Vauxhall Astra mk2 GTE Restoration using a Pontiac LeMans!

I drive my brother in law's fully restored 1988 Red Top Vauxhall Astra GTE which he imported into Florida from the UK. The build took 3 - 4 years and a donor Pontiac Le Mans was used to correct a number of the rotten bits of bodywork. This is an ultimate nut and bolt rebuild of a classic 80s hatchback!
Music by: Ehrling - soundcloud.com...
Give it a thumbs up if you like!

[@CharlieDrives]

What more do you want to know about this car? Let me know in the comments and I’ll do another video. 👍

[@JETJOOBOY]

I saw the Pontiac Le Mans when I wqas over in New ZeaLANDS

[@sarahwebster8927]

I still run one of these everyday! Absolute weapon!

[@NYChemicalRomance]

Sarah Webster Me too. Mine doesn’t struggle against 1.6’s. It Annihilates them 😂😂😂

[@alboengland3017]

i had one 20 years ago i really miss it.It was only an 8v tho but was nippy back then (f) reg !

[@chilled99]

My dad had one of these. The digital dashboard was so exciting to me as a kid.

[@CharlieDrives]

Love it!!

[@mrnatty122]

I remember do PDI checks on these beasts when I was an apprentice for Vauxhall back in the day.

[@funnybananaigod1404]

I live right next to your brother in law. He has some really nice cars. My favorite is the White Mitsubishi and the yellow mrx impreza

[@CharlieDrives]

Very cool. Small world! You should go say hi! Lol

[@funnybananaigod1404]

Charlie Drives I will. I love your videos

[@u.k.gteastra5217]

Time to come back and video part 2 Charlie. The Astra now has a C20LET with a six speed box installed now. It rips!!!!!!!!!

[@CharlieDrives]

U.K. GTE Astra we need to book those flights!!

[@ryanritchings2834]

Just bought one of these for a restoration

[@CharlieDrives]

let me know if you need any advice! :)

[@ryanritchings2834]

Charlie Drives just got it running by replacing the fuel pump after 7years of it being sat around and the radiator decided to explode.

[@motorpaintcraft3808]

Here in Brasil we call it Chevrolet Kadett Gsi, I have one. But we never got the 16v engine, just the regular 2.0 l mpfi 8v with 121cv.

[@Yanchoow]

The original name of this beaty is Opel Kadett GSI!

[@michel7339]

Great work wow.

[@paullefur6213]

Bloody nice car, even the stock 16v looked cool, i couldn't afford the insurance on even an 8v as they kept getting nicked and i was 18, so had to settle with the SRI version..

[@johanvanderpulst5250]

Mine had a 156hp and did a hundred km/h in 7.8 seconds. That was fast for a hot hatch in those days. I once did 238 km/h on the speedometer.

[@TwoBroskis]

Really awesome restoration job, man! The car looks good as new, so cool!
We just did a road trip through Portugal for our vlog 😁

[@CharlieDrives]

Cool I look forward to watching it and I'll pass the comments on to my Brother in Law! :) Cheers

[@TwoBroskis]

Cheers! Definitely do, he did a great job, haha!

[@cooperwilliams4686]

Awsome cars... Much better the the golf's and escorts.
Once you get rid of the soft suspension.
A daewoo nexia is the other way of making an astra GTE.

[@JB-F10-M5]

I had 2 of these cars in the 90s loved them ✊🏼😎 awesome for there time. They used to really upset the Rich Kids who could afford to buy and insure the RS turbos and you would show them your Astra Ass 😂

[@CharlieDrives]

Haha great memories!! Thanks for watching buddy! 👍👍

[@rarevhsuploads4995]

I bet this is a daily education to most Americans to discover the Pontiac Le Mans under another brand name. Would you say this is quicker than the 1.6ltr automatic Le Mans equivalent? DVLA's database in the UK incorrectly lists this car with no export marker, yet another fail on their riddled with errors database. Did the American versions come with with a manual transmission? Did you chose to add air conditioning from the donor Pontiac?

[@andrewward7168]

Please do an update on this car! 😍

[@CharlieDrives]

You should see the car right now. I’ll post a picture

[@andrewward7168]

Did you ever post the pic of this car?

[@andrewward7168]

Just did a reg check on the British plate on the car. Did he actually ship a knackered gte to the states then do all that to it? Would have been cheaper to buy a good one then ship it I imagine but love that car all the more for it. And it's steering wheel is on the correct side of the car which makes it all the better. Definitely worth an update. Shit loads of people who love our old Astras!

[@johanvanderpulst5250]

I had one of the first Kadett GSI 16V with that same colorful interior, and mine was a '89. I bought it new. Are you sure it's an' 88?

[@policevauxhallastra6591]

Oh look...it's My Father GTE...

[@u.k.gteastra5217]

Charlie. Time we did an update.

[@CharlieDrives]

Agreeed!

[@frisco-2.0]

Opel Kadett E! 👍🏻

[@andymountain130]

Keeping the British end up

[@Ranko1974]

He even drives like a chav 😂

[@JETJOOBOY]

nO HE dRIVES A gte LIKE YOU SHOULD

[@davids3272]

Wouldn't bother they weren't very good to start with

[@machomanOOOOHYEEEAH]

Yeah it’s nice n all but wtf with the rear quarters??!! Awful