James.

Thanks. It’s had more issues in 11 weeks than in the past eleven years. At least I know it’s good for the foreseeable future 🤞🏻.

Apologies for the delayed update. There’s been plenty of little “Corrado situations” happening, so thought it best to bundle them all together. Everybody sitting comfortably ?, then I’ll begin… The re-paint went well. So off it went for an MOT. A little while later, I receive a phone call from the garage that they couldn’t complete the MOT, as it kept cutting out. Hmmmm, crank sensor ? Battery ? Bearing in mind it’s been stood for the best part of a year, with only being started to move it in and out of the bodyshop I checked the battery. It read at about 11.7v. There you go, there’s the culprit (or so I thought). Stuck it on the trickle charge over the weekend and went back to it the following week for a re-test. MOT passed with only a couple of advisories (dragging brakes after being stood for so long). So I removed the callipers from their sliders, greased them up and away we went. Got as far as the end of the road and it starts running like a bag of spanners. Knowing the notorious nature of the electronics on these engines (ADY) from the mk3 forum, I checked (what I thought) was everything. It drove (bearly). But in limp mode and sounded like a spitfire. So after a couple of recommendations, over it went to JJs autos Wigan (ex VAG tech from the 90’s). Where he diagnosed a faulty spark plug 🙄. I swapped them out for a full new set later that week. While there I asked him to help resolve the rev limit at 5k. I’d put it down to having the timing belt changed just before lockdown and my local garage not having the capability to adjust the timing via VCDS. I also thought it may be the hall sensor in the dizzy (as it pops up when scanned) but it turned out to be a bit more than that. Now, anyone who knows me, knows I like to pootle around. So hitting the rev limiter is something beyond my demands. Why do I tell you this ? Because it turns out the car had been fitted (from when I bought it 11 years ago) with the wrong dizzy ! What transpired (after a lot of research) is there’s two 8v dizzys. One for the 2E (4 window rotor) and one for ADY (single window rotor). Yet 99.9% of them for sale are listed as the same one for both 😳. So it was decided (as getting hold of one could take a few weeks, that I’d order the right one and return to have it replaced. fortunately, the car was booked in to have the bodywork corrections completed, so could head straight over there. Back over to MAP body shop in Wigan. The lads down there were great. The bonnet had settled on some of the filler spots, and on the rear, so they repainted both panels. Gave it time to go off again, wet sanded and polished the entire car. I thought it looked good before. Now it looks immense. The amount of positive comments I’ve had from people the last few weeks have been incredible. One guy wouldn’t have it that it had done 182k. Fellow classic car enthusiast drops in to see how the restoration is coming along 😎. So once agin I head over to pick it up. Upon starting it up and letting it run for a little while, it cuts out and refuses to fire up. Embarrassingly, I have to get John with his breakdown truck to haul my cars good looking, broken ass back home. It’s knocking off time at the bodyshop and you’re shiny car won’t run. Beer oclock it is then ! Over the next week, I found the battery wouldn’t hold charge, so swapped that out. After breaking down taking the boy to school and needing a jump start, diagnosed a faulty alternator. Tried the regulator, but no luck. New unit it is then. Click click click buzzz. Still wouldn’t fire. I rebuilt the starter motor and the alternator 11 years ago so can’t complain about value for money. So after bench testing and finding the solenoid kaput, changed that too. Whoompf, up it fired first time. Nervous and excited I left it to tick over on the drive. Got it stinking hot to check the cooling system was cutting in at the right time. Returned to the car ten minutes later to find a thin hot jet of coolant being ejected from the solid metal coolant pipe that runs along the side of the engine. Had one delivered a few days later (MK3 parts are still affordable) with other pipes, oils, fluids, filters and set to work servicing/replacing said items. That was about six weeks ago. Since then it’s been solid as a rock. Making many tip runs, building supply collections, work related tasks and back yesterday from a few days in the Lake district, returning MPG in the early 40s and many admiring glances 😎. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve driven it on spirited country roads. But what a difference changing the dizzy (for the right one) has made. It’s truly a different car in every respect now. And I aint complaining ! Spotted in it’s natural environment. The tip! As if the mechanical and aesthetic corrections weren't enough to make me love it more, I recently found a post on social media from a chap (If you’re on here, many thanks) who obtained some production data from VW. He managed to arrange the data, to reveal the final days production of cars, that rolled out of the Karmann factory. Now, I knew that my car was a late one, after being “that guy” who reads through all the receipts, manuals, and registration documents soon after ownership. I just didn’t realise how late. Like, ten to five on a Friday late. So there I am reading the data from said Corrado enthusiast, checking the data for owners, last MOT, mileage and production date from the owners manual. And there it is, third from last UK RHD (and fifth of worldwide production) car to roll out of the factory. With only the Storm that’s in the museum, and one that is no longer on the road in front of it. So officially the newest Corrado on the UK roads. Almost makes all that effort worthwhile. Viva la 8v 😎

Had the 8v wet sanded and machine polished a couple of weeks back by the team at the body shop. While it’s possibly not the best picture of the car, it’s the best it’s been in the eleven years I’ve owned it.

Always late to the party (story of my life) 🙄 Really appreciate the swift response. It seems I've been running a 2E dizzy which restricts the revs to 5k. It only took 11 years (of driving like Miss Daisy) to notice 🤣. Thanks

As per title. Must be for ADY (Single window type). Dizzys from a 2E don't work (4 window). I know it's a long shot, but that's sourcing parts for (a parts bin) Corrado in 2022 🙁

Davina. Is that a new make I’m yet to hear of ? 😄 Mine keeps blowing a fuse, so it’s looking like I’ll also need a new fan also. I remember it having an Audi part number on it. How about yours ? These installs seem to utilise cobbled parts at best.

And time consuming. Personally, I’m just looking where my priorities lie. And for the next few years, it isn’t with a car sat in the garage, whatever it’s worth. The 8v isn’t too bad to live with, as we all know, the mechanicals are off the shelf. But getting hold of a windscreen trim was a faff, but did highlight the potential lack thereof in the future. The VR continues to frustrate. Refurbed clutch and brake master, 4 bar fuel pump etc. It all adds up and helps dull the shine. There still seems to be plenty of people out there willing to buy blind and roll the dice on them, helping to hold the prices up. Which will always help those of us holding.

Reference to Harrys garage ? Anyway, who knows. I’ll send James a message and see if he replies. I know one went to Ireland. I still find it crazy that in the 14 years I’ve owned mine, none of the others have shown up. VW classic contacted me a few years ago to have the car on display at Techno Classica. Would love to take them up on it. Maybe one day.

Does anyone know if the restored Campaign from the south coast (Bonhams MPH) ever sold ? Looking to throw the keys in this year (or next) on both, but prices are scatty at best.

Good skill. Is that a cassette storage fascia you’ve used ?

Got to love an improvised solution. Just not when it falls at your doorstep 🙄. Glad you managed to resolve the problem.

Cheers. There's other bits I'll need/want so I'll start a list. Is it off for recycling ?

The barrel at the back of the trim (where the screw locates) is quite long and locates into the door. You have to lift this enough for it to be free and away from its location before sliding it back (It only needs to "just about" clear its location point). They're fitted real tight, so you have to be firm and persuasive, but not too heavy handed. Apologies if this is a clear as a muddy puddle, but I found this picture to help show what's going on behind it:

Final pieces of the jigsaw with the interior, but the front headlining trim is missing (quite a few) of the "Z" shaped speed clips with the part number 535 867 540 (my heart just sinks when I see a part with that prefix these days 😔). What's everyone using ? (Rather not stick it in place) Anyone holding stock and willing to share ?

I know, the weather is demanding drives out 😎. Fibreglass is a doddle. I bought this little kit for a tenner and used almost nothing: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393293535409 Laid down three layers of matting (alternating the weave) after mixing the standard golf ball to a pea ratio of resin (about 25ml worth). Kit comes complete with brush, mixing stick and gloves. Then I bought a small tin of contact adhesive: https://www.diy.com/departments/evo-stik-impact-solvent-based-contact-adhesive-250ml/36234_BQ.prd?ds_rl=1272379&ds_rl=1272409&ds_rl=1272379&gclid=CjwKCAjwo8-SBhAlEiwAopc9W5EgY3PXuAEAnzRlSlaI2Sfa8gIQt8mzh_3gfoGqcvQ-s0jxqT3zhhoCi0oQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&storeId=1207 Used about two thirds of the tin. Then another small amount for the upper parts of the door membrane (there’s not enough space behind the door card for butyl tape). Crank sensor arrived today, so I’ll put an hour in tomorrow and Wednesday and hopefully should have it running again for the weekend.

Spent the last week working on/off the interior. Had to order some rear door card clips as most of them were missing/broke. But the main issue was the condition of the cards themselves. The coverings had become separated and the corners/other edges were beat up and broke. Decided to have a go at using some fibreglass matting and resin to help return some strength. I used some resin based wood glue to fix the broken pieces, left them for 48 hours to dry, then mixed up some resin for the matting. When I was happy it was cured, trimmed the edges with the dremmel and used contact adhesive to re-fix the cover. There's no hiding the fact that the interior has had a tough existence, but hopefully it'll last for a few more years. Carried on with the front cards in a similar vein and then set to work making up some new door membranes. Ordered a sheet of DPM/visqueen from screwfix and some butyl tape from amazon. Took most of the morning (mainly because the weather kept changing it's mind, sun, hail, rain, sun etc !) to make up a template to make the final left/right versions, but was very happy with the results. Made the inner pocket/cover by cutting a 100mm square piece and using a hot glue gun to secure it in place. Because the door cards have been off a few times over the years, the plastic locating tabs have opened up and won't accept a mounting screw, so opted for a slightly larger thread (I used the same black self tappers as used one the outer arch liners). They're not OE, but they look pretty good. Also still not sure how an interior can have so many missing clips screws missing, but I guess that's how it is. After all the messing about trying to get hold of a foil gun on the third attempt (ebay one didn't arrive, screwfix sent the wrong one, Amazon order arrived the next day) I fitted the rear windows. Used a primer and gunned a nice thick slug of a adhesive bead. Held them in place with a glass suction cup overnight. I had the unfortunate luck of cracking a fog light before the car came off the road, so had the idea to make some clear protectors. They've taken a bit of work to get the size shape right, but again, happy with how they came out. They use a removable screw top suction cup (makes cleaning easier). I thought some others may be interested in a set, so I've sent the artwork over to a local company to price up a quantity if anyone is interested ? Just awaiting a crank position sensor to arrive (a job I'm not looking forward to at all) because right on cue before the MOT, it stopped working 🙄. Typical !

I’ve got enough on trying to get mine through an MOT, but yes I must admit it peaked my interest for a moment. A lot of car for not so much money. Good luck with the fix/sale, which ever route you decide to take.

Great. I’m running low on wax, so looking for options. Cheers

This all looks superb. I like the blue, it makes it personal. have you used the Dynax UB before ?

That’s always been one thing to note, irrelevant to make or mark. The seals/rubbers are always the items that are in demand years/decades down the line. And you’re right about the end of the internal combustion engine. I personally feel like bundling up my prehistoric collection and getting out while the going is good.

There sure were. I remember being stood in a car park talking to Jay Renshaw about the £1000 he’d just paid for a one owner VR with full black leather Recaro. He thought he’d over paid and would have to break it to get his money back. I just said it was a diamond in the rough and time would prove me right 😎. Just sayin...

Yes, we like pictures. What with the trade in scheme and lack of interest, prices were at an all time low around that time. Good show that man for having a knowledgable eye 😉.

Not surprised you’re keeping them safe and warm in the house. Are you changing from keep fit windows to electric or were they electric as standard?

Suggestion for a new forum title

Agree on the heater controls, early always gets my preference. I’ve seen people trying to wrench the direction dial when on speed 3 and wondering why they break 😳. Crazy. Is that a powered aerial I spy ?