Practically Classics Forum

Hello, I thought I would introduce myself and my bunch of modern day classics

First of all my Daily
A 91 318is

This currently does around 600miles a week getting 40mpg without 'too' much bother.

My main project car a 1990 Mk2 VW Polo Coupe S, which started looking like this


I then did some of this


I then fitted a 1.4 16v Engine using CBR600 Bike Carbs

and did more of this


and is current looking like this..

.. after I thought I should just freshen it up a bit.

And my 2nd project car is another Mk2 Coupe but GT LHD imported from Spain.

This will now be my replacement track car. Claim to fame... these wheels and tyres once graced a certain exPC Red E21 Track Car

Anyway... Hello!!

Did some more work on the green Polo yesterday.. the rear quarter has finally been welded on!


first the new panel was cut to match the existing panel


we test fitted the lights to make sure it all looked ok



I then double sided spot welded it on



And Mike went round and mig welded the panels together.

We really have been working on this for months due to just working for 4 hours a week on a Saturday but its finally done and we can now move round to the other side. Luckily there is only a bit of the arch lip to be rebuild and the front sill by the jacking point needs repairing. So that should be a rather quick job!

For the black car I picked these up today

A VW Mk3 Polo 1.3 GT engine with a P&P head and a a VW Mk3 Golf 1.4 ABD engine The GT engine produces 75bhp as stock and with the 1.4 bottom end it produces about 93bhp and 108lbft of torque. That and the relatively light weight of the polo (750-800kg) will make it a bit of a laugh on the track

And also I have these to make it run..

some 1994 Honda CBR600 Bike carbs. Hopefully these will add a few BHP and lbft of torque!

I've started to paint a replacement boot for the black car




Still needs work but its getting there

Started to grid down the welds on the panel on the green car



took the door off so Mike could make a plate for the bottom corner



Ive also picked up some Toyo R888's to replace the Kumho's for a track day that I am doing on the 6th August (in the black car) at Blyton Park.

Got a delivery..


Ferodo DS2500's and Goodridge all Stainless Steel brake pipes

I've also refurbished the VWII callipers that I'll be fitting these weekend.


Got the car in the air to fit them


...And then started swearing due to the fact that I was just rounding off the nuts..
So dropped car back down and I booked it into the garage for them do mess with!

Got the boot out ready for it to be all fitted


Fitted the catch and the opener


Removed the wiring from the current boot


as you can tell this boot is rather shot!


dropped the head-liner to get to the bolts holding the boot on


and then do exactly the same but in reverse


one boot fitted!!

Great thread thanks always liked little Polos ever since I got one for me daughters first car. The BMW 3

Cheers Paul... I do like them.. not sure why but I do The 318is is for sale

Few updates...
Green Polo

took the windows our of the drivers door

and then started working on the little parking dinks in the door


Did some more filling and sanding where the quarter pannel had been welded



Also there was a small repair in the door that left a dent which I filled

forgot to get an after picture!

The new quarter panel had fittings for the mk2f (Mk3) rear bumper so these had to be plated and new hole drilled for the mk2 fittings



this was made wider and the bumper clip inserted


first time the bumper has been on in over a year



Got my new tyres delivered. well happy


So I can now book my Mahle wheels in to be refurbished. Also since having the VWII callipers fitted to the black polo the Mahles foul on them so I have got some nice 3mm hubcentric spacers so it is no longer a issue



Black Polo

picked this up from the Polo Show


Also had the car on the dyno and it made a good 62.7bhp. That's as standard, unserviced and with the cat.. so can't complain!!


Picked these up

Mine had started to rust in the bottom corner.

Went to Blyton Park for the Club Polo Track Day







to be honest I was the slowest car there however it wasn't as slow as I thought it was going to be and it just ate up track time. I'm well impressed with the car!!

so.... how many engines can you see here!


yep thats right I now have 5 engines in the garage. I picked this up a couple of weeks ago.


a fully built ABD (1.4 golf) /3F (1.3 Polo GT) hybrid with a P&P head, GT Gearbox and lots of lovely new parts

I also tested my local VW garage for some LHD parts.. managed to pick up a LHD clutch cable



Started to put together the bits for the ABD/3F engine

took the inlet manifold off



Then the clutch and flywheel


so i could fit my new lightened & balanced flywheel

Started to remove bits and bobs from the NZ engine

Got it up in the air


disconnected all the wiring from the engine, removed the exhaust, AirIntake and rad


O2 sensor permanently disconnected!!


All that yellow stuff is Spanish sand!

Engine is now out





picked up a catch tank


Built up the new engine.


New Pulley


I'm letting the guys at Southam Mini and Metro Centre fit the Pulley and Cam when they do the fuelling.

That looks really nice. Good work.

Cheer... doing 2 projects at once is a bit time consuming... I'm not sure I'll do it again.

Great thread mate , got a couple of MkII's myself . Your name looks familiar , did you use to frequent e36coupe.com back in the day ?