Phase 1 gt turbo

[car.crash]

Picked up this stinker off a friend a few weeks back. Plan was to repair it when the inevitable came and here we are.
basically needs putting back together and sourcing some rare over priced parts.

came with a ton of spares but missing many nuts and bolts all of which I have from other cars years back.

it’s going to need the sills replacing but I may just let the new owner do that as it’s also going to need a full respray due to it being 34 years old.

the cage is coming out and I’ll revert it back to factory as much as I can with what I have.

luckily the body kit is all present and original which makes it quite rare.
I believe there is less that 30 of these left in pearl so I had to save it.
I’m off work on full pay so it’s a nice result to be paid to do what I enjoy.

 

[car.crash]

So I’ve got some of the interior in so far and started putting the kit back on and chasing out the electrics.
lots of it isn’t working due to corrosion on the plugs.
Had the engine turning over and primed the oil system after fitting a new filter and oil.
its not a million miles off running but I’m chasing my tail finding parts.

 

[Ant1]

Pearl phase 1!

interesting the rear body kit and bumper is still the original color which is nice to see.

is it still fitted with the phase 1 front bumper? Seats?

pay much for it?

 

[car.crash]

I still have the phase one bumper and grill.
seats are phase 2 but I’ve brand new phase one covers.
however I’m selling those along with a ton of other goodies.
Plan is to get it running with what I have and not to do a full restoration.
paid 4 grand but I’ll make 2 back on the spares.
then sell the car running on eBay staring at £1 and if I make money then happy day’s.

 

[Ant1]

You mention brand new phase 1 seat covers, are they genuine Renault items or repo as they can be had from a guy in Spain.

let us know a price for the front bumper and grill plus the seats covers if genuine.

 

[car.crash]

Seat covers are sold. im only selling parts I don’t need.

that body kit is the most valuable item in the car. You can pretty much make up a number as you can’t find them in original shape.

 

[cat171]

Yeah man!! I can't wait to see this done, what a great project!! I rarely saw the Phase 1's back in the day, let alone now!!

 

[car.crash]

I wish I had the love for it to restore it fully.
I have the seat covers and the wheels.
really it just needs a little welding which I can do and a full respray which is where the hard bit is.

but I’m just on it to tie me over with a little cash if I’m honest and my mate needed it out the way as he’s got a convertible turbo 1.
only 2 of them in the world as it wasn’t a production car.
When that’s finished it’ll be around 150 grand that thing.

 

[Ant1]

Search under my user name and you will see mine that I restored/built.

 

[car.crash]

So the engine isn’t far from firing up now.
got most of the body kit fitted minus the sills as I need the clips.
Interior is mostly there but again I’ve parts to source.
Got the exhaust system on and fitted the original wheels.
Unfortunately the fronts didn’t fit as it’s had a clio brake upgrade so I’ve ordered new discs and will get the original calliper carriers.

 

[mossyv6]

Awesome - I’m watching this for progress

 

[car.crash]

Bit more tinkering today.
got her running.
More parts ordered but it’s all doing ok.
track rod ends are new but the gaiters are cheap and fallen apart so I’ve ordered new.
waiting on discs and I picked up the original carriers last night as the original wheels wouldn’t fit over the 260mm clio brakes.
Washer pump has failed so I’ve ordered one of them too.
Got some brackets and odd missing parts coming too.

getting down to the hard to get stuff now.
But after being sat four years the engine fired up with fresh oil and filter of course.

there’s no coolant or hoses on yet so it was a short test.

still some wiring to sort out In order to get the cooling fan working off the switch.

other than that it’s nearly there.
Ignore the knock. It’s not bottom end failure. It’s the caliper hitting the driveshaft as it’s not fitted.

 

[White16valver]

Love this - I seriously want a 5.

 

[car.crash]

The basic getting it running with what I have won’t be difficult.
But sourcing the correct parts for the phase one and making it look oe without all the coloured hoses and leads will take time and money.

I’ve pretty much all the electrics working now.
few bulbs out on the interior but nothing to worry about. Had to wait till dark to see what’s what.

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

great project, watching for updates

 

[car.crash]

The clocks were looking dated so fitted some new covers on them.

 

[car.crash]

All coolant lines are on now and the engine is running and idling nice.
I’m awaiting a new loom to get the fan working as it should.

cant test drive it as I’m awaiting parts still for the front brakes.
Going to bleed the brakes now and swap the rear wheel bearings as they have play in them.

 

[car.crash]

So the brakes put up a fight. Seized nipples. Got them all freed up and replaced the front two as they was gash.
new fluids in the lines and no leaks.
rear wheel bearing was wobbly so I replaced that too.
fixed all the dashboard lights now so every switch illuminates.
Other than that it’s just general tinkering and adding missing parts.
I’ve still got to sort a front mount for it and air filter.

Engine bay is a mix of colours and parts which I’ll slowly sort out and make black.
I’m struggling to get any deliveries though so progress is slowing.

other than the sills I think it’s mot ready now.

 

[car.crash]

Also I ran the engine for a while today and it’s idling lovely. A little smokey but unsure if it’s turbo related or valve stem seals.
Either way I’m not too fussed. Starts every time now and idles lovely.
Waiting on a wiring loom for the fan before I can give it a more thorough test though.

also checked the gearbox oil level and it was down by a litre so I topped that up.
old renaults weep oil for fun.

 

[car.crash]

Not too much to report today.
I didn’t like how the cooling system was laid out so I had to source a load of parts.
The diesel radiator was too wide so I needed a new original one minus the oil cooler and to source a intercooler and accessories to fit in the factory position as I found the front mount messy.
Done a mock up on it today and it’s all sitting nicer.
So it’s a case of waiting on more parts mainly hoses.
Sourced some original fog lights too.
Got a gearknob and boot carpet and arch liners off a mate.
The interior is nearly done though, Just need to find a carpet and rear door cards.

next is to sort out the fan wiring when the loom comes.

 

[VXR killer]

Got a campus grey carpet if your interested.

 

[car.crash]

Just a little bit of cleaning today. Not had much time.

 

[car.crash]

More cleaning again
Finished the front seats and gave the door shuts a wipe over.
painted the rusty rear bench
Fitted a new engine loom and got the fan working as it should.
started to reassemble the cooling system now but the oil cooler was giving me a headache due to the line being right in the way but I’ve managed to sort it.
Rebuilt the suspension as the top mounts had play in them so I also replaced those.

getting closer now to having it driving.
It was still wet when i took the picture but it’s a satin finish.

 

[car.crash]

New discs are on so I’m able to fit the wheels and kit.

waiting on some hoses etc but It’s nearly mot ready.
still a bit to do under the bonnet regarding the plumbing.
waiting on side skirt clips and I’ll get those on to complete the exterior.


she’s showing her age but looks ok for 34 years old.

 

[car.crash]

Well it’s pretty much done. Waiting on some side skirt clips to be made so I can finish the kit.
rear bumper mount has gone so I’ll weld a new one on when it arrives.
it starts runs and drives now. Just needs little touches to tidy it up.
insurance came in at under £90 for me and the wife.
Starts on the button which is surprising for a old carb engine.

 

[andybond]

Also I ran the engine for a while today and it’s idling lovely. A little smokey but unsure if it’s turbo related or valve stem seals.

Phase 1 engines never had stem seals..

 

[car.crash]

It’s not a ph1 engine

 

[Paule78]

Good project ... lucky to get all the parts you need with the car as most are now super hard to find ... looking forward to getting mine back from the bodyshop and getting on with the EFI conversion.

 

[andybond]

It’s not a ph1 engine

Will have stem seals then

Will only huff and puff blue smoke at startup with failed stem seals.

Good project ... lucky to get all the parts you need with the car as most are now super hard to find ... looking forward to getting mine back from the bodyshop and getting on with the EFI conversion.

View attachment 1466694View attachment 1466694

I know a previous owner of this car ..

 

[Paule78]

Will have stem seals then

Will only huff and puff blue smoke at startup with failed stem seals.



I know a previous owner of this car ..

Roger?

 

[andybond]

Roger?

Its a small world.

 

[Paule78]

Its a small world.

5 turbo world is very small ... getting smaller all the time sadly

 

[Donny_Dog]

My kind of thread this. Love it. Iconic car of my youth, had the chance to own one (before they came collectable) and passed it up. Silly move.
Interested to see some pictures of it after the skirts are on, it'll make a great project for someone to put the finishing touches on it.

Any history about it, before you picked it up?

 

[car.crash]

My mate owned it for around 8 years I believe.
it’s had 11 owners as you’d expect.
was initially purchased by a woman on the south coast and sold to another woman after that.
then all the history is vague until my friend purchased it.
ive the mot certificates dating back to 1989
And a little bit of paperwork.

Side skirt clips were made yesterday and will hopefully be with me in a few days.