What to do with a 90's VW Passat Saloon?

[brickie501]

You might notice I've been doing a fair bit of day-dreaming - avoiding revision for a project management exam!

Haven't come up with any good ideas of what to do with a 1990 VW Passat CL saloon though...

I have one that probably only owes me scrap money but that seems a bit of a shame as, although tatty & now robbed of a few bits for my Dad's estate, it's pretty low mileage & was a good runner.

In more detail, its a 'no grill' style B3 model saloon with the 1.8l 8v EA827 engine (RP code).

Best I could think of was 'banger rally' transport before auctioning off in some distant, poverty striken country. I have no inspiration for a 'decorative theme' that suits it though - any thoughts?

Alternatively, any other engine / kit car donor or interesting engine transplant ideas?

[Renrut]

Might be a bit far out there but if its relatively good nick how about just selling it?

What condition is it in body / engine wise? Both in great condition? I'd sell. If one is knackered I'd base the decision on what could be kept and what should be binned. Good body = engine swap, good engine = unusual track slag.

[Relentless Rob]

Cut the springs in half, rough up the paint with a wet and dry sponge and sell it to a "Dub Scene" Muppet for five times what it's worth.

[Steve33]

999 challenge entrant strip out the trim cheap set of coilovers some form of forced induction or some nitrous if it blows up take off good bits and weigh it in. Sell the interior and std spring to raise money for the nitrous kit.

[brickie501]

Might be a bit far out there but if its relatively good nick how about just selling it?

Whoa, whoa, whoa; that's a bit too radical!

I didn't get where I am today by selling cars

[brickie501]

Hadn't thought about it being a potential £999 entry:

a) The forum 'banner' has been, & currently still is, advertising the 2011 event so not started usual "looks fun, really must enter next one" daydream

b) It's a big blobby saloon & didn't shout 'motorsport'

but I suppose that's not the point

It's just been a donor for the folks' car & I don't know much about VWs in general or Passat in particular!

What's the RP engine like? Just an 8v but IIRC people do stuff with them don't they, not just the 16v?

[Relentless Rob]

Making a slow car fast is more of a challenge than buying something quick in the first place. It could be a DTM/BTCC style project. I know the Audi A4 took all the VAG competition budget in the 90's and we ended up with the Vento VR6 cup and so on but it would be interesting to see how a Passat would turn out. Probably the most plentiful parts bin to play with and a solid platform. As projects go it certainly has a lot of potential.

[MrT]

Cut the springs in half, rough up the paint with a wet and dry sponge and sell it to a "Dub Scene" Muppet for five times what it's worth.

Don't forget some rare* rims with lots of stretch on the tyres.

* rare because they were so crap nobody wanted them the first time round.

[Relentless Rob]

16 Inch TSW Venoms?

[brickie501]

Sorry, we'll never know with this one, boring reality struck...

I've scrapped it as I could get what I paid for it (in the form of an mot'd & taxed - just - runner) as a chinese reinforced concrete structure donor

(Note: no TSW Venoms were harmed in the making of this scrap metal)

Now, what can I buy for £238 on eBay?

Two & a half years ago the answer was a Volvo 360 & £13 worth of petrol

I should probably put the cash towards keeping that going for another few years though