Warch buys a shite Astraaargh!

[High Jetter]

No reveal? A bit flaky?

[adw1977]

On 25/02/2024 at 21:19, warch said:

it's coming on Tuesday

 

[warch]

On 26/02/2024 at 06:20, ETCHY said:

Vauxhall Astra.

 

Well done ETCHY. It’s a funny one this, someone has clearly looked after it and it’s actually in good condition but some of the bodywork finishing is hilarious. 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

That's a fairly early one - well bought! Original pie tray hubcaps too - not seen them for years. GM got the ergonomics of the cabin just right on these - I loved the driving position on mine. A mate had a B plate 1200 an age ago - I reckon  C plate survivors are now rare  let alone Bs...

[JMotor]

Nicely bought.

Without me checking. Is it the 1.2 OHV engine or a 1.3?

[wesacosa]

Nice. my auntie used to ferry us about a lot in her E reg 3 door in the same colour & trim so brings back some memories 

 

[warch]

22 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Nicely bought.

Without me checking. Is it the 1.2 OHV engine or a 1.3?

It's the 1.3 of POWAAAH! Actually not a bad engine compared to some of the oppo (Yes I'm looking at you Ford CVH!).

[grogee]

@warch that's a lovely thing, takes me right back. Will it make an appearance at FoU?

What's the job list for it? 

Loving the period radio, very nice. 

[warch]

It needs;

New starter motor and battery 

Bit of welding around the rear sill inner arch (localised rot)

Main issue is the front calipers, caliper brackets and mounting bolts are missing, the calipers are at least available, not sure where to find the other bits just yet.

[Tickman]

That brings back a lot of memories.

 

[grogee]

48 minutes ago, warch said:

It needs;

New starter motor and battery 

Bit of welding around the rear sill inner arch (localised rot)

Main issue is the front calipers, caliper brackets and mounting bolts are missing, the calipers are at least available, not sure where to find the other bits just yet.

I bet they are fairly standard GM parts. Mounting bolts surely some metric thread so not hard to get. Maybe someone on here has some suitable bits? 

Possibly the calipers are shared with other Euro stuff of the period eg Golf? 

[warch]

1 minute ago, grogee said:

I bet they are fairly standard GM parts. Mounting bolts surely some metric thread so not hard to get. Maybe someone on here has some suitable bits? 

Possibly the calipers are shared with other Euro stuff of the period eg Golf? 

The calipers are apparently compatible with some modern Vauxhalls. Apparently there aren't any brackets, but several different types of bolts (would help if they sold them with the calipers).

[SEATMad]

Very nice @warch !! This has to be one of the earliest Mk2's left? Great buy! 

[Dyslexic Viking]

2 hours ago, warch said:

Main issue is the front calipers, caliper brackets and mounting bolts are missing, the calipers are at least available, not sure where to find the other bits just yet.

These were also sold as the Opel Kadett and then the E generation which is worth remembering when looking for parts.

Example under, brake caliper with bracket from a 1.6 Kadett E.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/354773653570?itmmeta=01HQNQTEGA15X9FH9VVNFBH032&hash=item529a285842:g:9RMAAOSwhv5lUpsM&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8DnM5pQMwf34HQpXeZuhUe8ibtI4ddBfRrK9Qr1vP7krL%2BmfndE65LyJ36gyVPWDeyTcU9D3EkaJ24kKrNHr%2BA%2BmPhRhEV081VCuFxQwv04BQoYRSK8sFj%2BNFOzqHKHKDtO5T%2FkmQB14nySEMDPnBpUmPZNmZKc6XIahVso6mfoQA%2FhUUT2QXOypX6tCvAbYCcvKXkQIl8%2FqkV3smvw10aHWzK0nDmlmsoJqXzp0gkZmoiYCw7V5Uoz9XsNPpqH%2FGR%2B%2BtJ6jadHpndJPK%2B8gZIrMJBuKdNNiAOdjzWdO5kPIyykO5dFqi1M4HA7wty5lQg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBMoujpt71j

[2flags]

That looks great! Normally they fade to a 'lovely' shade of pink, reminds you of Penelope Pitstop! Didn't they also form the basis of the Daewoo Nexia? Probably won't help at all as they all seem to have reverted to washing machines now. 

[warch]

I've order a set of new Delco type calipers, pads and sliders. I've also ordered a starter motor, which leads into another issue, the retaining bolts are awol, so I'll have to try and find some. May have to ask my local Vauxhall main dealer (who'll no doubt roll their eyes when I tell them what its for). At least Vauxhall/Opel seem not to change their designs every year like VW, some parts on this are ridiculously generic, fitting cars built between 1980 and 2023 apparently. 

The bodywork repairs are a bit obvious but the actual work seems very good, actually wondering if the sill is ok, might just need a small section where the rear jacking point is located. The metal all around it and behind it seems solid and uncrispy. 

Dyslexic Viking; I'm not likely to forget about the Opel Kadett, my mum and dad bought one new on a B plate (1984) which I passed my driving test in. It was the more desirable estate/wagon variant but with the same engine and spec (or lack of) as this one.

[ETCHY]

5 hours ago, warch said:

 

Well done ETCHY. It’s a funny one this, someone has clearly looked after it and it’s actually in good condition but some of the bodywork finishing is hilarious. 

Well bought !
I've not seen one of those in a while.

[EyesWeldedShut]

Wild guess though - not sure of the exact model but #8 is

[warch]

I do have a Haynes manual (the same one my Dad bought for the one we had in 80s) so I won't be working according to guesswork. Apparently mine doesn't have brackets and bolts directly to the strut.

[adw1977]

Nice purchase!

Those wheel trims and that radio make it a base, I believe?

[wesacosa]

8 minutes ago, adw1977 said:

Nice purchase!

Those wheel trims and that radio make it a base, I believe?

I was wondering about the radio.. I thought it looked too base even for a base

[warch]

9 minutes ago, adw1977 said:

Nice purchase!

Those wheel trims and that radio make it a base, I believe?

I think so. My mum and dads didn't even have a radio. Incidentally the radio still works, so I'll need to find an aerial and press it back into service.

[adw1977]

Looks like the correct Philips AN232 radio.

Sep-Nov 1985 brochure link

A basic two band radio was typical for this class of car in 1985, base Maestros and Escorts had similar. 

Base Novas, Fiestas and Metros still had no radio at all.

[JMotor]

May I suggest getting the brakes from a Corsa B. Anything other a Sport or GSi will provide what you need.

As they will be 236mm as your car. The ATE calipers are much better than the Delco ones. Bolt on swap. As they never changed the hub mount spacing for a very long time.

These can be had in ventilated flavour too. But I reckon solid discs will do fine.

Edit - Saw your last post. My bad.

If your stuck for caliper mount bolts. I might have a set of four in my stash if you need some?

[warch]

2 hours ago, JMotor said:

May I suggest getting the brakes from a Corsa B. Anything other a Sport or GSi will provide what you need.

As they will be 236mm as your car. The ATE calipers are much better than the Delco ones. Bolt on swap. As they never changed the hub mount spacing for a very long time.

These can be had in ventilated flavour too. But I reckon solid discs will do fine.

Edit - Saw your last post. My bad.

If your stuck for caliper mount bolts. I might have a set of four in my stash if you need some?

Cheers. My initial plan is just to get it working, then I might look at upgrading it, the standard brakes on this were bloody awful to be honest (based on hazy recollections of driving in the mid-90s). 

Do you know what size the starter mounting bolts would be. I might need to visit my friendly neighbourhood scrappy to find something, but I suspect they'll be similar on much newer cars. 

[Matty]

That is absolutely wonderful! I learnt to drive in a mk2 1600d van and then owned a 1700d astramax soon after. Just that dash shot brings back happy memories!

[beko1987]

7 hours ago, warch said:

 

Well done ETCHY. It’s a funny one this, someone has clearly looked after it and it’s actually in good condition but some of the bodywork finishing is hilarious. 

Nostalgia! My grandad had one as his work commuting car! Granny had the D reg nova luxue saloon in dark blue inside and out, and grandad had a red G (I think) reg one! Beige cloth interior, that dashboard, Gah! 

My mum was unwell when I was young and I never realised/didn't know, so grandad picking me up from mums when he finished on Friday then me staying over the the weekend felt very innocent back then, and I have many memories of being in it with him driving up and down fletton parkway in Peterborough! Get a tear driving it myself now

[JMotor]

30 minutes ago, warch said:

Cheers. My initial plan is just to get it working, then I might look at upgrading it, the standard brakes on this were bloody awful to be honest. 

Do you know what size the starter mounting bolts would be. I might need to visit my friendly neighbourhood scrappy to find something, but I suspect they'll be similar on much newer cars. 

Can't quote sizes ATM. M10 rings a bell, but for the length of said bolts, I'm struggling there.

But I'd say if you found a Small block engined Vauxhall in the scrappies, I'd say you'd be pretty safe with taking them for the Astra. Again they didn't change much. Maybe at worse it'll be a torx head instead of a hex.

I do have a 1600 8V on a stand. I could have a ganders this week and give you idea of what ones to look for? 

 

[stuboy]

the calipers on 1.2/1.3 astras where horrendous as would seize, apparently the ones from 1.6 where ones too fit, i resolved mine by selling the car

[Burnside]

Great purchase I've always had a soft spot for the MK2 Astra as a kid, although I've only owned it's main rival a MK4 Escort!

Funny enough I'd been watching this myself, as I remember it being for sale a few years ago locally on Car and Classic. If memory severs me right, the rear comedy arch / sill repairs weren't finished and the passenger wing was still in primer.

Bonus points to whoever painted that wing since, without bothering to drill a hole for the side indicator first.😂

Overall though looks a great little project, look forward to seeing the updates on it.