Whats the difference ??

Between series 1 and series 2 models of the tintop mk1 golf ??

Ive seen some have small and some have bigger tail lights and the obvious dash change but what else ??

Cheers in advance

the bonnet and boot are slightly different i believe dont quote me on that though mate

below the boot is a clear visable differance m8 one it straight one bows in

series 1 series 2, no such thing is there, but i think the main difference is the later ones have better factory rust protection.

since_1983 said

below the boot is a clear visable differance m8 one it straight one bows in

Is that not the difference between a swallow tail and a series one ??  :?

From what ive seen there are three different styles of rear panel , the swallow tail being the very early and now very rare , the flat small light rear panel (series 1) and then the big light rear panel (series 2) made from late 1980 onwards ????

Here`s some pics , ive been studying this for a while now , im after a good solid project and after a few let downs want something worth putting my time effort and money into  . . .

Swallow tail ..




Series one ..



series two ..




Its a shame you cant see the lower valence in the top two photos as it may be a differnt style ??


I think that this is a proper swallow tail ??? Its very modified but im clueless as to what year that is as im no good with old reg plates and it may have a private plate that makes it look older that what it is , how else would you be able to tell ???





Same with this one , its got the small light non swallow tail panel ??

That white one with the cage is an 83 with a swallow tail rear panel welded in if i remember rightly

Ollie_d said

That white one with the cage is an 83 with a swallow tail rear panel welded in if i remember rightly

I had i idea it may be , only cos i thought a swallow tail would be worth more in std trim to collector ?? Maybe , i dunno . . anyhow thats kind of the reason i ask , how would you know other wise , what other differences are there around the rest of the car that make it differnt to a realer model ??

I think the changes go something like this..

1974 series 1, metal bumpers, 'swallow tail' rear panel, conical dash instruments, 4 speed gearbox
1975 series 1, real panel change, GTI production begins
1976 series 1, GTI available in UK LHD
1979 series 1, GTI available in UK RHD
1980 series 1, GTI change to 5 speed gearbox, plastic bumpers
1981 series 2, dash, rear lights, seat headrest change
1982 series 2, alloys change, 1.8 engine   
1983 series 2, campaign model

kp73 said

I think the changes go something like this..

1974 series 1, metal bumpers, 'swallow tail' rear panel, conical dash instruments, 4 speed gearbox
1975 series 1, real panel change, GTI production begins
1976 series 1, GTI available in UK LHD
1979 series 1, GTI available in UK RHD
1980 series 1, GTI change to 5 speed gearbox, plastic bumpers
1981 series 2, dash, rear lights, seat headrest change
1982 series 2, alloys change, 1.8 engine   
1983 series 2, campaign model

Thanks for that , so no changes to the shell and trim bar the above difference`s between a series one and series two then ??

swallow tails also have a different bonnet.

big bumper model golfs have extra little holes in the wings and behind the rear arches where a clip fits to help support the longer bumper sides.

That white golf with the 'swallow tail' panel looks odd to me. home made panel perhaps?

Yeah the White one is an imposter!

I love it still tho.

The white one with the cage is a "home made" job.There are many differences from the S1 and S2.Inner wings,front panel,rear panel,tailgate the list goes on.

totenkopf said

The white one with the cage is a "home made" job.There are many differences from the S1 and S2.Inner wings,front panel,rear panel,tailgate the list goes on.

Can you elaborate please mate ??

If you search thru the forum about  S1  theres a few threads on this subject.As mentioned though mate there are a fair few differences from a S1 to S2.Not just panels interior trim,doorcards, seat headrests etc….

So are the S1 items impossible to get hold of now?

i especially like those bumpers in the pic, but cant find them anywhere

This may just put me off an S1

Matt

A lot of the trim is more difficult to get hold of, but by no means impossible. This is partly why nice Series 1s might tend to be worth a little more than the equivalent series 2 model.

Is some of them pictured in the gallery with the brochure guides.