VW Golf GTi MK1 Restoration

[TROOPER88]

Dr G said:

Very satisfying stage of a rebuild when stuff starts to go back together.

Infuriating having to clean/polish/paint every bolt and bracket so they look as nice as the shell

To be honest this time I am going to take all brackets, anti-roll bars, fixings etc to the powder coaters!

By the time I buy the paint, clean, prep and paint it is a false economy.

I had the springs powder coated on the RS project and I think they only charged £8 a spring!

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

TheCakeHead said:

Hello, i have a question.

Whats the prize of a restaurantion Golf MK1 (Rabbit) GTI engine everything?
sorry for the questions, please in euros.
and it looks very nice!

Hi
To be honest I do not understand your question....

Are you asking how much it would cost to carry out a project such as this??

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

Hi
Bit by bit I have been cracking on with the Golf...

I began by removing the engine and gearbox from the donor:







After the engine was removed I decided to pay some attention to the doors and the dash. With these items the idea was that they could transfer straight over.
I have done both doors. Each door is a fair amount of work as you have half a dozen different rubber seals on each door and many parts.

First component on the new shell!:



Removed:



Cleaned:



New trims clips all round:



Trim fitted:



Passenger door complete! Just removing/installing the glass and quarter glass is a time consuming job



Dash removed:





I have begun the removal of the loom. It is a mess and am already not looking forward to wiring it back in.....



That's it!
It is a lot of time consuming work but we will get there!

[TROOPER88]

oobster said:

Another superb update Trooper! Are you doing it all yourself or do mates come round to give you a hand?

Unfortunately all myself!

Seem to have a unique interest in these sort of things!

Had it been football it would be a different story!

[TROOPER88]

paulie_m said:

Came on here to discuss my recent order of MK7 Golf GTI and saw this thread.

Just have to say, this is amazing, very envious of your skills and can't wait to see the finished product.

Edited by paulie_m on Tuesday 16th April 16:10

Thanks mate!

I have been doing a few hours on the Golf over the last week or so and will update with pictures soon.

The dash is now in, the carpets are in, the seat belts are in, the sunroof drain pipes have been cleaned and put in etc etc

I have just ordered a new headlining so will be fitting this later this week.

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

JB! said:

I know the previous owner!

Is the bay ready for refit?

Who do you know?

The previous owner of the shell or the donor car?

[TROOPER88]

daniboy123 said:

Do you still have the doner shell and if so would you be willing to help save another mk1? My mk1 needs a new roof skin with factory fitted sunroof if you can help?

Hi
Did you e-mail me regarding this a few months back??

[TROOPER88]

daniboy123 said:

Yes that was me, i had to go back to work and its only now im in a position to collect it from somewhere. Would you be able to help me out do you think?

Hi
As per my e-mail reply.

When the shell is totally stripped (another week or so) you can have it!

[TROOPER88]

daniboy123 said:

Would it be possible for you to give me a call on 07754236189, cheers.

PM'd!

[TROOPER88]

Anyone want to do the same project??

Looks like a solid start:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-Mk1-GTI-/4004756...


Or pay me a large amount of money and I will do it for you!

[TROOPER88]

Hi Guys
I have not updated with pictures for quite a while even though progress is being made.....

Dash in:




Carpets in:




This is the fabric removed from the back of the rear seats. As you can see it has shrunk with age:



New fabric purchased:


Cut and glued:


Re-fitted!:


Headling. Big Job...
This is the old and the new. Even though this is the correct new headlining for a sunroof model, you even have to cut out the sunroof section. Fitting a headlining in a mk1 is not a quick and easy task.


A fair bit more has now been done which I will photograph in the next day or so. The headlining is complete along with the A, B and C pillar sections. The rear bench is in along with the door cards, all seat belts and rear trim.
The boot lid is on as well as the sunroof which is fully fitted and functional.

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

Hi
I have been really busy recently as has been back buying and selling part-time retro classics. I have recently sold a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo, Merc 190 Cosworth and am currently prepping an Audi RS2. This has mean that not much has been done to the Golf.

I did do a few more bit after my last update. This included fitting the headlining (fiddly job), fitting all of the interior and getting the bolster on the drivers seat repaired. I also fitted the arch extensions and attached the stripes down each side!

I will take some pictures later.

The donor car was completely stripped and that went for scrap last week. This week coming I am taking all of the suspension components, rear axle and lots of brackets to the powder coaters.
I think I am going to have the springs, axle and a few other bits done in blue as this should look great against the White.

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

Sorry

Just been really busy with other cars.

I have been doing a bit on the Golf over the last couple of weeks and this weekend I will promise to update this thread with pictures.

Today was actually good as I went to the powder coaters this morning to pick up a load of bits I had left there 2 weeks ago. I wanted the suspension springs, complete rear axel, brake parts and loads of other bits done in Blue!

I went with a lovely baby/sky blue as I think it will look great against the white shell. The bits they have done look better than I ever expected!

I have also refurbished the exterior of the gearbox so it looks better than new.
I have fitted a new cam-belt and have a new clutch ready to go on. I have painted the engine block and most components. It really is starting to look great!

I know that this thread is rubbish without pictures so as I said I promise to upload them on the weekend if not before.

If I keep doing an hour or so a day, in a couple of weeks it will be time to put the engine and so forth back in!

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

Hi Guys
I know it has been ages!!

I have not forgotten about the Golf project but have had lots of other things on. The last I updated was when I was about to fit the headlining. This was awkward but went very well and I am extremely happy with the finish. I will post up a picture over the weekend. The sunroof interior panel I am yet to do.

As you will see in the pictures, I took a load of parts to the powder coaters and am very pleased with the finish. I decided to get all parts coated in blue as I hope this will go really well against the white of the shell.
You will not be able to see any of the blue from the exterior which will all look standard. It is the suspension and brake components etc that have been done in blue.

Over the past few days I have fitted the dash binnacle, the steering rack and column and have just started rebuilding the suspension.

You will see from the pictures that the engine and gearbox have been made to look great again. The engine has new belts, clutch, plugs, leads, dizzy cap etc etc

The side stripes have been fitted along with the body kit and the interior is almost finished. I will update with more pictures soon!









Off to the powder coaters:


As the gearbox was:




Cleaned, degreased and painted:






The same treatment to various parts:


[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/xGV2jroe[/url]

[url]

|http://thumbsnap.com/oc120nRs[/url]

Engine looking better:






Steering rack getting primed:


And painted:


The old and the new; refurbished clamps and new bushes:


Gear selector shaft bush:


The rack fitted with new gators; the column has since been installed with a new uj rubber boot:


Track-rod ends:


The start of the newly coated bits!:








Hope you like it; it's a lot of work!!

[TROOPER88]

Mark. said:

It's looking bloody great!

Thanks for the comments guys!

The previous Ford project I completed was totally standard and I could of done this the same.
I am doing this one more to my taste and although I think originality is great I do think the blue against the white will look good.

I know it is probably not to everyone's taste.

Really appreciate your input.

[TROOPER88]

Ranger 6 said:

Just an observation - I'm surprised you've gone to all the trouble and expense of the new bushes, powder coating etc and then put the old dampers back on? Surely they're not expensive to replace in the grand scheme of things?

The dampers are all in good condtion and are actually blistein or equivalent so are not the originals.

If parts work and are in good condition there is absolutely no point in changing them.

What you are saying is why not put a new fuel pump, starter motor, alternator etc etc just for the sake of it. If it were to be done that way the cost would spiral way out of control.

Thanks for the input

[TROOPER88]

The Highway Man said:

Looking good Troops as ever, is that another project I spy next to the Golf in the garage?

Hi
That was the donor car. Those pictures are a few months old as that went to scrap a while back.

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

The Highway Man said:

More space for the next project then?

Think I need a break!

There is a Tvr Chimaera in there at the moment for sale

[TROOPER88]

The Highway Man said:

Any update on this Troops old bean?

Hi Guys
So sorry it has been so long!!!

Slowly I have been working on the Golf and have made good progress.

I will take some pictures and upload them this week.

The past week or so I have been trying to get the car started! I wired in the bare minimum just so that I could hear it running but it did not go well.

It would turn over but would not fire.

Today I purchased a new starter motor and this did the trick! The old must have failed as it was not spinning fast enough to produce enough of a vacuum to raise the diaphragm in the fuel metering head.

The next couple of weeks will hopefully see a lot happen inc:

All lights fitted and wired in
The braking system completed, I will purchase all new lines, discs and calipers.
The screens re-fitted
Front seats and lower dash trim
Bumpers etc

Tbh there is not a huge amount left!

Cheers

[TROOPER88]

So sorry guys!!

Ok, unfortunately I split up with my partner at the back end of last year.

I have now had to purchase a new property which required total refurbishment so the Golf has been on the back burner!

I now need to get it finished and sold as I need the money!! If I was offered a decent price I would even consider selling it as it is.....

Whats left to do:

Connect brakes up and fit new discs, pads and hoses
Get the glazing company out to fit the screens
Fit seats and a few interior trim panels
Get the wheels refurbished and new tyres fitted
Fit radiator mounting bits
Fit back bumper
Fit all lights
A few other bits and pieces.....

MOT and sell!!

I have just been contacted by Brooklands (Historics) that are looking for cars for their Auction in August so I may think on that. They sold an Audi RS2 for me 6 months ago so it could be an option.

I plan on carrying on with it next week so will update with pictures as I go.
The engine is now in and running really well.

Cheers Paul