do people tour in their mk1?

Once i've done a few bits on the car and get time of work….and decorate
my flat ….pay a few more bills…etc …i like the idea of going on a bit of a tour in my mk1 ,and was interested to know if anyone has done any touring around england,europe or further in their mk1?

would be great to hear about peoples travels.

Lee.

I went round Europe in mine, and it was awesome - I'd recommend you do the same! Here's a link

Take a spare fanbelt, and a good toolbox with you, and don't forget your European breakdown cover  

Rich

me and a mate did sort of a British tour on extremely tempermental 50cc tuned crossers, little six speed manual things (derbi sendas) when we were 16! id love to go in my golf, as advised take some tools but if those made it round the country im sure ur car will!!

we got our route of a website, ill see if i can find a link :wink:

Greg 8)

checked out your link Rich,wow,that looks likes good fun!!

I was going to do some travelling on my motorbike but since getting my mk1 I've come to the conclusion that i enjoy the comfortable life too much and i wouldnt have any space for souveniers or wine or  have a place to shelter from the wind and rain!

how full was the toolbox?

Was parking a big expensive problem when you wanted to get out of the car and sightsee or vist museums or stay at b and b's?

Thanks rich.

Lee.

Im doing a mini tour next year, driving my mk1 lemans for the 24hr, but we are going via switzerland, taking a few days to cruise down.  Already got the european cover and building up the toolbox as we speak!

i go out in my mk1 with a group of mates on roadtrips around the country with our bikes riding different places, it hasnt failed me yet!!!!!

simon

I've been abroad in mine about 20 times:-
France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain and Ireland.
Started with Prague in 85, then Paris in 86, Italian Lakes and Switzerland in 87 etc….
Went to Wolfsburg for 10th birthday in 93…
In the last few years we've been to the Circuit of the Ramparts in Angouleme and the Grand Prix de l'Age D'Or when it was at Montlhery.
Last year went over to Lille to get some beer and fish soup
This year went over to Shetland - not abroad but 1200 miles in a week.
Has only failed once and that was in about 91, when filler neck rusted through and tank filled with water after going through a flood. Got it fixed in France but they didn't know the cause - thought it was contaminated fuel. Found out back at the Channel when it happened again and Relayed back from Dover.
Only other problem was a misfire that started as we approached a VW dealer and they fitted a new plug lead.
Great touring car and very economical on long runs and in hot weather.
Got a spare belt and some tools I wouldn't be able to use - Footman James include o'seas recovery but I don't know where they'd draw the line on a car worth about ?2k max

eldridge said

how full was the toolbox?

Was parking a big expensive problem when you wanted to get out of the car and sightsee or vist museums or stay at b and b's?

My toolbox contained an ?8 Value socket set from Homebase (bargainous), a set of spanners, some gaffer tape, and a stanley knife. I had all the bases covered  

Parking ranged from free (Czech) to ludicrously expensive (Amsterdam). Having said that it doesn't feel like that much at the time becasue it's all in foreign currency  

HTH

Rich

if i can get to greece and back in a renault estate then im pretty sure a dub can do it, i spose it depends on how confident you are of being able to cope in a crisis,
eg when we drove to greece we went thro the alps and stayed ovenight, woke up and 4ft of snow had fallen, we'd filled up with neat antifreeze cos the temp had dropped to -18, overnight the antifreeze froze meanin temps of -30 minimum  so we defrosted the engine and set off, 20 miles later in the middle of nowhere the engine freaked,steam everywhere so we parked up to try n sort it. my mate who was drivin was panicking cos its -20 ish and weve got no heating and my 3 yr old daughter in the car 8O .
hes on the phone to everyone he can call, i just found the split hose, trimmed it and fixed the problem.
point being touring doesnt depend on the car it depends on the person.

a well maintained car and good toolbox with some basic spare does help tho.
tbh ive got an assortment of pipes, all the fluids and most of my tools, ie a basic socket set, a basic set of spanners and set of long allen keys, cable ties and jubilee clips in me car with me at all times just in case, but in the time ive had her, 7k so far ive not had her need recovering yet.

just do it m8 thats what its there for.

i drove to barcelona in boxed transit van years ago with work mates,without stopping except for fuel,toilet then ate and drank on the way.the trip was work related.
couldnt feel my behind for days after,but did enjoy the drive.

But i think taking my mk1 at a sightseeing pace sounds a great idea,thanks for the good advice and tips,ill start collecting the tools for the trip!!

Lee.