Astra Mk1 in glorious poo-brown. SOLD

[Louise2cv]

I really don't think so. There is plant life in the drivers footwell (this area is a rot trap isn't it?) and furry mould in the seats, the sills are going crusty, the brakes just got stuck again. MOT next month.

 

It's a SPEARS or REAPERS job for sure.

[dollywobbler]

Raffle it now. I think you'd be surprised at the low standards on this place. Might help if you include a random 1980s lunchbox.

[Joey spud]

I would also advise popping both brake drums off and having a bit of a dung out in there (hitting them hard with a can of brake cleaner and emery cloth to tidy things up) and just checking a brake lining isn't getting ready to unbond itself.

 

If there is a build up of brake dust and muck inside the brake it obviously gets wet this time of year and so when you apply the hand brake it sort of acts as a glue sticking the lining to the drum.

 

I went to a fairly late focus recently with a stuck brake after it was jet washed the night before outside the house then moved onto the drive and wouldn't move the next day.

The owner (not the sharpest tool in the box) after spending 20 mins trying to reverse the car off his drive then called us complaining it wouldn't move and that there was now smoke and a burning smell coming from under the bonnet.

Modern clutches overheat really easily as this guy found out.

[beko1987]

Deffo roffle! Plant life in the interior makes some of us excited about a vulgaloring session...

[320touring]

I would participate in a roffle for a poo broon ashtray!

 

make it so;)

[Louise2cv]

Let me take some pictures, I want you to know what you might be getting into.

[Cavcraft]

Pah, pictures schmictures. Sort the raffle out first then add pictures!  

[HillmanImp]

I would defo be up for a roffle on this but think you may do better financially selling it as there is a lot of interest in these now as they are so rare but it depends on what you want to do with it really. If you want someone on here to have it so that you can follow it progress, then that might be the way forward.

 

Regarding the mould, thats common in old cars that have been left a while, even when they are garaged (maybe they are damp when I put them in, I am not sure). Mine always do that, especially the seatbelts for some reason. It just wipes off.

 

Regarding Focuses, when Mrs Imp was looking at a car last year I was trying to convince her to get a Focus but the one we looked at would not move despite some serious attempts to break the bond on the rear brakes. Put her of it and she got a Megane instead.

 

[sloth]

cavcraft to buy all tickets. 

[Louise2cv]

The only downside is this might be the end for my shite "career".

 

Front runner for Astra replacement at the mo is a 2002 Fiat Stilo.

 

I did look at a P reg Hyundai and a Ford Ka on local Gumtree though.

 

[SiC]

The only downside is this might be the end for my shite "career".

 

Front runner for Astra replacement at the mo is a 2002 Fiat Stilo.

 

I did look at a P reg Hyundai and a Ford Ka on local Gumtree though.

 

Errr, I think a Stilo is totally worthy autoshite car! A proper italian car for a lot of the wrong reasons

[oldcars]

Wife was watching Eastenders last night and there was a Astra same shape as your on. Has to be worth ££££ now 

[alf892]

The only downside is this might be the end for my shite "career".

 

Front runner for Astra replacement at the mo is a 2002 Fiat Stilo.

 

I did look at a P reg Hyundai and a Ford Ka on local Gumtree though.

A Stilo?....... you can't replace a mark bloody one Astra with a feckin Stilo

 

Fix the Astra or at least try harder!

[Twiggy]

Mrs. Twiggy`s Corsa did exactly the same. Advice from the local (good) garage after I`d freed them off with a lump hammer was to clean them up regularly by driving slowly on a quiet road with the handbrake applied for a couple of hundred yards. It seems to have done the trick.

[Louise2cv]

I really don't know what to do, I don't feel entirely comfortable passing this snotter on, I don't think its anything other than a spares car.

 

It leaks from everywhere. I think previous rear end damage has shifted the hatch over:

 

 

 

[John F]

John F, on 16 Feb 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:John F, on 16 Feb 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:John F, on 16 Feb 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:

An Astra Mk 1! And in brown, too! Weapons-grade chod. I used to get these as company cars back in the day... I even wrote two of them off IIRC.

 

God knows what the previous owner that fitted the towbar was planning to tow with it, they're not exactly endowed with stump-pulling torque or blistering acceleration. That looks like a fairly tidy example though - no sign of rust on the bonnet leading edge or front valance.

 

I'm sure the 'performance Vauxhall' scene will be more than happy to bung you loads of wedge for it when you get bored with it... if they don't turn it into a GTE clone they're always on the lookout for some old motor to bung a C20LET or C20XE in.

 

The noise could still be a blowing exhaust BTW.

 

I can only echo what I said a few years ago... it will be worth a fair amount to the right Vauxhall licker. If I had to guess I'd say you'll see £750-800 without too much trouble in its current state. Lots more if you gave it a damn good vulgalouring and a fresh MOT.

 

These are pretty rare now, and they're fairly attractive in a boxy, Vauxy way.

[Louise2cv]

The only real rusty bits I can see:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rest being surface rust here and there (as far as I can tell). I have no idea what is happening under the carpets.

[dugong]

FIZZ

[Louise2cv]

The interior is FOUL and probably needs binning entirely:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have tried to lift the front carpet but I don't really know where to start, it has some kind of sponge under it though GR8 WORK VAUXHALL.

[Louise2cv]

Other bits:

 

It was nicked at some stage, resulting in wonky steering column, tried to show how wonky but it isn't easy to photograph:

 

 

Apart from the rear valance where the paint has come off due to crash damage(guessing), this is the worst of the paint:

 

[dean36014]

Well i'm up for a ticket!

[dollywobbler]

I'd still be interested too, and I really don't do ROFFLES.

[Louise2cv]

That's all the bad stuff, but LOOK:

 

 

 

 

 

How much more handsome a car could you want?

 

 

Other pics what I felt I ought to take:

 

Think these failing are "game-overs". This one is obviously starting to perish, other side looks ok:

 

 

 

TEH powerhouse:

 

 

Other things: fairly new tyres on all 4 corners, seems to work generally reliably, only real problems have been dirty fuel. Had bits done as documented here, but only as necessary for being usable rather than for any nicer reason.

 

I haven't got the time to sort it really, and probably not got the skills either.

 

 

 

What do we think? I think Matt would rather eBay, but that is a bit of a gamble.

[dollywobbler]

Location can be an issue for sub-grand snotters I've found. It's too old for people just after a cheap motor, but folk will look at the distance and be put off having a punt on a cheap classic. If it's really true that Vauxhall fans will wet themselves over it, then maybe contact clubs/forums direct. I have no doubts that a raffle will see it gone though, depending on ticket price. 

[Louise2cv]

Oh and last years MOT advisories:
 

Advisory notice item(s):


Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

 

[oldcars]

Looks drier than my 75 to be fare. I would love to machine that paint.

[binhoker668]

Louise, this should DEFO roffle.  And should also stay in the family!  Never know - you may end up buying it back in a year or two that way!  The restoration, whether partial, rolling or full would be great to watch...  Am sure I'm not on my own in this!!

[Louise2cv]

What sort of a ticket price would you suggest? I was think 3 or 4 quid? I don't know where to start really. And what about the brakes, should I be letting people drive it away or do I need to delve more first?

[Louise2cv]

Oh yeah and I should prob mention it has a different for just about each hole.

 

 

Trying to be as honest as possible.

[320touring]

I'll have 1, 6, 14, 19 and 24 if its £3 a pop..

 

if £4 then 1,6,14 and 24 please:)