What would you change

Obviously we all love our cars to bit's even their shortfalls. Jeremy Clarkson says in his books that it's having faults that makes machines have a soul.
But if you could go back to when they were designing the MK1 what suggestions would you give to the designers about things to leave out, build in or change?
I'll start:
I would do away with the flaming oil pressure buzzer and have the oil pressure on the MFA .
I would put the peddles further apart and have a foot rest next to the clutch (this is because I'm big footed Oaf)

id have made a "sportier" version.

the mk2 has a normal gti, the 16v, the g60 and the rallye!

all the mk1 has is a 1.6 and a 1.8!

maybe something like 4wd - they could have nicked the ideas off the audi quattro at the time… if only dreams could come true!

some better rust proofing and free insurance for life.  

Nice topic!

Style wise, I wouldn't change it for the world!

Better headlights would have been good, but technology was obviously a little more limited back then!

A higher power option later in the years would be good, but I suppose that was what they tried to achieve with the oettinger?!?!?

Would also have loved to have seen a factory 4wd build, though that did not come until MUCH later in the Mk2, so was obviously not something that was entertained at the time.

Everything else, I would leave as it was! Dash setup was perfect. Head/leg room was good (Little limited on sunroof models for taller folk). Driving position excellent. boot space and apperture is far better than modern equivalents.
Was way ahead of it's time!

I like the idea of the foot rest next to the clutch.
I can't really think of any thing else, besides I would have nothing to change or 'improve' if it was totally perfect :wink:

Galvanised bodywork would be the only thing I'd ask them to change…

Otherwise I have to agree, it was way ahead of its time, and still looks  8) today…

Agreed on the galvanising of the panels, that would be about it from me!

However, I wish one of the last owners would have changed a lot more of the bits, rather then "mending" them with silicon sealant/doing stuff on the cheap!

would have added power steering given the opportunity

Obviously they did make some changes from Series 1 to series 2.

One of those I deal with everyday was moving the dash indicator flasher light. On a series one I can't see it without bending down because it's hidden behind the steering wheel along with the battery and full beam light.

Series 2 dash all the lights are right in the middle so not obscured.

I think I would add one of Hairyarses old half baked ideas of a warning to tell you the headlights are on when you open the door, I am becoming quite embarrased by the amount of times my neighbours have had to remind me.

Peter.

Better 5th gear for more relaxed cruising speeds .


That apart what a motor for it's age !

Overall, I love the Mk1 (as you all do!). But if I were to change one campaign specific item it would be that they came without a sunroof! Mine works fine, but they add weight, can leak, limits head room and compromises bodyshell strength!! Arrgh!

(I quite enjoy it on sunny days though!)

Oh and i would like the gear stick 6 inches further back please .

chudd said

Oh and i would like the gear stick 6 inches further back please .

It's forward position is OK, I find it is too low…

Watch this space (Well, space in a new thread when I start it in a week or two!) for my solution… :wink:

tallpete said

Obviously they did make some changes from Series 1 to series 2.

One of those I deal with everyday was moving the dash indicator flasher light. On a series one I can't see it without bending down because it's hidden behind the steering wheel along with the battery and full beam light.

Series 2 dash all the lights are right in the middle so not obscured.

I think I would add one of Hairyarses old half baked ideas of a warning to tell you the headlights are on when you open the door, I am becoming quite embarrased by the amount of times my neighbours have had to remind me.

Peter.

As your name suggests - you are too TALL, I can see the warning lights fine ( but am only 5!9") I too forget that I leave the lights on  

me to. I thought there was meant to be a buzzer but it was broken. Typical I have a buzzer when I don't want one and don't have one where I want one.

Rust proofing, lower strut brace as standard, maybe lower the standard suspension by and inch, 256mm front brakes and larger master cylinder and a propper rhd location for it and a little more headroom on sunroof models.

Mr_GTI said

 but am only 5!9"

you're standing on tip-toes then  :wink:

following on from tallpete it would have been nice to have height adjustable steering, but i suppose thats why the seats can move, otherwise I love at as it is. really don't know why they didn't galvanise the tin though!!

be good if they were rwd

1. Better brakes.
2. Having the boot lip lower, as you typically find on modern hatches and estates these days.
3. Decent locations for speakers, eg being able to fit 13cm ones into the dashboard.
4. A bit more elbow room would be nice, but I appreciate that's down to the dimensions of the car as a whole, which I wouldn't want to change.

Rear wheel drive would of been fun, good idea for a new project perhaps when ive finished paying for this one  :roll: .

I think you would need bricks in the boot as ballast to keep its backside on the ground though like you had to in the 2.8ltr, was it capri or cortina can never remember.