Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, i thought id share my lucky(?) find with you all. Firstly, id like to say im a complete novice with all things T25 but have a love of other VWs mainly Golfs from mk1s thru to the newbies, but VAG is definately in my blood
I was offered this a while ago and TBH didnt know wot it was but after doing a little research (mainly on these pages!), realised that the TriStar is a rare and lovely machine So i snapped it up...

[img:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... 1/tri1.jpg[/img]
[img:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... 1/tri7.jpg[/img]

It has been sat here ^^ for a number of years and has not even been turned over in ages but has only 29k on the clock!! The interior is immaculate, underneath seems remarkably rot free, the panels are all very straight and there is very little sign of rust externally although im sure it may be a slightly different story behind...

[img:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... 1/tri2.jpg[/img]

^^That's the worst seam there is... All the bodywork looks in good nick, although i think there's a whole ecosystem supported on, in and around it

[img:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... 1/tri4.jpg[/img]

Are the wheels non-standard? From wot ive read they should be 15" alloys? These are 14" steels with plastic trims and the tyres are all flat and perished.

[img:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... /tri11.jpg[/img]

The previous owner had a frame made to cover the flat-bed. Its bolted not welded and he's screwed cleats to the drop-sides to fasten a purpose made tarp to. Quiet a neat job and has a wooden bed meaning that water hasnt been collecting on the flat-bed

[img:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... 1/tri8.jpg[/img]

The whole vehicle does seem very tidy BUT ive not even heard it running yet and havnt even started to check it out mechanically, so im sure there will be at least a few problems ahead, but isnt that half the fun

Its being trailered this weekend to a garage i know. The place is run by 2 guys who love & specialize in VWs including a lot of air-cooled stuff and i hope to get it fully serviced, repaired where necessary, cleaned and back to its former glory

Ive been in touch with HarryMan who gave me some great advice (Cheers!) but anymore would be appreciated and all comments positive or negative welcome!
Also its on a private plate which will hopefully be coming off as soon as its got an MOT and get it back on a date relavant plate.

Thanx for looking, Rob.

Love that. Be sure to post some images when its cleaned up.

AFAIK the Tristar was available with those steel wheels and trims as standard (shown in the brochure).

A few hours/days of t cut and that should be a nice looking tristar. Why would someone dump that?

Even harder to understand....

....why didn't they abandon it near me

If you decide to get rid of the frame/tarp I might be interested. I have an original one coming from Germany soon , but yours is more the shape I fancied. Be interested to see it tidied and on if nothing else.

Great find, I'd love to spend time cleaning theat up, the job satisfaction you'll get from a couple of days cleaning and polishing will be well worth it.

please be sure to post some "after pics"

From what I've seen, the seams are the weakest point for rust, so if that's the worst one you've got nothing to worry about, but have a quick look at the underside of the bed to check the wood has not been trapping water and rotting it away un seen.

Welcome to the RHD Tristar owners club

Nice find and it looks pretty straight; although when you find things like this pushed into a field and left you have to ask yourself why the owner did that ?

Hopefully it will start first time and run like a dream !

Might be worth patterning those hoops - look like they might have saved the day for this Tristar - whatafind, whatever condition it's in.. if that really is the worst seam!

what a find! good luck, be nice to see the finished product...

Small update...

FINALLY got round to dragging the TriStar out of the field its been sat in for years
[img:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... clean1.jpg[/img]
Took us a while and it was a bit of a hassle getting it on the trailer, but we got it on in the end - tight fit tho!
[IMG:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... clean2.jpg[/img]
[IMG:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... clean3.jpg[/img]

Had a proper look round it and underneath and its in better condition than I first thought it may need a little welding on one sill but thats it. Needs new tyres and exhaust but im waiting to get it in the garage before we have a look at the mechanics (next week hopefully.)

So started cleaning instead... its gonna take awhile but looks better already!
[IMG:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... clean4.jpg[/img]
[IMG:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... clean5.jpg[/img]

Tested the electrics and all seems good so far but Ill update when the proper work gets started
Thanx for looking.

Rob.

exellent find!! some people have all the luck, the guy who "dumped" it must have more money than sense, even if he only has a fiver!!!

post more pics!! keep an account of what you spend and what you've done! cheers

What a stoke of luck and what a find! Any pics of the inside? What engine is in it, Diff locks etc .....

Good luck... hope all is in good condition, though it has been mentioned that these get left awaitinga major transmission or engine refurb that can't be afforded immediatly.. so checkout those asap!

Thanx for the comments

What a stoke of luck and what a find! Any pics of the inside? What engine is in it, Diff locks etc .....

Interior pics to follow... Engine is original 2109cc flat-four with only 29k on it

Rob

Update...

Engine running Only briefly tho... its got a "slight" fuel leak, but new lines and filter on order, it ran fine tho! Few other bits on order including new window seals, and i need to get hold of some tyres (and maybe wheels). Current wheels are 6x14 and getting hold of tyres is prooving tricky.
Wot brand/size would anyone reccomend? I was thinking 205/80/14 but 205/70/14s are much cheaper Or shud i look for new wheels too, perhaps 15inch?

Anyway few interior pics:

[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter1.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter2.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter3.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter4.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter5.jpg[/img]

Interior is in great shape with all the original fittings including the Blaupunkt stereo. Upholstery and head lining just need a clean.

Some pics of the frame:

[IMG:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter9.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter8.jpg[/img]
[IMG:480:640]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... nter10.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/s ... inter7.jpg[/img]

The frame was apparently made to order and is a real neat job, it slides on from the rear in 2 sections and is a good fit. Tarp needs a clean but fits well too.

After ive got the fuel problem sorted gonna check the gearbox and diff-locks etc. But things seem good so far! Then its MOT time... fingers crossed.

Thanx, Rob.

Still looking good to go... thanks for the update