'86 Black GTI Cabriolet

Forgive me if the technical jargon isn't all there - I'm a complete newbie and never done anything like this before. Always fancied a mk1 GTI -  Really not sure how this project will go!!

Bought this in January after sitting unused on a driveway for 5 years. It belonged to friend so know a bit about the history and what had been done . - New fueling system, including fuel tank, metering unit and distributor among others. New radiator and roof too.
140K on clock and hasn’t had an MOT for almost 6 years!!

It hadn't been protected from the elements and the roof was leaking at the Header Seal. So both front seats were sodden. Also floor on near side was soaking too and looks like the near side door is leaking. Managed to get it under cover and dried out but it will need replacement header seal and weather sheets behind the door panels. Probably door seals too. Little rust on near side sill but doesn't look too deadly.
I'll need to clean mould off the interior too.
Really not sure what I make of the all-in-one full wrap around body kit – it could well be hiding something!!

Looks like it may have had an attempt at a repsray as some of the paint is peeling off - possibly too much paint been applied. But overall seems pretty solid.

Oh, and the Tailgate doesn't open!

Wasn't sure where to start so rather than spending time on the bodywork decided to clean what I could inside and out and try to get the thing going. Siphoned off the old fuel, put in fresh stuff and fitted a new battery. Naively thinking that would be it!
Surprise surprise, nothing but it did sound like it was turning. Initially it wasn't sparking and managed to trace it back to a faulty Ignition Coil. Eventually tracked down a new coil at Euro Car Parts and really didn't think it would start after sitting for so long. However, after 3 attempts the car did start and now starts first time, every time! No Black smoke, no spluttering it just sounds amazing. Great result so far!

I've got the obvious service parts; oil, oil filter, fuel filter and coolant needs replaced. While I'm at it I'll attempt the timing and alternator belts - Anyone know where I should go to get the belts??
Other than that I really don’t know where to go so would welcome any advice.

I'll add some photos below if I can work out howto and I'll try to keep this thread updated as I go….

Thanks in Advance

KP

That looks tidy for a car that's sat, you must have put some elbow grease in to that!  

For belts and other parts, try Crazyquiff or Classic-VW, both adverts/links on the site here, also VW Heritiage, AVS too.

Looking forward to your updates  

Cheers for the info.  Yep, lots of sweat so far. I suppose I should have posted a photo before I cleaned it up - I'll see if I've got some on my phone.
It's a shame it had been unused for so long - may not have had any rust on sill at all!
Anyway, so far I'm loving it..

Glad you're enjoying it - it's great that you've rescued it!  

Very nice looking cabrio  

With regards on where to go with it, just browse other peoples builds and see what takes your fancy, a bit of everything on here  

Matt

Thanks. Yep, there are some real crackers on here - loads of inspiration to be had. Just hope I don't end up letting the club down - A lot of talented people on here.

I've ordered some bits and pieces already from Classic-vw and Crazy Quiffs - there's gonna be quite a bit to do to get it back on the road I reckon, so will focus on that first. Really eager to start driving it. Then We'll see what we can do….

cheers

Don't worry about letting the club down - that's impossible if you join in the spirit and have a MK1! We're not precious about them, in the sense that any condition of MK1 is welcome, at regional meets and on club displays  

Hello and welcome KP, that's a lovely looking cabby you got there. Look forward to your updates  

Car now moving off its own steam . Kind of! Not finding 1st Gear so Gear linkage repair require and possibly a clutch cable. - Some jobs ticked off  More jobs added to the list cf_emoticons__BangHead: 

Anyone know where I could get the missing bracket which is supposed to hold this accelerator cable in place on the strut tower:



Someone has had fun:




Well, well, well - not so much fun:



Boot now opening, but looks like I'll have to evict Spidey and his entire family



Not bad at all:




All in all a productive weekend. Much happier now knowing what is under the carpets and in the boot - still very solid…..

Well done on getting it going, looks like you've got some more cleaning to do though! lol

Try funk-star for the bracket

Good work  

Thanks. I've sent on my shopping list to Funk-star 

Looks Like I'm gonna need a spot of welding after all - I have no welding skills what so ever so looks like I'll be chapping on my pals door for a hand with this one:



closer look and it has gone through to the underside :



On the plus side I'm quite pleased with the way the Visors have turned out.






Polycell Mould remover and bit of elbow grease seems to have done trick. Another job ticked off

Those visors cleaned up nice. Has the metal rusted through or could you just put some kurust or similar on it and paint it? (Skim of filler too if you want it smooth again)

Hairyarse said

Those visors cleaned up nice. Has the metal rusted through or could you just put some kurust or similar on it and paint it? (Skim of filler too if you want it smooth again)

It's not right through so I can see the ground. There just seems to be an extra metal plate underneath that may be rusted too. Will the Kurust stop it getting any worse?
If the Kurust will stop it getting any worse I could apply it, fill it and then paint it? would that work ok?

Yeah that will stop the rust in it's tracks, as long as you've got it all. Maybe a good stop-gap if nothing else and for an area you never look at.

Give it a bash and keep an eye on it

Wee update on the carnage:

Spiders have left the building - not a proper wash yet just a wipe away and vacuum:



almost…..



seem to be doing a lot of dismantling rather than fixing and re-assembling:







Vintage Car, Vintage Gum:




Probably going to have to rebuild most of the front end too:



was a nightmare getting that bleed nipple out!









The more I take it apart, the more I am happy that I've got a decent solid car. Just hope I can remember how to put it all back together again I intend to fix it up in sections and eventually re-paint in situ rather than going to bodyshop for full respray.

regards

KP

Good work so far.

Like the old chewy!!  

Looks like quite a clean car bud, especially after its sat so long! Looking forward to seeing some more updates

Not done much this last week or so. Cleaned the same wheel arch above with a bit of white spirit initially, then some hot soapy water. Looks like a different car!




Also, had a bash at some badges, Not yet complete but here are the before shots:




After a little rub down with some 'Red' very fine Alumimium Oxide 'denibbing' pads and soapy water, I dried them off (while wearing latex gloves to stop any oil from my hands touching the clean surface) applied some plastic primer and 3 lights coats of Satin Black paint - All from a rattle can!! so who knows if it will last:

  

The pics don't really do them justice - they actually look better in the flesh.

I have purchased a 'silver' oil based marker pen with a chisel tip - I heard someone on here used this to write the lettering and the badge  - But I'm just wondering should I apply the silver pen fist and then apply a lacquer to the badges? or should I apply the lacquer next and then do the delicate pen markings last?
Really not sure how the lacquer will react with the oil based marker pen.


 

Wee update. Thought I would try this thanks to Chris Massbad69 :

Before:



And after:




Just got the other 2 boot cards to do…..