Morning all!

Morning everyone, I'm Alex. If you didn't guess by the name, I'm into classic minis, owning 7 at the moment! Yesterday I was offered a mk1 golf cabriolet for around the £400 mark. She's been sitting for 9 years, but looks to be solid underneath, other than some rot in the spare wheel well. Around the bottom of the windscreen is starting to go, but it doesn't look too bad yet. I guess my question is, should I go and take a second look once the current owner moves her into a better position, as she's against a fence so I can only see the drivers side at the moment! I'm not frightened of abit mechanical work, but after a skim through of the buying guide on here, the rust around the windscreen corners does concern me.
On a plus side she had a new roof before they laid her up, and it has shrunk a little, but seems to be watertight!

Thanks for any advice in advance

Alex

Hi Alex, at that price you have great scope to spend some money on her. You will not know how bad it is until the windscreen is out.
Hopefully you can get stuck in and put another mk1 back on the road !!
Welcome to the club :-)

Thanks for the welcome! I've always wanted a mk1 cabrio! And it's too cheap to say no haha!! I'm hoping it won't cost me the earth to do her! I just wanted something I could use as a second car! The minis are just to take to shows really! I'll try and get some pics when I next see her.

Alex 

Welcome to the forum

As said you'll need the windscreen out to assess the problem, it'll likely be alot worse than you can see hidden underneath the rubber in the channel. But if you're handy with the tools it shouldnt pose a massive problem, there are plenty of panels available either new or cut from a breaker.  It's a bonus with the new roof as that can add a lot to the price of restoration.  Theres plenty of knowledge on here if you get stuck.

Definitely worth another look, let us know how you get on.

This was her yesterday! I'm worried about what's under that bush!

And her wheels!

Thanks ew! I will definately be returning, as she isn't too bad, I'm just dreading the side I couldn't see!!

Alex 

Welcome to the Club Alex and good luck with this one!
If you have any questions just ask and no doubt we'll have the answers.

Welcome Alex

Worth a look at the money. Ronal Teddys too - nice!

Welcome Alex,
Liking your Mini looks very tidy. So if you can work your magic on the Cabby, that's a sun fun motor.

The 9 year old vinyl roof will need replacing I'd suggest. The vinyl does shrink depending on the manufacturer of the material used. It's the cotton under sheet the vinyl is bonded that shrinks.  Certain manufacturers use a pre shrunk cotton to avoid this. If it's not been treated with a proper protector/cleaner. The plasticisers break down from UV damage etc also. There's also 2 side tension cables that pull the roof in tighter around the windows. So you don't get that bowed effect above the windows. So you could check if they are intact still. They are on springs so even if intact the  shrinkage will have pulled them up on the springs too.

There are 2 drain holes in the scuttle fitted with rubber tubes, these often clog with leaves etc, so when water gets in through the slots on the bonnet the water has no where to go but down the blower motor inlet and into the cars footwells, so you can get moisture damage on the fusebox. (I'd ask and get in there now to prevent any more issues and clear them out 5 min job once that bush is out the way to get the bonnet up).

What's the interior like? Get some pics please. These can end up mouldy if left damp. A good aqua vac, lot's of hot water and cleaning solution should help.

Good project and I like the colour looks purplish? Bit different.  

Sounds like you got the skills and at that money it's worth the money, try a cheeky bid at £200 lol it's more than scrap value.

Once you've had the roof down in the summer you won't regret blasting about in the sunshine. I'd recommend a windblokker for the rear too, kills the cabin noise and wind pressure best thing for a cabby.

Once you've bought her start a project post up in the "your Projects" Forum, so we can follow your progress.

You're into old minis so should be used to rust and rot everywhere! Don't pay too much as this time of year you can get a MOT'd Cabrio for £1000+/-

Chortle- thanks for all the advice, I will try and get her as cheap as possible. He has a spare bonnet, bootlid & some other parts to go with it. Plus a set of Pirelli wheels? Hopefully it hasn't done too much electrical damage. It's in the shade out of direct sunlight, but been sitting in all other weather for 9 years!

Early1800s- yes I'm used to lots of rust haha!! Thanks for the advice mate 

I still haven't been back to see her yet, almost managed to bag myself a bargain with a gti cabrio, but thats all gone quiet. so will be back viewing this one! what are the 1.5 auto engines and gearboxes like?

Alex

I had an Auto 1.8 clipper model Cabby. It was a great car, really easy to drive. They do have the issue of the starter motor being close to exhaust manifold and you end up with a Hot start issue, there's a relay you can fit to help I just bought a new starter motor and it was champion
I did a write  up on how  to  change the gear box fluid too, that's in the How To  section. I'm not sure on the 1.5? Auto's didn't seem popular for some reason.
What's happened with the other Car? looked ok and cheap lol.

The person who has the one in the pictures hasn't had time for me to go and have a proper look, and I got offered a gti 8v for £700 with mot! Until he realised what he had haha! So will be back to have a second look and probably buy the one in the pics with the teddy wheels ASAP

Go round with £400 in an envelope, knock on the door and say come for the car mate, here's the cash (open envelope and flick the tenners…. the sight of ready cash is a tempter. With spring on it's way you need to get your in lol and started/finished ready for the AGM…

Thing is if he's not fussed on selling maybe just ultimatum him and walk away and look for something else. People get attached to stuff when they are never likely to get round to it…

Interesting colour, have a good look over it and if happy take a punt for £400. What's the worst? If it's knackered you can make that back in parts!

chortle - he has said he definately wants to sell it, and he is also glad that i'd be taking it instead of it being scrapped! also how long to i have until the AGM?

dano - yeah thats what i was thinking to be honest mate!!

and another picture i forgot to add the other day!

Well it's taken a while, but finally got around to having a second look at the cabrio today. After pumping the tyres up and pushing her out from the bush she rolled easily. Put on a good battery, set of jump leads, & with a little persuasion fired into life! The little 1.5 runs sweet! And I paid £250!!! Just need to collect her now!!!!  

Outstanding mate, what a result. 
A word to the wise, take your time! 

No cheap return on a good buy, these cars are getting harder to find by the day .