VW Golf GTi MK1 Restoration

[TROOPER88]

Hi Guys
Been getting on with the Golf but it has been a lot of work. I sprayed the shell but was not happy with the finish (heavy orange peel). I therefore decided to flat it all right back and do it again!

The peel was probably down to spraying when it was to cold....

Anyway, have a look at the following pictures of the panels that have been wet sanded and polished!
There is still a degree of orange peel which I am happy with.























There you go!

I will take some more when the shell is finished which should be over the weekend.

Next week I will start stripping the donor GTi!

Cheers

[sleep envy]

Fabulous. What have you done with the Fiesta?

[melvin mk1 golf]

hi. reading your restoration with great interest. I used to own the car you are using for spares, RUW6Y we called her ruby. what are your plans once the restoration is complete? would be interested if you are looking to sell her on.

[Dr G]

If that's the finish out of the gun you're doing well. Should be really lovely once flatted and polished.

[TROOPER88]

Hi
Thanks for the comments.

The panels shown have been flattened with 1200 and polished. If I want a better finish I can go over it again when complete with 1500-2000 and polish again but to be honest I think it will be more than good enough as it stands.

'Ruby' will be stripped in the next week or so! I will update with pictures as I go.

The Fiesta was sold. I plan on using the Golf in the good weather in the Summer but will listen to offers when complete!

Cheers

[joshc]

Love restoration threads, the shell looks fantastic now. Bookmarked and eagerly awaiting more updates

[Dapster]

Is this fantastic thread reminding anyone of when they built this as a kid?

[TROOPER88]

Hi
Got the donor car started and drove it into the garage ready to be stripped.

Began with removing the engine and gearbox which is now done. Think I will do a bit on the interior over the next few days as some of this will transfer straight over.

Cheers













I will update with pics of the removed engine later!

[Dr G]

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

[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

[aka_kerrly]

TROOPER88 said:

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

I have also only recently discovered this after spending many hours stripping/sanding/prepping hubs/callipers/drive shafts/steering rack etc on my own project.

Cracking progress on your project.

[TheCakeHead]

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!

[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

[TheCakeHead]

TROOPER88 said:

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

yhea sorry i nog from the uk so my english is bad,

yes that was my question.

Thanks.

Edited by TheCakeHead on Wednesday 3rd April 15:04

[TheCakeHead]

TROOPER88 said:

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

yhea sorry i nog from the uk so my english is bad,

yes that was my question.

Thanks.

Edited by TheCakeHead on Wednesday 3rd April 15:04

[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!

[oobster]

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

[The Highway Man]

Getting there, to your usual high standards I see.

[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!

[The Highway Man]

It's not a unique interest, we're all interested in what you're doing too!