Hello from Belfast

Hello,

I am collecting my new-to-me Golf convertible on Thursday from Northampton. I've had a couple of Beetles many years ago and a VW Camper van. Also learned to drive in a Golf - my Mother had four MK1's over the years (and one Polo inbetween).

The car I have bought is an 1982 that was on eBay (although didn't meet reserve and I did a private deal) and has been totally rebuilt on a bare body shell. It has a power hood and a rather fetching Audi metallic green paint job. Also a custom leather interior.

The only downside is that the Golf is fitted with the 1.6 diesel engine. I plan to live with it this summer and then do a transplant over the winter. I have a complete 1.8 Vento lined up as a donor, although might go more ambitious as I explore this site….

The site looks great so far!!

Hiya Trev,

You'll be in my neck of the woods then mate.  Hope the sale goes well fella and welcome aboard  :wink:

Welcome to the site, make sure you get some pictures up of it when you get it.

Alex.

Thanks guys. I have taken some pics already - I have been pondering this purchase for two months (but excited now that I've made the decision). However I don't think I have the pics on my work laptop - when I get onto the desktop I'll find them and post some  :wink:

Here is a link to the auction that caught my eye:

My new VW Golf

Have I done the right thing  :dontknow:  :tlc:

Bare metal and re-done in leather… looks nice mate and seeing as the bodywork is the most important thing on these… if you got it for that money or near it then I'd say you've done good mate.  I'm not too clued up on cabby's but for a bare metal respray I was getting quotes of ?4k - ?5k  8O

I had to put a couple of hundred quid to that price and it's another ?150 to get 'er home on the ferry but I'm well pleased.

…might not be after driving that diesel for 500 miles though  :dontknow:  

Hi and welcome    I'm just down the road from you in East Belfast.

There are a few of us on this site now.  A meet takes place on the last Sunday of each month at the Corrs Corner (I think) but I've never yet made it.

Good luck with your new cabby.  

Jackie

be in my neck of the woods too m8, hope she's a good one,dont matter whats under the bonnet its all about injoying the cabby :wink:

I brought the Golf home on Friday. The journey from Northampton to Stranraer was fine - the car can cruise happily at 70 - 80 mph. It seems reasonably torquey, given such a small engine!
The only area that I find limiting is the poor response "off the line"; one cannot risk nipping out in front of anyone e.g. at a roundabout, as it won't move off quickly enough.

JackieJ said

Hi and welcome    I'm just down the road from you in East Belfast.

There are a few of us on this site now.  A meet takes place on the last Sunday of each month at the Corrs Corner (I think) but I've never yet made it.

Good luck with your new cabby.  

Jackie

Will have to try to make one of the meets - Corr's Corner is pretty close to me.
We'll have to compare cars sometime - would love to get a close look at another one…

Hiya, welcome to the site!  

Love the car, that Audi green suits a cabby well  8)

Lovely car mate :wink:

Is it an orignal Diesel Engine or a converted 1.

Post us some more pics & let us know what mods you plan.

Cheers 8)

Thanks! The Audi green looks even better than in the eBay photographs - a number of people who have seen it in reality have said so…

The original car was a 1.5 Auto ; I think the guy who built it bought the shell/chassis from a breaker's yard, so the 1.6 diesel and 5-spped are not factory fitted (although the installation looks as good as a factory car).

Cool

So are you going to do any mods in it then  

I'm in two minds about this…

One the one hand the 1.6 diesel is a very neat installation, runs very well and is very economical.

On the other hand, economy is not an issue for a "weekend" car, it is slow off the mark (but cruises nicely when it gets going) and the car replaces a fire-breathing V8 Cobra.

My thinking is along the lines of a Vento 1.8 engine that I've already got (but the install might be involved as this car is essentially a Mk3), finding a decent 1.8 GTI engine or finding a more powerful/torquey diesel.

I love my V8's (I have an off-roader with one and I love performance but a good torquey diesel has appeal too….

Anyone want to tell me what they would do??

Here is my convertible outside the hotel in Northampton:



I parked on a Disabled spot (with the hotel's permission) so that it was close to the door and not at the other end of the car park. When I came out in the morning for the drive to Stranraer, the red convertible was parked alongside - it had found a friend in the night!

….and from behind….

On arrival at Stranraer….

One happy new owner waiting for the ferry and enjoying the sunshine with the roof down….

Man those are lovely pics.
Wowwwwwwwwwwwww

If i were you i would keep it a Diesel,
That's coz i love the ol diesels (having a Diesel MK1 my self)

However if you ride is not going to be a daily driver then i would suggest you go for something more powerful 200BHP UPWARDS

If your going to stick with a more fully diesel engine you can fit a MK3 1.9TD in it.
Bert  is the man here for that advise.

Whatever you do keep us posted with pics.

Cheers buddy.