My 1st Project - MK1 Cabrio

Hi. So i've been on the forum since September when I was in the market for a mk1 cabby which ive always wanted, so i decided to treat myself

I picked up this little 1.6 with 112k on the clock, which was imported from Germany many many years ago and converted to RHD (note the LHD wipers). I never had any intentions of keeping her as she looked when i brought it, as long as she was solid i was happy

Here she is

So since buying her, I was using her as a run around for a while but then realised I cant do that with no problems. So…ive managed to muscle my way into my Mrs's parents garage. Ive now brought a Rover Tomcat :/ for my daily driver so the golf can stay off road.

Before I start posting pictures I'd just like to say that this is the first time i've ever tried anything like this. Everything ill be doing ill be on here and surfing the web for advice and tips, that being said any help or constructive criticism would be muchly appreciated!!!

Ok so the first thing i done to her was to loose that horrible BBS bodykit that was on her and about half a tonne of filler the previous owner used too smooth the kit in. Really wish he did'nt!!!




























As you can see, rear arches have seen better days

Decided to have a mooch under the bonnet. Removed a few things im not intending on keeping (carb, radiator, water bottles and pipes). Everything else im just going to give a good clean up with some de-greaser and elbow grease.

Thinking ill maybe give the engine a lick of high temp paint. Im I correct in thinking that I dont want to sand the engine down due to the risk of getting sand inside?

Next I done as I bacame worried, after seeing the state of my arches, was stripping my seats and carpet out make sure there were no holes in the floor. Quite happy with how it looked…

So this weekend in the sun, I decided too have a crack at rebuilding my passenger side rear arch. Im planning on putting the clipper kit onto her. At least then if the rear arch that I make back up isnt 100% perfect which chances are, it wont be then atleast it wont be visible. If I were going small bumper on her then id be buying new arches and gtting some welding done. good job I like the clipper kit look. The trim line had also been filled so needed sanding out. will do this each panel as I go along.

rear arch all sanded down


MK1G4V getting his hands dirty!




So I based it with p40 fibreglass and built it up with p38 filler. After 2 coats I gave it a couple of coats of primer, ready to sand down again and again and again. Arch still needs building up and the lip building though. As I said if I wasnt putting the clipper kit onto her id be buying new arches. If it dont turn out as I want then I will be left with no choice but to weld new arches on.

Thats it for this weekend. Hopefully going to finish the arch next weekend and maybe start sanding down the other rear arch. More pics too follow….

Thanks 4 looking!

braver man than me, good luck, what degreaser you using

It's just some heavy duty oven de-greaser. Just been giving it a clean get all the muck off then de grease it with wire brushes. Looks much better than it did