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Astra mk3 glsMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Feb 17, 2020 17:58:16 GMT
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Another car to add to our collection My lad George found this through a mate Garaged since 2011 and only 26,000 miles since new It seems this was destined for the breakers unless someone stepped in and saved it The owner who passed away had it since it was a year old apparently My lad bought it from his family 1600 gls automatic probably not the most sought after of this model, but it had to be saved! It was delivered here on a low loader as it hasn’t run for many years George fitted a new fuel pump In the tank whilst I fitted a new crank sensor and plugs And we got her running at the weekend A slight misfire but I reckon new leads and a dose of injector cleaner should sort that There is damage to the offside front wing but we’ve managed to track down a good secondhand one which we will get painted before bolting it on A good black front bumper will be needed so we’re on the lookout for one A serious clean up this weekend hopefully weather permitting Now where are we going with it??? Well everything we have gets modified but this car really needs saving as it is, maybe some nice original Vauxhall steels if we can find some in a bigger size Apart from that nothing the car just deserves a bit of love Did we need it ?? Well no not really but we couldn’t see it scrapped , so that’s five cars between us now, the wife has calmed down a bit since it came home!           |
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2020 18:00:41 GMT by Mercdan68
Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Feb 17, 2020 18:30:16 GMT
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Love it Dan, I'm going to be in need of a new car soon (impending injector failure on my Mondeo) and I think I'm just gonna get a nice clean mk3, I've had enough of moderns. This one is really really clean. Steel wise any Tigra or Astra after 95 should have a "Sport" steel spare, they're 15", and a good looking wheel in fairness. Worth looking in the boot in the breakers for them, early Vectras had them as well I think.
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Astra mk3 glspeteh1969
@peteh1969
Club Retro Rides Member 107
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Feb 17, 2020 18:32:16 GMT
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Dan you are going to have to get a unit to keep the fleet in at this rate will we be seeing George on the "Horder next door" soon? LOL
A very nice now very rare car well done to the both of you.
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2020 18:33:11 GMT by peteh1969
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Astra mk3 glsballbagbagins
@ballbagbagins
Club Retro Rides Member 164
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Feb 17, 2020 18:49:43 GMT
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"the wife has calmed down a bit since it came home!"
I know exactly what you mean. I bought a car on Thursday and it took me until Friday to mention it. Dropped it in to conversion before I left for work.
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Astra mk3 glsMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Feb 17, 2020 18:53:19 GMT
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Yes Pete the boy is definitely a car hoarder we currently have four here and the mgf is stored at my aunts house
We didn’t need the Astra, but it’s grown on me since it arrived, just so genuine and unmolested
And thanks Astranaut great tip on the rims thanks
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Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Feb 17, 2020 18:58:04 GMT
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I think you are right to keep it standard. It looks like it would be a great film car. Really glad George saved it.
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Feb 17, 2020 19:28:37 GMT
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Good to see this posted, what a great save, this has got years of motoring to do and looks very very clean
To think it could have been scrapped is criminal!
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Feb 17, 2020 20:15:03 GMT
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Thanks for all the replys Dad thinks the Astra is his now it’s running but it’s not!!!
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Feb 17, 2020 20:53:06 GMT
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first car memories flooding back, my grandad gave me his when he bought a newer 206, which he regretted immensely. mine was the same shade although way more sun faded and a manual 1.4i merit! This would be such a great first car for somebody, if not for the insane insurance it would cost a youngster.
with 2 of the back seats down and the ridiculous boot space I know three mountain bikes go in easily with the front wheels off. super comfy to drive as well and peanuts to service/maintain. the heater controls have a solid twist and reassuring feel to them I weirdly remember. mine also lasted three months before somebody plowed through the front of it. insurance money bought me another mountain bike.
nostalgia over.
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Astra mk3 glsjohnthesparky
@johnthesparky
Club Retro Rides Member 6
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Feb 17, 2020 21:01:13 GMT
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"the wife has calmed down a bit since it came home!" I know exactly what you mean. I bought a car on Thursday and it took me until Friday to mention it. Dropped it in to conversion before I left for work. It’s much easier to ask for forgiveness than permission  |
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Astra mk3 glsjohnthesparky
@johnthesparky
Club Retro Rides Member 6
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Feb 17, 2020 21:04:40 GMT
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Good save, the bumpers on my van have been painted black and look awful, I started looking for poverty spec bumpers and they seem rare (the opposite of the Corsa, where I couldn’t find painted only black) Having said that, If you find 2 black bumpers I’ll have one (and if you find a black estate/van rear bumper on your travels let me know too please  |
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Feb 18, 2020 12:02:31 GMT
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spider sense is tingling, is it single point injection 8 valve, aswell as being an auto?
can you handle the TORRRQQQUES
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Feb 18, 2020 12:19:16 GMT
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What an awesome car, and such a tidy example! These used to be everywhere, then it seemed one day they disappeared overnight. some of my memories as a young boy was being in a non turbo diesel one these that dad owned.
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Astra mk3 glsMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Feb 18, 2020 12:25:17 GMT
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spider sense is tingling, is it single point injection 8 valve, aswell as being an auto? can you handle the TORRRQQQUES Should be powerful enough for George for his work commute 17th birthday is looming now |
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Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Feb 18, 2020 12:56:56 GMT
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spider sense is tingling, is it single point injection 8 valve, aswell as being an auto? can you handle the TORRRQQQUES Should be powerful enough for George for his work commute 17th birthday is looming now vauxhall referred to them has the hi-torq or LET (low end torque) engine, despite actually having lower torque than "whatever the other version is". masterful marketing |
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paul99
Part of things
Posts: 417 
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Feb 18, 2020 13:14:02 GMT
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spider sense is tingling, is it single point injection 8 valve, aswell as being an auto? can you handle the TORRRQQQUES Should be powerful enough for George for his work commute 17th birthday is looming now Mine (manual, same year) was 8v with multi point, later 1.6s went to 16v and single point, far more common and made getting engine parts a pita as every parts vendor assumed it was a later one...... Ran fine for several years until a Slovakian lorry driver didn't see it one night  |
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Astra mk3 glsMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Feb 18, 2020 17:07:47 GMT
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I'm very surprised at the response on this car
I’ll admit to me a 51 year old bloke it was just an old motor to me.....just shows we’re on the right forum so much interest for cars of different eras
The car is a real oldie to George , I suppose much like cortinas and mk1 escorts were to me at his age
A good few years ago I was a show judge at a big car show holding events five times a year
I met all sorts of people from dealers to enthusiasts some of the disdain by some people for more modern classics was both disappointing and laughable
Time moves on and we need to encourage younger enthusiasts into the hobby
For us RR is the place for our hobby to thrive
Thanks for taking the time to reply
Dan and George
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Last Edit: Feb 18, 2020 17:08:13 GMT by Mercdan68
Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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www.unexceptionalcars.co.uk/ I don't know if you have ever heard of festival of the unexceptional but this car is exactly the kind of cars they love at their shows! They also have a concourse area which by the looks of the pictures this Astra isn't too far off! It is at Grimsthorpe Castle near Bourne in Lincolnshire this year. luckily Grimsthorpe is about 5 minutes from my parents house so i am planning on taking two Lancias to it this year (in the non concourse area though )
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Astra mk3 glsMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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^^^^we saw it In practical classics mag
Think we may try to enter it
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Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Feb 19, 2020 10:24:58 GMT
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I like this Astra and although I am all for a bit lower and some nice wheels, I would try to keep this one stock. Try to find the original hub caps and fix the little dent. It will be great. Awesome thing it is.
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