Skip navigation

Mars Red Tintop @ VAGE 2017

Post

Back to the top
Well where do I start…

I have been into building and renovating mk1's for the past 7 years or so now. I have met many and made a lot of contacts both through the mk1 owners club and on this side here sourcing bits and pieces for projects etc.

I first came across my latest mk1 golf about 5 years ago. It had just been painted in mars red and had engine in. It had a full mechanical rebuild from the ground up by the previous owner. It had sat in his farm shed for the remaining years and never been on the road legally - taxed or insured. It was partially finished.

It's an 1982 non sunroof, Irish spec mk1 which originally had a 1.6 diesel engine but has been converted to GTI. I'm the 4th owner. It has a working mfa dash, twin lamp grill, leather steering wheel and pretty decent mars red interior.

I offered my interest in it over 2 and a half years ago putting both a small and verbal deposit on it giving me time to come up with the funds etc. My extensive parts sourcing commenced. In stealth mode I scooped up bits and pieces from the forums which I thought would suit and enhance the motor. I have bought bits and pieces like external trims, seatbelts, badges, gaiters, switches, door cards, steering wheels, carpet, mats, alloys to name a few. Thanks to all who have helped… you know who you are!

With the 40th anniversary year in 2014 and now having my funds in order it came home in mid March where my full focus went into it. The cabrio went to Dubshed in Belfast and won, drove it home and disconnected the battery and all work started in earnest on the mk1 tintop.

I spent 5 days cleaning. Everything… I mean everything. Boot, carpets, dash, seats out and back in, roof lining. Then continued to the outside did a paint detail with cleanse, wax and polish. Took off grill and G4 techniq trim restorer on it, cleaned the engine bay, alloys, bumpers you name it I've cleaned it. I thoroughly enjoy this part - it's a break away from the norm! Something to keep me out of trouble.  :)

Paul helped out and did a coolant flush and oil and filter service. He checked it out mechanically all seemed ok. It had been off the road for more than 10 years so was a bit nervous of the NCT (your MOT) but it passed on the 23rd April 2014 and now was road legal with €56 road tax and AXA insurance.
More bits and pieces still coming in the post - all new stickers and badges from UK and USA and my next focus was to have her looking its best for our Mk1 meet at the Limerick Show on May 25th.

To my surprise and I'm sure the surprise of others - it won best in class in the mk1 standard class. The Sportline also picked up a best in class award. So a double whammy but delighted to say the least with both prizes. It even got invited into a spread of Golfs from mk1 - mk7 in the parade ring of the showground's. We had 60 mk1's present at the show which was deemed a great success.

It's a fun car to drive, nippy, has a few running issues to sort yet (lacks a bit of top end power) maybe treat it to a stainless steel manifold and exhaust if funds allow. I have to wire in a radio and wipers park funny. I have a set of 14" Pirelli p slots for it and more trim to go on. I also have another GTI engine which I am going to detail for this motor. The €56 road tax is very appealing and it grabs attention when out and about.

Thanks to all who have helped with encouragement, parts and advice. Couple of pics for you now…











Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top
Lovely car Hugh and congrats on the 2 awards. Looks like new really from the pics mate.  :thumbs:  :thumbs:

Post

Back to the top
Looks very nice and not many can claim double wins in same show.  As for €56 road tax, that's downrightly unacceptable. Mine is £240 I think (well I try not to think about it really….)

Golf GTI Campaign 1983 Mars Red, Ford S-Max 2015, Audi TT 180 quattro 2003, Fiat 500C 2013, Golf GTE MK7.5

image.jpeg
 

Post

Back to the top
Very nice Hugh !!
Loads of boot space for the AG trip :-)

Cheers,
Ade

Banner


Post

Back to the top
Congrats for both awards and richly deserved :-)

Post

Back to the top
Been doing little bits to the tintop in the last week - changed the injector seals, plugs, air filter, leads and rotor arm.

Paul had his C02 machine over and is now running a lot better. It was running very lean and now the C02 is about 1.7 - need to have the exhaust looked at next! It has a small blow on the manifold but sounds very noisy on startup.

Last weekend at my local VW dealership I had this lady pop into the shot with my motor.  :cool:


Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top
 :drool:  :drool:  :drool:  :drool:  :drool:  :drool:  :drool:

Post

Back to the top
all that time waxing to have her ur dirty paws on it........ :o

Post

Back to the top
That's a beauty mate, congrats on the 2 awards, well deserved :cool:

Post

Back to the top

Swallowtail_uk said

all that time waxing to have her ur dirty paws on it…….. :o

I should have given her my cleaning cloth!  :lol:

Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top

Melteddrummer said

That's a beauty mate, congrats on the 2 awards, well deserved :cool:

Thanks Andy. The tintop is a nice drive, still have a few little running issues with it. Something to get my hands dirty with over the summer months.

At the moment it's great Cabrio weather.  :cool:

So the best of both mk1 worlds really.  :thumbs:

Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top
Lovely Hugh, wee car looks absolutely mint. I'll look forward to having a closer look next time she's up north.

Post

Back to the top

Pistol said

Lovely Hugh, wee car looks absolutely mint. I'll look forward to having a closer look next time she's up north.

Thanks Pistol Pete very similar to your lol

Hopefully get the radio fitted in it this week for some summer tunes. Won't make Castlewellan this year unfortunately.

Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top
Hi Hugh the wee car looks a honey and congrats on the award.

Post

Back to the top

Shughy said

Been doing little bits to the tintop in the last week - changed the injector seals, plugs, air filter, leads and rotor arm.

Paul had his C02 machine over and is now running a lot better. It was running very lean and now the C02 is about 1.7 - need to have the exhaust looked at next! It has a small blow on the manifold but sounds very noisy on startup.

Last weekend at my local VW dealership I had this lady pop into the shot with my motor.  :cool:



the mk1 can still pull the ladys lol  :thumbs:

Post

Back to the top

ivortheengine said

Hi Hugh the wee car looks a honey and congrats on the award.


Thanks Ivor  :thumbs:

Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top
Picked up a second hand tarantula alloy wheel to have as a spare wheel.



The tyre was shot and the rim a few buckles!



Rubber removed… now the hard work started!



A good bit of effort to getting it to this stage…



Coat of primer next - left to dry for two hours - more sanding - another coat of primer - left overnight.





Getting there… first coat of Lidl aluminium silver applied. Cheap stuff but did the job!  :thumbs:



Coat of lacquer and some new rubber. Next into the boot.  ;)



Job Complete.  :thumbs:  :thumbs:

Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner

Post

Back to the top
Good effort Hugh !!

Just ordered a spare for mine as the 14" steel I have will not fit over the 280mm brakes !!

Cheers,
Ade

Banner


Post

Back to the top
Beautiful mk1 Hugh. That spare wheel has come up a treat - shame its going to be hidden in the boot.  Do you have the original tool kit to go with it ?

Post

Back to the top

lhasadreams said

Good effort Hugh !!

Just ordered a spare for mine as the 14" steel I have will not fit over the 280mm brakes !!

Thanks Ade - I'm liking the tarantula wheel - much easier to clean than the bbs Ra's.  :)

Cheers Hugh.

www.vwgolf1.com - vw golf parts and genuine accessories!

Banner
0 guests and 0 members have just viewed this: None.