Project: Ph1 Money Pit

Afternoon folks!

After a brief hiatus in things less interesting, I decided to jump back in to a Phase 1 last year.

This is now my third (PB) Ph1, and to be honest, the one that needs the most love.

The first is still floating around on the forums, and will forever be referred to as 'Regret number 1: the car I shouldn't have sold'.

The second had an appointment with a friendly neighbourhood scrappy, 'Regret number 2: never scrap a Ph1'.

And now this, 'TBD number 3: emotionally attach yourself to a car you know is going to make your bank balance sad'.

Advert sales fodder:



Let's just say, it looked nice in the photo's, and the money had metaphorically left my bank account before I turned up to view it.

• Just under 90K miles, belts done, cup shocks, Apex springs (sigh), K-tec stealth, interior in nice condition.

On viewing it...

• Covered in dust and crap, a horse had since 'taken a stumble' on the bonnet, looked like it hadn't moved in months, brain screaming run away.

But, the way these things often go - see ya later, emergency Ph1 purchasing fund.

The drive home was interesting. I knew the tires were old and it needed a couple of bits here and there, but man...it was all over the place.

I hastily took to a local reputable garage for a service and a once over.

Full service, 4 PS3's & tracking, steering & coolant flush, roll bar bushes, tie rods, washer pump, and a battery later, ready for some summer fun.

Or so I thought.

First trip out, there's some mega grinding from the rear. I could look at this myself, but thought, nah - just been for a full once over, I'm getting my money's worth.

Happily walk back in and ask them to re-check it. 'It just needs driving a bit, the discs have got a layer of rust from sitting for a while'. Fine, jump back in and off we go.

Get home and have a little check myself - just to put my mind at ease.

Well that doesn't look right:



I mean, I'd say it's easily missed...but it's not really.

So, some shopping with the lovely folk at FrogJam, and we're now sorted. Brembo disks and pads all round, replaced on the drive.

A very fun summer spent mooching around the local B-roads, but not enough pictures taken.

A classic car park shot from Mercedes Benz world just around the corner reminded me why I love these cars so much though:



And a little Christmas present to myself later in the year:



And on to this year...

Right now, it's off the road again.

New baby and a busy time at work has meant progress has stalled.

Original cat has cracked, and have a K-tec sports cat ready to install - I know there's mixed results with these come MOT day, so will let you know how I get on.

The plans for the next few months (time and wallet willing):

• Cat on, fingers crossed for the test
• Sills, arches, bonnet, roof...all in need of some love, so likely looking at a full respray with metal work
• Wheels need a refurb
• New springs...Apex can get in the bin
• Steering wheel refurb

And we'll go from there! If you're still reading by now, thanks, and if anyone knows a great bodywork specialist in the Brooklands Museum area, let me know!

Cheers chaps

Love a phase 1, had a black one myself, it had 160k on it, its still absolutely flew, great motors. Throttle cable, how i miss it!

Great to see another black Ph1 still alive! Mine's still in bits in my garage atm, need to pull my finger out and fix it..

Chazza - this was my first Ph1 😂

'Regret number 1: the car I shouldn't have sold'

You have yourself an absolute gem there mate.

No way, what are the odds of that! 🤯

I like to think I've taken pretty good care of it, it's not let me down so far!

It might be in bits, but it still looks great!

I replaced quite a bit on that, belts, rad, callipers refurbed, engine mounts, poly bushed etc - best part of 15 years ago now!

The guy after me stripped it, changed the dash to a ph2, but generally sounded like he kept it in good mechanical order. Was a forum member too

Having had a few now, that one was definitely put together by someone that enjoyed their job at the factory!!

That’s class, it’s been few a fair amount of owners in that time but it’s still going strong!

I’ve made plenty of changes to it since I bought it in 2020, but it’s probably still as solid as when you had it I hope haha

Thats my mates old one 👌

Pretty sure it was Amax springs we fitted along with front and rear cup shocks and new top mounts (kit) was all genuine parts.

Lovely car - As someone who has also just picked up a P1.. I look forward to following this build, it'll no doubt provide me some inspiration

My P1 also has the apex springs.. and I spent the weekend researching what I'm going to replace them with.. so this comment made me laugh @PBandA
"New springs...Apex can get in the bin" 😅