87 Cab GTi - LOADS of pics/info etc 56k = no way!

1987 VW Golf GTi Convertible.

Right, time has come to part ways with the Golf. She had always wanted a convertible and I couldn?t bear to see her buy anything naff like an MGF. I wanted to get a mk2 Golf GTi 16v so we met somewhere in the middle.

So, ?915.00 and a trip to Newcastle later, we became the proud owner of an iconic convertible. The trip back to Merseyside went without fault. On the way down the motorway it happily cruised at 70 (which incidentally it can reach in 3rd gear when driven with spirit) and above for the whole journey.

After getting home, playing around with the hood and just generally posing I noticed a few bits that needed attention:

1.   Knocking noise coming from front offside arch
2.   The hood was ripped and repaired with gaffer tape, really didn?t look nice
3.   Dash lights were temperamental
4.   There was a farty sound from the engine on idle
5.   Slight knock from transmission when taking up a gear quickly.
6.   Gearchange a bit sloppy

So, straight into VW Addictions where a reconditioned exhaust manifold was fitted, new downpipe, flange, new offside front spring, transmission mount were fitted. ?312.90 for the work.

Traced the dash light problem myself, fixed, and also fitted brand new gear linkages. Cost ?15.00 in total.

Next, complete new hood from Car Hoods Northern purchased and fitted by them at a cost of ?325.00 This is original style and colour and to exact VW pattern. The fit is perfect and the guy who fitted it a mk1 cab owner himself.

Vehicle since then has run without fault. She is surprisingly quick for a car of her age and a really really fun car to drive. Only used for travel to work and back probably once or twice a week by the misses, and by me as many times as I can find a reason to use her. In total we have covered just over 1000 miles including the initial journey from Newcastle since we got her in June.

6 Months tax were put on from 1st October so nothing to worry about until April next year. MOT until mid April 2008 also, and I can see no reason why it will not pass next time.

Generally in great condition, few spots here and there that could do with being sorted out ? bit of rust coming through under one wingmirror and also on the outside edge of the door at the bottom. Most importantly though with the new hood ? absolutely no leaks at all.

The wheels are completely mint ? reconditioned not too long before I got the car, and extremely hard to find in this condition. The car itself is completely unmodded apart from one of those filter things that means you can run unleaded happily.

Sony face off MP3/CD player with the obligatory set of JBL 4x9?s in the back. The Tonnue cover is with the car and fits perfectly. It also has Wolfsberg door pins, mirror adjusters and window winders to finish it off without going Barry style.

Now, the reason for sale. And the hardest part.

The rear seats, while having seat belts, only have lap belts, and as such our daughter?s car seat has to go in the front. This either means me at 6?2? sitting in the back getting blown about, or the misses with her expensive hairdo being in there. Basically, it doesn?t work as a family motor. This is a problem as I want to use it every weekend possible but as a family we can?t. I blame kids and marriage personally.

157k from new but had a reconditioned engine at around 87k. These engines if taken care of will go on forever and it shows zero sign of giving up anytime soon at all. Every drive it begs to be driven fast and it?s very hard not to oblige.

The history is extensive with invoices and detailed purchases over the last 6 or so years totalling over ?3600.00

The car owes us around ?1750.00 including the tax and bits we have bought. We are not looking to make a profit and know as winter is approaching we?ll have to take a hit, but I can?t drag it out any longer and make her keep it.

Looking for ?1500. Drive away a very very happy person and make me miserable. Test drives more than welcome if you have proof of insurance. If not, happy to take you out in it and let you see how much fun it is. Be warned though ? no attempts to steal the car on the test drive. I love this thing and the thought of having neither it, nor the ?1500 we are asking for will mean a fight to the death Spock/Kirk style.

Insurance is great ? classic all the way which costs us both around ?220 per year with business use, no ?no claims? and my accident at fault 2 years back. I?m 30, she is 28.

In short, cheap to run, so much fun to own, utterly reliable and it has had money thrown at it whenever anything needed doing both by us and the previous owner (a doctor). Look through the receipts and you will see just how much has been done to this car to ensure nothing with be a problem.

Here are just some of the things that have been done, most include invoices:

Transmision mounting
O/S front spring
Exhaust downpipe
Downpipe flange seal
Manifold gasket
Exhaust manifold         
Total ?312.90

Gti grill + Trim
Total ?41.13

New Hood
Total ?325.00

Battery and Fuses
Total ?60.68

Replace dizzy cap + rotor arm, check + fix misfire
Total ?95.98

New fuel filler neck, bleed system, new exhaust, adjust steering, radiator cards, paintwork repair
Total ?676.85

Replace clutch, flywheel oil seal, secure fuel pump
Total ?252.63

New fuel pump
?173.32

Gearbox recondition, gear oil, exhaust hanger
Total ?698.03

Fit bulkhead repair, replace clutch cable, gear linkage
Total ?108.10

All of that work was carried out in the last 3 years.  There are plenty more invoices detailing lots more work that has been done professionally to keep this car as good as possible.

If you want a barried up cab with 17? wheels and painted dashboard this isn?t for you. If you want a reliable classic hot hatch that can scare off a lot of newer more dull cars or a basis for whatever custom project you are planning this IS the car for you.

Happy to provide pictures of whatever you need to see, and you are welcome and encourages to view the car yourself ? situated in Southport Merseyside.

Oh, one last thing ? immobiliser and alarm fitted and working perfectly. No one is going to steel this from you.

Contact blankwerks@gmail.com or call Graham on 07966 086968 any time.

?1500.00 No dumb offers please. And will not break for parts.



Edit - excuse the "teaching to suck eggs" style listing on here - I am using the same listing elsewhere where people may not be so immediately aware of what seems obvious here.