Wheeler Dealers hosts Mike Brewer & ‘Elvis’ Priestley transform battered ‘super rare’ car into ‘state-of-the-art’ motor
WHEELER Dealer hosts Mike Brewer and ‘Elvis’ Priestley have transformed a battered “super rare” car into a “state-of-the-art” motor.
Mike Brewer tasked mechanic expert Elvis to transform a 30-year-old rusty Mark 1 Astra GTE.
Mike Brewer tasked mechanic expert Elvis to transform a 30-year-old rusty Mark 1 Astra GTE.
The iconic car is so rare there are only eight on the road in the UK since it launched in the 1980s.
Mike, who bought the second-hand model for just £7,000 aimed to bring it back to life.
He said: “We’ve bought a super rare Mark 1 Astra GTE. There are as few as eight on the road in the UK today and the aim is to make that nine.”
While the body and replacement bonnet are away having their paintwork touched up, mechanic Elvis works on the engine.
In the YouTube video, he took the gear box out and separated the different parts to inspect it
He said: “This engine has been sat unlubricated and unloved for the past for the last 30 years.
“This engine hasn’t been turned over for a long time and I can already see some serious signs of corrosion.”
After opening the engine apart, he spots a “horrible” look.
He added: “That oil pickup is covered in disgusting sludge. But I’ve never seen one looking like that before.”
But things only get worse.
With the pistons and main bearing shells all corroded, he decides to replace the clutch tyres and fluids rear axle clips, decals with new parts.
Elvis said: “The 30-year-old engine now looks as good as new.”
He also fitted the interior with a brand new £200 headliner Mike bought from the Netherlands similar to the one used in the 1980s.
The mechanic added: “There are not many companies out there that produce period authentic headliners like this.
“With the headliner fitted in place, I can reinstall the glass to keep it secure.
“Next I’m very carefully installing the seats which now look brand new thanks for a bit of deep cleaning.”
Once he fits the front and rear bumper he adds stickers to turn the old car into “a proper GTE”.
Praising the final result, Mike said: “I remember what it looked like when I got it, it was just a shell with boxes and bits. It had a blue body kit and yellow wheels.
“Now look at it, it looks like a proper state-of-the-art back in the day Mark 1 Astra GTE. I feel like I’m standing in a voxel show really.
“We’ve just put another Mark 1 Astra GTE on the road. Not many people can say that.”
In total the show-stopping car restoration came about a total of £11,580.
It comes as Mike Brewer transformed a battered student’s car into a “dream motor” for just £200.
The 2020 clip sees Mike trying to help Harlem, a mature student who has been saving money for his dream car.