Buying a Variant

[polopervert]

I hope everyone won't mind me asking a question or two here - I don't post on here much, I had a type 4 years ago and I advertised a friend's Razor here too. Having said that I would like to ask some advice and I hope yous won't mind.

I have been given the chance of a 1973 Variant 1600E. It's the E part that scares me somewhat. The car only has 38k on the clock but has been stored for the best part of 20 years. I am concerned that being an injection car something will have perished over the years and the car will be a money pit! Problem is that the vendor is selling the car as it sits, not running and doesn't seem keen to let me try and start it before I buy mainly,as far as I can gather, so that I don't try to argue the price. Pretty much, I buy the car as I see it and take a gamble and the car is the price it is whether it starts or not and whether it needs welded or not. A friend told me he had attempted to start it some years ago and the car turned over but the fuel pump wouldn't run and hence the car didn't start.

I suppose what I'm asking is am I panicking unnecessarily? Are they like an old Beetle that'll start after years with no bother or is it likely that I am going to have to go looking for injectors/pump/ECU? How easy are these to come across? How expensive? Or is the car worth the bother?

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

[Editor]

Don't worry about the ECU being faulty. It won't be, and if it does happen to be (very rare) there are lots around from cars that have been broken for body rust.

You need to check the bottom 6" of the body for serious corrosion. The front wings are usually rusty - while you're there, check the spare wheel well area, the airbox (bulge at the back of the front luggage area) and front bumper mounts then under the back seat, and the rear inner wings and bumper mounts. If they're OK, or at least not seriously rusty, it's a good one. If you can accept some body repairs, bear in mind repair panels are not easily obtained, and mostly will have to be fabricated.

The fuel pump can very likely be unseized. There are alternatives if not. It's not too hard to put in carbs and a low pressure engine driven fuel pump if not, but the fuel injection isn't very complex and is reliable once any gremlins have been banished. The FI performance has more sparkle than the twin carb.

Most of the FI stuff is available still, either second-hand (reasonable) or new (pricey).

You are buying a non-runner, which should be cheaper! Just check it won't fail on serious rust!

Try to assess if the indicated 38,000 (miles?) is genuine or actually 138,000 miles. Sagging/split seats, interior panels, sagging door (hinges), pedal rubbers etc would usually give that away. MoT certificates and other service history may be available to support the low mileage.

There are quite a few Type 3s in N. Ireland, so bits and pieces may be available locally, or from other enthusiasts in the UK.

Good luck. Anything easy doesn't give you a sense of achievement!

[polopervert]

Thank you very much! Perhaps I'm more fortunate than I think! The car is definitely 38,000 miles and all history is known and present. I don't think there's any serious corrosion. Having said that a friend has a concours Variant which came from across the water and he has a full set of panels which he says he'll never need, should I run into any problems! Perhaps I'm meeting trouble half way by worrying but I was just concerned about such a big gamble on the car!

On another subject who else on here is from NI? I know of a Rat Look Variant Van, a 411, my old 412, my friend's Razor (Still for sale lol) and a couple of Fastbacks over here.

[Editor]

Is the concours Variant a pale blue one? Roy Watts sold one to NI. It was our June 2000 pin-up. http://home.clara.net/hallvw/calendar/2000-06.htm .
Roy always beat me into second place when my Variant was smarter than now, but that was around 15 - 20 years ago.

[polopervert]

Yes that's the one! It's alive and well although has been hasn't been out for a year or two. Looks every bit as good now, stunning even!

[polopervert]

Car is home, pictures in Members cars

[nitro_warrior]

I have been very slowly breathing life back into a project car I acquired years ago. Its injection and one thing I would add is to find a local specialist and get the injectors serviced. The guy I went to was really good, literally works out a garage but he could show me how my injectors leaked and their terrible spray pattern. I had a spare set so dropped off 8 and I got 4 good ones back.

As for the fuel pump I just bodged a £40 kit car type effort on, had some teething issues but seems to work.