What have I got in South Australia?

I have purchased this "1977 Mk1 Golf" registered as as "Tourer".
It was converted into a convertible, I believe, early in its life.

VIN: 177 3 288 684
Engine no: FN 149 649
Cyl. head: 055 103 373

What does the number plaque, with what looks like "052-105", signify?

Any idea what "172A" signifies on the AU Compliance Plate, showing "GOLF 172A SEDAN"? Is it the Engine Code, "124": 33kW, 45Hp, 1.60Ltr, 4Cyl, Mounting Time: 08/50-07/91, Model: INDUSTRIEMOTOR, Remark: 124/A and not "ID code- FN 1.6-litre, 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) – 1975-1976" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_Volkswagen_engines?

Interestingly, there is some original "miamiblau L 51 C" on the inside of the nose-cone (body-work in front of engine) and front guards (panels around front wheels), consistent with the rest of the car (it has been painted white at some stage), but it did come with one round headlight!

























 

Interesting, looks very early with the round clocks. 

It'll be interesting to find out more info. 

It's definitely a one off, that is sure, the front end looks to be off a later Westy (american) Rabbit, as the Grill is different than a EURO version.

You may have to use both the Euro and Westy wiring guides.  

Good Luck.

Dano said

Interesting, looks very early with the round clocks. 

It'll be interesting to find out more info. 

I'm very interested to find out more!!!

The centre console has an actual round clock!

Briano1234 said

It's definitely a one off, that is sure, the front end looks to be off a later Westy (american) Rabbit, as the Grill is different than a EURO version.

You may have to use both the Euro and Westy wiring guides.  

Good Luck.

Thanks

I'll have to inspect the headlight wiring when the sun comes up in Oz!

Am I supposed to have rectangle headlights for a 1977?
The evidence indicates that it was originally painted maimiblau and that it came with rectangle headlights.

All the best!

I don't know what they imported to Aust, but the differences over here was that 78/79 was a 50-50 shot at round lights or Square, and that the square was on 80-83 over here.

Cabriolets and Euro versions were all round eye'ed.

I've reconditioned & mapped out the fuse-box, mapped out the wiring (as is with the help of the "ceramic" wiring guide l sourced from https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=findpost&id=1651481.
I am sorting of the spade (G-connector) feeds/source, so I can get the temp gauge, warning lamps, etc working.
The H connector is straight forward-ish.

Can't wait to start it (I haven't experienced it running), see why it "starts to get hot after 5 minutes" (seller says "head gasket").
Got to see if the trans works.
Heater-core liquid was brown!
Planning to do compression tests…

To Do: Tune-up (inc. Valve lash), front shock-absorbers, trans service & adjust, brake booster, front brakes, wheel bearings, bushes, ball-joints, rod-ends, wheel align., strut-mounts?, other suspension?, temporarily plug the rear brake lines (non-existent in areas), …

Thinking of going with 10 or 15W-40 oil, with the Z63 filter.

Briano1234 said

I don't know what they imported to Aust, but the differences over here was that 78/79 was a 50-50 shot at round lights or Square, and that the square was on 80-83 over here.

Cabriolets and Euro versions were all round eye'ed.

Interesting!
So, what would be percentage/ratio of headlights for 77 UK models?

Got it running for my first time today, First time I got the 1977 Mk1 Golf Convertible running - YouTube

electron1979 said

Briano1234 said

I don't know what they imported to Aust, but the differences over here was that 78/79 was a 50-50 shot at round lights or Square, and that the square was on 80-83 over here.

Cabriolets and Euro versions were all round eye'ed.

Interesting!
So, what would be percentage/ratio of headlights for 77 UK models?

All UK models had round lights. I don't know about US cars but they're quite different, called Rabbit (not Golf) and (some?) have rectangular lamps, although I thought they were much smaller ones in a grille vaguely similar to the European Golf.

It looks like an aftermarket customisation of the front end. After all, if they did the convertible conversion, they could have done the front too.

A (theoretical) possibility for rectangular lamps in UK/Europe is if someone has grafted on a Jetta front end to a Golf - I know a few custom cars which had this. However that's not a Jetta front end either.

It looks like Volvo 740/760 units?

Briano1234 said

I don't know what they imported to Aust, but the differences over here was that 78/79 was a 50-50 shot at round lights or Square, and that the square was on 80-83 over here.
Cabriolets and Euro versions were all round eye'ed.

By "over here", is that UK or US? Ah, your profile shows you are in US.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR COMMENTS!!
The plot thickens! Very interesting.

The headlights wiring grafting has been done very poorly!
I should have looked closer earlier; the headlight assemblies (inc. indicators and park lights) are GM Holden branded!!!
Interestingly, the chrome strips on the grille match the chrome strips on the headlights! Maybe the chrome headlight surrounds are VW

The grille is definitely VW. I'll put the lights out soon to see if I can find markings on the surrounds.