simkin911
New member
Noting there's been a flurry of new owners (including a few turbos) in the last fews days... I thought I'd share some details of my recent purchase too. In a rather low key way, I bought a '91 Turbo SE from Alasdair (SULZERUK) at the beginning of April as a restoration project.
This isn't a replacement for my s2 but I really wanted to see how slow these Turbos really are compared to a decent s2 so I thought I'd see for myself. [
]
The car has been off the road for a year or so and requires a body work overhaul. Additionally, a split hose had resulted in a very minor engine bay fire and although the car was still starting it'll be neccesary to replace a number of plastic items/cables.
149k on the clock with a comprehensively stamped service book and looked after by the same independent (Brian Millar) in Edinburgh from '94-'10. It's Linen Metallic with burgundy pinstripe interior with speaker system upgrade. Drivers seat requires a small repair only but otherwise the interior is in good shape.
I'd looked at the car a few times before taking the plunge. There wasn't much up for sale at the time and whilst I did have a decent budget set aside at the time it wasn't enough to make SCAM75 an offer he couldn't refuse for his Zermatt/Burgundy Turbo (also shown in the last photo below)!
Essentially, I was excited about a couple of things; the prospect of restoring this car to an excellent standard and learning about the car myself as the project progressed. I was quite lucky in the sense that Alasdair offered to restore this car with me (essentially this means he does nearly everything complicated and I watch, learn, lend a hand, do simple stuff - this way I can be equipped in future situations to know my way around the car).
So far, the head is off and the front of the engine has been stripped.
So, what's the plan?
The engine is looking in good shape but I'm going to take advantage of the availability of a replacement refurbed head so this will be fitted with head gasket done. Belts, rollers/tensioners, waterpump, thermostats, oil seals, full major service kit, ignition leads, refresh all the fluids etc..
A number of items have been removed (more to follow) for cleaning and powdercoating as we go.
New discs and pads all round. Alasdair will refurb the calipers.
Rear axle will be refurbished too.
Suspension will receive an overhaul.
Bodywork - I've picked up solid replacement front wings and a brand new end plate (the rear body panel above the bumper). All have suffered with corrosion. The sills aren't too bad really but they will receive some attention. Car will then get a full repaint and replacement windscreen.
To finish it off I've picked up a rather nice set of CS Forged alloys with great tyres which have been powdercoated in black.
It's going to take a number of months to complete but it will be very fresh when done. I'm not thinking too much about modifications at this point - just returning the car to an excellent original standard in the first instance.
I know a few guys at the "Scottish Meet" quite rightly raised an eyebrow at the prospect of me throwing a decent bung of money at a car which looked rather "sad" to say the least but I simply believed it would be worth it in the long run. Looking at the figures of those cars still left (ie the dwindling numbers) I'm even more convinced this is a good move although I will be keeping a very close eye on the financials as the project moves forward. I'm sure I've forgotten loads of stuff here.
Big thanks to Alasdair for his passion in taking this forward - all the more appreciated in view of him being the busiest person I've ever met!
No real pictures yet - I forgot to take some yesterday. However, here's an old one - the turbo is sitting in front of my black s2.
Coincidentally, I believe Alasdair still has a very decent late s2 (grey) - middle car in the picture below - looking for a new home.
This isn't a replacement for my s2 but I really wanted to see how slow these Turbos really are compared to a decent s2 so I thought I'd see for myself. [
]The car has been off the road for a year or so and requires a body work overhaul. Additionally, a split hose had resulted in a very minor engine bay fire and although the car was still starting it'll be neccesary to replace a number of plastic items/cables.
149k on the clock with a comprehensively stamped service book and looked after by the same independent (Brian Millar) in Edinburgh from '94-'10. It's Linen Metallic with burgundy pinstripe interior with speaker system upgrade. Drivers seat requires a small repair only but otherwise the interior is in good shape.
I'd looked at the car a few times before taking the plunge. There wasn't much up for sale at the time and whilst I did have a decent budget set aside at the time it wasn't enough to make SCAM75 an offer he couldn't refuse for his Zermatt/Burgundy Turbo (also shown in the last photo below)!
Essentially, I was excited about a couple of things; the prospect of restoring this car to an excellent standard and learning about the car myself as the project progressed. I was quite lucky in the sense that Alasdair offered to restore this car with me (essentially this means he does nearly everything complicated and I watch, learn, lend a hand, do simple stuff - this way I can be equipped in future situations to know my way around the car).
So far, the head is off and the front of the engine has been stripped.
So, what's the plan?
The engine is looking in good shape but I'm going to take advantage of the availability of a replacement refurbed head so this will be fitted with head gasket done. Belts, rollers/tensioners, waterpump, thermostats, oil seals, full major service kit, ignition leads, refresh all the fluids etc..
A number of items have been removed (more to follow) for cleaning and powdercoating as we go.
New discs and pads all round. Alasdair will refurb the calipers.
Rear axle will be refurbished too.
Suspension will receive an overhaul.
Bodywork - I've picked up solid replacement front wings and a brand new end plate (the rear body panel above the bumper). All have suffered with corrosion. The sills aren't too bad really but they will receive some attention. Car will then get a full repaint and replacement windscreen.
To finish it off I've picked up a rather nice set of CS Forged alloys with great tyres which have been powdercoated in black.
It's going to take a number of months to complete but it will be very fresh when done. I'm not thinking too much about modifications at this point - just returning the car to an excellent original standard in the first instance.
I know a few guys at the "Scottish Meet" quite rightly raised an eyebrow at the prospect of me throwing a decent bung of money at a car which looked rather "sad" to say the least but I simply believed it would be worth it in the long run. Looking at the figures of those cars still left (ie the dwindling numbers) I'm even more convinced this is a good move although I will be keeping a very close eye on the financials as the project moves forward. I'm sure I've forgotten loads of stuff here.
Big thanks to Alasdair for his passion in taking this forward - all the more appreciated in view of him being the busiest person I've ever met!
No real pictures yet - I forgot to take some yesterday. However, here's an old one - the turbo is sitting in front of my black s2.
Coincidentally, I believe Alasdair still has a very decent late s2 (grey) - middle car in the picture below - looking for a new home.
