1980 MK1 Cab "ALF"

 Hi all, still pretty new to the forum but thought I would introduce my cabby I picked up in october, its been dry stored since. With the weather improving its back on the road and ive been enjoying a few days in the sun with it!

 My long term plans are to go for a full restoration, but in the mean time while funds dictate I will just be focusing on a few areas. I also need help in indentifying the engine this car has in it, this is my first project and I am still new to the mechanics of vehicles! Looks like the forum will be a great source of info, also keen to get chatting with other Mk1 Owners in the Bristol/ South Gloucs/ North Somerset area, Pics attached.

Max

Looks like a great base for a project, a little tired but straight. It's an early cabriolet as well at 1980, pretty much as early as they get.

One thing I noticed in your photos, your accelerator cable where it clips into the rocker cover, it should be clipped through the recess in the rubber, and not as far up the cable as yours is clipped in. If this makes the cable too tight, you should be able to unscrew the adjuster to make it correct.  

Maniac said

Looks like a great base for a project, a little tired but straight. It's an early cabriolet as well at 1980, pretty much as early as they get.

One thing I noticed in your photos, your accelerator cable where it clips into the rocker cover, it should be clipped through the recess in the rubber, and not as far up the cable as yours is clipped in. If this makes the cable too tight, you should be able to unscrew the adjuster to make it correct.  

  Just noticed that, I will get that sorted. Hoping somebody will be able to tell me which engine this is, I was told it is a 1.8DX on another forum    Sourced a new passenger side door in black as this one has a couple of bits of deep rust, especially behind the handle, where it is quite rotten! New door has zero corrosion.

Yep engine is 1.8DX with K-Jet injection.

I think for your year of car it should be a 1.6 injection but could be wrong.

Easy way to tell is water pipe on 1.8 enters cylinder head between cylinders 3 and 4, on the 1.6 it's between 1 and 2

Hairyarse said

Yep engine is 1.8DX with K-Jet injection.

I think for your year of car it should be a 1.6 injection but could be wrong.

Easy way to tell is water pipe on 1.8 enters cylinder head between cylinders 3 and 4, on the 1.6 it's between 1 and 2

 Thanks for the tip Hairy. Id really like to do an overhaul/rebuild of the engine and get it painted up, get the bay nice and clean at the same time. How difficult is this? I am someone with a good understanding of how things work (love engineering!)
 But no experience putting it into practice!  

nice car bud, looks like a solid base for a project  

looking good man… recon the first thing I'd do is loose the rattler sticker on the tailgate… hehehe

^^yeh lol, wheels in silver will make it look a lot cleaner as well

Engine out and refurb should be no bother. Just get a Haynes manual, have all the right tools like torque wrench for example and just go through it methodically.

If head needs a refurb for the money I'd be inclined to get someone like TSR to do it, fair money and peace of mind. Then get a full seal/gasket kit and just start stripping, cleaning, replacing, rebuilding.

Unless you know the bottom end is knackered i wouldn't bother stripping it, they can be good for 250k miles if well maintained before needing work

 Yeah the rubbish stickers will be coming off with a bit of elbow grease this weekend   Where can I get hold of a Haynes manual? No luck on eBay Also looking for a decent interior if anyone has one for sale in the south west area! Has anyone had any experience with treating the rear panels on a cabby? My passenger side one has a little rust hole, although I think its just surface at the moment, I know this is where Karmann would have strengthened the car so the panels aren't replaceable in the way a normal 1/4 panel would be!

Max

get shot of that late cabby grille too, pit proper original one back on. and when you do, make sure the grille badge isnt too high like it is now

change that rear golfgti badge for the proper early one as well

MaxCosmos said

Hairyarse said

Yep engine is 1.8DX with K-Jet injection.

I think for your year of car it should be a 1.6 injection but could be wrong.

Easy way to tell is water pipe on 1.8 enters cylinder head between cylinders 3 and 4, on the 1.6 it's between 1 and 2

 Thanks for the tip Hairy. Id really like to do an overhaul/rebuild of the engine and get it painted up, get the bay nice and clean at the same time. How difficult is this? I am someone with a good understanding of how things work (love engineering!)
 But no experience putting it into practice!  

Hello Max

I think your engineering skill comment above will cover a lot of people on this forum, definately me  

Just take it at your own pace and enjoy it. Theres a wealth of useful people and info on this website  

Matt

Hi All, sorry I havent added much as its been Tax/ MOT and insurance renewal time for my 6n2 Polo GTI so been concentrating on that!

 Had a mad moment earlier in the month and nearly sold the cab, but didnt want such an old one to go and someone who doesnt bleed VW end up ruining it  


So anyway, Alf went in for his MOT today, two new shocks rear needed (which I kinda expected anyway as they are a bit bouncy) New brake pipe bracket which had rusted off, Battery tray bracket as it wasnt secure enough, and a couple of new fuses and bulbs thats it!

 Bloke even went as far to say how impressed with the bodywork he was, and how little corrosion it has, convinced me to hold on and see the project through even more! Highly recommend Gordano Motor Services near bristol, VAG Specialists been going about 50 years!

 Anyway, will have a little think about what to do next and post later! If anyone has an interior for sale that would suit black, please let me know!! also after a cigarette ash tray/lighter and a period radio if poss!

Well done on the MOT. Volksfest coming up near you soon

Yeah, I sent a reply onto the volksfest post earlier, Its my birthday that weekend and ill def be going as I do most years! Not sure what to crack on with next, Cant seem to find an interior anywhere that suits the car Change passenger side door will be the first job I think.

 Being new to restoring cars just been hunting tools on ebay, managed to get a 40 piece snap on socket set for £32 used but great nick!

is it on a private plate? or is it a V Reg?

volkswarren said

is it on a private plate? or is it a V Reg?

 No it is indeed a V Reg, I havent seen one this age anywhere been looking for another similar. Original roof still aswell!

i owned MVS193V it was on ebay a few months back but the guy broke it as no takers, mine was a series one cabby though, didn't think you could get series two on a V Plate

volkswarren said

i owned MVS193V it was on ebay a few months back but the guy broke it as no takers, mine was a series one cabby though, didn't think you could get series two on a V Plate

 Is there a way to tell? Its had a lot changed in its life I think…….

MaxCosmos said

volkswarren said

i owned MVS193V it was on ebay a few months back but the guy broke it as no takers, mine was a series one cabby though, didn't think you could get series two on a V Plate

 Is there a way to tell? Its had a lot changed in its life I think…….

 Its registered as a 1980 1588cc GLI on the V5