Dont say Im never happy, cause believe me I am, but I got the whole summer free before I start uni in september so I need something to occupy myself.

Theres a guy near me who has a neglected s1, i mean it still goes and everything, but it DOES need some TLC.

He aint wanting much for it, so I spoke to my dad and he seemed keen enough for me to take it, and agreed to help me restore it over the summer, as it dosnt need THAT much.

What im scared of is buying it, and finding my dad fucks off and leaves me with something Im not sure about, or in case I just cant be assed. I can imagine how rewarding it must be finishing a project and I also wanna learn more about them and the internal workings of them.

Please ignore the fact im female when answering this - im keen, and a big big enthusiast, just tell me what you think.

Cheers

 

if its available for the right price then I say go for it. Personally, I hate working on cars hence why I rarely do But if you enjoy it, plus it looks like your dad will be helping, then do it Id love a S1 instead of my S2, but just cant warrent using it daily.

When you say TLC, what, bodywork, engine, welding? Depends how much time and patience you have.. the amount of people that take these on and get bored..

 

Go for it, you can never NOT work on an S1, its part of the enjoyment (or at least thats what I keep telling myself!)

 

Well being an S1 owner, and regular fixer i say go for it!!! if its cheep and you have a garage or storage then why the hell not? if money aint a prob and you got the time then theres no reason why not be weary about the bodywork, cos its an old car, even older than your S2, and it WILL have rott (unless your v.v.v.lucky!) all the usual places, underneath the back seats, battery tray, front foot wells under the carpet, sills, under all the bodykit, boot floor, frnt and rear chassis legs, front crossmember, inner wings. .theres not many places that it wont rust!!!

good luck

 

Have a look through some of the restoration threads here and at the rsoc.co.uk - can your Dad weld panels? Can you weld panels? Are you confident you can source parts that are no longer available from the dealers?

Restoring an S1 can be a MAJOR tast. I would get some pics of it and post them here so we can take a look and advise you on what needs doing and the cost of paying somebody to do them if you or your dad aren't capable.

Don't forget it will need paint too - restoring a car isn't cheap at all - you could spend Ł1000 on buying the car and another 3-4K on the restoration unless you are doing absolutely everything yourself.

Sometimes it's easier to buy a car that has already been professionally restored.

Don't forget also that if you "bodge" the restoration the car will be worthless too - especially an S1.....

Not wanting to put a downer on the whole thing - just trying to make you aware that restoring any car is a major task not to be taken lightly....

 

keep the s2, and spend money on it, like said above you dont realise how much the cost runs up to when u start pulling things about, the money would be better off being spent on your s2 in my opinion

 

on 2nd thoughts, i agree with RSKieron & grimmeRST,

 

Thing is though mate, is that you are a total enthusiast when it comes to these cars with a lot of experience, with respect to Julia she is new to it all and wouldn't know the ins and outs of what goes where and what does what as she has only owned her S2 for a short time.

That's not a dig at her at all, but she did say above - "What im scared of is buying it, and finding my dad fucks off and leaves me with something Im not sure about, or in case I just cant be assed."

If you have any element of can't be arsed then you will never see the project through - and as we all know - the S1 is a temperemental beast at the best of times!

I've owned an XR3, 3 XR31's, an S2 turbo, an S1 turbo together with an XR4i and an XR2 and I wouldn't attempt a full restoration. I can find my way round the bay and other parts, but to start stripping and labelling parts, sourcing parts and then having to weld, paint and put it all back together would be beyond me....

 

I agree. Im normally work on my cars my self coz basically i dont trust dodgy, mechanics & so on. Ive worked on a few cars in my time & know the basics, but restoring one...well, i wouldnt even attempt it! But if you have the enthusiasm, time & money then go for it. But really do have a good think about. I personally agree wiv chaps above. Put the cash towards the S2.

 

RSKieron, very true

 

As said, see if you can get some close detailed pics to see what condition its in.
Parts are hard to source for it, they are a lovely car to have and everyone is always glad to see one thats mint. If you do a full blown panel restoration on it and underside it can work out very costly, so make sure before you buy it to check what area's are suffering from the dreaded rust, try to avoid examples with rust in the sunroof pan area, but most will be ripe there anyway.

There are loads of areas to check on em so keep ya eyes peeled.

 

i have a similar story, there was one at southport that needed work that i wanted
to buy but he wanted 2k for it and it was worth nowhere near that

 

Look at my website!!

http://www.dazclayton.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

 

That's unbelievable. You certainly had your work cut out there.

I hope Julia returns to read this thread and look at your site!!

 

I restored mine, not to standard condition but to as new. It does take a while, i have been doing mine for the last 5 years, Its taken that long as i am not rolling in money

They can be restored, even on a tight budget, parts dont allways need replacing, alot of hard to get parts can be refurbished.

As i think all Julia wants to do is have a go at restoring a car, to learn more about them, and have the statisfaction of completeing such a big prioject. The car doesnt have to be to concoures standard, or 100% original, so alot of parts on the S2 can be used on the S1. The worst bit for restoration, is the interior, if its really bolloxed a leather re trim wont de value the car, its just knowing what you can get away with and what you cant.

Good luck if you decide to take it on, would be great to see another S1 saved from the scrapper

 

Ok, I appreciate the advice. A lot of what you said is true Kieron. But My S2 isnt needing much right now, it needs new number plates made up, a new horn and potentially new disks. Like ive said before its a good one alright!

My dad isnt a major enthusiast but he knows his stuff, and prefers S1s. I love them too, and I cant describe how good it would feel "saving it from the scapper"

When I said TLC, the lower front bumper looks a bit scabby, theres rust there. The battery trays in a fair mess, and along the roof line at one side, slightly at the other. The turbo needs replacing, its got 126k, needs new shockers, HOWEVER it does run good, always starts, and the interior is strangely in good nick. There would probably be a bit more minor things, but as silly as it may sound, I dont think thats TOO much work? It seems a shame to leave it to deterioate and eventually get broken?

Pics, well the guy whos got its a bit of a scruff, doesnt use the internet or have all this mod cons digital cameras etc, but I could have another drive out and get a few of the problem areas sometime over the weekend if I have time. Its just its coming at good money.. I dunno really, seems a big descision!

 

I'd have a run out to it and grab some pictures then post them up here. If the battery tray is in a state then the pillar probably is too - look at the website above. Also hidden behind the kit can be a multitude of problems.

Never said your S2 had any probs by the way - looks very nice in fact.

 

Even the cleanest of cars can have problems once stripped down

How much is the S1 up for? (not like were gonna rush to Aberdeen to look for it )
would help in making a decision tho!

 

Just a little Gentle Persuader, with this Pic, DO IT!!

 

Asolutely mint that one is. So is kierons by the looks of things.

Spoke to my dad agin and he said im "taking rubbish off someone elses hands" but up to me if I think I can manage it. Another thing he said to me is that although my s2 seems invincible now anything could go at any minute and it would be a shame to neglect it. It was just a thought as I know theres a lot of people who work thier asses off trying to save them and I wanna help too! Its heartbreaking I think. I would need to have it properly looked at and make a list of everything I'll need and make a timeplan sort of thing rather than play it by ear, I'll keep u posted! Once again thanks for advice

Julz

 

Buy it, whats the worst that can happen? If you get bored or skint strip it and sell the bits

 

What about using the body from your S2? Just an idea if the body on the S1 is rotten - it can be done with a few modifications......

I'd fly back up there Julia and take a few photo's, it may not be as bad as you think, and as Doctay says - if it's cheap enough you could break it and sell the parts....

Is there nobody up there who already owns an S1 who could maybe go with you when you look at it again and give a second opinion - might help with the negotiations too.....

No reason why your S2 should give up though - it looks really well and apart from the leak you got you seem more than happy with it - it should last you until your next project (3dr Cossie maybe?)

Big decision really..... Let us know how it turns out.

 

If your a "big big enthusiast" as you say, you gotta own a s1 in that big big enthusiast life.

 

Buy the S1, Sell the S2 and pump every penny you've got into getting the S1 cleaned up. They are worth it and if you've got a good one the value is starting to increase year on year. There'll be 3 good examples of S1's on the East of Scotland Stand at Aberdeen this Sunday (hopefully as my engine is going back in today for the drive up on saturday.)

Come across and have a look and then go and have a look at the one you're thinking of buying. Then you'll be able to compare and see if it's worth it.

I know what you mean though, I hate reading **Breaking S1** threads, would bring a tear to a glass eye.

See you Sunday

SMG

 

My s2 is my priority, I know I have as good as one as im going to ever get, and its not going anywhere!!! As for the leak, we left it outside and nothing came in, we think it must have just been all that amount of water after the valet. It runs almost like new, everythings smooth and I;ve already been offered a straight swap for a Sunny GTIR in white which I didnt even have toi think twice about.

Im looking at some pics on here, its nothing like them, and to be honest I dont think it ever will. Yes, if u seen it driving past, you'd say "decent! and series 1! But close up you'd be like omigod, no? Its not an easy situation to be in, I feel its crying out "save me" if u know what I mean?

 

Smiggy, Wish i could get mine up, and make it 4