MK1 Golf Cabriolet Clipper - worth saving?

Ive been offered a D reg MK1 Golf Clipper Cabriolet in white (incl hood)

Its in a shabby state, the roof leaks, seats wet, no stereo, been standing outside for a couple of years, non runner. No MOT or Tax.

On a brighter note, the bodywork looks solid and the owner wants ?250 (negotiable).

I have a couple of questions:-

- Is it worth doing up
- whats it worth in this state
- how much would I need to spend to get it running?

All info welcome

Realistically, worth about ?100.

Welcome to the site.

I think you'd need to investigate the car it bit more.  Why is it a non-runner?  Has it just got starting issues or did the engine blow last time it was used.  If you need to fit a new roof and seals you'd be looking at around ?350-400 not including labour for all new parts.
Check the suspension, tyres, filler neck and tank (are they rusty?).  On the home page there is a guide on the right hand side of the page offering hints and tips when buying a cabbie.  That should help.


Danny

the 'worth saving?' bit comes from the heart, not the wallet. though one can't do it without the other.

As a money spinner "No", unless you already have the bits
lying around, as a bit of fun yes, and if you intend keeping it
for under ?250, you can`t go too wrong, at worst you could
break it for spares if its beyond saving.
Just find out why its a non runner, if its filler neck/tank fuel related
its a bit of a job, which is why they dont get fixed!
Or it could have simply failed an MOT (too expensive) you just
need to find out a bit more before commiting.

Good luck  :wink:

When I said its a non runner, I  meant it hasnt been driven for a couple of years and as far as I know, it will run with charged battery, new fuel/oil etc.

From what Ive seen of it, it will certainly need new hood. The interior is tatty with seats damp from leaks and door cappings craked so these will need attention too. (Are door caps even obtainable ?)

The body looks solid enough and may clean up OK with a mop and some tlc.

I expect it would cost a few hundred quid to get it looking ok and pass an mot.

I was looking for a cheap rag top run around/project and wondered if this car was suitable. Looking at previous posts I think I wouldnt pay more than ?100 for the car as it is.

I baseed my price on the weight of the car and the current market price for scrap steel. Sorry old cabby owners!

A decent mid 80s Clipper could be worth ?1000-?2000+. Really early GLis or very late ones with power roofs etc fetch big money.

To do up, sell and make a profit for your time will be hard work. To do as a hobby to run yourself would probably make sense as long as it doesn't need major work like lots of welding, respraying, new engine etc.

Just a short list of jobs like new roof, sourcing an interior, big service, replacing bits like tyres, exhaust, a couple of shockers, recommisoning the brakes etc could cost ?1000+ even DIYing as much as you can.

The downside is the fact it leaks (new roof needed), the colour, and the fact its a Clipper not a GTI. Could be worse - could be an auto - I'm trying to sell mine at the moment and not one sniff!!!

This was intended purely as a DIY project not to make a profit on.

By the way, I noticed a Karman sticker on the side. Was this a special edition or variant?

They are all Karmans, (body conversion people)

GL`s & GLi`s were around before the GTi in convertible bodys, GTi`s
became available in late 83/84. (i think) my GLi is 83.

Clipper kitted cars were badged as, GTi`s or Karmans,   etc…
might be wrong, but think this is close  :dontknow:

Then there are the Rivages, Sportlines that came at the end of the run.

Cheers

Dibbler :wink: