Hey,
Was reminiscing about the 'good old days' when my parents were looking to buy a new car. They almost went for a Strada 130TC but they went bought a brand new (Black) Uno Turbo instead....
So I was wondering if anyone here had come across it (or the remains of it)...
E629 BJO sold in Banbury, Oxfordshire around 1993 ?
That car was awesome. My dad made a point of never using the turbo when it was either warming up or cooling down, but boy did it fly!
I don't suppose it's still alive is it?
I can shed quite a bit of light on this mate. I owned it for years! I just googled the reg and saw this thread as despite owning a few show winning VW's at mo. I would love the car back!
I was the second owner and bought it off a garage in Windsor with about 40k FFSH on it (can't remember exactly as had 2 and it was over 13 years ago!)
I'd spent 18months looking for the right one and then was about to give up and buy a Raider R5GT or a Mk2 Uno Turbo, then saw this less than 2 miles from my house!
I kept it for over 6 years! Can indeed confirm it was a flyer even in standard trim and was also later in Fast Car as one of the Top 5 Turbo's in Europe whilst in my ownership! Basically kept it looking standard outside, besides Yoko A510's and diamond cut wheels. But went crazy on the engine and handling.
Was a while ago, but a brief spec:
Bottom end over bore and head ported and polished by Webb Racing.
Van Aitken developments car, did new bigger turbo etc.. and chip/electronic boost controller etc...
FSi valve.
H and S custom exhaust. manifold ported to match outlets.
Imported cam.
Uprated diff (kept blowing holes in gearbox with diff pins splitting!)
Uprated clutch.
Custom made Koni adjustable suspension.
Powerflex bushes.
Hand made Alloy tanks (made myself as plastic ones always kept splitting) and front/Rear Strur braces (Custom fabricated by myself after bought ones were crap fit!)
Uprated braking all round.
Re-trimmed seats due to wear too easily.
Full Sound Science RF install (used as demo for hidden systems)
Loads more but can't remember!
It used to eat Clutch cables (poor design too near exhaust) and eventually hard too get hold off so took it off road into dry storage for a few years as no plans too sell it. Just bought it out occasionally for the odd show and track blast.
Car had quite a reputation in area, due to how quick it was and the reg "69 and BJ" lol
Rumours about the car still being about lead a guy from Milton Keynes too come and plead with me too sell it. Basically made me an offer that was so good I had too let it go (I bought a 2 year old 16v Golf GTI with what he gave me for the car!)
Unfortunately the car then got broke into at his garage and a lot of damage done so he done it back up but ran out of money! As luck would have it he offered me it back, but I had too many other cars at the time, so my mate bought it. He fully restored it back too A1, and then moved it on (I should've bought it back
)
Got a lot of reports about the car still being about and still being quick though.
I next saw the car 2 year later in a bit of a state, as someone had obviously got carried away with the Abarth
stickers, and it had had a new front end (obviously over enthusiastic with right foot!)
I did catch up with the owner from Slough a few weeks later, too find the engine had done a head gasket and then changed whole engine and turbo as was easier! (obviously didn't realise the other one was so modified!) I had a good look around it with a view to buying it but was in a right state, so broke my heart but walked away.
Last time I heard about it, it was in a Car repairing bodyshop in Maidenhead with front caved in again
Not sure if it ever made the road again!)
So be very surprised if its still about!
I do have loads of pics of it (and the mag shoots and trophies it won in the loft) but there not digital ones
Any other questions I'll do my best too help, but pretty sure its gone for good now.
Simon.
