Evil Len's VW Scirocco mk2 light restoration
Discussion
I've put my Honda CB550 restoration temporarily on hold as I've decided to have another mid life crisis (I've forgotten how many I've had now ... lots ?) and hark back to my 20's and get a VW Scirocco mk2.
Back in the day I had three of these. The first ("Rachel") was a 1.5CL 1982 which I bought in 1988 (when I was 20) and had for about 4 years. I now realise this was a very early into the UK, pre body kit, single wiper model. Lovely car.
The second one ("Mandy") I had was one of the automotive loves of my life, and I wish I hadn't sold her, but a 1988 model which I had from about 1992 through to 1998-ish. A 1.8 carb 8v Scala in white ... with white upholstery ! Boy that was a pain to keep clean.
And then briefly I had a silver 1986 (C reg) which was a single family car, but turned out to be a bit of a pig and didn't stay with me long.
Anyhoo, earlier this year, prompted by getting rid of the company car (so I can retire 2 years earlier through saving the cash), trying to live with only 1 car in the household, then dallying with bangernomics in the form of a 2007 Smart car, the itch started with "I want a Scirocco again". Yes, nostalgia is a bugger and responsible for many idiotic moves.
Took me about 6 months of looking because I wanted a "keeper" (this one is staying with me till I can no longer get in the b
d) and I needed an automatic (due to a mountain bike related knackered knee) and they didn't do many of those. I eventually found this girl ...
Back in the day I had three of these. The first ("Rachel") was a 1.5CL 1982 which I bought in 1988 (when I was 20) and had for about 4 years. I now realise this was a very early into the UK, pre body kit, single wiper model. Lovely car.
The second one ("Mandy") I had was one of the automotive loves of my life, and I wish I hadn't sold her, but a 1988 model which I had from about 1992 through to 1998-ish. A 1.8 carb 8v Scala in white ... with white upholstery ! Boy that was a pain to keep clean.
And then briefly I had a silver 1986 (C reg) which was a single family car, but turned out to be a bit of a pig and didn't stay with me long.
Anyhoo, earlier this year, prompted by getting rid of the company car (so I can retire 2 years earlier through saving the cash), trying to live with only 1 car in the household, then dallying with bangernomics in the form of a 2007 Smart car, the itch started with "I want a Scirocco again". Yes, nostalgia is a bugger and responsible for many idiotic moves.
Took me about 6 months of looking because I wanted a "keeper" (this one is staying with me till I can no longer get in the b
d) and I needed an automatic (due to a mountain bike related knackered knee) and they didn't do many of those. I eventually found this girl ...Good points :
Very solid, very rust free body
Unadulterated, complete and unmolested interior
Extremely solid underneath
Low 63k miles
Last owner an old bloke for the last 18 years (car was sold as part of his estate when he passed, it's been off the road 3-4 years)
FSH, good history
Being a 1992 and one of the last ones made, comes with electric windows and central locking (ooOOOoooh !)
Bad points :
Minor dings and scratches on some panels
After market wheels
Engine bay needs cosmetic attention
Sunroof (not a deal breaker, but I'd prefer without)
Crack on dashboard (common fault)
Drivers seat bolster just starting to wear through
Suspension, whilst perfectly functional, is cosmetically rusty
Water leaks to cabin and boot
Very solid, very rust free body
Unadulterated, complete and unmolested interior
Extremely solid underneath
Low 63k miles
Last owner an old bloke for the last 18 years (car was sold as part of his estate when he passed, it's been off the road 3-4 years)
FSH, good history
Being a 1992 and one of the last ones made, comes with electric windows and central locking (ooOOOoooh !)
Bad points :
Minor dings and scratches on some panels
After market wheels
Engine bay needs cosmetic attention
Sunroof (not a deal breaker, but I'd prefer without)
Crack on dashboard (common fault)
Drivers seat bolster just starting to wear through
Suspension, whilst perfectly functional, is cosmetically rusty
Water leaks to cabin and boot
She came from just south of Gloucester, so I took 3 trains (there's a novel experience for me) to go and pick her up. Filling up before setting off ...
And home ...
She drove well (by the way, she's called "Grace" now). A few interior rattles to find and eradicate, but not bad. Obviously nostalgia remembers these driving better than they actually do, compared to modern cars, but not bad. The auto box blunts the performance, but overall she pulls well and the box kicks down fine. She was serviced only 3 months ago, but I've already done an oil and filter change "just in case".
Looking her over carefully, and talking to my local take painter, I've decided to get her repainted. Some panels have obviously been painted before (with light haze at the edges, or the odd tell tale mark or fish eye) and with others scratched (not bad) and dented (dent magician could probably remove) but as I mention, this is "keeper" time I'm going the whole hog.
My plan is to fix various issues, get her repainted, and back on the road for spring.
And home ...
She drove well (by the way, she's called "Grace" now). A few interior rattles to find and eradicate, but not bad. Obviously nostalgia remembers these driving better than they actually do, compared to modern cars, but not bad. The auto box blunts the performance, but overall she pulls well and the box kicks down fine. She was serviced only 3 months ago, but I've already done an oil and filter change "just in case".
Looking her over carefully, and talking to my local take painter, I've decided to get her repainted. Some panels have obviously been painted before (with light haze at the edges, or the odd tell tale mark or fish eye) and with others scratched (not bad) and dented (dent magician could probably remove) but as I mention, this is "keeper" time I'm going the whole hog.
My plan is to fix various issues, get her repainted, and back on the road for spring.
Edited by evil len on Monday 24th December 14:14
The drivers seat was starting to show signs of wear on the bolster of the base ... it looks like the foam underneath has given up the ghost, and the cloth was starting to wear against the metal frame under.
This explains what was happening then ...
I sourced another seat in the same trim, which had a really good base but the upright was starting to show wear. Simple-ish job to split both seats and make one good one from the two
Surprised pussy.
This explains what was happening then ...
I sourced another seat in the same trim, which had a really good base but the upright was starting to show wear. Simple-ish job to split both seats and make one good one from the two
Surprised pussy.
My first car was a 1988 Scala and I loved it.
I too have recently spent some time looking at these with the thought of getting one again - but then I do the same with about 20 different cars at any one time (Jag XJC, Rover P5, various TVRs etc) and apart from the TVR (5.0l Chim) I have not gone through with any of them.
Hats off and good luck with the car!
TD
I too have recently spent some time looking at these with the thought of getting one again - but then I do the same with about 20 different cars at any one time (Jag XJC, Rover P5, various TVRs etc) and apart from the TVR (5.0l Chim) I have not gone through with any of them.
Hats off and good luck with the car!
TD
She's booked in on 4th Feb for a respray. To keep costs down I'm doing as much stripping as possible before she goes ... it also gives me a nice pile of bits to work on whilst in the paint shop (approx 5 weeks).
The rear window seal leaks water into the boot, so the window (along with the windscreen and side windows) will all have to come out. Have managed to source a new windscreen seal, struggling to find a hatch seal yet.
The stripping continues ...
I'm going to have the boot area incl suspension turrets sprayed, as they always get damaged from things being in the boot over the years.
The rear window seal leaks water into the boot, so the window (along with the windscreen and side windows) will all have to come out. Have managed to source a new windscreen seal, struggling to find a hatch seal yet.
The stripping continues ...
I'm going to have the boot area incl suspension turrets sprayed, as they always get damaged from things being in the boot over the years.
The slam panel and under the bonnet are going to get painted because of light surface rust like this.
The old under bonnet foam has crumbled away into dust, a common fault because of heat and age, so must all come off. The foam itself is easy with a scraper, but leaves behind thick glue. Been using a glue dissolver and scraper, but it takes 3-4 attempts per section.
Here you can see 2 panels done. Slow boring job spread over several days.
Almost there, one panel to go.
The scratches don't matter as a) it's going to be painted as I say and b) new underbonnet foam (currently in transit) will go over the top.
The old under bonnet foam has crumbled away into dust, a common fault because of heat and age, so must all come off. The foam itself is easy with a scraper, but leaves behind thick glue. Been using a glue dissolver and scraper, but it takes 3-4 attempts per section.
Here you can see 2 panels done. Slow boring job spread over several days.
Almost there, one panel to go.
The scratches don't matter as a) it's going to be painted as I say and b) new underbonnet foam (currently in transit) will go over the top.
I want to take the dash out to see if I can repair that crack ... either that or replace with another dash. As a side benefit I want to see if the cabin water leak is from the windscreen or not. Here's a close up of the crack.
The washer stalk switch wasn't working, so I found a replacement - all working now. As a side benefit, previously turning on main beam did odd things to the tell tail lights on the dash, which the new stalk fixed - bonus !
Stripping the dash. The instrument cluster was a finikety wee bugger to get out.
And completely out. It's sat in my office now, waiting for a PVC repair kit to arrive.
The washer stalk switch wasn't working, so I found a replacement - all working now. As a side benefit, previously turning on main beam did odd things to the tell tail lights on the dash, which the new stalk fixed - bonus !
Stripping the dash. The instrument cluster was a finikety wee bugger to get out.
And completely out. It's sat in my office now, waiting for a PVC repair kit to arrive.
This is why the underside of the bonnet needs paint by the way, light rust.
New under bonnet foam kit arrived, for post-paint.
Been working on the sunroof. The surround is ally, but had some corrosion. Rubbed back ...
Masked, primed, rattle can satin black top coats.
Also doing the mounts on the glass hatch, which had a "stone chip" type effect on them.
Pretty much finished stripping the car ready for the paint shop on 4th Feb, apart from the glass (waiting for a local company to come and quote) and the rub strips down the side. Large pile of bits ! (which excludes the door cards, spoiler and dash which are in my office). Under the red sheets is the Honda CB500 engine in bits ...
Christmas present from Mrs EL. I had this exact model stereo in the white Scirocco. Boxed, original, manuals etc ... mint.
New under bonnet foam kit arrived, for post-paint.
Been working on the sunroof. The surround is ally, but had some corrosion. Rubbed back ...
Masked, primed, rattle can satin black top coats.
Also doing the mounts on the glass hatch, which had a "stone chip" type effect on them.
Pretty much finished stripping the car ready for the paint shop on 4th Feb, apart from the glass (waiting for a local company to come and quote) and the rub strips down the side. Large pile of bits ! (which excludes the door cards, spoiler and dash which are in my office). Under the red sheets is the Honda CB500 engine in bits ...
Christmas present from Mrs EL. I had this exact model stereo in the white Scirocco. Boxed, original, manuals etc ... mint.
My dad had 4 brand new Sciroccos in succession from bronze URG 409T in 1979 to metallic red DTY 211W after that then 2 of the new shape: PFT 71Y and after that a gunmetal GTX (can't recall the number of that one - B plate?). I guess it was his midlife crisis!
I have very fond memories and he was very generous with the keys - I used to regularly cock a back wheel on them when racing my pals around the streets of Tyneside in their RS2000's and 3.0S Capris.
The first one had the clutch pivot pull a stress fracture in the bulkhead - fixed under warranty.
Great cars, loved the early shape but the GTX was my favourite for obvious reasons as a young lad - hit the limiter in every gear, very short ratios I seem to recall!
I have very fond memories and he was very generous with the keys - I used to regularly cock a back wheel on them when racing my pals around the streets of Tyneside in their RS2000's and 3.0S Capris.
The first one had the clutch pivot pull a stress fracture in the bulkhead - fixed under warranty.
Great cars, loved the early shape but the GTX was my favourite for obvious reasons as a young lad - hit the limiter in every gear, very short ratios I seem to recall!
Daft thing to say but I've never seen a mk2 scirocco with the rear spoiler removed even though temporarily. Im interested in the look. Anyhow good luck with the restoration really cool cars and looks in good shape.
Edit. Just googled.. I like it.
Edit. Just googled.. I like it.
Edited by deltashad on Tuesday 8th January 21:42
Do you know when you turn something over and have that sinking feeling that you might have fked up ? And you say to yourself "please let me not have fked up".
I've fked up.
So the door cards have an insert which is cloth covered plastic. The glue holding these on to the main door card goes over time, and the inserts go all loose. As they are off the car, it's an easy glue job to reaffix them. Except I thought I'd try and use some new Gorilla glue I bought. Which appears to spread and "foam up" quite well, during its curing process.
Turned the drivers door over, and the glue has bled through to the front.
bd.
Tried removing it, and it's set like concrete. So I've had to obtain a new door card with the same pattern material. The donor door card is damaged and is for a manual window wiper version, so I need to swap them over. Trouble is, this is going to be a bit of a surgical job ... as on the other side there's all this foam and material covering everything.
Slow and careful unpicking with a scalpel got me the material panel out of both panels.
It's then a case of careful regluing of the replacement panel.
Et voila.
This is how the sunroof turned out by the way. I've scratched the paintwork around it, but ofc that doesn't matter as it's going for paint in 2.5 weeks.
Apart from taking the glass out, the car is ready to go now to the painters, so I'm turning my attention to refurbishing all the items currently off the car. The last job on the car itself was to remove the rub strips down both sides ...
... and clean the old adhesive off them. The silver pinstripe is not original and will be going.
Cleaning up the B pillar GTii badges.
ked up ? And you say to yourself "please let me not have fked up".I've f
ked up.So the door cards have an insert which is cloth covered plastic. The glue holding these on to the main door card goes over time, and the inserts go all loose. As they are off the car, it's an easy glue job to reaffix them. Except I thought I'd try and use some new Gorilla glue I bought. Which appears to spread and "foam up" quite well, during its curing process.
Turned the drivers door over, and the glue has bled through to the front.
b
d.Tried removing it, and it's set like concrete. So I've had to obtain a new door card with the same pattern material. The donor door card is damaged and is for a manual window wiper version, so I need to swap them over. Trouble is, this is going to be a bit of a surgical job ... as on the other side there's all this foam and material covering everything.
Slow and careful unpicking with a scalpel got me the material panel out of both panels.
It's then a case of careful regluing of the replacement panel.
Et voila.
This is how the sunroof turned out by the way. I've scratched the paintwork around it, but ofc that doesn't matter as it's going for paint in 2.5 weeks.
Apart from taking the glass out, the car is ready to go now to the painters, so I'm turning my attention to refurbishing all the items currently off the car. The last job on the car itself was to remove the rub strips down both sides ...
... and clean the old adhesive off them. The silver pinstripe is not original and will be going.
Cleaning up the B pillar GTii badges.
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