86 MK1 Karmann Golf Owner Looking For Help!!

Hi Everyone
Joined the site 2nite mainly to ask for help - I've exhausted all other sources for my queries!!
I have a 1986 Karman Clipper Cabriolet which was owned for the first 10 years by my mum and I've had it since 1996 - only 78,000 miles on the clock and totally original apart from the roof which was slashed for apparently no good reason at all (only happened recently and it still hurts!!)

Does anyone know where I might find the grey checked original material for the seats?  Or the seats? The drivers seat material has completely detiorated on the right hand panels of the seat - all the other seats are as good as perfect.  

The paintwork is now over 20 years old so I am considering a bare metal respray, treating small rust patches on the doors and sills and generally having the exterior of the car restored to "showroom" condition.  If I do this, will I spoil the "desirability" of the car - should I leave it in order to retain its originality?  If I do have it resprayed, does anyone know where I can get the decals?

Hope u dont mind me asking al lthese questions but loads of garages etc have told me this is the place to get help and information!!

Hiya S1zzler,


"Exhausted all other sources for your queries" eh?

Welcome along firstly!! This is the place for all your Mk1 cabriolet advice.

I don't know where you are in the country but DB Car Trim in Blackpool has a very good reputation for doing the business. I used Dave when I have my '84 drivers seat recovered. Although it wasn't exactly the same you can hardly tell the difference.. as you walk by! He may have the exact cloth for you car with it being a bit newer than mine. His number is 01253 761252. He operates a pick up and collection service if you live a distance away.

In my opinion if the paintwork is flat and you are going to do a full respray then go for it cause it will look better afterwards.

Dan

Dan
Thanks so much for the info - I'll call him today!

Good timing with that question sizzler!  

I've been looking at the drivers side bolsters on mine this week and had decided I need to find someone who might still do the fabric.

I've taken note of that number Dano, when the pennies allow, I'll give them a ring too!  

Nearly forgot to say welcome to the club! Have a browse through the site - just about everything you need to know will be here somewhere!  

I know its a difficult to make the commitment to go for a respray, the cars always looks best shiny and new looking and if its done well it can only add money not lose any. You need to do your home work on this as different garages as vastly different on results of a respray and of course costs. Unless you know some one who is a painter then expect this to be expensive - at least with a cabby you don't have to paint the roof so could save some money there :wink: Its an art to get a car finished well and the old saying of you get what you pay for has never been more true on the paint work side.

VW are only legally responsible to keep trim parts for about 10 years so I guess that the trim for the interior is long gone, Your  best bet is to try small coach works company like the one Dano suggested, I think you should be able to get a close match to most material especial bolster cloth but the inner paterned material may be a bit more difficult. The other opition is to try and find one in a breakers yard and take the passenger seat and re-trim that onto your drivers seat - this could take some time to find though so just an idea really.

Welcome to the site BTW

Hiya hun welcome to the site and im haveing the same problem as Dano can tell you i wil keep my eye out and if i find anywer that does a good job i will give you the detials

omg thank you all so much for your help.  Chrissie your seats are the same trim as mine but mines only suffering on the bolsters!
I've got a nasty feeling I'm looking at replacing all the seats!!!

aww i need to get two new front seat im not getting them re trimmed becasue the springs have gone ha ha and when you sit on them the springs in the back of the seat stab in ur back Ouch ha ha will have to go on a shopping tip and grab miself some new Recaro wotever they are lol

Hey these would look nice to match the rear seats think i might bid  

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4645022048&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

i have some old seats in my car, they are g40 but i want to get rid of them as im looking for leather….i would only want like say ?40 for the front two picked up…but they are not perfect condition!  bolsters are good though

xxchrissixx said

Hey these would look nice to match the rear seats think i might bid  

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4645022048&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

these are some of the most comfortable seats ever, best thing about an RST :wink:
You could make these fit easy chrissi, its a bit of a trek to get them for you thou :?

If u have a look at the winning bidder it looks like Walt :evil: if he has bought them and made me loose when he doesnt need them i wont be happy :evil:

Welcome! Which decals are you after?
 

Ur looking very pleased with yourself Walt!!!  :? lol it wasnt you that got them was it 8O lol

No, not me! I was asking about decals / stickers…You know! I have Clipper, Rivage and Sport line!  

Chrissi,
I've told you before, KEEP IT STANDARD! Build up the No Claims and then get a GTI. Your car isn't and won't be a GTI so why mess with it? Fix whats there, the cloth is good so get the seats into a re-trimmers and get them bolstered up. Preston Car Trim is even closer than Blackpool and he's pretty keen on his prices.

Dan

Good advice there Dano! She could then look at trading in the GTI for a GTI cabriolet!  

Ok ok getting a bit ahead of myself then   I will get a GTi when i am in my like 20's because i just cant aford the insurance i tryed to get insured on a Mk1 Golf GTi Cabri, and it was ?3670  8O I was stunned and very upset i dont know what i will do, I cant aford much more thean a standard Mk1 1.1 and that is why i want it to look nice can you not understand that  :cry: