Phaeton project

[Pete Clayton]

Went and picked up a Phaeton from Big Vern (Cheers mate!) as a rebuild project. Its an S1 but has some S2 bits from the looks of it like the rear bodywork which has the bulges for spring hangers.

The plan is to strip it back to the bare chassis and then build it up from there, new bushes, calipers etc and a new engine just not sure what yet! It came with some goodies such as some Revolution wheels with yokos, a nice stainless exhaust and a new hood.

Looking forward to getting stuck in. Here's some pics, excuse the quality they're from my phone

[Pete Clayton]

No more progress yet but the car is moving tomorrow after work. One of my work mates has just got a unit to work on his various VW projects and has offered me some space. The unit used to be a garage and still has a 4 post ramp, bench grinder, compressor etc Hopefully I will be able to start making some progress in the evenings with the car being stored inside

[Adrian Southgate]

the old centre section has to be cut out and moved backward or dropped under the new box.

[Pete Clayton]

Yeah I was going to try and take some photos for Adrian once i've cleaned it up a bit. What is the chassis mod for fitting the 5 speed box?

[Dave Adams]

looking good, since your chassis is more stripped down than mine got, and still original including not having had the gearbox mod for a 5 speed box. Adrian wants some pictures of the bare chassis in profile and from the top etc....

[Pete Clayton]

I now have the car down to just a bare frame and pile of bits! For some weird reason it had two different springs at the front!

Think these ball joints might be past there best!

This is what I am left with

[Pete Clayton]

Had an hour or so this morning so got the back axle and suspension out. Not much left now, just the front end to strip tomorrow.

[Pete Clayton]

A bit more progress today. Went down to the local garage where I am good friends with the owners and mechanics and borrowed an engine crane.

Engine and box and bulkhead out

Didn't take any more photos but then removed, the prop, front calipers and the brake and fuel lines. Have left it rolling for the minute

[Big Vern]

Series 1 Dave, All bodywork believed to be original - its all the same (orange) gelcoat underneath. The overriders may have been added as they were available at that time. Was registered late 1980 so too early to be a series 2.

All series 2's could have 4 link if specified at the time of order but i think most people went with it how it came.

Never seen a series 1 with five link from the factory, only what people have modded afterwards.

[Dave Adams]

that looks like a series one chassis with a S1 boot lid and an S2 boot section (replaced maybe). it looks like it never had leaf springs on it (chassis too short)......it was possible that your S1 is amongst the last of the 4 link cars and the factory were in the process of converting to S2 production. it was either some S1's that had leaf springs or S2's that had 4 link....saying that the late S1's apparently had 5 link set-up's

[Pete Clayton]

Cheers for the comments guys.

I did the same with my last one Stephen, got it on the road and then never got round to taking it to bits. It helps that this one is a basket case and was already partially stripped.

Engine wise I haven't yet decided. I'm not going to spend a fortune budget is about £200 for engine and box but would like 130 bhp odd and something a bit more modern. The ideas at the moment are the normal zetec and type 9 route or a 20seh 2.0 8v out of a Cavalier SRI with a Manta box