additions I have planned for it.

Kind regards,

Tom
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Good luck with the bulb change, I've got a second hand panel with the light fittings as the lenes on my 03 plate are cracked. I have soaked the screws for 3 weeks. No joy of course the heads broke off. More soaking, no joy. So I drilled through the plastic fittings from the back where the screw fits and soaked them from that side for a few weeks. No joy. Rethink time. I have now bought led units to go in place of them and then change out the back panel. I just wish I had the needled pincher grips my father had that heated up when making contact with metal they would have melted the plastic surround slightly to get them out easy style.
 
Stan H said:
Good luck with the bulb change, I've got a second hand panel with the light fittings as the lenes on my 03 plate are cracked. I have soaked the screws for 3 weeks. No joy of course the heads broke off. More soaking, no joy. So I drilled through the plastic fittings from the back where the screw fits and soaked them from that side for a few weeks. No joy. Rethink time. I have now bought led units to go in place of them and then change out the back panel. I just wish I had the needled pincher grips my father had that heated up when making contact with metal they would have melted the plastic surround slightly to get them out easy style.
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Hello Stan,

If the inevitable happens I may try to apply some heat to the screw shanks with a solder iron or plastic welding tool I have. As you k ow, anything that doesn't cause any damage is much better than stripping the tailgate down for a bulb swap. I'm hoping for the best possible outcome but starting to remember that I went to swap the screws earlier in the year after purchasing the stainless steel alternatives for project EUD. Sure one of the screw heads started to get chewed up so left it as the bulbs were okay back then; guess it'll be the hard way!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Afternoon all,

You’ll see from Post #464 above that I liberated the A8 D2 wheels which were destined for this special A2:

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But still wished to achieve the very same look on this particular A2:

Initially to this:

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Then to this:

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(Borrowed you car again Graham @audifan)

As such started hunting for a second set. These were secured back in October and only last night collected them from Rick @Rickmeister (thank you very much Sir).

Knowing pictures can sometimes hide the odd imperfection, you can imagine my surprise when I see the condition of the wheels in person for the first time last night. Here’s the first one cleaned up which you may have already seen on another thread:

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Even the centre caps are still very presentable. Hopefully get the other 3 cleaned before the other driver here gets home to see what’s being cleaned on the kitchen island!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Hello all,

Very conscious that this thread hasn’t had the dedication that the other of the fleet has received lately. As Project EUD is almost there in terms specification and running order I’ll start to refocus my efforts back to my old trusty commuter.

It’s due to have fresh rubber on the A8 wheels soon enough and the rest of the Votex kit is ready to be adhered to match the spoiler. All that it needs is a little update to what the bespoke Club number plate surrounds hold:

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Yes both of the fleet will be sporting a private plate. All the legal aspects have been dealt with so it now can hit the road with its new VRN. I’ll not change the project name like I did the Jaipur Red A2, as this particular car has been in the making for the last 4 years in the next month or 2; it basically started when Boris told us to stay indoors back in 2020.

Pictures to follow once it’s had some TLC to the coachwork as it’s currently sat outside in a rather filthy state.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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Hello again all,

Had a quick break from the office and thought it only right to pop outside to address the OEM number plates fitted as the vehicle is now unable to legally use them.

Here’s a quick image of the fleet with their private plates:

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Yet again my thanks must go to Neil @nee777.a2 for just putting together another cracking package for me. Both the fleet have greatly benefited from his friendship and generosity. Thank you Neil.

My old trusty commuter has now got my attention and it will soon be looking a little different; the appearance that I hoped for a couple of years ago!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Hello all,

Starting to refocus my time on my old commuter. Today it’s finally had its new @Proximo yellow high-vis jacking point inserted. A jug of warm water and they popped in easily with assistance from the new low profile jack.

These new jacking points were test straight away as I had to raise the car to go on axel stands in order to remove a squealing starter motor. Replacement item fitted which I purchased from Steve @A2Steve a long time ago.

Another busy day here at 2work Towers as usual on a Saturday.

I’ll get some new pictures added soon enough of how this car is looking these days.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Afternoon all,

My old trusty stead has been getting my undivided attention over lunchtime. The other driver here has complained about the cabin temperature recently in that it never warms up. I went for a quick test drive and yes the needle didn’t move at all!

So out come the tools again to swap the thermostat for another genuine replacement. Nice easy task to do from above with the right tools:

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I used the 5mm Alan key to crack the bottom bolt then used the flexible ratchet spanner with a cut down 10mm socket to undo the said bolt until it was finger loose. Nice and quick.

Afterwards the needle quickly moved up to 90° which was a relief that the CTS was probably okay for now:

IMG_8908.jpeg


The cabin also started to receive heat so I’d say another successful hours tinkering. I do miss spannering and upgrading this great car, such a shame I don’t get to use it more. Only get the keys to it these days when I’m told ‘that car you gave me has such and such issue’ haha.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Morning all,

Some of you will have notivced a comment I left on the Today I... thread regards selling one of the fleet to make way for a new project...

After some very hard decisions I have regretfully decided to let this great A2 go so it can be enjoyed by someone else. It’s been such a fantastic car that’s been treated to many upgrades as you’ll seen from the course of this thread. It’s move on sporting pretty much most of its upgrades that were done whilst at home during the lockdown.

Although I’ve moved in from this particular car and handed onto the other driver here since the spontaneous purchase of a certain Jaipur Red A2, it’s got its own little place in my heart as the journey with this one was very educational and I learned so much about the A2 and how to conduct certain retrofits which has of course expanded these days to allow me to conduct all my own retrofits.

Can I thank everyone who has contributed to this thread by means of advice and sourcing parts to enable me to get it to the way its presents itself today.

I’ll miss this A2 but it’s made way for yet another spontaneous purchase just like December 2022. The spontaneous purchase is even the same colour as the last acquisition. Anyone remember this?:


… Well this the latest addition to the driveway. Seems I have a thing about Jaipur Red A2s.

The above link is of course from way back in 2016 and has since swapped hands where it’s most recently been pampered by Neil @nee777.a2. It’s the very same A2 which donated the Votex spoiler and the A2EYV private plate; the private plate will be making its way back onto the vehicle but the spoiler is of course spoken for. That said I do have a spare full Votex kit that will be recoloured in the coming months as why wouldn’t I want 2 very high specification Jaipur Red A2s on the driveway that both sport full Votex (and A8 D2 wheels).

Thanks again for the advice/comments which have added real value to the content of this thread which has been some 4 years in the making but it’s pretty much at its end for me now. I truly hope many readers have gained some useful information throughout this thread and have since used said information to pamper their own vehicles.

Onto the next project!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Hi Tom, congratulations! Curious what you are up to with the new A2. I assume you will start a new topic on this one?
 
DuncanA2 said:
Hi Tom, congratulations! Curious what you are up to with the new A2. I assume you will start a new topic on this one?
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Evening Duncan,

You know me too well and yes of course a new project thread will commence once I’ve had time to get the tools out and obtained parts I’m after.

Although this threads A2 is current my wearing the A2 EYV private plate, it will of course be retained then assigned to the new project.

The new thread will no doubt be titled:

Project EYV (2001 Jaipur Red TDI AMF)

It’ll not be initiated until well after the Easter/bank holiday weekend as I’m just too busy right now unfortunately. I’ll be back online more often soon enough though inundating everyone with pictures and write ups on the progress.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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