My Spire project is up for sale. I’ve finally accepted that the interest is no longer there and I’m not going to finish it.

I decided when I bought it to depart from the usual BEC route and opted for a VAG 20 valve 1.8T AEB engine and transaxle and had the chassis modified by Spire to suit. It’s got the optional roll bar with side braces and is powder coated black. It’s been carefully panelled in bonded and rivetted aluminium.

The engine came from a VW Passat which I bought as a complete donor and I spent an age learning how to cut down the massive wiring harness to just the basics and to use the OEM ECU. I got the immobiliser taken off the ECU so it was no longer tied to the key and clocks and at the same time had it remapped to 190bhp. I’ve also retained the OBD port so diagnosis is easy!

The engine is installed and it starts, runs nicely and the car can be driven. It’s got a custom cat and side exit muffler system and a chargecooler with Bosch pump etc. on the inlet side. The engine has been treated to a new oil pump and strainer, turbo oil hoses, timing belt and tensioners, a cam chain tensioner and a new clutch plate.

The gear shifter is from an MR2. It has a Sierra steering column and wheel and an Escort rack.

Brakes are Sierra solid disc on the rear and vented Scorpio discs on the front. All callipers have been refurbished by Bigg Red. It has a balance bar system. Flexi brake hoses are braided. The clutch is hydraulic. The uprights were new old stock Sierra.
Wheels are Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 with Toyo Proxes tyres. All brand new zero miles from Demon Tweeks.

There are two fibreglass bucket seats and black Sabelt harnesses. There’s a full lighting set, with projector fronts and LED rears. There’s a Koso dash and a full set of Savage switches. Everything is brand new.

The three-piece GTR body kit has never been fitted. It comes in white matt gel coat and will need to be cut and fettled to fit. I’ve got a carbon fibre rear spoiler to go with the package.

The wiring is installed and labelled and all sketched out in detailed Visio drawings. It needs terminating to things like the ignition, lights and Koso speedo.

Big bundle of paperwork, Spire receipts, parts receipts, chassis number from DVLA, V5 for the donor, wiring diagrams etc.
I’m sure there are other things I’ve forgotten. I’ll throw in anything else relevant I can find.

I’ve spent lots on this build but such is the way with kit cars that I don’t expect to get much of that money back. The bare chassis and body kit with some ancillaries from Spire cost over £6k and I’ve easily spent another £5k+ on parts over the years.
It’s a running project with a huge list of nearly all parts needed to complete it, and needs fettling and finishing. Or revert to BEC and sell the engine and ECU to someone to put in an old Golf. The AEB engine is very popular for 1.8T conversions and of course it runs on the OEM ECU.

Looking for £5.5k for the whole package. Pics in my photo archive, including one of someone else’s Spire with the white bodywork fitted, which illustrates the overall look.

Located in North Wales, half an hour from Chester.

Sold

well done

Not surprised, it was a bit of a bargain but glad it's gone and no longer tempting me

Yeah it was way too cheap really but the decision was made and I wanted it gone.