VW Avante MK1

My nice example of an unusual and rare 1980s Kit Car is for sale as I must finally recognise that for my height and build - this car is not for me (if you are over 6 ft tall - it might not be for you either!).Based on a 1969 VW Beetle chassis, the Avante has an integral spaceframe giving good rigidity. This example has a 1600 ford cvh engine fitted with weber carb and coil pack. As with most kit cars they are rarely 'finished' but this is in pretty good condition. The bodywork paint is good although the rear engine hatch area has dulled (the car is painted Ford Isis Blue). No known bodyshell damage and no stress marks evident. Windscreen was fitted by the previous owner and is crack free!

The interior is a mixture of leather, bespoke dashboard and westfield seats (lightweight and fixed to the chassis). The seats were used examples, so the passenger seat has a torn seat base (driver's seat OK). Chassis has dropped floorpans and is in good condition. Most instruments are fitted and working but tach needs wiring in as does the heater/blower. A snap on/off steering wheel is fitted to allow easier access to the cabin. Electric windows have been repaired and rewired- they work (sometimes slowly) but new weatherseals on the windows are needed.Both the chassis and spaceframe are in good condition. New fuel tank fitted (there was a seam leak) and new rear brake flexis and pipes fitted whilst there was access (new front ones included in the sale to be fitted (although the current look reasonably new)). I also bought a new master cylinder as the current one looks tired/original/old which will go with the spares. This Avante has the Fiat Coupe light modification.

Car runs and drives fine- although I think the battery is tired as it's not holding charge well. I would recommend a trailer pick up though as its not been on any decent long run for a long time, to identify any problems to sort out. Other spares included in the sale are a new front beam (current one looks tired), 2 recovered front seats (from a Bedford rascal) and various bits of trim etc that have not been used in the car's recent work.

Car is registered as VW Historic Vehicle on the V5C - in my name and has had no issues being MOTed over the years (some history comes with the car). So if you're looking for something different, quite rare (it's believed by the club that only approx. 50 MK1 Avante's were made) and are less than 6ft tall - this could be for you!

The car is advertised elsewhere. Deposit req to hold car following agreed offer. Also interested in 924 pre 1979, 924 gurbo,944,tvr, other kit cars etc...

A video of the engine is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX63jf6jNOc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcU7R8G6Kzk&feature=youtu.be

The sound is TERRIBLE though - it sounds much more throatier than this (think my camera is faulty) - but at least you can see the engine works!