New Member Needs Help

Hi,

I've just joined the club and wanted to say hello. My apologises in advance because I will probably annoy members with my questions.

I bought a 1983 Cabby (white) a few years ago which needs a total strip down. Its got 30K miles on the clock and was stuck in a barn for decades. Its been outside undercover for 3 years at my house just outside Aberdeen in Scotland. I've just managed to get in inside into my garage where the head scratching has started. Its had various tweeks during its life and I'm not entirely sure what changes I'm going to do and what parts I will keep or return to OEM spec. I'm not that familiar with what models of cabby and golfs have interchangeable parts. This is where I hope to seek guidance from fellow members.

My first objective is to reduce the weight of the car by removing as many parts as possible before I rise her up on the scissor lift and tackle the underneath. I don't think the rust is that bad considering the time its been asleep. Here is a couple of pictures. One thin I did suspect was the bumbers, my VW mate said they were off a Mk2 Golf. It doesn't really matter beside they will be removed and probably ditched unless anybody think I could sell them on?

I have a couple of questions.

I'm starting with the hood and its beyond repair. I seem to be missing some parts which I've managed to find suppliers (heritage parts etc.). However, I came across the area where the gas strut should be and found it was missing along with linkage arm. I pivot points on the are also out of alignment and will need realigned, on both sides. Can anybody tell me where I could get replacement parts for the frame. I know I'm going to have to strip it down and refurbish it as best I can.

Second question is I'm definitely going to have to sand blast or dip the shell and panels and get body repairs done before rust treatment and painting (see lip area around the bottom of the hood  ). I'm not a panel expert and don't want to attempt welding filling etc. Can anybody recommend a good bodyshop?

Thx…

Welcome. 
Interesting low mileage car.
You've got Mk2 big bumpers and 'Clipper Kit' side trims. I'd expect to find more rust and decay behind those when you take them off. 

Re the hood, your best person to seek advice from is chortle who is the guru for all things hoods. He's based in Derby. 

Label everything you take off and store carefully. The parts are interchangeable with hatchback models - in the main. 

Checking the reg via DVLA, it shows first registered 10/04/1984 which wouldn't make it a GLi. Are the badges showing GLi, can't quite see in the photo. 

Its definitely a GLI although the badges are GTI. I had VW Classic Parts send me Certificate of Delivery.

How do I contact Chortle? Through this form? I can't seem to find him on the internet.

Chassis number on cert, car and V5 all match.

OK, here we go…

GLi - 1600cc up to 1982 
GTI - 1800cc from 1983 

The brochure for the model year 1983-1984 shows the 1800 GTI model. The GLi had been superseded by the GTI.  

I have a February 1984 registered, December 1983 built GTI. When I applied for my certificate that too came back with the GLi title. I went back to VW with a copy of the brochure and a covering letter they amended the certificate free of charge. 

Brochure for that year.. 
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/index.php?page=galleries&type=misc&id=1984_the_golf_convertible_08

Hope it helps a little. 




Contact chortle via a PM on here. He will answer in time. You're probably a little way off a new hood at the moment.
Shout up for any assistance.