Club G40 Forum
Club G40 => Photos and videos => Ongoing Projects => Topic started by: SpikeyG40 on October 22, 2009, 07:02:16 pm
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I've recently been writing a progress thread for my polo, so thought what better place to add it. I am still writing the story so i will update it as i go along, eventaully ending up at present day. A pic of my polo can be found in the random G40 picture thread incase your too eager to wait and see what it looks like now :)
December 2004 – The initial description and viewing
Found the advert on ClubG40 which was as follows:
Red G40. J reg, 86000 miles. Two owners from new. Some history, all MOTs. No problems. Wonderful car. 4 door required for new family. Photos to follow.
£2500
My initial thoughts were it was a little out of my price range, but the millage was good, it had some history and had “No Problems”
After a conversation with the owner and a few questions, I was emailed some pictures, which showed its true condition.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Polo1.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Polo2.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Polo3.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Polo4.jpg)
She looked like she had had a tough few years previous, the paint was very dull and she was quite grubby. But, she was original with all the orange indicators, G40 grill badge. She was missing the rear G40 badge which was damaged when a van bumped the back. The only thing VW could replace it with was a GT badge.
So from this point, I decided to go and have a look, the car was based in east London so not to much of a trip. So dad and I jumped on the train and went up one weekend. We were met at the tube station by the current owners who were very friendly. Once back at there place, they supplied us with much required cuppa. Dad and I had a long look around the car. The paint was very shabby and a pinky orange, the bumpers were faded and the wheels lightly curbed and grubby. The engine bay was in a word, filthy. Turning the key over did not fill me with joy either. An unusual clunking noise was heard at idle and we expected the worst, the charger bearings. However, after a little while, the noise stopped, but we kept this in mind. Looking round the car, we also found the remains of an alarm hanging from the dash in the foot well. Apart from that, the interior was in ni on mint condition, a small fag burn on the rear seat was the only disappointment. One thing the did catch my eye was the millage, it wasn’t the previously stated 86k, it was infact under 67k. the car had also had a dealer fitted sunroof which was colour coded, a rare option which was beneficial to me as with factory fitted sunroofs, you loose a couple of inches headroom. As I am 6ft 5, that isn’t an option. Another plus point, a suspected fuel leak turned out not to be the fuel tank neck, but a small bit of pipe to the fuel pump. Further inspection found water in the boot, suspected to be perhaps from the shunt it had had in the past, but the repair work looks good, so that was going to be one to think about. So, some pictures from that evening.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00836.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00835.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00834.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00840.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00839.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00838.jpg)
Leaving that evening, I was undecided on what to do, the car was no where near worth as much as they were asking, but the car was genuine, in original condition, and hadn’t been toyed with, like a previous one I had looked at. She had a few months MOT left, and a few months tax. I knew if I were to go ahead and buy the car, she’d need to come off the road for a period of time to sort all the issues. I costed up everything I thought that was required to make the car “a good runner” and went back to the owners with a price of £1600. They had a thought and came back to me with £1800.
The deal was done, and the car was mine. I just had to wait till after Christmas. But it wasn’t until late January 2005 until I was able to collect the car and drive a G40 for the first time.
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Good read that, fairly decent price too :)
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It was another cold winters morning in January sitting on the train, armed with a cheque in one hand and a bag of tools, oil, anti-freeze and other “just in case” items, that my dad and I made the trip up to collect the car.
A previous petrol leak had been sorted and the keys were ready to hand over. We arrived and were welcomed by another cup of tea which is always nice. The paperwork was ready to be signed and sorted. It was at this point we realised the car had actually had 5 owners from new. The cheque was handed over and I finally had the keys to my G40.
Dad and I went outside and immediately started checking over the car for the 70 mile trip home. Tyre pressures were checked, anti-freeze was topped up, oil was topped up as there was next to nothing in her. It still hadn’t sunk in that I was the owner of this car, and the relationship didn’t start well, I stalled her 3 times just backing up to get out of the space. Thankfully I knew what that was. I had come across the joys of the self adjusting clutch in my last polo, so that was something to add to the ever growing list of new parts. The rest of the trip home was without fault, the odd putting it into fifth instead of third occurred, but that was me not being used to having an extra gear. We got home for lunch and I admired the car sitting on the drive next to my other polo.
To get the car home, I needed a weeks insurance, so I carefully used her for that week and enjoyed every minute of it. The power was strong and she was boosting well, but I wasn’t giving her the full beans for the worry of the condition of that G-Lader. Once the week was up, it was time to start the work.
I initially started by attempting to restore the paintwork using Auto Glym Colour restorer and polish, and to be honest, I was amazed at the results.
Dull paint untouched by polish it what I reckon was a couple of years
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00906.jpg)
And the results on the wing
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00910.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00911.jpg)
I had also started buying a few bits and piece for the sleeper look
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00912.jpg)
My plans at this time were simple, firstly, get the car back on the road, with a few minor aesthetical changes, then the major changes could take place to make a stylish and simple street sleeper.
Major work started on the interior and the wiring. I planned to remove all the speakers, speaker wiring, stereo and alarm ready for all new items.
Remains of the old alarm
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00917.jpg)
Stereo wiring
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00914.jpg)
Random cut wire in the boot which suggests that at some stage in its life, the polo had actually had a toe bar.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00916.jpg)
Alarm wiring out
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00919.jpg)
Stereo and speakers and other random items out
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00920.jpg)
Doing the proper thing – labelling the wires
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00918.jpg)
My plans for the stereo were to install an MP3 head unit, uprated wiring, 6x9’s in the parcel shelf (Nabbed from the other polo), uprated front speakers which fitted in the original holes and a CD changer in the boot which I had already bought and never fitted to my other polo.
Every evening after work I would be outside doing a bit more polishing and bit by bit, she started to bring back her full colour but it was now time to tackle those original BBS RA’s.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00925.jpg)
After eventually getting them off, we were pleased to find plenty of meat left on the brakes, but they were in need of a good clean
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00924.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00926.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00927.jpg)
A good job jobbed in my opinion. And a few general pictures of her current state at the time.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00929.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00930.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00931.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00953.jpg)
It was nearly time to start some engine work.
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Great read...
Whens this engine stuff start then? ;)
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The list of jobs for the engine
Cambelt
Oil change
Antifreeze change
Supercharger rebuild
Auxiliary belts change
Rocker cover gasket replacement
Air Filter replacement
Well that was the plan anyway. First job would be the cambelt. On removing the cambelt, the reason for all the noise on start up became clear……
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00966.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00965.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00967.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00969.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00972.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00970.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00971.jpg)
The lower cambelt cover had undone itself and had been fowling on the belt. The belt was slack and had been rubbing on the covers, and the belt had 5 teeth missing with several more “peeling” off. You could say this car is very lucky to still have a working engine.
So after a few more bits were ordered, and a few more pennys spent, it was time to but her all back together. The cambelt was completed along with a new water pump. The charger was visually inspected and all seemed well. A K&N panel filter was fitted to help the engine breath a bit. A slight sprucing up of the engine bay was completed and all looked good, a far better image than when I picked her up.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00995.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00996.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01005.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01006.jpg)
Worked continued on the car visually while waiting for bits to arrive to put the engine back together.
Removal of the “Special” stickers.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01004.jpg)
A couple more interior shots which by now had be out completely for cleaning.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00986.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00989.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00983.jpg)
Work on cleaning up the wheels continued, not without hiccups, they didn’t come off that easy.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01011.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01010.jpg)
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Great thread.
Very lucky that cam belt did not snap.
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She was nearing completion. Just a few more jobs to complete and I would be happy to put her through the MOT. All the engine work was complete. The charger sounded good so didn’t need rebuilding yet.
Stereo install was completed with New Sony MP3 Headunit.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01019.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01020.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01021.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01022.jpg)
I had also had central locking and a new all singing, all dancing alarm fitted to the girl
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01029.jpg)
The exterior work had just about been completed too. All panels had been washed, colour restored and polished. I also fitted the half smoked rear lights from my other polo
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01030.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01031.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01032.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01033.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01034.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01035.jpg)
Day before the MOT 23rd April 2005, the car had her final clean before she would see the road once more…..and what happens? She gets shat on, and not just a little bit….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01038.jpg)
She needed washing all over again! Oh well, not to worry.
So the day of the MOT was a very nervous day for me. IIRC I think I had college that day. It was one of the longest days I can remember. But…………………..SHE PASSED!!! With flying colours, no issues in the slightest. I was so pleased and couldn’t wait to get home and go for a spin. A pick from that night.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01046.jpg)
She drove like a dream and was amazing to get into after driving the 1 litre around for so long, knowing that I had a G40 and couldn’t use it. She boosted well and sounded awesome, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, the G smiles as anyone who has driven a G knows.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01369.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01370.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01371.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01372.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01373.jpg)
Of course, the story doesn’t end there, that was over four years ago now, and there was still plenty more to be doing.
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After a couple of months of trouble free driving and lots of G-smiles, it became clear that something needed to be done about the tyres. After some unexpected oversteer on a roundabout, I thought it best to go about upgrading the tyres from the old budget ones that were found on the front and the probably original rears. After much much thought, I decided to go for Toyo CF1’s. A good all rounder with great quality and at an affordable price.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01374.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01378.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01379.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01384.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01395.jpg)
Meanwhile, a worth while interior upgrade occurred……
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01392.jpg)
A month or so passed, I had decided the wheels were starting to look a bit shabby, and didn’t suit the nice new tyres. So a change onto some 1 litre steel wheels (thanks for the loan Dan!) and the original BBS’ were off to Lepsons in Gillingham for a good seeing to.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01082.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01083.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01084.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01085.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01088.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01090.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01091.jpg)
A week passed and a few mm of tread missing from the Steelies, (oops) I went and picked up the wheels. They looked good as new.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01104.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01108.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01109.jpg)
The wheels stayed off the car until the Day before the VW expo at the hopfarm, Paddock wood. Also while the wheels were away, I had the front bumper off to mesh the lower grill as the radiator and intercooler were a bit grubby. It was quite clear this car had had a tough life at some point…..
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01119.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01122.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01123.jpg)
And with a little extra something off Ebay……..
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01093.jpg)
……………..She was ready for the show.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01134.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01135.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01136.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01138.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01139.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01140.jpg)
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That's looking really nice Doug, it almost makes me regret modding my car!
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Something had been bugging me since I bought the car…….those stripes. They just seemed to look so out of place in my opinion. But I knew it wouldn’t be an easy job to remove them. If they were, they’d have been gone ages ago. The reason this wasn’t going to be an easy job was that on two panels, the stripes had been painted on. All I can imagine was that the stripes were stuck on but the car had a respray on the passenger side wing and door, but as they couldn’t get the stickers, someone very talented was able to paint the stripes back on. It matched perfectly and you wouldn’t have known until you touched it.
I knew what had to be done, so a couple of evenings one week, I went at them with some extremely fine wet and dry. Masking of the area around, I carefully sanded off the paint. I was very pleased with how the job went, slightly scary taking sandpaper to your paint, but it was well worth the worry. Then all that was left was to remove the stickered stripes.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01161.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01163.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01164.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01165.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01166.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01169.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01170.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01173.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01174.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01176.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01177.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01186.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01201.jpg)
Another job on the list was a front wheel bearing. It had been wurring for sometime but because its not one of the easiest jobs on a polo, it had been put off. But one Saturday we tackled it. The whole suspension strut had to come out.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01309.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01310.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01312.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01318.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01320.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01322.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01323.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01324.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01325.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01326.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01327.jpg)
The bearing could be removed but we didn’t have the equipment to put the new bearing in, so the job had to stop there. So I used the time to tidy up the calliper, painting it red.
I couldn’t be long without my car, it was my only form of transport and I needed to get to college with it on the Wednesday. So the Monday night, in the dark, we set up lights and worked to get it done and back on the ground. The suspension needed time to settle before we torqued everything up. (if you ever see a polo with a high nose, they probably tightened everything up while on the jacks). The car was back on the ground on the Monday night and left to settle. Tuesday night everything was torqued up and I was back on the road for Wednesday.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01330.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01331.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01333.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01335.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01337.jpg)
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The show season was over; it was now the November of 2005. Nearly a year since I’d initially seen the polo. Due to personal circumstances, the polo had now taken a bit of a back seat, I was busy with work and was out most nights, so didn’t really have anytime to keep the car clean, so she went from this:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0098.jpg)
To this in one month:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0195.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0196.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0197.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0202.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0203.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0205.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0206.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0207.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0208.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0209.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0210.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0211.jpg)
Hard to believe she got that dirty really
And here is a pick of her on boxing day 2005
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0300.jpg)
So now I had had the G40 a year and loved every minute with her. I was certainly looking forward to the next year of shows, but January held something which has stuck with me until now, I joined a new forum, it was called vagingit.co.uk (http://vagingit.co.uk) A local forum for dubs, and what better way to introduce the car two this new group of keen dubbers than a bright Sunday morning trip in January to the breakfast meet held at the restaurant opposite the Richborough power station.
Of course, I couldn’t turn up with a dirty car
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0417.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0418.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0421.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0464.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0477.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0480.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0484.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0487.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0491.jpg)
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During the months leading up to the show season, a few more jobs were done to the Polo. It was going to be a testing few months. The heater resistor packed up in early 2006 so one windy day I changed it. So windy infact, I tied the bonnet down
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0569.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0571.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0568.jpg)
A good job jobbed! Right, whats next? Ah yes, the wobbly headlight.
On a more proactive note, sometime in the polo’s past, she must have been involved in some front end contact. The bracket supporting the headlight had been damaged but had not cracked the headlight. The light was being held steady with a bit of rubber pipe. So ideally a new headlight was needed. The issue I had with this was the headlights had the number plate etched into the glass. It would have been a shame not to keep the original headlights with the car. I had a spare headlight, so we set about separating the light from the housing.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00034.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00035.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00036.jpg)
Another job was added to the list as on my way to work, the exhaust decided to unhook itself of the rear hangers and dragged itself along the floor. Thankfully I managed to pull over and re-hook it on. Armed with some metal wire I got from work, I temporarily made the exhaust secure so it was a bit more useable until I had time to properly sort it.
I decided that while I was under the back of the car, I’d take the rear bumper off to see what Remained of a possibly tow bar (see pictures of loose cables earlier in the write up. And to my astonishment…….there was nothing! Lol
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00061.jpg)
At least that means I’m not carrying around any excess weight :D some exhaust supports were fabricated and the job was complete.
Unfortunately for me, the exhaust issues reared its ugly head once more. After driving home from college one evening, I booted off a roundabout to be met with a sudden power loss, a change in engine tone, and a big grey cloud of smoke out the back. My initial thoughts as I pulled into a near by layby was “the charger has gone.”
It was immediately noticeable that something wasn’t right. She seemed quieter without much pressure coming from the exhaust. I stupidly decided to check the back pressure with my hand. Silly move! I had just done a 45 mile trip to college. I burned my hand quite badly on the end of the exhaust. (that’ll teach me for giving her too much beans). Still, while I waited for my tow home, I couldn’t help but get a couple of snaps
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Image031.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Image034.jpg)
At least she looked quite nice anyway.
A trip to the hospital later, I was bandaged up, but I knew we were in trouble. It was only a couple of weeks till my first big show! GTi International. I had never been before so I was really looking forward to it. I set about trying to find out what was wrong. The boost hoses were removed to find no problems. All seemed well. Everything pointed to that exhaust. A crappy pattern one. I didn’t have the time to take it off, not this close to inter, so I took it to the local garage so they could have a look. Our suspicions were right. The internals of the back box had dislodged and blocked up the exhaust. There was no doubt I wanted a genuine VW exhaust. The problem was, it wouldn’t be here in time for inters. I was completely gutted. I had the car back but there was nothing I could do until the new exhaust was fitted. I had opted for a genuine VW long life exhaust from the Cat back.
A plan was afoot. I had started to sort out my old mk3 coupe, a blue boulevard which the G had replaced. The idea was to sell the old car but I needed to do some jobs to her first. The plan was set, get the Blue mk3 ready and take her to Inters, and get the G ready for the show the following weekend, the VW Expo.
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Keep the updates coming Doug, makes for a really interesting read.
How much better does it look now you've lost those awful side stripes? :o My mk2 breadvan had some very similar crappy stripes with the words "Match" on each side and on the tailgate! :-[ Like on yours the difference after removal was a huge improvement!
It's great to see the way you make a proper job of repairing and cleaning everything before reassembly. Excellent!
The wheel refurb company did a superb job on the wheels, they look like new.
What is the mileage on it now Doug?
Keep us posted,
Cheers, Richard.
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Thanks Richard, She looks so much better without the stripes, amazing what a small touch can do!
The wheel refurbers are called lepsons in gillingham, Kent. They did a great job within a week and were very helpful!
Mileage is now just over 84k. i did 65mile in her last year! The reasons why will become apparent later in the story ::)
June 2006, and another job complete. This time it was the front bumper. The passenger side mounting bracket had snapped on the existing bumper causing the it to stick out slightly and not line up with the inner wing correctly. So when a brand new one came up for sale, I jumped at the chance.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00062.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00063.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00064.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00066.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00067.jpg)
Then came the day when I had to say goodbye to my old mk3 coupe. She’d been a good little car, but my intention was always to get a G40. Just a shot of the two together.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1805.jpg)
It was at this stage when my ideas for the G40 started to change. Ever since I bought her, I wanted to modify and get some more ponies out of her, but I was now starting to think “why not leave her alone?”
It all started in the August of 2006 when a very quick and simple change made all the difference. I changed the clear indicators back to the orange ones.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1889.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1891.jpg)
To me, it changed the front end completely
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1896.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1897.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1900.jpg)
It was now time for the project to be stepped up a gear. The project had turned a corner, I didn’t want to modify her anymore. Concours would be the way forward. However, I have the modding bug, so I needed something to fiddle with. Plus if I was going to properly step things up a gear, I would need a daily. My first thoughts were another polo, but something a bit newer. A mk4 perhaps? Or what about a mk3 golf? With this in mind, I took the G40, with its orange indicators, to Edition 38. However, all I saw were mk4 polos and mk3 golfs! I wanted something different and had pretty much settled on……a vento!
A found myself a nice Flash red vento and took the polo off the road for the winter. Of course, not without buying the polo an early Christmas present.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2949.jpg)
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An awesome read. One of the best threads on the site :)
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2007 has now come around and the polo had not been used for a few months. This hadn’t stopped me doing a few bits. I’d started the job of changing back all the parts I had originally changed. She attended a meet at the end of January with a few of the changes completed. I had removed the mp3 radio and put it into the vento and I hadn’t fitted a replacement. This also showed up a leaking washer bottle. So the next few months was all about cleaning her up and trying to put everything back to the way she was.
Orange indicators back on
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2981.jpg)
Rear lights turned back to early spec Mk3 lights
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2984.jpg)
Original steering wheel fitted and WIP on removing some of the wiring I had fitted previously
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2992.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2985.jpg)
Rear speaker pods in position and wiring re-routed into position
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2991.jpg)
Standard parcel shelf without speaker holes fitted.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2990.jpg)
While I was sorting the washer bottle leak I took the opportunity to start cleaning up the bay a little.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2982.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2989.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2983.jpg)
Of course, while the washer bottle was out, I gave that a good clean too. Once refitted:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2994.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2993.jpg)
Note the battery charger. Due to the alarm, the battery drained very quickly. The alarm siren has now actually packed up which is a pain!
While I was at it, I noticed a couple of more jobs to remember for the future.
Passenger side bump strip has been hanging off since day one
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2987.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2988.jpg)
And the second job to do was the aerial base
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2986.jpg)
However, on a better note, it was finally time to get some proper sounds in the car!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_2998.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3000.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3001.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3002.jpg)
Still good to see the paint came up well again!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3004.jpg)
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Yet more excellent pics and reading Doug. IMO, one of the most interesting threads on here.
Superb job on the engine bay and general cleaning of everything.
IMO though, I think it looks better with the tinted rear lenses and clear front indicators. It makes it look a touch more modern without loosing the cars older character (just my opinion of course!)
Another definate improvement is the new stereo head unit. It's far more in keeping with the cars age than the shiny silver one you had before. It'd be nice if you could find a high spec mid 90's Blaupunkt head unit though - decent quality and even more suited to the G40's dark typically Germanic interior.
Looking forward to the next installment,
Cheers,
Richard.
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Thanks Richard.
Would have to agree with you on the lights, i do like the half smoked ones more, the front indicators i am undecided on, but thats not the point of the project. My idea is to create a G40 as if it came out of the dealers in 1991. The half smoked lights weren't available in 1991 and only came in a little later.
As for the radio, i've gone for that one as it was the nearest i could find to what the car would have come out of the factory with. I have a Specification and equipment range for the G40 in 1991 and it suggests the car would have been fitted with Panasonic H05 Radio and the nearest i could find was a J05. it'll do for now until i find a J05 lol
More reading material coming right up. ;D
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So from here on out, not really much happened. So now all the original items I had were back on the car, it was time to start saving for the real work to begin. I still wanted the car useable however and I would still be taking it to shows. March was one of her first proper outings to a local Vagingit meet, and an opportunity for a photoshoot.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3015.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3013.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3016.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3029.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3030.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3044.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3049.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3050.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3051.jpg)
April came about, and Vagingit were creating a new part to the website and I had been asked if I would mind my car being the first member’s motors car. I of course accepted and pulled out all the stops with the cleaning.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3535.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3536.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3539.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3541.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3549.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3552.jpg)
May came around and another opportunity came about. I went to the Bluewater meet in the G40 and as it turned out, there were two other mk3s, both tornado red. One was a very low GT, and the other a very low CL. So a line up was formed in the hussle bussle of the meet and some more pictures were taken
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3780.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3781.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3782.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3784.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3787.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3777.jpg)
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A good few months continued with trouble free motoring. Not much time was spent working on the polo over the next few months. I was coming to the end of my apprenticeship so had to knuckle down with work. It was a tough few months and things weren’t going to get any better for me. I found out I was going to become unemployed. Due to restructuring and closures as my work, they wouldn’t be taking me on after I was qualified. I had to concentrate on getting a job. The weekend I became unemployed was the weekend of Edition 38, which of course, I attended….and pics were taken!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC00040.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC01420.jpg)
Around this time, I was lucky enough to acquire some space in a garage. This would be perfect for my plans. What I didn’t know was my life was going to be turned upside down.
After a couple of months of unemployment, I decided to move away. At the time, I was seeing a girl from Devon. We were getting on great, so we had decided to move in together. But where? Southampton. It was right in the middle of where we both currently lived, so it made sense. And what of the polo? Well there was no way I was selling, but I would most likely have nowhere to put her as I didn’t want to use her as a daily. It was decided that I would leave the Polo in the current garage until I was a little more set up and had somewhere to put her. It was a hard decision. I would hardly get to use her but I didn’t want to sell. So I made sure I would get full use of her before it was time to tuck her up in the garage for the foreseeable future. I did have a plan however, the car was going to stay MOT’d and taxed to make sure I could use it if I wanted.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4668.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4677.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4705.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4707.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4712.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4718.jpg)
Still, at least she had a decent coat of polish on :) Of course, I had to put some beading shots up didn’t I?
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4722.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4724.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4725.jpg)
And the final time she was used before she was put away was the Vagingit meet on Sunday 21st October 2007.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4929.jpg)
I moved down to Southampton and started my new job in the November of 2007. In the December of the same year, my Girlfriend left me. I was on my own so there was no hope of the polo making it down to me, but I was determined not to sell.
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I have a Panasonic tape player that cam out of a 1993 Genesis. Will see what model number it is. PM me over the weekend as i'll be back home and i'll see what i can do!
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I have a Panasonic tape player that cam out of a 1993 Genesis. Will see what model number it is. PM me over the weekend as i'll be back home and i'll see what i can do!
That'll be great martin, thanks. The car i got this one out of was a 1993 boulavard so it could be the same as mine, but i guess we'll have to wait and see :)
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2008. Christmas had come and gone, I was just about surviving on my own. A trip home in late January meant a just to give the polo a run. She hadn’t been run since that October but started with no trouble at all. I had missed that wine from the charger. The G40 always sounded so different to any other car I’d heard. She was something unique. Which became apparent when I attended the UK-Polos Southeast meet. The only G40 there, infact, the only mk3 there. But I made sure I enjoyed the drive :)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/givingitsomebeans.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_5252.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_5272.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_5273.jpg)
If I’m honest, 2008 was a very quiet year for the G40. But I still wouldn’t sell up. My dad was kind enough to keep an eye on her. She was started and run every now and then, and she passed her MOT with flying colours. It wasn’t until October when I decided to use her for a week while I was back in Kent. The Vento had seriously changed during the year so my focus had changed slightly. I still enjoyed using the G40 though. But the mile count for this year was only around the 150 mark.
2009 saw the G40 used even less. The mileage count for this year was less than 70miles. However, after getting a new battery, the G passed her MOT with flying colours yet again. Of course, with this lack of use, came a lack of photos.
Picture taken just after first run with new battery
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Image021.jpg)
Picture when she was taken out of the garage just before her MOT. Note my brothers camp wave! Apparently it drove quite well and the clutch was “surprisingly light for an old car”
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/Image045.jpg)
In September of 2009 I did have the opportunity to get both my cars together for some pictures. I’d had the polo 4 and a half years, and the vento just over 3 years so it was about time! :)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1081.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1084.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1087.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1089.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1090.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1095.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1100.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1110.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1112.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1114.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1116.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1117.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1120.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1121.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1122.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1123.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1126.jpg)
Back down in Hampshire I had now moved. I no longer had a flat with a garage. So you’d think this would make it even more impossible for me to get the G40 closer to me. However, things would be looking up.
And it all kicked off January of 2010.
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Amazing topic! Well done...
The car down with you yet? If it is a photoshoot with moi and you is in order tbh ;)
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The car is now down in hampshire yeah! But i will get to that bit soon! ;D
We will have to sort out a photoshoot soon, she is a bit grubby at the moment so give me a bit of time to get her all sorted and we'll arrange something :P
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The date was the 15th of January 2010. I was on my way back to Kent, in a Clio of all things. But why? If all went to plan, I wouldn’t be driving the Clio back, that was a job for the Girlfriend. I would be driving the car I always wanted since I was a little boy, back to her new home in Hampshire. A garage had been acquired and the G had reserved her place. However, I wouldn’t be happy taking her down as she was, work was required.
It was time to look at that charger. Not fully, I wanted to check the charger timing belt was in good condition. For anyone who doesn’t know G-laders, if this belt snaps, that’s game over for the charger and they aren’t cheap to replace. It would be too difficult to have the charger refurbed while the car was at my parents, I needed her down with me so I could do it properly. I acquired a suitable replacement belt but when it came to changing the belt, I had underestimated the job substantially. Baring in mind I hadn’t had a proper look at the charger for nearly two years, I imagined you could change the belt while it was on the car. 2 minutes after popping the bonnet, I realised this wasn’t going to happen. The charger needed to come off. As I had thought the job wasn’t too big, I hadn’t started too early, it was Sunday 17th January and it was the only day I would have my dad’s knowledge and knowhow and tooling to do the job. So we got stuck in, not knowing exactly what we were up to, but we are both mechanically minded so we worked on and after quite a little time, we’d managed to remove the charger.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170644.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170636.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170637.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0177.jpg)
I wasn’t going to have time to clean up the area that remained, we were working to a time limit. So here was the charger in all her dirty glory, the item which pretty much doubles the power of the potent polo!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170638.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170639.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170641.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170642.jpg)
As it turned out, there was a far easier way to get the charger off, with a slightly better tool we were able to remove the pulley (we’d tried on the car but failed) and then the casing hiding that all important belt. With this all done, the charger would have popped straight out. As it was, we’d undone the engine mounts and moved the engine over to get just a bit more room.
So onto that all important belt.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170646.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170645.jpg)
The old one looked in surprisingly good nick. But it would be silly to leave it on there after all that time, so it was swapped out for a new one, which seemed to fit the pulleys far better than the original one…..
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1170650.jpg)
The light was started to go now, but I had a target, to get to the Vagingit meet that evening, it was due to start at 6 so we had our work cut out. Now we understood the charger more, putting it back on was no problem at all, everything on the car was prept as best we could and the rebuild went very well, completing the job just a little bit before 7.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC03538.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC03540.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/DSC03541.jpg)
So only a little big late to the meet, but I felt more confident of driving the old girl a little harder. It felt good to be behind the wheel of her again after what seemed like so long.
A day or so later and it was time to carry out another job. One which had been on my mind for a long time, and which I believed was making my boot wet! That aerial base! So here is the old one;
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1190670.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1190671.jpg)
Taking the aerial right off to do the job wasn’t going to happen just yet. I’d looked at the roof lining and it was stuck strong and I didn’t want to rip it, so the way forward was to strip what I could of the old one
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1190672.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1190673.jpg)
Put a little silicone sealant round the base and after warming it up, slide over the new seal. Job done!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P1190674.jpg)
Wednesday 20th January 2010. This was “the” day. The day to take her down to her new home in Hampshire. To be completely honest, I never thought this day would come. After a final levels check, she was loaded up ready for the journey home. I was carrying a few bits and bobs including a full set of wheels and adaptors for the Vento. :)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_01901.jpg)
The journey would be interesting, weather wise. I never thought I’d drive her in the snow again, but Mother Nature had other ideas.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_01911.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_01921.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_01941.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_01931.jpg)
But finally, we made it home, safe and sound.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_01951.jpg)
The journey was so enjoyable. It was great to have some decent power under my right foot, and those seats are so comfortable. Lol
So after unloading everything at the flat, she was moved to her new dry location.
My hope for this year isn’t so much about the restoration, but to actually use the car, perhaps take her to a couple of shows, but just generally enjoy having the car once again. Its like having bought her all over again!
On 22nd January 2010, I had been the proud owner of J188 NEW for 5 whole years! And I hope you agree, its been interesting.
To be continued………
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One of the best topics on here, mine's been off the road sat in the garage for just a few months longer than you've owned yours.
I'm surprised you managed to disconnect the oil drain from the charger without removing the intercooler, when I took mine off at christmas I ended up having to take the cooler off which first meant taking the front chassis brace.
When you were removing the aerial grommet did you cut it first, it looks a bit like it in the pictures?
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I only have a J05. Sorry Dude!
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Thanks for the comments guys, really appreciate it. Hopefully i will keep this more up to date now.
I'm surprised you managed to disconnect the oil drain from the charger without removing the intercooler, when I took mine off at christmas I ended up having to take the cooler off which first meant taking the front chassis brace.
yeah, it was certainly very tricky but my dad was on hand to assist. with the grill off there was enough room for us to get it in place and wind it on. It was difficult because it wouldn't reach with the charger fully pivoted up as the return line wasn't long enough.
When you were removing the aerial grommet did you cut it first, it looks a bit like it in the pictures?
the old grommit was pretty shagged, so i was able to peel some of it away and cut away the rest very carefully. Annoyingly, i did catch part of the paintwork in the process.
I only have a J05. Sorry Dude!
No worries mate, really appreciate you looking though, top job! ;)
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Another G is Southampton! and a beauty too... Where abouts are ya mate? I'm in Portswood.
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Hey mate.
I don't actaully live in southampton anymore, i moved to havant about 8 months ago, but i do work in Fawley and i try to get to the Sovag meet. Used to live in Freemantle!
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Ah cool,
I work up your way actually, even go down the Hawks occasionally! lol
Let me know when you're next going down sovag and i'll pop down like...
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Woot down in Havant ;)
Great addititon to the topic again.
PS: Were did you get the new ariel gromit, think i could do with doing this on mine? Wanna lend a hand? ;) Pm me
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ya, ebay is good for them, but i bought mine through VW dealers. part number 1H0 051 753. can't remember how much it is though ???
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Nice one,
Will get down VW next weekend.
Cheers
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A couple of months have passed since The G40 was tucked away in her new home. But it was time she saw the light of day again. My Vento was going into the body shop for some work so I needed the G40 to use as the daily for a week or two. Hopefully I’d be able to do a few tidy up jobs too.
When I opened the door to the garage I was shocked. She was filthy! When she was put into the garage, she was very wet from her trip down. I connected the battery and jumped in. She fired to life straight away. Hearing the supercharger whine sent tingles down my spin and gave me an instant smile! Time to move her, well, that bit didn’t quite go according to plan. She wouldn’t budge! It appeared that the brakes had seized on. A few jumps of the clutch didn’t realise them. Not a great start really! I quickly discovered that it was the drivers size rear drum that was sticking. Quickly off with the wheel, a few taps with a rubber mallet and she freed up! Attempt number two was a success and she saw the light of day again after 2 months. What a great feeling it was to be out and about in her again.
What with being a bit grubby, I thought it best to make a start on cleaning her up again, starting with the interior. Thinking back, when was the last time the interior had been cleaned? My guess would be early part of 2007! Ok, so the car hadn’t had much use, but the seats had a couple of grubby marks on them and the floors were a bit dirty. Now you may think I love all things to do with cleaning a car. You’d be wrong, I do no like cleaning interiors!
I quick trip to Halfords saw me coming back with a few bits and pieces to make a start. I quickly got stuck into cleaning up the seats. All the grubby stains have now gone but it did highlight to me that the interior was starting to tire a bit. The rear seats and door cards had really faded and the seams were breaking at the top of the rear bench! Classic G40 interior problems. Also, one of the bolsters on the drivers seat has started to soften in a specific place. I shall have to keep my eye out for some new interior bits :)
Unfortunately, the bad news didn’t stop there. Earlier this year I had done a job which I thought would cure water getting into the boot. That areal base! After some extremely heavy rain and tonnes of surface water, it has become apparent that this wasn’t the source of water getting in. The boot carpet is drenched on the drivers side. This really isn’t what I want to find. The up and coming forecast for the next week is rain rain and more rain! Some time ago I bought the boot seal, I was going to hang onto it until I had the car resprayed, but I think the time has come to give that a go! If that doesn’t stop it, I shall just have to keep looking!
Also, at some point this week, I plan to refit the door strip which has been progressively getting worse!
All in all, not the best start to 2010 for the G, but it’ll get better I’m sure! Its still a bloody great drive though :)
So, to the door strip. Over the past 5 years it had been getting worse and worse. Now, from a weeks solid use up and down the motorway in the pouring ran, it was pretty much hanging on by the last thread. Time to act!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4040777.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4040778.jpg)
It didn’t take much effort to pull the trim off the door. The clip section which is meant to be secured to the door had broken into three pieces, all be it not perfect, but it would was still useable to put it back. The fun part was yet to come. All the sticky remains on the door. So me and my trusty assistance set to work.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4040781.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4040779.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4040780.jpg)
After some time it was done, I tidied the strip up and boot some new sticky tape on (I’d had this for some time as I’d planned to do it sooner) and I carefully stuck it back to the car and held it in place with some tape!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0341.jpg)
It was now complete and looked far better. Ok, its not perfect, but it’ll do until I can find some strips in better condition!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0343.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0342.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0344.jpg)
She’d also had a clean during this and had been to her first meet down in Hampshire! :)
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About time i put a bit more effort into this and got it right up to date! So here goes.....
Just before it was time to put the car away, I decided I would try investigating where this leak in the boot was coming from. A friend of mine had a handy gadget that would come in very useful! An optical camera! :)
One evening, I took the camera and started having a look around in the boot. Eventually what I found was a possible leak from a couple of rubber bungs in the inner arch. A bit of silicon sealant and they were stuck back in. Lets hope that’s the end of that.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4090795.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4090796.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4090800.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4090802.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4090807.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P4090814.jpg)
Unfortunately I found water under the boot carpet when she was next used in the rain.
So the search continues.
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June 2010 – Its that time of the year again. The MOT! Unfortunately she failed on this occasion, but it was an easy fix that I was only two happy to do. The central locking which had been fitted in 2004 had seized and prevented the passenger door opening. 30mins and the door cards were off, central locking removed, and door cards refitted. I’ve had the door cards off so many times I know them like the back of my own hand :).
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0407.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0414.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0415.jpg)
After that was done, she passed with a few advisories. Back into storage she goes…..but for how long?
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0519.jpg)
In September the Vento started leaking coolant from the radiator, so the polo stepped up to take the vento’s place at Players. It was the first show the Polo had done since 2007. It felt weird but good to get her out and about in the show scene again.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_4000.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_3998.jpg)
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In October of 2010, my other half and I moved into our new house. The house was in a poor way and needed a lot of work just to make it liveable. However, the good news is it has a big long drive and a garage!!! OK, so not the best garage, but a garage nevertheless. In March 2011, the polo left her old location and moved to the house. Finally, for the first time in over 4 years the polo is now at my home address.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0710.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0714.jpg)
Couple of pics with the vento….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0711.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0712.jpg)
Now with her new home, it was time to take her to a meet, but she needed a wash first.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0760.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0761.jpg)
Old Vs New haha
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0762.jpg)
New, Old and Low :)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0795.jpg)
June 2011 and it was off to the MOT station once again. This year with an extra 1300 miles under her belt, she passed. The advisories are starting to appear but this is unsurprising for a 20 year old car!
Pictured next to the new daily.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0810.jpg)
Now she is finally at my home address, I am hoping to spend more time using her and doing a few jobs. The paint has started to fade a little and she is quite dusty so its high time she had a good once over. I would also like to start getting the running gear tidied up by stripping it all off, powder coating and replaced with all new components. All standard of course ;)
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On the run up to GTi International 2011, I’ve been busy. :)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6181106.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6181111.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6181107.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6181113.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6181110.jpg)
Now into the garage where its relatively dry, apart from the odd drip off the roof. The weather has been naff all week so fingers crossed I get everything done I want to.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6201122.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6201126.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/P6201129.jpg)
Very much looking forward to this weekend :)
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So this is how she looked for Inters 2011
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/GTi%20International%202011/IMG_5931.jpg)
2011 was a very quiet year for the Polo. With inters under her belt, a trip to a local Southampton meet saw her meeting up with an old friend……
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0827.jpg)
For those that don’t know, the vento far left is my old daily hack..
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_0826.jpg)
The trip to Inters in the June and a day trip up to a very wet Santa Pod for VW Action in September were the only shows she did. She was washed and put back into the garage and left for 6 months.
March 2012 – This was the current state of affairs, stuff had built up around the G40.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1207.jpg)
March was the first time the G40 had been started in 6 months, and I’m glad to say, she fired up on the first key turn, a slight misfire eventually cleared to leave the sweet sound of the charger whine however, it was a further month before she ventured out of the garage, and that was only for a wash. The plan was to take her to GTi Spring festival but after breaking my knee in the February, I was unsure if I’d be able to be cramped up for such a long time, so afraid to say she was put back in the garage once more. She did look nice though….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1245.jpg)
May saw the G40 removed from the garage once more, and this time it was for a local meet in Portsmouth. She went down a treat and got a lot of attention. A blast up the motorway made me remember how great this car felt when you put your foot down (the Corsa behind probably wasn’t so impressed).
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1282.jpg)
June quickly came around and it was nearly time for Inters! There was one issue, she had to get through an MOT first, and there was a skip in front of my garage!! Our neighbours were clearing their garden which, as it would benefit us, I said they could put the skip on our drive as it will make their lives so much easier. Unfortunately the skip company were not so efficient in coming to collect the skip, so it was only a couple of days before Inters that I actually got an MOT. Some minors but nothing major considering.
Time to get cleaning, but a few extras arrived before hand……
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1345.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1346.jpg)
Saw this on Ebay and thought it was too cool to let pass….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1348.jpg)
So ready for inters? I think so…….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1369.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1372.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1364.jpg)
So inters was……muddy!
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1386.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1399.jpg)
Unfortunately this is how she stayed until October when she was finally washed again.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1572.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1573.jpg)
Finally clean! (for those that don’t know, I was known for a clean car)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1575.jpg)
Another little ebay find saw its way into the car too….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1578.jpg)
An engine bay shot for good measure….
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e64/SpikeyG40/Polo%20G40%20Progress%20Thread/IMG_1581.jpg)
So that was 2012 done, the polo did not see the light of day for the rest of the year.
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Just read the whole thing mate! awesome write up! enjoyed reading it :D
the difference from the day you got the G to now is unreal!! it was hanging especially the engine bay!!
im in Winchester and have been to Sovag and socovag a couple of times, might bump into you some time
you need to drive your G more! haha, ive done more mileage in a week than youve done in your entire ownership lol :P
love tornedo red! think it suits so well with the red strips and red g40 badges
top ownership thread, such a good write up!
cheers for posting :) hope to see some updates
Taylor
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I remember seeing this at inters last year!
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What a sweet example