A tortured tale of quattro restoration,

[droopsnoot]

4v6 said:

Yertis said:

Are you not going to frame the side windows in black?

I thought Id see how it looked with just body colour first, if I dont like it ill do the window areas afterwards.

My first coupe was a 1.8 carb model which didn't have the black surrounds that the GT and upwards had, and I didn't think it looked as good, though I didn't have it long enough to do anything about it and was kind of revelling in the 'basic spec but very clean' look that it had. Quite an old idea, the black window surround, was used in (among many other things probably) Vauxhall racers (and then road cars) to make it look as if the window area was bigger.

[4v6]

Yertis said:

Fair enough. Looks great by the way (even in that 1987-spec colour ). Out of interest, how did you remove the metal finishers around the windows? I really need to whip mine off to refinish them but can't see an obvious way of getting them off without breaking everything.

Theyre held in place by a reversed hook arrangement, one side formed in the trim strip the other in the window rubber itself.
The long lower one is held on by a pressed steel nut inside the A pillar at its front edge, so the trim needs to be removed and the fabric peeled back to access it.
The corner trim on the rear is held on by a single clip thats integral to the trim itself.
The uprights are slid down past the lower trim strip and into the corner trim at the rear edge of the window as are the 45 degree angled parts.

Pain in the backside to refit, use soap and water, to lube the strips up and slide and press them in bit by bit.
Be prepared to break the corner joiners made from weedy plastic and then get reamed by ebay sellers at 8 quid and 5 quid a throw...so if you bust all 4 itll cost you 26 quid minimum....Nla you see. Thanks Audi.

[Yertis]

4v6 said:

Theyre held in place by a reversed hook arrangement, one side formed in the trim strip the other in the window rubber itself.
The long lower one is held on by a pressed steel nut inside the A pillar at its front edge, so the trim needs to be removed and the fabric peeled back to access it.
The corner trim on the rear is held on by a single clip thats integral to the trim itself.
The uprights are slid down past the lower trim strip and into the corner trim at the rear edge of the window as are the 45 degree angled parts.

Pain in the backside to refit, use soap and water, to lube the strips up and slide and press them in bit by bit.
Be prepared to break the corner joiners made from weedy plastic and then get reamed by ebay sellers at 8 quid and 5 quid a throw...so if you bust all 4 itll cost you 26 quid minimum....Nla you see. Thanks Audi.

OK, I've the corner plastic bits thank goodness. but I do need the end covers. Does matey boy do those? (I'll take a look on eBay)

Let the cussing begin!

[Evo]

I thought you were turning into a Delorean initially. Fantastic attention to detail going right back to bear metal, hats off and a super super job done.

You must be feeling properly proud of that effort.

[dbdb]

I have just re-read this. It is a brilliant thread and a superb looking car.

There is something romantic about cars which have been restored at home by their owner - especially when the result is as good as this. Your metal working skills are marvellous.

[4v6]

dbdb said:

I have just re-read this. It is a brilliant thread and a superb looking car.

There is something romantic about cars which have been restored at home by their owner - especially when the result is as good as this. Your metal working skills are marvellous.

What can I say except thank you for your thoughts on this, they're well appreciated here.

Although I'm not a body worker by trade nor a sprayer I'm firmly of the opinion that most any skill can be acquired and developed by most anyone given time and patience.

Im pretty satisfied with how it's all gone and I hope it drives as nicely as anticipated.
It should be largely finished in another couple of months so not too long to find out I guess.

[TuxMan]

Great thread thanks for posting details , I had a 100 Quattro Avant that I put a RR code 20 valve turbo in , cracking car !!

[PGN]

Any progress?

[zeb]

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'labour of love'

a truly wonderful restoration thread.

buy that man a pint !

[dbdb]

Yes, it's a great thread. Hopefully it will be updated soon!

[MarkQuattro]

Hi 4v6
Excellent work, an amazing journey, I read with interest as I unfortunately am going down a part of this path with my "X" plate UR Quattro.
Can you assist, I need my engine rebuilt, do you have any contacts?

I was half thinking of the TT RS engine too ;-)

http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/1407-198...

Please post the up to date images, I am intrigued.

Cheers