James.

Stay with me... It’s fair to say I’ve wrung every pennies worth of enjoyment out of the old 8v. It’s been an incredibly faithful servant to the family. Taking us on holiday, being used as a daily driver and over the past few years as a work horse whilst I restored an old house. So this week, with the other Corrado finally out of the garage, and an extra few hours on my hands, I backed the 8v in, with a view to hopefully breathing new life into the ageing paintwork. Remembering how the 8v required a small amount of welding for the previous three or so MOTs, I thought it prudent to check the underside before any top half work is carried out. I started with the rear drivers arch as this had an amount of grot that required priority attention. The next two hours removing the rear bumper should have been a warning. First three bolts withdrew with relative ease. The fourth crumbled like flakey pastry. After half an hour with the grinder and another half with the drill, the bolt head gave way. Upon removal, the rear apron was found to be heavily rusted around the mouth of the bumper mounts. I worked my way around the car. Stopping at the holes along the fuel lines. The fuel line mounts that have rusted loose and the front cill that contained half a cup of grit and dirt. Wanting to gain clarity on the cill, I became ever more frustrated at being unable to remove the front bumper bolts, and therefore the front wing. The final straw was finding that the mud collecting in the inner fold of the filler neck was acting as structural. Admitting defeat, I retired indoors. So what am I getting at ? The answer is I don’t know. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh at all the joy we’ve had together, or become upset at thinking is this the end for the 8v ? Values have risen to the point where the car may be worth saving. I desperately want to keep it and not break it, but the welding bill alone could reach four figures (my welding equipment is in storage, where I can’t get access). Anyone been in this situation ? Any advice is warmly welcomed. .

Nice VDO stereo. Looks period correct.

That's real kind of you. I'm going to get the car running first, and tackle the air con at the end of the year. But I'll keep the offer in mind if that's okay. Few more pictures from this weeks jobs. Cleaned and treated/de-rusted the rear/underneath of the slam panel. Removed the bonnet springs and treated them to attention from the wire wheel and half a dozen coats of coats of brush on POR15. Then black satin Hammerite (super happy as to how it came out. Brush stroke free and ends up real smooth). Found my 10 year old, NOS of slam panel fittings for the bonnet pin locators (had to order black rivets as VW only had silver at the time). Oscar thought the rivet gun was brilliant, but disappointed he didn't have the hand strength to "pop". He did laugh at the fact that new bits were nearly as old as him. Washed and cleaned the rear of the front bumper. Sprayed with primer and clear coated to match the rear bumper and floor pan. Rear Received this weeks order of self tappers and speed clips, so switched out all the old fog and light fittings. Fitted the original dealer plate and found a NOS 90mm spoiler in storage (along with other bits I'd forgotten about).. The more attentive among you, may have by now noticed that there's a distinct lack of car (where the bumper now sits). That's because it's in the local garage having the brakes bled (and a new rear brake pipe fitted). Fingers crossed it'll fire up next week and then next job MOT. First time it's seen the sunshine for nine years. Nice to be able to see the hard work in better detail (rather than the six inches from the end of my nose crawl space).

Thanks for keeping me in mind, but after Cressa advised me what I need, I’m only about £150 from being done (new). It’s a complicated and time consuming to remove every trace of air-con from a Corrado. I would imagine that a buyer would want every part if they were to retrofit (and know what was/wasn’t working). Otherwise they’d pull their hair out looking for all those missing bits. I’d be like Keyo. For what it’s worth, stick hold of it and then it’s there if you ever sell, or bung it on ebay/similar and get what you can (but be prepared for all those stupid ass questions). NB: The compressor will be dear to post as they are HEAVY.

Another customer/fan of Biggred here. £250 all in for the four corners, and they come back as new. Their customer service and finished product is next level.

If you could, that would be great.

Thanks for that. Really helpful. I found a couple of other parts from VW classic Germany, so I'll add them to the wish list. It's the drivers outer window scraper seal that I need. I remember Vintage Rubber in the states were making noise about putting them into production. Just have to sit tight and see what happens. And that is EXACTLY what I needed someone to do. I'll add stripping the brackets off the old one to the jobs list. Oh they will indeed ! Those connections on the replacement condenser look much better than the ones I have. The neck and connector on the one I have are copper and literally peeled away like an old plaster when I removed them. Is your install a Diavia system from the dealer, or did you install it yourself ?

The C looks great, but please don't rub it in !

Yes and yes. I've a page of bits and pieces that it needs. The big items of which are - Drivers side outer window seal (Can't find or get to one quick enough). - Under bumper air deflectors (left and right). - Diavia condenser (air con). Amazing to see how many small pieces have gone missing over the years. If anyone's holding any of the above, then drop me a message. Here's the bonnet graphic (99m wide // 73mm tall). Might be worth checking if it would be period correct, as I don't remember seeing them on many cars. I am thanks Chris. There's still a way to go, but there's light at the end of the tunnel now. Not sure most people would have waited nine years to get it back on the road. But the time has flown by and now feels like I was never away. I have. The pipework had been "adjusted" by the good folks at Diavia when fitted so there's no issue there. Going to get the car running first and worry about the air con at a later date. It never ran right when I bought the car and then the condenser let go just before I took it off the road.

And then this happened: Detached the engine from the stand. Where it's been there for nine long, dusty, cold years. With the exception of the top end, when it was sent of to be skimmed last month. Subsequently, the new chains, stem seals, head gasket, guides and carriers were fitted. Fitted the Sachs clutch and gearbox (that was awkward on my own !). Bumped and dragged (carefully mind you) the engine into the engine bay. Started on checking the wiring and loom over (five breaks were found, cleaned, soldered and heat shrunk back into place). Next is filling it with fluids and getting it to fire up (but they're on order for the moment), so in the mean time, I'll start work on cleaning up the back of the bumper and the underside of the slam panel (I can't stand overspray, even if it is factory supplied as standard !).

Oscar's a part owner so it's all good.

Don't mind at all. No, that's not me. But I do have one. I wondered how long it would be before we were mixed up. Must be something in the name and the car.

That's the most important bit. When I started mine (many moons ago) the intention was to make it "as new as possible". Then I thought to myself, If I make it "too good" then I'll either never drive it or leave it unattended. So I set about cleaning/restoring it to a drivable standard (Clean, tidy, 12 months old kind of look). Point is, everyone has a different level to which they want to restore a car. The important thing is to enjoy it. Additional things to remember for paint: 1, Fuel filler flap. 2, "Corrado" script badge (if it was colour coded when period correct - Pre Aug 1993. Or even if you want this anyway, as silver badges are getting hard to come by in decent condition ) 3, Bumper edges (wheel arch and bottom leading edges) 4, Slam panel. NB: Keep a small pot of the mixed paint back for touching up. As for the rust on the powdercoated parts. Neutralise it with something like Jenolite or POR19 and touch it up before it creeps. Get yourself some spray cavity wax and fill the inside spaces of the underside parts. I bought a bunch of cans from Wurth, which is thin enough going on and then firms up to a thin layer. Once you get the car back, book it in for an MOT. It then gives you a deadline to work towards.

Poor thing, being left alone in a dark room! Seriously, great to see a new build thread. Hopefully your idea of “taking my time” is different to mine (currently up to nine years !)

That’s the puppy. It was just a marketing exercise by the looks of it: Blackberry metallic and a leather interior. Plus that all important “Exclusiv” label (but without the badges !)

Oooh an Exclusiv. I have a German brochure for that. Shame it’s a lefty.

Thanks for all the advice all. Certainly lots to read up on. Sorry Chris, you can have your thread back now.

If you don’t mind that would be great. It looks like the original is still on the car, so it wouldn’t make sense to replace the system, without at least considering the cat.

Thanks Chris. Thought I remembered you having one before. They do look very clean and well finished. What’s it like at cruising speed on the motorway ? Have you any experience of their cat replacement as well ?

Plenty to be getting on with then ! Have a look at the spoiler sooner rather than later though. The spoiler mechanism may just need a clean out and lube. They can get a little stiff if left unused for a length of time. The friction then causes the motor to overheat, with subsequent stuttering from the cables binding in the housing. End result, the motor starts blowing fuses. The spoiler is a swine to remove, so if you can fix it and avoid extracting it then all the better.

Thanks all. The last stainless system I purchased, was from a local company called Blueflame (18 years ago) for my first Corrado. It was great quality, but droned a little bit too much for my present tastes.It also knocked on the rear beam a little when loaded up. As OE as possible is the objective. Ah yes, Miltek. That’s the other brand I was thinking of. I’ll have a look at them as well. Chris, if you’ve any input on his subject, I’d be keen to hear it.

Wow, that’s safe ! It amazes me the lengths some owners (and that goes for owners of other marques as well) will go to, with oddball repairs. When I bought the VR, under the steering wheel it had a toggle switch to disable the alarm horn. Yes, please. More if you have them.

Nice exhaust Chris. I’m kind of out of the loop regarding stainless exhausts. But what makes this better than say, a Jetex system ? (Also recommended). I’ll be in the market for one for the VR very soon (once it’s up and running). So I’m gathering as much information as possible (would like an exhaust that is pleasant to drive on the motorway and doesn’t drone. If that’s possible).

The tabs can break if not removed carefully. And they never stay put after that. Any Corrado from 1993 on will have these. So fire a want ad up either on here or even better, reach out to a breaker on FB.