View Full Version : Bought this VERY rare Corsa !!!
Hi
I bought a(nother) very rare Corsa and picked it up yesterday.
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4011.JPG
It is an '83 Corsa Mattig Extreme, the wide body that was done by the german company Mattig.
And the VERY interesting fact is that this was once this car
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/Mattig11.JPGhttp://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/Mattig11.jpg
Means: (and I got all the papers with the car to prove it) THIS is the 1st car Mattig converted in 1983 with the wide body kit, the car that was in their catalogues and on car shows, in magazines for tests and so on.
Peter Mattig owned the car until August 1989, it was then sold to a guy in Luxembourg. in 1995 it was sold again and then the disaster started :(:(
Repainted very bad in blue, removed the original brown SR interior, removed the rear window frames, fitted bucket seats, a rollcage, twin Weber carbs, a big ICE in the trunk and other disasters:mad::mad::mad::mad:. From 2003 until this week, the car sat outside!!!!
Means it is rotten very bad!!!
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4021.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4022.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4027.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3987.JPG
The paint is peeling off everywhere
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3999.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3985.JPG
thats interesting
alot of work too by the looks of it!
A little more history of the car:
At the beginning, it was fitted with ATS wheels with 225 in the front and 285 on 15" at the rear. In 1988, Mattig introduced their SSF wheels (which I got with the car)
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3970.JPG
and they were also put on the their Corsa. 9x13 with 235 on the front and 11x13 with 235 on the rear.
The car has still all the Mattig equipments that were fitted at Mattig, means the fibreglass bonnet, the exhaust, the suspension, the upper and lower bars in the front, the exhaust manifold and the big rear spoiler.
A few more pics
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3974.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4016.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4032.JPG
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3992.JPGhttp://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_4000.JPG
The car is indeed a piece of History of the Corsa A / Nova, but as the body is that bad, I will disassemble it :(:(
And maybe the wide body kit with the wheels will be for sale, so if anybody's interested, let me know
Cheers
Steve
as much as i dont like kitted cars.
you have to tip your hat for buying a rare car and going to restore it.
fair play to you.
you have to tip your hat for buying a rare car and going to restore it
Yes, thx. But I will not restore it, it is really too bad, would have to cut the whole floor, as it thin as paper due to the rust.
It was like a wetland inside, carpet completely rotten. There was even a squirrel living inside!!!!
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/IMG_3988.JPG
hendrix
06-11-08, 08:53 AM
such a shame to see a great piece of history like that go to waste, some people eh :roll: .
Would be good to see it reshelled and looking like the one in the top pics :thumb:
Yep, agreed. i think you should re-shell steve! Along with all your other projects!
LEWI007
06-11-08, 09:10 AM
FFS, sell it as a whole car so someone else can restore it, your ruining a piece of history...
Real shame it's beyond repair but at the same time it's awesome you found one and posted the pictures up.
As said, its a shame, but from the pics, it really is bad :( But imo it looks ace in the original pics..
LEWI007
06-11-08, 09:19 AM
If it were a few years from now when im running my nova garage id rip his hand off for it but since im still a youngster with nowhere to keep cars or anything, i just have to sit and watch it be ripped apart and sold......
tom_beverley
06-11-08, 09:38 AM
Shame its got that bad what with the history of the car, must be on for a reshell though Steve?
If it were a few years from now when im running my nova garage id rip his hand off for it but since im still a youngster with nowhere to keep cars or anything, i just have to sit and watch it be ripped apart and sold......
Can you not see the pics? That thing looks like its been under the sea for 9 years. Its beyond repair, and a reshell would lose some of its authenticity :(
Incidentally, there was a Mattig kitted one on Pistonheads recently. Pretty much everyone slated it saying it looked sh!t... although that wasn't THE original car like this one is.
1.6 8v turbo nova
06-11-08, 09:45 AM
[quote=duick]Yes, thx. But I will not restore it, it is really too bad, would have to cut the whole floor, as it thin as paper due to the rust.
It was like a wetland inside, carpet completely rotten. There was even a squirrel living inside!!!!
Why buy it then o.O?
Shaun_O'Donnell
06-11-08, 09:46 AM
FFS, sell it as a whole car so someone else can restore it, your ruining a piece of history...
At the end of the day it's just a Nova/Opel Corsa.
Nice find though Steve.:thumb:
~~joycey~~
06-11-08, 09:57 AM
http://www.pngclub.com/forum/viewfeaturecar.php?ref=1690
This may be of intrest
Yes, know that one
Why buy it then o.O? Do I really have to answer that???????
As I'm really unsure what to do, I added a poll
another example of rare not always meaning good
turbojolt
06-11-08, 10:17 AM
there is a matting nova on a classic car web site i england for sale
Simon 1867
06-11-08, 10:23 AM
I thinks being as its so rare you should not rush this job, strip it done and restore it. It would be well worth it in the long run.Get it back looking like the white one in the pictures.
Great find
Restore it would mean changing the complete floor, that is insane. And the side skirts are also gone. And I started not yet to search for more rust.
It is a miracle, the seats are still staying in the car and not going through the floor lollol
Pistol Pete
06-11-08, 10:37 AM
Reshell it. That shell looks way past restoring, and if you did, would need major work IMO.
Seriously, reshell it. Yeah it may lose some of its authenticity, but how many of these kitted Novas are left?
I'm not a fan of kitted Novas TBH, but the pic you posted of how it would look, doesnt look too bad.
Good find though. Had it just been stored in a barn or something before??
Had it just been stored in a barn or something before??
The previous owner drove it until 2003, then put it on the lawn behind a collegue's house and did not move it for 5 years :wtf::wtf:
Pistol Pete
06-11-08, 10:51 AM
Hmmm, not the best way to store a car!!
loggyboy
06-11-08, 10:53 AM
I hope you didnt pay much for that! lol
Defo go for a reshell, get it back to 100% mattig 'standard'. I wouldnt agree that it would loose its authentisity as its not likes its a factory car, mattig chose a random nova to convert, and with its orginal paperwork, even with a reshell its the real deal IMO.
Some of you lot REALLY need to get off your high horses, it's a friggen Nova!
Good luck with what ever you do with it mate :)
dhdev (Oli)
06-11-08, 11:00 AM
Unless you really feel the desire to take on a full resto/re-shell job, just break it and sell it!
Nova_Tek
06-11-08, 11:30 AM
Wow that is rare, such a shame that its in that state. WTF was the last owner doing? Looks like he didnt even give a monkey's t0ss about the car. Cars like these should stay the way they are and not be modified like that. Its ok to modify a 1.0 L or a 1.4 Lux or the average models but some models have to stay the way they are.
It does look like a lot of work but in saying that If you, like the squirrel, have the nuts :D to undertake it (with the right amount of cash) then you might even be a legend yourself.
As Addidas once said 'impossible is nothing' lol.
Panels are cheap to buy anyway, the pain wil be in the floor pan but this would be one of those slow restorations.
Otherwise just re-shell it mate.
Up to you though matey
All the best :thumb:
Some of you lot REALLY need to get off your high horses, it's a friggen Nova!
Cough Corsa A Cough!!
Reshell it, all it is really is a Base Model Corsa with the Mattig gear stapped onto it and all you need is a Shell. I agree with the comments about taking it back to the origional Mattig spec as pictured on Page 1. What engine does it run?
Pistol Pete
06-11-08, 12:06 PM
Cough Corsa A Cough!!
lol which is a Nova, yes??!!
What engine does it run?
+1
Reshell it, all it is really is a Base Model Corsa with the Mattig gear stapped onto it
Well, in fact is (or was) an 83 SR with the brown interior
The engine is the original 1.3 from the SR, the previous owner fitted 2 Weber 40s on it
So its a base model Corsa GT. The shell looks too far gone to start a resto on it, so a decent replacement shell and possibly a 1300 sport spec engine? Maybe running injection?
No, Corsa SR. The Corsa SR existed from 83 to 5/85, it was then renamed into GT.
If I'll reshell it, I would put back the standard carb engine in, as it was when Mattig owned it.
The only bodykitted nova I like! I say re-shell it, not worth the hassle of repairing that. Or sell the kit and scrap what you dont want.
DaveyLC
06-11-08, 01:13 PM
Find a mint shell and transfer the VIN number.. a little illegal but meh who's going to complain?
What a pity its got into that state.Why do some people buy nice cars and just let them rot.:mad:
dj_wudgey
06-11-08, 01:29 PM
restore it man!!
nice find, such a shame that it has been left and rotted badly, id say re shell it and put it back like the original photos of it. good luck to what ever you decide to do though.
Reshell it back to standard as a good piece of history, or my favourite option donate the kit to 4WD wide track project lol
craig green
06-11-08, 01:51 PM
I say cut all the kit off & ditch the shell, weld the old chassis numbers into another shell.
What a bucket though. I certainly don't like any of the mattig wide arch stuff. So 80's it hurts.
I certainly don't like any of the mattig wide arch stuff. So 80's it hurts.
Yes, kind of taste. I'm not sure yet to like it or not. My wife doesn't like it lollol, but that's another story.
It would be easier if it would be just a Mattig, and not that Mattig ......
FFS, sell it as a whole car so someone else can restore it, your ruining a piece of history...
Was that you volunteering there then, as it will cost thousands to restore this car to anywhere near safe standards nevermind legal, you wanna pay for that to be done to what in essence is just a 1983 Y reg nova?
veryt rare steve.... if you can r5estore it as it wont be original then.. but it is a rare one.. restore if you can.. if not re-shell :thumb:
021-bennettt
06-11-08, 03:49 PM
REPAIR it pleeaaasssssseeeeeee!!
It would be absolutely mint and no one else has 1,definetly rebuild it!
turbojolt
06-11-08, 03:55 PM
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/24808
i knew i had seen one of these the other day
reshell it. if you restore it, there will be just 15cm of the original nova left. the rest is rotten. so ok, its the first.. but how special is the 15cm of good nova? even if its the original first mattig.
boot is mk2 btw :P
homuch would the kit and wheels be? last time i checked mattig.de the kit was around 2500 euro without the wheels..
Novaload_Nick
06-11-08, 06:43 PM
rebuild or re-shell!!
Rick Draper
06-11-08, 06:44 PM
Strip and scrap it.
Break it and fcuk it off, apparent peice of history or not, its no good to man nor beast in that state.
krobinson
06-11-08, 07:07 PM
I think you should reshell it Steve, if you find the right shell it :)
Here is how it looked like in 1989, new boot and the other wheels
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/Mattig90.jpg
http://www.opel-corsa-a.com/Mattig/Mattig90-1.jpg
The current shell still got the VIN plate and chassis ID?
If it looks that good why did they only leave the factory with a 1300? 1600 would have been better.
Yes
Then you already have the originality to go with its past history regardless of how many times you re-shell it :thumb:
If it looks that good why did they only leave the factory with a 1300? 1600 would have been better.
Overheads/production costs v's re-sale value to customer
If it looks that good why did they only leave the factory with a 1300? 1600 would have been better.
When they built the 1st one, the GSi / GTE was not yet available
Good point but they could have always made one later on.
Ok i voted to repair it, but it clearly needs a reshell and the a fit up and nice simple paint job.
paul james
06-11-08, 08:08 PM
Those big chunky wheels really do make it look great, without them I don't think the kit works so well. If I were you I would reshell it, get its looking original again, and as others have said, swap the VIN plates over - legal or not, who is really going to care. I'd keep the 1.3 and twin 40's involved too, suits the image of the car I think.
I say leave it as is untill youve finished current projects then decide what to do with it. I would get it back to how it was in the 80's.
it is funny how people will advise to get another engine if the old one is knackered, but opinion is split about reshelling it............
the shell is only a single part.
in the uk, it is absolutely fine to reshell a car & it is allowed to keep its registration number, as long as the engine, drivetrain, steering & suspension is original.........
never seen one of these before, i think it looks pretty cool, think the earlier wheels on the first mattig publicity photo look best, re-shelling gets my vote
maccas
in the uk, it is absolutely fine to reshell a car & it is allowed to keep its registration number, as long as the engine, drivetrain, steering & suspension is original.........
Erm you only need the shell to keep the registration iirc.
Novasport
06-11-08, 10:32 PM
it is funny how people will advise to get another engine if the old one is knackered, but opinion is split about reshelling it............
the shell is only a single part.
in the uk, it is absolutely fine to reshell a car & it is allowed to keep its registration number, as long as the engine, drivetrain, steering & suspension is original.........
Only if a new part is used, if you are using the shell from another vehicle it goes on a percentage basis. A shell replacement would mean using the ID for the shell you are going to use or qoing onto a Q plate
Only if a new part is used, if you are using the shell from another vehicle it goes on a percentage basis. A shell replacement would mean using the ID for the shell you are going to use or qoing onto a Q plate
Q plates arent issued anymore, you get a random age related plate.
what a disaster! TBH it's probably best to reshell it if the rust is bad enough however PLEASE restore it back to original!
novacabrio
06-11-08, 11:00 PM
Reshell it mate
BRoadGhost
06-11-08, 11:32 PM
Put some Leepu 8" spacers on it and attach a fresh pair of 19's.
Then spend the next 4 years getting the body ready for the grip.
Put some Leepu 8" spacers on it and attach a fresh pair of 19's.
Gay
Do what YOU want to do with it!!!
Get some imagination man!
and stoo talks sense. if ya break how much for the kit n rims?
Put some Leepu 8" spacers on it and attach a fresh pair of 19's.
Then spend the next 4 years getting the body ready for the grip.
lol Bernie! Fix the fcuking car Bernie! W4NKERS.
pmsl! 'You wana test droive you cam to me!'
Cheers for 'feathering' the clutch you shiny headed ar$ehole lol
and stoo talks sense. if ya break how much for the kit n rims?
ROFLMAOGSI16V
You wish!!
LEWI007
07-11-08, 10:35 AM
I'd go for restore the shell to keep as original as possible but if you really cant do anything with that shell then definately reshell, paint, rebuild to factory spec, will be a minter. Ill vote reshell since i know you propably wont fix the old shell.
rebuild to factory spec
The end result would be all the wide arch kit removed and being just an Opel Corsa SR then lol
LEWI007
07-11-08, 11:15 AM
The end result would be all the wide arch kit removed and being just an Opel Corsa SR then lol
lol, rebuild to the original matting spec then :thumb: lol
http://www.bordermatsupplies.co.uk/users/UserFiles/Image/coir_matting.jpg
http://www.bordermatsupplies.co.uk/users/UserFiles/Image/coir_matting.jpg
Pmsl @ liam, wow is that an original off the shelf roll on matting kit lol
The name of the company is Mattig, not Matting :roll::roll:
The name of the company is Mattig, not Matting :roll::roll:
We know bud, were just being a pain and picking up on K reg nova`s spelling error cos were bored lol
stuartyj21
07-11-08, 03:37 PM
reshell it steve its a classic keep it alive...
d0gzbollox
07-11-08, 03:40 PM
Nice colour :)
vaughanmc
07-11-08, 04:47 PM
reshell it steve its a classic keep it alive...
2nd'd :D
meach86
11-11-08, 02:00 PM
Have you decided what your doing with it yet, It would be a shame to strip it. You should reshell it in my opinion please let us all know when you decide
hang on to it, finish other projects, then reshell it
Nice find BTW :thumb:
reshell it you know it makes sense, id say your just being an attention seeker now lol 'ohh i dont know what to dooooo' :roll:
brainsnova
12-11-08, 12:52 AM
i ll take it off your hands and reshell it and have it back on the road this year.
i ll take it off your hands and reshell it and have it back on the road this year .... just in time for the winter weather to maul it lol
loggyboy
12-11-08, 11:37 AM
Some serious misguidance going on in this thread...
Lets straighten some things out...
in the uk, it is absolutely fine to reshell a car & it is allowed to keep its registration number, as long as the engine, drivetrain, steering & suspension is original.........
Yes and no.
Erm you only need the shell to keep the registration iirc.
Not quite.
It depends on how you wish to reshell it. It ok to keep the ID of the shell you want to keep/use. But you cant take the ID of the 'components' of a car, putting them in to a secondhand shell. You can only keep the registration that belong to those 'components' if you buy a brand new shell
Vehicles that have been rebuilt using a mix of new or used parts
In order to retain the original registration mark:
cars and car-derived vans must use:
The original unmodified chassis or unaltered bodyshell (i.e. body and chassis as one unit - monocoque); or a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original supported by evidence from the dealer or manufacturer (e.g. receipt).
And two other major components from the original vehicle - ie suspension (front & back); steering assembly; axles (both); transmission or engine.
If a second-hand chassis or monocoque bodyshell is used, the vehicle must pass a an enhanced single vehicle approval (ESVA) or single vehicle approval (SVA) test after which a "Q" prefix registration number will be allocated.
Only if a new part is used, if you are using the shell from another vehicle it goes on a percentage basis. A shell replacement would mean using the ID for the shell you are going to use or qoing onto a Q plate
No percentages, its points and thats only true when the car is classified as 'radically altered', which in this case, would still end up in Q plate if a 2nd hand shell is used.
The registration of radically altered vehicles covers vehicles which are substantially altered from their original specification, but which are not kit conversions. In these cases the vehicle components used from the original vehicle will be given a numerical value in order to retain the original registration mark.
Allocating a vehicle registration mark
The vehicle must score eight or more points to retain the original registration mark. If less than eight points are scored or a second-hand or modified chassis or altered monocoque bodyshell is used, an enhanced single vehicle approval (ESVA), single vehicle approval (SVA) or motorcycle single vehicle approval (MSVA) certificate will be required to register the vehicle. A 'Q' prefix registration number will be allocated.
Scoring components:
The following values will be allocated to the major components used:
chassis or body shell (body and chassis as one unit - monocoque ie direct replacement from the manufacturer) (original or new) = 5 points
suspension = 2 points
axles = 2 points
transmission = 2 points
steering assembly = 2 points
engine = 1 point
Where there is evidence that two vehicles have been welded together to form one (ie 'cut and shut') a 'Q' mark will be allocated. ESVA, SVA or MSVA will be required.
Q plates arent issued anymore, you get a random age related plate.
DVLA are still issuing Q plates when age cannnot be determined.
Some serious misguidance going on in this thread...
Lets straighten some things out...
Yes and no.
Not quite.
It depends on how you wish to reshell it. It ok to keep the ID of the shell you want to keep/use. But you cant take the ID of the 'components' of a car, putting them in to a secondhand shell. You can only keep the registration that belong to those 'components' if you buy a brand new shell
Vehicles that have been rebuilt using a mix of new or used parts
In order to retain the original registration mark:
cars and car-derived vans must use:
The original unmodified chassis or unaltered bodyshell (i.e. body and chassis as one unit - monocoque); or a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original supported by evidence from the dealer or manufacturer (e.g. receipt).
And two other major components from the original vehicle - ie suspension (front & back); steering assembly; axles (both); transmission or engine.
If a second-hand chassis or monocoque bodyshell is used, the vehicle must pass a an enhanced single vehicle approval (ESVA) or single vehicle approval (SVA) test after which a "Q" prefix registration number will be allocated.
No percentages, its points and thats only true when the car is classified as 'radically altered', which in this case, would still end up in Q plate if a 2nd hand shell is used.
The registration of radically altered vehicles covers vehicles which are substantially altered from their original specification, but which are not kit conversions. In these cases the vehicle components used from the original vehicle will be given a numerical value in order to retain the original registration mark.
Allocating a vehicle registration mark
The vehicle must score eight or more points to retain the original registration mark. If less than eight points are scored or a second-hand or modified chassis or altered monocoque bodyshell is used, an enhanced single vehicle approval (ESVA), single vehicle approval (SVA) or motorcycle single vehicle approval (MSVA) certificate will be required to register the vehicle. A 'Q' prefix registration number will be allocated.
Scoring components:
The following values will be allocated to the major components used:
chassis or body shell (body and chassis as one unit - monocoque ie direct replacement from the manufacturer) (original or new) = 5 points
suspension = 2 points
axles = 2 points
transmission = 2 points
steering assembly = 2 points
engine = 1 point
Where there is evidence that two vehicles have been welded together to form one (ie 'cut and shut') a 'Q' mark will be allocated. ESVA, SVA or MSVA will be required.
DVLA are still issuing Q plates.
oOoOoooooOOOOOOoo check you out lol
loggyboy
12-11-08, 01:14 PM
oOoOoooooOOOOOOoo check you out lol
:eek: :eek: oh no... what a terrible thing to do, make an informed post with acurate information with back up quotes from the source... shock horror, check me out indeed. :roll:
All those regulations are no use for me, as I'm living in Luxembourg :roll::roll: lollol
But I checked the shell, it's worse in the pics than in real. The front is good, no major rust, not even in the battery tray. And only 2 little holes in the trunk.
Ok, the floor has a few holes, but no major ones, most of the rust is surface rust.
For the sills, the outer sill is gone on the left side and needs replacement on the right side, but both inner sills are not rusty.
And the amount of time going in a reshell is the same as restoring this shell, imo.
And the next point is that the inner wings in the rear are so well done in fibre that I will destroy them when taking the rear parts of.
Means: I will certainly put it in storage, finish the other projects and restore it back to original condition
For some people, this may sound insane, but for those who know how to handle a welder, it sounds the best solution lollol
loggyboy
12-11-08, 01:51 PM
Yeah i realised all the reg rubbish was irrelevant to you!
Good luck with though! Look forward to seeing it when you dig it out!
All those regulations are no use for me, as I'm living in Luxembourg :roll::roll: lollol
But I checked the shell, it's worse in the pics than in real. The front is good, no major rust, not even in the battery tray. And only 2 little holes in the trunk.
Ok, the floor has a few holes, but no major ones, most of the rust is surface rust.
For the sills, the outer sill is gone on the left side and needs replacement on the right side, but both inner sills are not rusty.
And the amount of time going in a reshell is the same as restoring this shell, imo.
And the next point is that the inner wings in the rear are so well done in fibre that I will destroy them when taking the rear parts of.
Means: I will certainly put it in storage, finish the other projects and restore it back to original condition
For some people, this may sound insane, but for those who know how to handle a welder, it sounds the best solution lollol
youre the man:thumb:
and if youre bored... theres a complete irmscher sprint kit for sale here in holland
meach86
12-11-08, 05:22 PM
fair play that the right decision good luck with it and will definatly look forward to seeing it finished
nova danny1
12-11-08, 07:07 PM
nice 1 mate:thumb: good luck and keep us updated
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