VW again!! Very tempted!!

Hi,

As you can see I am new here, great site with loads of info.

I am seriously considering purchasing a mk1 golf. I sold my mk2 J 1991 metalic grey 8v two years ago and replaced it with a peugeot 306 rallye. The rallye is a fantastic car in so many ways but the idea of owning a mint classic golf mk 1 is growing on me day by day.

I'll kick off with a couple of questions if that is ok. Is it important to have a campaign model? Or is it just the cache? Is a pre Aug 83 gti worth significantly less or likely to hold its value less well, or will it, if looked after well, retain its value like a good campaign?  

I will go for a campaign if I find a good one, however, in reality is a mint pre Aug 83 5 speed 1800 still similarly desirable?

Thanks for any replies and please add anything you think may be relevant. Apologies if my thread is similar to others.

buy the one you like most thats the main thing I think they look much better with the single light but hundreds will disagree

The campaign have a nice spec with the sun roof and trip computer and the 1.8 with a 5 speed box, much easier to live with day to day

good luck mate word of advice try not to fall in love with the first one you see there all nice so take your time, I bought the first one and its cost me a  small fortune

stu

Firstly, Campaigns started production in Spring 83, not August so there are a few DX chassis code ('83 Model Year) Campaigns kicking around. I would say a Campaign is worth more than a "normal" 1.8, but all standard, original Series 2 Mk1 GTis (1.6 or 1.8 ) are holding their value equally.

A 1.8 is a better daily driver, but buy on condition and originality, not whether it is a Campaign or not (unless you particularly desire a steel sunroof).

word of advice try not to fall in love with the first one you see there all nice so take your time, I bought the first one and its cost me a small fortune

seconded! Look for a good 'un as theres plenty out there, good luck!

Yeah, take ur time looking…visit a specialist if ur new to it all (i did and was most helpful) and then get hunting for a good one!

I was chuffed with finding mine, it had lived in a dehumidified garage for 8 years, 14k miles on a new engine which was put in 7 years ago! (98K on the clock), all the rust spots (apart from rear valance) sorted, Standard Campaign spec, and only one tiny parking dent! all for under ?3000, took a while to find her but its worth the wait!

 

I BOUGHT THE FIRST ONE I CAME ACROSS.
BIG MISTAKE AS THEY ARE OUT THERE.
LUCKLY I WAS ABLE TO SELL IT ON VERY HANDY AND GOT MY SELF
A GOOD ONE .ALL STRIPPED AND PRIMED READY FOR BODY SHOP THE LOT.ALL THE ORIGINAL BITS LIKE THE TWIN HEAD LAMP GRILL(WITH DIFFERENT LIGHTS),DOOR BUTTONS,FUEL CAP WITCH ARE ALSO DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL ONES..LOOK OUT FOR  THESE BITS AS THEY ARE HARD TO FIND TO PUT HER WRIGHT.
GOT MINE FOR 2000 EUROS.

REGARDS
JUKES

Cheers for the replies.

I'll follow your advice and see as many as poss. Seems like sound advice considering the car is likely to be at least 22 years old!

Can things like origional grills (twin or single) be sourced still and what about the mk1 p slot alloys, if the car isnt a campaign model can these be picked up cheap and reconditioned?

Oh and what are your thoughts on increasing the power of the 8v engine? Any particular route that yeilds good power and provides value for money or do most people tend to keep their cars std in this respect?

I have noticed 1900cc, 2000cc 8v conversions, what about a 16v in the mk1 is this a no no or can the chasis handle the power ok?

Crazyquiff here sells original P-Slots and probably has a grill or two   and are still available at places like GSF I believe

modification wise, people have put a number of engines in a Mk1, 16v, 20v Turbo, G40, G60…the list goes on

the only thing I've heard is that the VR6 engine makes the car too front heavy! but with the right gearbox I think VW got it right  :wink:
FD box for the 1600 or 9A for the 1800

but all depends how you want your car to drive and handle