Reluctant Newbie

Hi all, I'm Spangle and I live in Worcester, I've have a few Aircooled VW's and a few MK2 Golfs over the years.I'm about to become the reluctant owner of my Dad's 1979 Mars Red Mk1 Gti. After 22 years of owning it and restoring it his health is declining and he's passing on his pride and joy to myself.In 1996/7 he and the Car featured in a magazine VW add. I look forward to using this place to keep her ticking along and alive for another 33+ yearsDan

I was wondering why someone would be a reluctant owner until I read on. Sad circumstances, but with all the support and knowledge on here you will be able to keep it just as your Dad would like.

Some pictures of such an early car would be great when you get chance

Yes sad story attached to reluctant new owner..hope that you enjoy the club..and that even if you don't like the car both you and car will have friends here.

Sorry to hear about you Dad Dan, but welcome to a fantastic club, who's members will assist you to keep your Dad's pride and joy up to scratch and on the road.

Be great to see some pics

Cheers

Rich

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I love the car, I just wish the circumstances in which I became owner were happier ones

I forgot in my opening post my fist VW, (to try and put me off buying a Splitty) was a sky blue 1976 Mk1 Golf C, my Dad bought me when I came home from Uni.

It didn't work, within 6 month I had a 1955 Type 2 and a 1972 1302 sat on the drive

I'm now down to a 1969 1300 that's in bits and going to get sold off to fund The GTI's upkeep and a couple of modern work horses. An 02 Sharan, I'm about to PX on a MK7 Golf and a 51plate Polo match that's hanging on in there just.

This was the GTi a few years ago, its only done a few 100 miles since.



Before anyone points it out we know the stripes are upside down

Looks a really tidy example from the picture and you obviously have VW in your blood!

Even TV's Ed China got the stripes upside down - a simple fix though.

What is the tartan interior like? Many faded badly although reproduction material is at least available now.

Welcome to the club buddy. Car looks lovely - do you have any future plans for it or are you going to keep it original?

RichardHall said

What is the tartan interior like? Many faded badly although reproduction material is at least available now.

The interior is in need of some attention. The seats currently have badly fitted covers on, I can't remember what's underneath them at the moment. The cars still in my Dads garage. The sale of Beetle parts is going to fund a re-trim and a parcel shelf.

What's the quality of the Repro material like, any links to a stockist? The new tartan available from VW is a different pattern isn't it?

The plan is to keep it as close to stock and original as I can.

Dan

VW Heritgage for one sell the cloth not sure about quality, although the later striped cloth that they do is very good from the people's cars I have seen retrimmed with it.

Now I am not sure if it applies to the tartan trim but on Original striped seats the cloth is reversable if it's just faded.

That's a lovely looking car buddy - I can see why your dad hung on to it. Best of luck with the resto.

Family heirloom! Keep it in the family!

Firstly welcome to the club, secondly sorry to hear about ya Dad, thirdly nice car!! & fourth, about the material try http://www.werk34.de/index.php/cat/c2595_Seat-Upholstery.html very recommended site if you can't source material UK, not sure if funk-star can help with material - http://www.classic-vw.co.uk/
if you get any issues at all there are some VERY knowledgeable people on here within the FORUMS who are more than happy to help. Fantastic support. Good luck, would like to see the progression you make.