My 205 GTi Restoration

My 205 GTi Restoration

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350Wedge

Original Poster:

2,364 posts

274 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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As a few people know I'm in the process of having my 205 GTi restored. I bought the car last year as a good base for restoration and as its now progressing its turning out to be even better than expected.

It may 'only' be a 1.6 variant but it really is a fun car to drive and by the time I'm done with it, it should be not too far off new.

Bearing in mind its 22 years old now its virtually free of rust, I went and had a look after the first week of it being away and well..... the pictures below speak for themselves!

Its due to be away for another two to three weeks, really cant wait to get it back but I want it done properly!

Anyways here are a few pics, I'll update this thread after I have another look this weekend. These pics are after 5 days in the bodyshop.














Jonboy_t

5,038 posts

184 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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That's a hell of a clean car for that age! Make sure you keep updating, I love stuff like this!

350Wedge

Original Poster:

2,364 posts

274 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
quotequote all
Jonboy_t said:
That's a hell of a clean car for that age! Make sure you keep updating, I love stuff like this!
I've left my digital compact with them and they are under instructions to take loads of photos!! I'll have a complete photographic record for the cars history file.

ewolg

1,680 posts

280 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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I had one of the very 1st 1.6 GTi's, A999 CCF - would love to get another one too!
http://www.create-it.co.uk/m18eut/Old%20cars/a999c...

Edited by ewolg on Tuesday 5th February 22:14

spike ST500

1,295 posts

156 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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Looking like a great project smile

Hub

6,449 posts

199 months

Thursday 7th February 2013
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Great little cars. I'd love one for a weekend motor! Prices are slowly rising though... definite future classic, if not already!

ecain63

10,588 posts

176 months

Thursday 7th February 2013
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Fond memories of 205's myself. Ive had 4 in all and loved every one of them.

Bought a run down 1985 C Reg Dimma 1.6GTi in 2002 and restored it back to beauty, inc installing a new MI-16 lump, before driving it into my garage wall 2 days after completion and MOT.

Then bought a well used Weldex rally 205 with a 200bhp 2.0 Vaux redtop and RWD. Ran it off road for a few months before selling the shell at a good profit and transferring the bits in to:






That rusted away after 2 years.......







and then i used the available parts and a new engine to create, with the help of a mint G Reg 205 1.5GRD..........:




















Original paint plan:


..........this 240bhp, GTI-6 BTCC engined whip:









That was my last 205, but id not hesitate to go back to one if the car was right.

ecain63

10,588 posts

176 months

Thursday 7th February 2013
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Sorry for the thread hijack btw.

SupraSi

168 posts

210 months

Thursday 7th February 2013
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Bloody hell, that's already a very tidy example. Hard to find like that! Will be great when its finished. These are such awesome little cars. My mate used to have a 1.9 GTI with a Piper cam, pipe and filter with some trick suspension and it was more like a go kart than a car!!

He's now just put his brothers mint Dimma in for a colour change.

iiyama

2,201 posts

202 months

Friday 8th February 2013
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You've certainly gone to town there Tone!

350Wedge

Original Poster:

2,364 posts

274 months

Friday 8th February 2013
quotequote all
iiyama said:
You've certainly gone to town there Tone!
Indeed, its having the works!! Not cheap but will be worth it. More pics from today to follow in a sec....

350Wedge

Original Poster:

2,364 posts

274 months

Friday 8th February 2013
quotequote all
Here is todays update at the end off week 2.

The passenger side is almost complete and all the glass has now been removed other than the driver window and the sunroof. The windscreen has been taken out but placed back for now to help with keeping the dust out.

The finish along the passenger side is better than expected and will look great once paint is applied in a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to next Saturday to see how its progressed again through the week smile










ecain63

10,588 posts

176 months

Friday 8th February 2013
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Looking good mate. Should be ace when its done.

350Wedge

Original Poster:

2,364 posts

274 months

Friday 8th February 2013
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Cheers Eddie, cant wait to see it done. Loving your old 205s as well, shame about the Dimma!

Oh and as a cherry on the cake I have these waiting to go on at some point when the weather improves.....


Fuzzy72

286 posts

145 months

Friday 8th February 2013
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Looking good Tone. No pressure on your bodyshop with the whole of the south coast watching this! You must keep this thread updated as I and many others like to watch a project develop. Maybe this could become the thread, or a seperate thread, for all SC PH'ers projects. We're all nosey buggers at heart and love watching peoples cars in restoration. At the speed this is progressing, I'm guessing this will be ready for showing off at the first Goodwood breakfast club. Keep us all updated.

ecain63

10,588 posts

176 months

Friday 8th February 2013
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Sorry, a few more pics for your inspiration:

Was involved in an FHM shoot in 2005 after USC at Santa Pod. Feature was, 'is your car faster than a Ferrari 355?'. The 205 was quicker to 60mph but its gearing topped out at 115mph (diesel gearbox from Saxo).



These were a good investment although they do squeal when cold. Had them delivered to me in Afghanistan which made for interesting conversation with customs on my return. 'Why are there landmine shaped discs in your luggage Marine Cain?'


SPA at work: Good bit of kit.



Curborough track day:


RWYB at the Pod: If you have the notion to mod it in anyway may i suggest having a Quaife fitted? Well worth it for the extra cornering / traction ability.







Couple of randoms:




Eddie. 205's do get cooler as they get older!!

350Wedge

Original Poster:

2,364 posts

274 months

Saturday 9th February 2013
quotequote all
Fuzzy72 said:
Looking good Tone. No pressure on your bodyshop with the whole of the south coast watching this! You must keep this thread updated as I and many others like to watch a project develop. Maybe this could become the thread, or a seperate thread, for all SC PH'ers projects. We're all nosey buggers at heart and love watching peoples cars in restoration. At the speed this is progressing, I'm guessing this will be ready for showing off at the first Goodwood breakfast club. Keep us all updated.
As I only get to check on the car once a week I'll post updates each weekend. I'm expecting it to be away for another couple of weeks so there should be two more updates before its all finished.

If all goes well should be picking up at the end of the month.

The bodyshop are doing a totally excellent job, there are only a couple of small items that need repairing as work progresses but they are doing each thing to perfection before moving onto the next bit.



Tom H

543 posts

188 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
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Looking very good Wedge, I'm jealous had a good opportunity to buy a 205 GTi a few years back, and wish I did. (Lack for space)

Looking forward to seeing it, and maybe a sit in it too!

TheDoggingFather

17,115 posts

207 months

Wednesday 13th February 2013
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Looking good Tony thumbup

RIB27

559 posts

149 months

Wednesday 13th February 2013
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Great progress Tony! Don't forget some more progress pics when they're ready smile