1989 System Porsche Seat Ibiza Mk1

[pervypaul]

Managed to get her outside for 10 mins with the intention of trimming the roof vinyl down, but its too bloody windy!

Got a couple of pics of the repro door graphics though

[pervypaul]

Picked up a free sample of some new vinyl thats just come into stock. www.victorydesign.co.uk/products/name/Avery-Supreme-Wrapping-Film/product_id/avsup

Only a small piece, but its Metallic silver. I was looking for something to try it on, to see how well it stretches and sticks.

I found the 1.2 badge so thought I'd quicky wrap it, and it turned out pretty good. So I decided to have a go at the Seat badge too, as its got 23years worth of scratches on it









Just needs heating and fully pressing into the edges and a tiny bit of trimming, but should look like new

[pervypaul]

Just had another look at this picture, and realised theres a few retro's in the back ground! lol

[pervypaul]

Well I've just took the back wheel off to see what I've gotta play with to get the back end down a bit lower. Still looks like its going to be a right ballache (if anyones lowered a fiat with transverse leaf spring let me know how you went about it)

Was amazed how clean it was. 1's time ive took a wheel off her since I've had it, as shes been sat in the garage collecting dust.

I believe they're the original drums too, very light surface rust on them, not bad for 23 years old

[pervypaul]

Left wrapping the boot till last, as it looked kinda tricky, and I was right, its taking ages, but its almost complete

[g40jon]

missed your calling in life! from the pics it looks like you have done a top job!

[pervypaul]

Thanks Jon, Its not perfect, but for a 1st attempt I'd say its pretty good. It is something that I'd quite fancy doing, takes a bit of time and patience but you get job satisfaction from it!

Anyway It's now completly wrapped, just needs the trim putting back on.





Bumpers are coming off next, so I can check for any rust behind them, should be fine as it was waxoyled from new, but I just wanna make sure.

Then it will be time to start on trying to get the back end lowered, Fronts easy, but no point doing it if i cant get the back as low as I want.

[vitesseefi]

I'd almost forgotten these existed...... surprising really as I wrote most of the Haynes manual for it back in about 1989 (yes, I'm to blame..... though not named).

Actually pretty decent cars based on the Fiat Strada floor pan and running gear with the engine being a combo of VAG group bottom end and the Porsche designed head. 1.5 SXi was really quite rapid for it's time. 900cc version to be avoided as woefully underpowered and fragile.

Engine swaps likely to be easier using contemporary Fiat/Lancia parts rather than VAG as gearbox etc are all fiat designed.

Facelift versions had improved switchgear from the VAG parts bin - the original effort was a bit flakey in design and execution.

Nick

[pervypaul]

I have that very haynes manual in the boot!

Most people have forgotten about these now, Seat have a F reg 900cc that they fully restored for the 25th anniversary. I think a lot of cars like these probably ended up at the scrappers when they did the scrappage deal on new cars a few years ago.

Not sure on exact numbers but I'd guess there's less than 100 of these on the roads now, even less with the system porsche engine. I've been on the lookout for a SXI spoiler and wheels for over 2 years now!

What would be your suggestion on lowering the rear end Nick? Seats lowering kit in the 80s was 2 front springs and a 25mm lowering block for the middle of the transverse leafspring.

[pervypaul]

Thats the back end back together. Getting a bung for the rear wiper hole. Cant see the point in re-fitting it when it wont get used anyway



Bumpers half off, but 1 bolt is well and truely seized and I've got a broken thumb at the min so that will be staying put for a while!

[pervypaul]

Well I got the bumper off this morning, yet again I was amazed how clean it was behind there.

Quick wipe with a cloth and it looked like this



Decided while it was off that I may aswell bang a big of underseal on there to prevent any future rust from appearing



Thinking I might satin black the bumpers while they're off, wont do them white cus I think it just looks too much.

I'll be doing the same to the front when I get time, Maybe get her down to the garage and get a fresh MOT on, but that might wait untill next springtime.

[pervypaul]

Just won these on ebay



Need a bit of work to bring them upto scratch, but hopefully they'll look half decent on the ibiza for a while. Only cost £72 aswell

[vitesseefi]

Aug 20, 2012 11:39:03 GMT pervypaul said:

I have that very haynes manual in the boot!

Most people have forgotten about these now, Seat have a F reg 900cc that they fully restored for the 25th anniversary. I think a lot of cars like these probably ended up at the scrappers when they did the scrappage deal on new cars a few years ago.

Not sure on exact numbers but I'd guess there's less than 100 of these on the roads now, even less with the system porsche engine. I've been on the lookout for a SXI spoiler and wheels for over 2 years now!

What would be your suggestion on lowering the rear end Nick? Seats lowering kit in the 80s was 2 front springs and a 25mm lowering block for the middle of the transverse leafspring.

Don't think there is much choice for the rear - lowering block or getting the spring reset (if you can find someone who'll do it properly). Struggling to remember how the spring attaches at either end (I don't have a copy of the manual) but the lowering block method works well enough for a fair number of old Triumphs with the transverse leaf.

Nick

[charlatan79]

I had a red one of these beauties back in the 90's - with Bonini Exhaust, Spax suspension (v.annoying rear leaf springs), Lancia HF wheels, rear strut brace etc. The gearstick was longer than a transit vans as I recall! Brings back some great memories. As it was debadged and had a custom grille nobody had a clue what it was and it almost (sort of) passed for a lancia

[charlatan79]

And I've just unearthed the badge of honour!

[pervypaul]

Aug 23, 2012 21:39:21 GMT charlatan79 said:

I had a red one of these beauties back in the 90's - with Bonini Exhaust, Spax suspension (v.annoying rear leaf springs), Lancia HF wheels, rear strut brace etc. The gearstick was longer than a transit vans as I recall! Brings back some great memories. As it was debadged and had a custom grille nobody had a clue what it was and it almost (sort of) passed for a lancia

Thanks Nick, The lowering block was the 1st thing I was going to try, as long as I can get the bolts out. I've seen that the Fiat 128 guys put longer bolts in the A arm, and use spacer sleeves betrween the arm and the spring perch.

Hopefully I don't need to go as low on the back end with the P slots. If I do I might just fill the boot with concrete! lol

[pervypaul]

Aug 23, 2012 21:39:21 GMT charlatan79 said:

I had a red one of these beauties back in the 90's - with Bonini Exhaust, Spax suspension (v.annoying rear leaf springs), Lancia HF wheels, rear strut brace etc. The gearstick was longer than a transit vans as I recall! Brings back some great memories. As it was debadged and had a custom grille nobody had a clue what it was and it almost (sort of) passed for a lancia

Yes the lovely Fiat gear stick is huge, and 1 of the most sloppy gear changes around. I've got a twin driving light front grille which will probably get put on for shows

[leaky]

This car is so cool! I had never seen one before until I found this thread. Great work keep at it!

[pervypaul]

Thanks Leaky. Sadly the Mk1's don't have much appeal to the classic/retro market, so they generally get scrapped, most rotted away years ago. Hopefully I'll get this finished over winter, and take it to a couple of retro shows next year.

Just ordered some wobble bolts so i can get the P-slots straight on, and just bid on a 2" lowering block, which I'm hoping should drop the back enough to sit well on the new wheels

[jiminwatford]

Excellent! You make wrapping look incredibly easy

Does it polish up like paint?