Mk2 Golf GTI 1988 Barn Find - What to do, restore or Sell

[Raptor7000r]

I came across an old barn find, a Mk2 GTI 8v I from 1988, it's in a right state and has sat for over 20 years possibly longer, I bought the car for the private registration but now I'm in 2 minds as to what to do.


Do I try restoring it?

Sell it as is and try to keep the number plate? The car doesn't have an MOT.

Or get the car up and running, MOT it then sell it a project?

Pictures to be attached, it came with 2 keys but no paperwork, the only mileage history I have is from the HPI showing 8 miles back in 1988.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Won't the plate be long gone?

Look forward to the pics! I love a MK2

[Raptor7000r]

The plates still on the car, I'm the 3rd owner.

[Raptor7000r]

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

When I say plates long gone, I don't mean the physical plate, I mean the right to wear them.

That was a belting car in its day I'm sure. Good for spares for somebody maybe?

[Raptor7000r]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

When I say plates long gone, I don't mean the physical plate, I mean the right to wear them.

That was a belting car in its day I'm sure. Good for spares for somebody maybe?

I don't believe so, it would stay with the car? I've got the logbook anyway.

Would suit a good restoration project, just need to find the best place to make it roadworthy or sell as is?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I'm guessing a valid MOT might be the issue?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I've just read the government site the car:

Must be able to move under its own power
Have current MOT
Be taxed or sorn

(amongst other things).

[R6tty]

Last 'plate I saved (from one of my own vehicles) was about six years ago. Had to have been MOT'd or SORN within the last five years.

[Raptor7000r]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I'm guessing a valid MOT might be the issue?

R6tty said:

Last 'plate I saved (from one of my own vehicles) was about six years ago. Had to have been MOT'd or SORN within the last five years.

Yep car was SORN so spoke to DVLA hopefully should be able to get it moved to my car.

Anyone got an idea of value? 2 prev owners, low miles but full restoration needed. It would be good fun sticking a golf r engine in it but too much of a project for me

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Raptor7000r said:

Yep car was SORN so spoke to DVLA hopefully should be able to get it moved to my car.

Let us know how it goes.

I wonder if this guy might like to buy yours for spares?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[dan98]

Without seeing the underside / sills etc. it's impossible to say whether it's worth saving, even for an enthusiast.
Even so it isn't that valuable currently.

I'd take a ton of photos and stick it on Ebay no reserve to get rid, unless you have a lot of time and energy (or money) to spare to either get it running or restore.

[Raptor7000r]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Let us know how it goes.

I wonder if this guy might like to buy yours for spares?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Good shout!

dan98 said:

Without seeing the underside / sills etc. it's impossible to say whether it's worth saving, even for an enthusiast.
Even so it isn't that valuable currently.

I'd take a ton of photos and stick it on Ebay no reserve to get rid, unless you have a lot of time and energy (or money) to spare to either get it running or restore.

Yep, hoping I can get the plate off and will likely do this, hopefully goes to someone decent who will restore it, willl probably suit someone who would do most of the work themselves. I believe with low miles if fully restored to new could be 20-25k. But would require a good few thousand to get it upto scratch.

[Belle427]

Raptor7000r said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Let us know how it goes.

I wonder if this guy might like to buy yours for spares?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Good shout!

dan98 said:

Without seeing the underside / sills etc. it's impossible to say whether it's worth saving, even for an enthusiast.
Even so it isn't that valuable currently.

I'd take a ton of photos and stick it on Ebay no reserve to get rid, unless you have a lot of time and energy (or money) to spare to either get it running or restore.

Yep, hoping I can get the plate off and will likely do this, hopefully goes to someone decent who will restore it, willl probably suit someone who would do most of the work themselves. I believe with low miles if fully restored to new could be 20-25k. But would require a good few thousand to get it upto scratch.

Can’t see them ever getting near those figures, you will spend half of that restoring it properly though I would guess.
Nice long term project for someone though.

[Discendo Discimus]

If it was a 3 door 16v with low miles I'd say go for it.
Being a 5 door 8v in a fairly undesirable colour - you'd spend more on the resto than you'd get from the sale.

I've had 4 Mk2 Golfs over the years and they are great fun, but they hide rot like nothing else. There's a build thread on here for someone who's restoring theirs and you'd never know there was rust lurking under the paint at first glance but after a bit of digging the amount of rot is outstanding.

[Raptor7000r]

Belle427 said:

Can’t see them ever getting near those figures, you will spend half of that restoring it properly though I would guess.
Nice long term project for someone though.

I did see a mint one sale with 45k for 19k on ebay, but again that was mint.

Discendo Discimus said:

If it was a 3 door 16v with low miles I'd say go for it.
Being a 5 door 8v in a fairly undesirable colour - you'd spend more on the resto than you'd get from the sale.

I've had 4 Mk2 Golfs over the years and they are great fun, but they hide rot like nothing else. There's a build thread on here for someone who's restoring theirs and you'd never know there was rust lurking under the paint at first glance but after a bit of digging the amount of rot is outstanding.

Yep, I think i'm going to get the plate off and pass it onto a hobbyist, ebay auction pending! Hoping to break even as I took a bit of a gamble and paid a few k but the plate was the main thing, even at that will possibly be close to break even after selling the car.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Raptor7000r said:

Yep, I think i'm going to get the plate off and pass it onto a hobbyist, ebay auction pending! Hoping to break even as I took a bit of a gamble and paid a few k but the plate was the main thing, even at that will possibly be close to break even after selling the car.

Have the DVLA told you how to get the plate transferred? I'm intrigued how it's going to work.

[dan98]

Raptor7000r said:

Yep, I think i'm going to get the plate off and pass it onto a hobbyist, ebay auction pending! Hoping to break even as I took a bit of a gamble and paid a few k but the plate was the main thing, even at that will possibly be close to break even after selling the car.

Ah hmm, if you paid a few thousand for it then I correct what I said earlier - put a reserve on the auction.
If the auction doesn't go well, it'll fetch more selling the parts and chassis separately I expect.

The low mileage on the speedo is pretty much worthless without proof unfortunately.

[reddiesel]

Belle427 said:

Can’t see them ever getting near those figures, you will spend half of that restoring it properly though I would guess.
Nice long term project for someone though.

I cant either so I hope the OP at least gets a " turn " from the Index Plate . Its pretty bad luck that it wasnt an RS Ford under the Tarp then the OP could have probably retired .

[Raptor7000r]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Have the DVLA told you how to get the plate transferred? I'm intrigued how it's going to work.

I think I can swap it because the car has been SORN, if not will need to do by post hoping I can do it online, logbook should arrive this week or next.

dan98 said:

Ah hmm, if you paid a few thousand for it then I correct what I said earlier - put a reserve on the auction.
If the auction doesn't go well, it'll fetch more selling the parts and chassis separately I expect.

The low mileage on the speedo is pretty much worthless without proof unfortunately.

Yep, been told that off a dealer too, hoping to just offload it in one go, what parts are the most valuable?

reddiesel said:

I cant either so I hope the OP at least gets a " turn " from the Index Plate . Its pretty bad luck that it wasnt an RS Ford under the Tarp then the OP could have probably retired .

Yep, it was a bit of a gamble, I think the plate should cover the few K hopefully, will likely keep it and if I get 1500-2000 for the car i'll be a happy man.