Getting my Rivage tip top again - looking for some advice

Hello, I have had my 1992 Blue Rivage for getting on 18 years now. She has been used daily, been through 2 children (who have their own cars now) never let me down and makes me smile every time I drive her. Over the years I have kept up with all the mechanical bits  but paintwork, upholstery are past their best, the roof has some tiny holes in, alloys are pitted and my husband would like a decent radio in it! I live in Bournemouth and am looking for some recommendations for paint sprayers, trimmers and a radio fitter.
I have used K Baggs trimming in the past for a cigarette burn (not mine, I left the roof down and it was there when I got back!) and they seemed good but I want a lot more done this time, including the roof. Any advice gratefully received. Nearly forgot, I would love power steering as well - I have seen the kit on Crazy quiffs site and would need it fitted - any thoughts on the best system for my car? Thank you  

chortle - Carl Chorley for the roof

So after paint you’ll need proper “Rivage”’decals and correct stone chip protectors.
Then we can look at roof.



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Thanks Chortle and Yomp. I have seen other posts talking about your decals Chortle - how do I get some from you?

PayPal or bank transfer
Just let me know what you’d like.


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I have a good trimmer down my way too.



Not long done this top.
Using Harttz OEM material.



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That reads wrong lol.
I fitted the top.




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That roof makes me realise that mine is a bit past it! It looks amazing.

Get paint done if you’re having a re spray. Undo the hood out the rear cable channel and get the body shop to make sure there’s no rust there.

What we do is send the car for welding and paint. Then the new hood is fitted.
For example.





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First things first -got to get the fuel filler neck replaced and possibly a new tank, there is some rust on one of the wheel arches and I need some new brake pipes. The rear window frame is rusty underneath the trim -the list is getting longer and the fancy bits are going to have to wait till my money catches up.
I will have the Rivage decals and stone chip guards off you though if you give me a price?

That’s classic car ownership for you.

Rear window frames I have in stock.
However they’re usually fitted at the same time as the new roof goes  on.
Be a nightmare trying to swap that now.
Roof goes first then window is fitted afterwards.




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MK2 Mania do a esp steering kit.
Very expensive though.
It’s based on the Corsa B electric set up.



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If you are still using the car as daily get the fuel filler neck done as soon as possible as dirt/water in the fuel system will kill it very quickly and replacement parts are getting expensive now.

The cabriolet fuel filler neck if different from tin top cars and they don't fit even if they tell you to cut it down, I tried cutting it, bending it and in the end I had to find someone to cut a section out and weld the end back on to get the angle right. It still worked out cheaper than buying a cabriolet filler neck.
Paint, stonechip and treat the new filler neck or it will rust away in no time at all, I tried just Hammerite on my old filler neck and that rusted away in 8 years so I went mad on my current filler neck.
Replace the rubber joining hose and new jubilee clips at the same time.

Replace the fuel filter as well but that's a service item and changed at least every 30,000 miles, I do mine every 20,000 miles.

You can look underneath the rear seat and remove the cover to look inside the fuel tank to check its condition, mine is the original tank and it's still clean inside, I think using my car daily has helped keep the tank rust free inside as there's always petrol sloshing about inside.

Have a look at my build thread as 3/4 way down page 1 is what I had needed to do to the filler neck to get it to fit and what I painted it with.

View topic: My Daily drive 1988 Gti cabriolet - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Cant help you on recommendations as im in Leeds but to help on a few questions:

Chortle has to be the roof man plus hes a club member and helped me out with a few issues. When the time coms hes my go to guy.

Alloys arnt really an issue to sort these days but would let the company who's doing the re-spray take care of them for you. Less hassle for you and I would avoid the 'mobile' come to your home guys as most do rush jobs in my opinion that look poor in 12 months time

Radio - isn't that hard to fit your own its a few splices and bullet connectors to wire in to an iso block (what most stereos now use) either have a search on this forum as plenty of advise or a mobile electrician should get this done in under 2 hrs. Worth checking your door speakers however as I have a 1992 sportline and they had crumbled away. No point having a decent head unit if the speakers arnt up to the job. I fitted some kicker speakers which are unbelievable and make a HUGE difference. What head unit have you got in there now?

Power steering I researched this and MK2 Mania do a very good kit and will fit as well not cheap at about £700 fitted I think but its come a long way now as it varies the input depending on speed rather than having a little know you used to adjust.  (google mk2 mania easysteer, loads of videos including a mk1)


On a separate note…. good on you owning for 18 years and wanting to keep the dream going!

Thanks for all the replies, fuel filler neck is on its way and the radio is going in on Monday (probably the last thing i actually need right now but its a good deal). My speakers turn out to be quite good ones that someone replaced before i had the car - it turns out that someone else had fiddled with the base on the radio and the sound was distorted - please don't all roll your eyes at my stupidity - the radio man was very kind about it though.  I am going down to Custom cars as soon as i can get petrol in the car to see what they suggest about the paint and the alloys. Mark1gls - i will look at my fuel tank like you said as my car has never sat for longer than a couple of weeks so hopefully my tank will be ok as well.
Got my bike up for sale so fingers crossed I will have some more money soon. As for keeping the dream going - I was nearly tempted by a mini convertible after my daughter got one but then I drove it - nice enough but no where near as nice as my lovely golf, i hope to still be driving her with the grandchildren in the back    

Good plan to spend some time and money on the Golf as values are and will go up unlike a Mini cabriolet and the Golf has so much more going for it…
The cabriolet is a good classic car which you can use every day as VW had added and tweaked the design over the years, with good simple engines and a great drivers car, what more do you want..  

Great to see the Rivage getting a makeover. Please post pictures as you go.