My 1982 Astra 2.0 XE For Sale

[GEARL]

Hello there, it's been a long time since I've posted on mk1oc.com but some of you may remember me as a member.

The time has come for me to sell my mk 1 Astra as I simply do not have the time to use it regularly any more. I would love it to go to a good home so I'm telling you 'the collective' first but obviously advertising it elsewhere too.

If you have any questions or need any pictures please PM me and I'll be happy to help, below is the text from my upcoming ebay advert:


For Sale 1982 Vauxhall Astra 2dr Saloon 2.0XE

Time has come for me to sell my mk1 Astra, when I first bought the car in March 2006 I used it as my daily driver, it then became a second car being used on high days and holidays before being taken off the road in 2012.

In my time with the car I have used if from everything from daily commuting to driving down to Le Mans on several occasions and even taking it as far as Italy, Switzerland and Germany. The car was most recently prepared for '12 car night rallies' which it did very well at but unfortunately took their toll on the suspension so was taken off the road after failing an MoT.

Below is a completely honest account of all it's good and bad points, car is currently SORN'd so would need to be collected on a trailer.

Bodyshell
1982 Y-reg saloon bodyshell, these are getting quite rare as they never sold too many in the UK. Before I purchased the vehicle the engine bay had been seam-welded to take the extra power from the new engine and the previous owner had replaced the rear arches and front wings.

Painted Ford Imperial Blue, the car has been stored in a damp garage a few years ago so some moisture got under the paintwork causing it to bubble (not rust) mainly around the roof and boot area. The paintwork has also been peeling off the underside of the bonnet from before I got the car as it hasn't coped well with the extra heat generated.

Inside the car is almost perfect apart from some rust in the passenger footwell, I have included a picture of this so you can see. It is not structural and did not fail it's MoT on this point but it will need repairing in the next few years. I have also included a photo of the nearside front wheel arch as the paint is peeling because the wheel has caught the paintwork.

After taking ownership of the car I had an MSA approved 6-point rollcage with side bars and rear cross bracing fitted. This work was carried out by RNJ Motorsport in Northamptonshire in June 2009. I've also had work carried out on the sills and front suspension turrets.

The rollcage was not just fitted for safety, but also to significantly strengthen the rear of the bodyshell to bring it in line with the front of the shell that had already had the work carried out.

Outside the bonnet is held shut with motorsport style fasteners and the car has Vauxhall Nova wing mirrors.

Bodyshell is generally sound, no holes although there is surface rust in places.

Engine and Gearbox
Car was originally a 1.2L but the previous owner had a 20XE engine fitted (I believe from a Calibra but do not quote me), I was told the engine had done 90,000 miles when fitted and I've done a good 30,000 miles since then in the car over the years – the clocks currently read approximately 155,000 miles but they have come from a separate vehicle to the engine and gearbox.

The car has approximately 160bhp and still runs the standard electronic fuel injection. It also has a stainless steel exhaust.

The gearbox is a Vauxhall F16 5-speed unit from a Cavalier 1.6, this was fitted with a lightened and balanced flywheel and uprated clutch. This gave the car incredible acceleration and 5th acts like an overdrive/cruising gear.

The Astra has run a sub-14 second 1/4 mile at Santa Pod and has done 128mph in 4th gear, I've never had the top speed verified by GPS in 5th gear.

I have lots of receipts for servicing on this car, the engine does weep oil slightly but has done as long as I've owned it – as long as the level is checked regularly (which I always have) you should never have an issue as it has never had a full leak.

I've also had the timing belt done in 2006 and 2008 when I used the car daily, and over the years new alternator, uprated radiator, new distributor and air flow meter fitted and have lots of history, including from before my ownership.

Suspension and Brakes
The car has SPAX fully adjustable dampers fitted all round, currently on the softest setting but it still handles fantastically – currently the car has mk2 astra front springs and modified mk3 astra estate rear springs fitted. This work was carried out to increase the ride height and provide better bump control for the 12 car rallies. These springs are part of the reason the car failed its MoT so the original SPAX springs (see photo) will be supplied which would be an easy win to rectify the situation.

The car has a mk2 Astra GTE rear beam fitted, this has given the car rear disc-brakes, the discs are mk2 GTE all round and mk2 GTE front hubs – in fact the car has pretty much mk2 Astra GTE running gear all round in the mk1 Astra shell.

Rear brake pads need replacing and handbrake also needs adjusting but it does still hold the car.

Wheels and Tyres
The car has Sparco Cromodora 15” alloy wheels fitted with Toyo Proxes 4 195/50 tyres – the fronts are wearing low but would not fail an MoT.

Interior
Along with the rollcage the car has FIA-approved OMP bucket seats with full 5-point Sabelt seat belts. The seats are bolted to the floor but do have a limited range of adjustment, the driving position I have involves the steering wheel close to your chest to give you maximum level of turn in (look how a touring car driver sits).

As mentioned I’ve done over 2,500 miles in a week in this car but it isn't the first choice for driving to Italy in if comfort is a priority!

The dashboard is standard but the gauges are the 'digital dash' from a Mk2 Astra GTE – the bulbs have gone in this so although it still works it makes the display difficult to read, especially in bright sunlight. The steering wheel is a Sparco item.

The inside is all painted blue to match the outside, there are scratches in the footwell (no carpet, roof lining and very little in the way of sound deadening) but the back of the car and boot area are very clean.

The car also comes fitted with a light bar attached to the rollcage which was used to read the maps and switches to work the high-powered reversing light. There is also a fire extinguisher attached to the roll cage and a Sony CD player fitted.

The bodyshell was de-locked by the previous owner and after I took ownership of the vehicle I had a Cobra Thatcham Cat. 1 alarm with central locking fitted. There are still locks with keys to unlock the boot and fuel filler cap.

I think that just about covers everything, as mentioned the car currently has no MoT as it failed on a few things, but that mainly revolves around the modified suspension the car currently has fitted.

Since moving (from the house with the damp garage) the car was kept in my garage at home and then moved to further dry storage since I took it off the road in September 2012.

The car started first time from a jump pack today and drove the approximate 25 miles back home absolutely fine. On the drive the car felt fine, pulling well in all gears and more importantly stopping well too. All electrics worked and even the alarm and central locking still works.

I strongly advise viewing the car before committing to purchase, as mentioned it has a few bad points but has a lot of good points too! It is now located back at my house so please call or email to arrange viewing or if you have any questions or if you would like to see any more pictures then I would be more than happy to help.

[DeadEye]

Pics?

Price?

[GEARL]

i'm having real issue s with my computer uploading pictures, so i haven't even got my ebay listing up tonight.

it's from a few years ago as the grill has changed amongst other things - i will try my hardest to get some of the pictures i took today up soon!

As for price, well it's a tough one as i have to admit that there is still some emotional attachment to the car. I won't let it go unless the price is in four-figures, make me an offer!?!

[GEARL]

if that doesn't work i will see what i can do on the work computer tomorrow!

[GEARL]

I think I have managed to re-size one photo, I'll try and get more to follow.

[Jack775]

hi, is this still available, im just the other side of peterborough so not far from you. thanks

[Bobby]

Sounds bad after such a right up...

You considered breaking it?

1st dibs on the roll cage, bear, struts and engine/gearbox....

Sounds a nice car.... once the brown sets in ....

Rgs

Bobby

[GEARL]

Bumping up to the top as delayed seling it but finally realised it has got to go. Here is the link to ebay:

http://my.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&CurrentPage=MyeBayNextAllSelling&ssPageName=STRK%3AME%3ALNLK%3AMESX

The car is too good to break up, I'm not one of these people to say the car is mint and only needs something so small to get it through the MoT that it leaves the person reading the advert to question why I wouldn't just get that done and sell it for double the price.

The description is an honest one as I said in the advert, the car has a few bad points but so many good points too. I've had it for over 8 years and I know someone else can get many years enjoyment from the car so if you're interested drop me an email and I will happily answer any questions.

[mark1]

[MK1minx]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-Vauxhall-Astra-2-0-XE-/331300057370?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d2305b11a

[GEARL]

Thanks for reposting link, user error!