Classic car restoration - 1982 VW Polo Mk2 Breadvan

Another victim of the classic car bug, my son Thomas turned 17 yesterday and I bought him his first car, a 1982 VW Polo "Breadvan." Exactly what he wanted - no boy racer Corsa for this young man. Described as needing light restoration it could already fill the pages of a "Practical Classics" magazine staff car saga. And so I will.

Our purchase involved a trip to Leicester where we had arranged to see another Polo which turned out to be much worse than we imagined, so we passed on it and went to view the one we did eventually buy in nearby Loughborough. The vendor wasn't available, but we were able to have a good look around it, and although it had stood for ten years or so and the fuel had evaporated/gone stale/gummed the fuel lines we managed to fire it up with carb cleaner. Getting any gear to drive it proved impossible, but in any case the brakes were seized on. The chassis and body however were incredibly solid given the cars 38 years, the only rot being in the battery tray, probably the result of acid spilled and not cleaned up properly. 

With the non functioning gearbox and years of neglect from standing idle I was in two minds as to whether to pass on it, or buy it. We went away to think about it. It didn't take much thought - it was the boys birthday after all, and the Polo is his dream first car. He has some weird dreams. 

It seemed more work then we wanted, but.....well you know how it is. So next day we repeated the 210 mile round trip with a trailer. Armed with a strong winch getting the Polo on board was a portion of Mr Kiplings, we plucked the V5 from under the visor where it had been left for us, and we posted the cash through the vendor’s letter box, having still not actually spoken with him, the entire transaction being done via text messages. 

Once home the Polo stubbornly refused to get off the trailer and ingenuity was called for, anchoring the car down and then pulling the trailer from under it, finally dragging it into a position we could work on it the next morning using a spare Ford Focus ST170 I happened to have lying around doing nothing to earn it's keep.

Sunday mornings of course are traditionally for washing cars, so an hour was spent removing 10 years worth of grime, spider webs and two birds’ nests, one behind each headlamp. I was just relieved to find that it wasn't mice nesting there and the electrical systems were untouched!

10 years of grime

What a difference a few minutes with a sponge and hot water makes - the beauty of the Polos straight bodywork was revealed - okay there are a couple of tiny rust scabs and the odd shopping trolley ding, but she has survived a prolonged and unsympathetic storage remarkably well. The photos show her as found, but after a good clean she's much better. The paint is flat and oxidised, although she gleamed until the rain dried out. A good T-cut, wax and polish and she'll be looking good. You'll have to take my word for that for now, becasue Windows is playing up and won't let me load any more photos.

Next job was to free off the brakes so we could get the car into the garage and out of the rain to work in more comfort. The brake drums eventually let go after much hammering and pulling, revealing what look like almost unworn shoes beneath. Both cylinders have seized so replacements are now on order. With the back wheels now turning attempts were made to roll the car into the garage, but with no success, strongly hinting that the front disc callipers were also in need of attention. A strip down reveals the offside calliper has indeed seized, but the nearside is in fine fettle. I'll probably replace both though, as I'm renewing everything else except the master cylinder, which is also pumping fine.

Whilst ordering the wheel cylinders and callipers I was about to add some basic service items, but Thomas had set to cleaning the interior and was delighted to find a set of points, a new set of plugs and an assortment of useful odds and ends in the glovebox. That might just save us a few quid towards any other unexpected costs further down the line. The points will go on short term but an electronic ignition update will ensure reliability and easy starting as she is pressed into daily use.

On the to do list for now;

4 x new tyres, as these are at least 10 years old and will have deteriorated in storage.

Rehang the exhaust, which is currently held up by string on the tailpipe. A pair of rubbers from the glovebox stash proved to be too short for the job, so that remains on the “to do” list.

Welding repair to the battery tray area.

The wipers don't work - hopefully just a fuse, but could be the motor. Both front wiper blades need replacing too, and we need to locate a rear wiper arm, missing in inaction, and nowhere to be found.

Replace the front nearside indicator - missing in lack of action, but found in the glovebox.

Replace or retrim the door cards.

Replace or re-upholster the seats - the driver’s  seat bolster is particularly loose and nasty.

Repair or replace the gearbox - we may replace it with a 5 speed, although slight modifications will be necessary. It can be done but the inner wing needs cutting back and different gearbox mounts are used. I'm not sure if the ratios would be right for the car though, so maybe stick to a four speed. 

Refit the glovebox, which is only loosely fitted.

There will doubtless be many more jobs once we get started, but that should see the little Polo capable of passing an MOT for the first time since 2008.

Certainly enough work for a few more sagas. Keep following and you too can learn how to make a Polo, mint.