Hi, and advice needed

I have just seen the noobie thread after previously posting  ops:

So hi all,
I wanted some advice on the best thing to do with my 1983 Golf C 1600 diesel, 5 speed box to realise the best return It has been stored in my barn since 1992 when it was a third party write off.It has done just 98k with service history ..I am the second owner and bought it from a friend who had it from new. the front and rear wing are damaged but I had replaced the two o/s doors.The rest of the body work is rust and dent free and totally original paint work (Maroon) I also put a genuine VW steering rack on it two days b4 being written off.I would hate to break it as some one could restore it to its former glory ..it was the best car I have ever owned .

thanks
Dave

Hi, glad to hear you like it too much to scrap it! I agree, the best car I've ever owned aswell! I've driven a maroon 1.6 Golf C diesel, now in a garage awaiting engine transplant, but I'm now driving a Mars red 1.6 Golf C diesel in much better condition (both 5 speeds).
Do you not feel up to restoring it yourself? You seem to know what you're doing that's all. If it's mainly just the front and rear wing I think it would be worth it. You could certainly get some help and advice as to how to go about bodywork repairs. My maroon Golf was brought back from the dead (wish I'd taken before and after pics), it had also been laid up (outdoors) on a farm for at least a year before my dad rescued it. It needed a new front wing (big dent, not rusty), door repairs (rusty holes etc) full respray (the paint was matted!) but suprisingly little more than a retune engine-wise. It was then my reliable and fun daily driver for a good couple of years! A VW Vento 1.9 TD engine became available from a family member's car so it's being treated to that soon. It was getting tired bless it, but still ran keen as ever. My current diesel is a great runner, but with a few blemishes to sort out on the body (2 lady owners, 1st one for 20 years) and a MUCH easier life I can tell.
If you really did like it, I think you'd be rewarded in restoring it yourself, after all there are seriously VERY few Mk1 diesels for sale in good condition thesedays!  :wink:
Sorry about the essay. All the best (p.s - 'Bert' is the engine expert and fellow diesel owner on this site)

Thanks for the reply,I bought the car about 1988 and used it until the end of the world in 92 I bought it back from the insurance co and used it in its damaged state until I bought another one ,blue this time.I started to do it up ,2 doors of the same colour (travelled hundreds of miles to get them) and a wing but thats as far as it got and shes been in the barn ever since.I have started it from time to time ,miricle really as i had pinched bits off for the blue one…since then i have had several mk2 diesels and now have a,"wash my mouth out"Polo1.9TDI estate. I am the wrong side of 60 and need to move to a smaller property so I need to sell or Arggghh break her, hence my post for advice as to which would get me the most dosh.This is the pic after the damage but it has had the doors replace and i have a wing  
Dave

 

Depends how friendly the barn store has been to your car? I have seen how much damage the old tin worm car do and also hoses etc can perish if not used. Have you been running it ocasionally to keep things lubricated?

I would say its worth more as a whole car as if broken you are restricted to a small market for the diesel bits. Other parts dont really go for top money as yet and so you would be faced with the job of stripping for little and slow returns. Also then left with the shell which would possibly have to be scrapped… cruel!

I would say finish the car off as a project and sell it whole. Or if its already a runner have a punt in the for sale section and see how she goes?

I am actually interested to see some interior, engine bay and underside shots to be honest?

Cheers
Dave…

It has been started regularly but I have had to back off the rear brakes to move it .The interior is not in brill condition but the body always was and still  is rust free.My brother told his mate who has restored quite a few cars including mk1's  that i may be going to break the car and he came round to see if i would sell him 2 n/s doors as his son had pranged his and when he saw mine he said it would be criminal to break it.He did offer ?25 per door if i decided to ,is that a good price?
Dave

I say keep it togther and sell it as a going concirn. No idea on the value of four doors but things are only worth what someone is willing to pay I suppose. If you do sell them its going to have to be broken then and you may end up with less.

Need a four door expert here??

Shame its not an Escort, I could help out much more then!

Anyone care to cross my palm with 350 notes for it??

Dave

blgdave said

I say keep it togther and sell it as a going concirn. No idea on the value of four doors but things are only worth what someone is willing to pay I suppose. If you do sell them its going to have to be broken then and you may end up with less.

Need a four door expert here??

If you mean Golfs in the four-door guise then I think they are far less popular to anyone wanting the car for it's shell. There are an awful lot of Golf enthusiasts who would never have a 5 door  :cry: .If you mean the doors themselves, then ?25 is a fair price with glass and rubber seals etc. I paid ?40 for four without any glass, seals or trim, in rust/dent free condition (all different colours).
P.S - crying shame about that damage. The paintwork around the damaged area looks mint.  :cry:

Oh sweet lord,ive just seen the pics,i feel sick    RESTORE IT MAN they are ace,ive just finished mine same colour too (best  :wink: )









Ive got a friend who lives in newent,is that by you? ive seen a mk1 diesel in that neck of the woods,i tried to follow it but the sheer speed of the diesel….. i lost it  

Bert

Bert said

RESTORE IT MAN they are ace,ive just finished mine same colour too (best  :wink: ) Bert

I agree :


Now we're just taunting the poor man!
I agree, fix it up for the best return  :wink:

Oh what a tasty looking oil burner, you have done a great job on the restore  :clap:  :clap:

Bigbumperg..You have a PM!!

Thanks for the replies guys but a restoration is not an option for me   .I am in the process of reversing  her out of the barn to take some pics in a last ditch effort to sell her in one piece but if that fails I will have reversed her back in to make removal of the engine easier with the front end loader on the tractor.

Nice job on the car and Yep I live around 25 miles form Newent!

Dave

Edit :
I have now listed the car in the "FOR SALE" section