Hello and finding a nice Golf GTI Convertible

Hi All,
Long time Golf Mk1 fan. although never owned one.

Parent's had a Mk1 Golf L in Lido Green, learn't to drive in a Mk2 Golf CL and have a Mk4 Golf GTI 1.8T and Mk5 Golf GTI.

Now looking to scratch an itch I've had and get a nice Mk1 Golf GTI Convertible.

Ideally a standard (non-modified) GTI in Blue, White, Silver or Paprika Red.

I've read the buyers guide so am aware of the pitfalls.

Due to the age and being a convertible the main two concerns are:

- Rust (especially on sills under Clipper kits, windscreens and around hood base)
- Water leaks from badly fitted hoods

I'll put a ad in the WANTED section.

Are there any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Greg

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the forum.

Ebay is always a good place to keep your eye on too.


Mike.

Thanks Mike.

I did see a nice looking small bumper 'All White' Golf GTI Mk1 Convertible come up with circa 48k miles. Reg was D350ETR.

The wording in the ad was quite strong and it appeared to sell on bids for £5,500, but then relisted for £7,000.

There are the occasional good find, but eBay usually feels like a risky last resort.

Ideally would like to buy privately from a Mk1 enthusiast who's cherished their car.

I'm not in a rush, so will keep watching.

Appreciate your post.    

Just to add, prices do seem all over the place at present.

The suns out and plenty of chancers out there asking silly money….

The other problem you need to check is the fuel filler neck and rust/dirt in the fuel tank as that kills the fuel injection system and is a pain to fix etc.

Rust on sills not so much a problem, it's rust on the rear arches you need to look/feel out for.  

Thanks Mark.

Yes I was aware of the fuel filler necks rusting.

It's a minefield finding decent cars.

How reliable is the Golf GTI engine (112hp)?

At what mileage will it need an engine rebuild?

How much will a rebuild cost (approx)?

I managed 270,000 miles before I pulled my engine out of the car as it started using a lot of oil, 500 miles for 1l of oil and blue smoke from the exhaust if pushed hard. The engine did still have its original valve stem seals (they were probably rock hard and needed replacing and caused the blue oil smoke) and the head had never been off the car, there was a slight knock from the bottom end as well.

We got the car when it was 6 years old and 50,000 miles so I know what's happened to it in the last 24 years.

Regular oil changes and servicing and the engine keep going, I wait for the oil to be nice a warm before I drive it hard.

If looked after the engine will last, seen a a couple to these engine reach 500,000 miles.

My car has never left let me down in all the time I've had it or needed to see a AA or RAC trailer and always gets me home so I would say they are reliable engine and I still use mine as a daily drive, 50 mile commute to work 4 days a week, I've even driven the Golf to Italy on a holiday and nothing broke. I would happy jump in it a drive from Somerset to north Scotland and back tomorrow if needed.  

i was told when i was younger - look after a car & it will look after you. my GTI is running very well… currently on 125k, as for a rebuild, to me, that is a strong word & could have various meaning, then you could ask why has it had to be rebuilt, a thrashing? neglect? not serviced? or something else…
Personally don't think there's that many originals out there, by that i mean, not resprayed, which some people seem to think a fresh coat of paint keeps it original  if it left the factory in one coat then been freshened up it's not original.. not difficult really. of course there are parts which need to be renewed due to wear & tear, only natural unless you got a Pristine car with 5k miles on the clock locked up in a heated room I've got a k-jet in mine, it's nippy & responsive as well as getting over 40mpg out of it on a run. Some people say the cabby is not a Mk1 which i call the marmite marvels  a mk1 is a mk1. I looked far & wide for a genuine car, found one with a woman owner who had it 12 years, coming up to retirement, steering too heavy etc.. the engine was warm when i got there to test it - always a give away.. i knew it would need some tlc, always more than you think.. when i 1st bought it, it seemed a little laboured amongst a few other things, but it was original & only 4 prev owners - i travelled 4 hours home - this was with the wrong spark plugs in, worn rotor arm, 1 damper leaking, 1 calipre seized, WUR not working correct, a few rubbers dried out & a few other things that needed attention to get it how it should be.  when i got home the fuel was saying about 24/25mpg  bit of a difference now…

As for the 'all white' you mentioned. that would most probably been a Quartet  - they didn't do an all white on a 86/87 D plate. I've got a Quartet & that is all white - the Quartet had a choice of 64 different colour combinations with choices of 4 colour varieties. Wheels, Body, Hood & Interior.

 

Thanks Dean.

I actually have a Quartet brochure somewhere from the motor show. The checked patern seats are a nice feature on Quartet cars.

Original cars are hard to find. Don't mind if bumpers have needed a repaint or wheels refurbished.

My main concern is rust and accident damage and originality from people wanting to customise their car. No problem with that, but I'd like a standard car.
Obviously wheels can be swapped but other items like interiors are more of an issue.

At least your car sounds like it just had a few items which needed attention before it was running sweetly.

 

No worries dude…

my car is standard & original (i did have the wheels refurbished - diamond cut), original manuals, PDI sheet, 2 sets of keys, original plates, window etching/sticker, Blaupunkt stereo, original 1st aid kit etc with 5 prev owners - not bad for a 31 yr old car.  it has a few little marks, not from me i'll add , but i've not tried to touch them up… been referred to as a purist but everyone's got their own opinions & views how they want or see a Mk1. This weather is awesome for the cabby, sun shining, wind flowing & the sound of an old school GTI is great, puts a smile on my face  Parked up sometimes people come up & talk about the car, pretty cool.

p.s. seen the one on eBay… looks pretty good by the pics, they don't always tell the story, but definitely worth a look.