Mk1 CTi in restoration

I just couldn't stay away from Mk1's so recently I've found myself ( for the 5th time) owning a Mk1.

Took a while to find a decent project base and I settled on a 1992 Mk1 Cti (1.8i) that I've spotted in the classifieds in Cape Town, South Africa.

These cars are considered the the continuation of the original Mk1 GTi's.  I've seen a discussions about CTi's on the forums here and I think I've managed to obtain proof of life of 3 in the UK.  There may be more.

The plan is restore it in Cape Town and then ship it to the UK.


Original photos from the classified ad:







 

As with any project car:  it needed some work.

Pics after the deal was done by my helpful family members back in Cape Town:

I soon realised I needed to do some work to get this car road worthy.

Hit list:

1. New windscreen (completed)
2. New tyres ( completed)
3. Big service - fix idling (completed)
4. We discovered rust that will be a MOT failure….

The rust repairs meant that I all the bodywork had to be brought forward.  (As I'm based in the UK, I have to outsource the work in Cape Town.)

Car currently in the bodyshop undergoing rust repairs and a full respray on the outside and door shuts.

The CTi decals are out of production, but I sourced a company that made reproductions for me.

Will keep you posted on the progress as I get intel from the workshop.

Wheel refurb:





 

nice looking car mate

My bodyshop in Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa has sent me the latest update.

Bearing in mind I bought the car sight unseen (Recap: I had a local family member to help buy the project base though), I'm comforted that the body shop is finding every little ding that needs repairing.  These pictures, below, are two weeks in at a VAG approved bodyshop.  Not cheap, but I know them and they are the best in the local region.

The project is moving ahead at least - the plan is to have all the bodywork done by end December when I land in Cape Town to see the car for the first time in person.

I then have to assess  if I need additional cosmetic parts that are easy to source in South Africa rather than the UK. (This may be an expensive visit…)

I also need to assess the DX engine condition to determine if I do a full rebuild before I ship it to the UK.  (The car has done 144k miles so it may be wise to refurb before it goes bang to keep the numbers matching).  Parts and labour is about 1/3rd if UK prices, so it may be prudent to do it before I ship it.

I am very tempted to OEM+ it, but given how rare an original CTi is now, I have decided to keep it stock and as original as possible.

One thing in my project's favour is that I currently have no parking available in London for the MK1, so extending it's stay in Cape Town means more project work can be completed.

Latest pics below:






 

We're getting there - final preparation in progress before the painting begins.  ( I did find it odd that all the cars in the background of these latest pics are white.) The plan is to complete the spray work and re-apply the decals by mid December.

Hope to see it for the first time over the festive period to determine what else needs doing.





 

She's coming along - can't wait to see her with the original decals fitted:




 

The CTi is back in business.  Contemplating the next money pit steps…