General Advice for my Clipper

Hi All

I was hoping i could get some newbie advice for my clipper.
I've only had her a week and have a zillion things i want to, need doing but need some advice first.

Firstly the soft top needs replacing, ( i am a paid member so know i can get discount on a new roof), but i found this lot on ebay who do a mohair replacment and fitting for £295, which sounds very good value. What do you think??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-Mk1-SOFT-TOP-HOOD-CONVERTIBLE-CABRIO-/360733567433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item53fd6569c9

i am thinking of changing from automatic to manual, has anyone done this, is it a lot of work, are the parts readily available?
i have the 1.8l engine which has only done 91000 and it runs very well so no need to change the engine as yet, until i learn more about the car, and then i might upgrade to a bigger engine

last thing, i would reall like power steering, as im not getting any younger, and i plan to use the car everyday, and i nearly had a hernia this morning trying to park it. shows how soft we are with modern cars doing all the work for us!!!
is it possible to add some type of power steering to the car??

many thanks in advance

Hi, converting to maual from auto is not that hard to do.  I did it to my Dad's clipper cabby.  You need the pedal box (so you have a clutch and the smaller brake pedal), clutch cable, manual gear box and mounts, clutch, gear stick and selector rods, steering rack (if yours does not have the bracket on it for the selector rod), speedo cable and drive shafts.  I also swapped the engine wiring loom for a manual car one to get round the wiring issues.  These just plug into the back of the fuse box.   Can't remember if there was anything else.  It's  straighforward to do really, just bolt on stuff.

Hi have just fitted a power steering conversion to my wifes Clipper. It was from MK2 Mania in Bolton I believe they will fit it for a reasonable price if your local. If you need more detail just PM me and i'll help. Have a look in MK1 projects under clipper restoration ' pingu ' there is even a little video of me turning the steering wheel 1 finger style. Stu.

waynerp said

Hi All

I was hoping i could get some newbie advice for my clipper.
I've only had her a week and have a zillion things i want to, need doing but need some advice first.

Firstly the soft top needs replacing, ( i am a paid member so know i can get discount on a new roof), but i found this lot on ebay who do a mohair replacment and fitting for £295, which sounds very good value. What do you think??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-Mk1-SOFT-TOP-HOOD-CONVERTIBLE-CABRIO-/360733567433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item53fd6569c9

i am thinking of changing from automatic to manual, has anyone done this, is it a lot of work, are the parts readily available?
i have the 1.8l engine which has only done 91000 and it runs very well so no need to change the engine as yet, until i learn more about the car, and then i might upgrade to a bigger engine

last thing, i would reall like power steering, as im not getting any younger, and i plan to use the car everyday, and i nearly had a hernia this morning trying to park it. shows how soft we are with modern cars doing all the work for us!!!
is it possible to add some type of power steering to the car??

many thanks in advance

Hi and welcome first of all!  

So to sum up, you have an Automatic without Power Steering.
But you want it to be a Manual with Power Steering as your not getting any younger.

My advice is.
Sell it and buy a Manual with Power Steering.
It won't cure the aging process when the knees start to go but it will save your sanity by not trying to convert the one you have to the spec that you should have bought!

From an ex car salesman, who has done that type of conversion a long, long time ago but to be fair it was a Saab 99 (the old one)  
And then there's the time and cost!  

Good luck mate!  

Why not stay auto? It's quite an exclusive club you know! We have 2 ! The power steering conversion we got is really good

golfcabrio said

waynerp said

Hi All

I was hoping i could get some newbie advice for my clipper.
I've only had her a week and have a zillion things i want to, need doing but need some advice first.

Firstly the soft top needs replacing, ( i am a paid member so know i can get discount on a new roof), but i found this lot on ebay who do a mohair replacment and fitting for £295, which sounds very good value. What do you think??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-Mk1-SOFT-TOP-HOOD-CONVERTIBLE-CABRIO-/360733567433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item53fd6569c9

i am thinking of changing from automatic to manual, has anyone done this, is it a lot of work, are the parts readily available?
i have the 1.8l engine which has only done 91000 and it runs very well so no need to change the engine as yet, until i learn more about the car, and then i might upgrade to a bigger engine

last thing, i would reall like power steering, as im not getting any younger, and i plan to use the car everyday, and i nearly had a hernia this morning trying to park it. shows how soft we are with modern cars doing all the work for us!!!
is it possible to add some type of power steering to the car??

many thanks in advance

Hi and welcome first of all!  

So to sum up, you have an Automatic without Power Steering.
But you want it to be a Manual with Power Steering as your not getting any younger.

My advice is.
Sell it and buy a Manual with Power Steering.
It won't cure the aging process when the knees start to go but it will save your sanity by not trying to convert the one you have to the spec that you should have bought!

From an ex car salesman, who has done that type of conversion a long, long time ago but to be fair it was a Saab 99 (the old one)  
And then there's the time and cost!  

Good luck mate!  

LOL thanks for the advice, but i'm already in love with the old girl and she's not going anywhere

waynerp said

golfcabrio said

waynerp said

Hi All

I was hoping i could get some newbie advice for my clipper.
I've only had her a week and have a zillion things i want to, need doing but need some advice first.

Firstly the soft top needs replacing, ( i am a paid member so know i can get discount on a new roof), but i found this lot on ebay who do a mohair replacment and fitting for £295, which sounds very good value. What do you think??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-Mk1-SOFT-TOP-HOOD-CONVERTIBLE-CABRIO-/360733567433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item53fd6569c9

i am thinking of changing from automatic to manual, has anyone done this, is it a lot of work, are the parts readily available?
i have the 1.8l engine which has only done 91000 and it runs very well so no need to change the engine as yet, until i learn more about the car, and then i might upgrade to a bigger engine

last thing, i would reall like power steering, as im not getting any younger, and i plan to use the car everyday, and i nearly had a hernia this morning trying to park it. shows how soft we are with modern cars doing all the work for us!!!
is it possible to add some type of power steering to the car??

many thanks in advance

Hi and welcome first of all!  

So to sum up, you have an Automatic without Power Steering.
But you want it to be a Manual with Power Steering as your not getting any younger.

My advice is.
Sell it and buy a Manual with Power Steering.
It won't cure the aging process when the knees start to go but it will save your sanity by not trying to convert the one you have to the spec that you should have bought!

From an ex car salesman, who has done that type of conversion a long, long time ago but to be fair it was a Saab 99 (the old one)  
And then there's the time and cost!  

Good luck mate!  

LOL thanks for the advice, but i'm already in love with the old girl and she's not going anywhere

That's the British fighting spirit!
A bit like my little guy 'Schrat' named after the unlucky squirrel in 'Ice Age'.

Poor guys got no luck whatsoever but he's mine and he's staying!    
Good luck with the project and keep us posted.