I wasn't looking for a perfect car. I was looking for a car I could make mine.
I wanted a classic fixed up and personalised by me, to my taste. A project that would let me learn, make decisions and prove to myself that I could rebuild it with my own hands.
That's how this 1989 SEAT Ibiza MK1 1.5 SXI System Porsche came along.
But this car had something extra: a competition past. It had raced, it still had rally modifications and it carried the marks of a vehicle that hadn't lived a quiet life.
The bodywork and interior were in rough shape. There were also wiring runs, sensors and improvised solutions I had to understand before deciding what to keep, what to repair and what to rebuild from scratch.
Even so, I saw potential in it.
The challenge wasn't just to make it look good. It was learning to read it, rebuilding it system by system and finding solutions when no suitable part existed. That has meant working on mechanics, electrics and bodywork, but also designing and making my own parts with 3D printing.
The engine is now rebuilt and the car starts, but there's still work to do before I can call it reliable.
The goal is to enjoy it on the road, take it to classic car meetings and, above all, to know that I was able to build it back up myself.
In the next posts I'll share the process, the problems I've run into and the reasoning behind each repair.
Because restoring a car isn't just swapping parts. It's understanding it until it becomes yours again.