Mk1 Cabrio info request

Hello Folks,
 
I'm fairly new to the site and I'm the proud owner of a tatty old Golf convertible.  It a MK1 Cab and it was given to me for free because the previous owner thought it was too bad to repair.  He's an older gent who has had enough of driving and just wanted to get rid of the car.  According to him, the engine was shot (head or head gasket blown) and there was too much body rot to have it repaired.  Since I was looking for an old Golf convertible anyway, I couldn't say no to a freebe so here she is.
 
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The only minor problem I have is that I don't have any history on the car and I'd like to find out more about it.  The badge says it's a GL, and it's certainly an older model without the clipper kit.  The interior is very basic with tan /light brown carpets.  The seats have been reupholstered so I have no idea what it looked like from the show room.  The car's black now but it was white initially (I had a look under the carpet).  The engine code is EW031350 the numbers on the VIN plate are ABE Nr B042/1, WVWZZZ15ZGK015323 and 1018130 (on the side of the plate).
 
Can someone help decode the VIN and numbers so I can find out more about my car please?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Chazz.

wow! a free cabby! lot of car for nothing! good luck with what ever you do to it! hope you get all the info you need! and welcome by the way! looks in need of love and im sure youve got enough for it!

There is usually a sticker on the rear strengthening bar that runs behind the rear seats.
It will have a list of numbers and letters that correspond to the trim.
You can normally see this from inside the boot.
Mine is on the left hand side.

have a look on here, just scroll down to the bar that states European Models.

http://www.cabby-info.com/models.htm#Europe

You could ring your VW Dealer with the info you have to see if they have any service history on their system.
VW do a certificate about your car for 35.00 Euros.

My Cabby looked very much like yours, if not worse when I found it. And trust me, when you get to stripping it down and you see how much work needs doing you get to thinking is it all worth it??

Just crack on and stick with it fella, cos I can definately say it IS worth it in the end. Mine looks like a new motor now. Only thing is, I'm to scared to take it out of the garage in case it rains!!!!

Thanks for the info and the encouragement.  I'll locate the sticker and let you know what I find.

I started on the cabby and couldn't find the sticker.  I doesn't really matter given the fact that the car will be completely different when I'm done with it.