help! is it a series 1 or 2

hi (this is my first post) bought a mk1 gti a few days ago its date of registration is 01/02/80 chassis no. starts 17a in mars red, it has the larger rear lights -bigger bumpers  and newer shaped dash .Do not know much of the cars history (yet) got boxes of parts with the car inclulding  old shape dash clocks and a old gti chrome streering wheel. Would it be possible that this car has been rebuilt using later spec parts  .look forward to your replies you guys(and girls)are the experts thanks SIMON….

my series 1 was registered later than yours so chances are you have a series 1 but…….
it may have been damaged hence you now have the bigger rear lights, also at the time (back in the eighties) when the series two came out a lot of people would have possibly changed the dash etc to keep it looking modern - just a thought -
Of course they could have been bought to make it 'retro'
it should have a 10 digit chassis number, and located on the left strut top(as you look in the engine bay) not  on the bulk head. this would make it a series 1.

i agree it should be a series 1 but it could or must have been fitted with a later rear panel to take the bigger lights like my 79 gti, does it have the striped seats or tarten? 4 or 5 speed? is it a V REG? and does it have the remote internal mirror adjuster?

my car has a retrimed interior is fitted with a mk2 1.8 engine&box and does not have the remote mirror,

my car has a retrimed interior is fitted with a mk2 1.8 engine&box and does not have the remote mirror,

mine is 1980 it  has the early dash and stuff but has the large rear lights and has never been messed with ive questioned this on  other sites 1980 was the cross over year so all the parts were being used up i presume i copied this of another site     The Golf Mk1 evolution chart



May 1974
The Golf is introduced.


August 1974
VOLKSWAGEN logo added to right of hatch.


April 1975
Front brakes upgraded to discs.
Heated rear windshield added.


June 1976
First introduction of the GTI (1,6l/110HP)
Logos on hatch swapped position (VOLKSWAGEN now left, GOLF right)


August 1976
Automatic three point belts and headrests now standard.
Heaterfan with three-step rotary switch introduced (was 2-step slide switch).
Rear panel loses the 'swallow tails'.


1978
Golf introduced in the USA as the 'Rabbit'.


August 1978
New plastic bumpers.


March 1979
Cabriolet is introduced, built by Karmann.
Improved rust prevention.


August 1979
Small optical changes.
New plastic bumpers.
Seat belts available for rear seats.


January 1980
4+E gearbox is introduced.


August 1980
New 'big' taillights introduced.


August 1982
Turbodiesel introduced (1,6l/70HP).


May 1983
Pirelli-Golf introduced.


Juli 1983
High Beam control light changed colour from yellow to blue.

Has the rear panel being replaced? have you checked out if the opening for the rear lights has been enlargered to accomodate the wider lights?

Simon

Your car is a Series 1 if it has an "A" as the third letter in the VIN. The breakpoint for Series 2 with later dash and large rear lights was August 1980.

You can add it to the Series 1 register with the condition as "Modified" as with all Series 1s with the later rear panel/lights.

Cheers
Rajan

lhasa said

Has the rear panel being replaced? have you checked out if the opening for the rear lights has been enlargered to accomodate the wider lights?

    no the rear panel is for big lights and has never been changed and the vin no is17a0455274  1980 v registered 4-6-1980

There are cars built after this chassis no with the small lights and the breakpoint ocurred after your car was registered so one could conclude the panel has been modified at some point.

Cheers
Rajan

my car only ever had 2 registered owners (to brothers)they live about 20mins away from me ,i also know the shop which supplied the parts for the restoration it should not be to hard to find out some history on the car. I am just confused by the number of early type parts that came with the car .The chassis no. again is 17a0208217 .Once i find out the facts about the car i will be able to add it to the correct register

does any one any contact info for simon ?,ive have this car now and got few Q's I'd like to ask



cheers
dan