Astra convertishite now at Lanky-acres.

[Lankytim]

Collected this last night from Cavmad, who was kindly storing it for me. (A frames are WIN for collecting tat!)

 

 

 

Sorry for the apalling photos, not sure what happened.

 

First impressions were pretty good, its nice and shiny and the engine sounds nice, save for the rattly water pump. Brakes are non-existant, the P/O changed a caliper and since then theres no prake pressure. I suspect the master cylinder is borked. Neither of these issues are much of a problem and should be straightforward to fix.

 

Theres evidence of a pampered existance with a nice wad of MOTs and service history. Theres a new exhaust system fitted along with new tyres and a new hood, plus the cambelt was replaced not too long ago, although this is the probably cause of the leaking waterpump.

 

Underneath theres much evidence of MOT type welding with large patches on the ends of the sills and on the front crossmember. On first looks it looked like this corrosion could be the end of this particular Astra but a good poke around has revealed that everything is nice and solid, although not particularly pretty. A good grind down should fix much of the unsightleyness or I may just cheat a fit a pair of GTE sideskirts which will cover the bumpy welding and underseal. The ideal situation would be a pair of sills and rear arches, but im too poor/stupid for that.

 

 

 

 

Pleasingly the interior is mint although not to everyones taste. I love it but the Wife thinks its a bit chavvy with its burberry pattern.

 

 

Mmmm, Chavtastic?

 

 

Overall I love it, people are already taking the piss but I dont care. I could imagine myself wearing shades and cruising down to Miami beach (or atleast LLandudno). Unfortunately the Wife, plus everyone else whos seen it thinks its hideous. Mrs Lankytim has already said she wont be seen dead in it. Looks like I may have to sell and put by cabriolet shaped plans on hold for a while.... I havent told her about the Maestro van I may have coming this week.

[Cavcraft]

I think you did well with that Tim. Arches are a doddle to splodge and the lines are easy to work round. I reckon it's half decent and was good vfm.My daughter thought it was mine and was slightly less than amused to find it was actually 'that old banger' of a Maxi

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Looks quite tidy, i'm glad its not mine though as I would not be able to leave those sills alone, and would inevitably land myself with a 6-week mega weldfest.

[Lankytim]

Cheers fellas, Hey Bol, how do you think I feel? I hate rust and really want those sills to get minted but I cant weld car bodies that well so im not going to even try in this case. The Astra is parked in the garage (roof down) but I can feel those patches bugging me already. May be cheaper and easier to have a labotomy instead.

[dollywobbler]

Your wife has serious taste issues Tim. I mean, she's already passed up the opportunity to cruise town in the deliciously brown Renault, despite the fabularse leather seats. That Astra looks lovely - easily one of the best hatch-chops of its era. I mean, the Escort used estate rear lights while VW couldn't even be bothered to make a Mk2 Golf cabby.

[Pillock]

My GTE cab was much worse in the sill department than that..... it had the standard skirts on it so the metal had taken the opportunity to go on holiday whilst nobody was looking.I got a pair of sills from the local panel empourium, sure they were only about £18 each. They're the same as Astramax ones I believe.

[joethornton1986]

glad to see you got it home safe Tim, just laughing to myself because while i had it, all my girl mates loved it! (mabe that means they are all a bit chavvy?)lol

[Lankytim]

I dont think its Chavvy at all! Its my wife...