spot_img
Auto NewsThe brilliant VW Corrado G60 ends the latest series of Wheeler Dealers

The brilliant VW Corrado G60 ends the latest series of Wheeler Dealers

Could Mike and Elvis make this modified Corrado great again?

It’s the second VW Corrado to find its way into the Wheeler Dealers workshop, and this one was ready to be transformed into a desirable original example.

When Mike decided he wanted a supercharged sports car he went back to the ‘90s and chose the brilliant VW Corrado G60. A sought-after modern classic, it blends style with performance but what would this one be like?

Seller, Matt, had modified his Corrado which now sported lowered suspension, a larger 1.9-litre engine and a boost in power to around 240bhp plus various aftermarket parts, including the wheels. The paintwork was good, too, although a worn driver’s seat and an automatic rear spoiler that didn’t work would need sorting. Mike paid £6750 and it was time to head back to the workshop.

Wheeler Dealers Corrado

The first job that the ace mechanic wanted to tackle was the supercharger, a part that hadn’t been serviced for more than 60,000 miles. It was a vital job, and with the unit removed from the engine bay Elvis could see it was in good condition, and actually newer than the car. With new bearings and seals fitted it would be ready for many more miles.

In the meantime Mike headed off to see his mate Lee at VolksMagic, and he had a long shopping list! Plenty of replacement parts were needed, from a pair of seats to original wheels, the correct steering wheel and gear knob, a pair of front fog lamps, a parcel shelf and more. That lot cost £1600, but part-exchanging some parts got £900 back – a cracking deal.

Getting that rear spoiler working again was the next job on the list, and some testing revealed that it operated from the switch in the cabin but not when the car was at driving speeds. It was a tricky problem but some help from owner’s forums revealed that the aftermarket stereo system was the cause. As speed increased the radio volume should go up, and this was linked to the operation of the spoiler. Some attention to the wiring had it working once again.

Now Elvis could get to work reversing some of the previous owner’s modifications, returning the Corrado to its desirable standard specification. The suspension was first, with the aftermarket struts removed and refurbished original items installed in their place. And with the wheels replaced the brilliant coupe would now ride and handle just as it should.

There were a few more things to do before the project was finished, though. Fitting the steering wheel and gear knob that Mike had sourced were easy jobs, and it didn’t take long for Elvis to install the fog lamps that had been missing when the car arrived.

The car looked great but how much had the boys spent? The total bill came to £8170, but an example as good as this one deserved to earn a nice profit. An enjoyable test drive saw them heading to the highest pub in England, the Tan Hill Inn, where they met up with other owners of supercharged VWs, and a potential buyer. And with a deal done for £9700 it was a great ending to the series.

Wheeler Dealers Corrado

Mike says: “Car customisation is nothing new since the invention of the car. People have always wanted to personalise theirs. The problem with personalisation is exactly that, you personalise a car for yourself and although it may be what you want it’s not necessarily what anybody else wants. That’s why there are always cars languishing for sale with over modified body kits and wheels that won’t suit everyone.

“I always seek these cars out as I know that in today’s classic car market the demand is for cars to be as original as possible. I’d had my eye on this Corrado for a while and noticed the dramatic price drop.
“Although some of the mods were brilliant, like the ported and polished engine and modifications to the drivetrain, the other modifications made the car almost undrivable.
“Finding the parts wasn’t too hard as I knew that Lee from Volksmagic would come good, he always has an amazing scrapyard of parts that others find hard to get.With Elvis working his magic this car was always destined to go back to looking as stock as possible.
“To drive it up to the highest pub in the United Kingdom that day in the cold and damp was a thrill and we are so pleased that so many other G Larder owners made the trip as well.
Wheeler Dealers Corrado
“This is the last show in this half of series 18 which takes us to the 20th year! We will be back at the end of summer with another 10 amazing cars for you which we hope you enjoy. Have a fantastic summer of happy, classic motoring. Mike and Elvis”

Find more info:
Wheeler Dealers

Join the club:
Corrado Club Great Britain


If you found this article of interest, you may also enjoy…

It’s a German modern classic for Wheeler Dealers

Modern Classics – VW Corrado

Ten years of the Volkswagen XL1

- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisment -spot_img
- Advertisment -spot_img

You may like...

- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img