Bought my first mk1 golf

This week I made the journey to wales to pick up my first mk1 golf! I'd been watching it on eBay as I'm always keeping an eye out being my favourite car and spotted this 1 which looked in good condition. Spent a full day on it today cleaning and trying to fix a radio problem half fixed it got the door speakers making a fuzzing sound but still no radio music (I'll be looking further into this in the next week) few bits that need doing which will be done in time for summer are replace the convertible hood which the replacement was included in the sale just need to buy the cables to go with, repair driver side bolster on recaro seats, repair the horn as it doesn't seem to be working, the radio problem, replace clutch cable as it looks as if the bush has come off so the wire moves about abit when pressing the clutch and finally get a service. 

Congrats mate, looks like a good un.

Welcome to the club

Ian

I do like the colour, you don't see many in that colour.

Get to roof changed ASAP, the roof on the car is scrap and you don't want water getting in the car.
Check condition of rear window frame as common to rust away, get the frame cleaned and repainted before fitting new roof as you can't do it later.

When changing the clutch cable check there is a bulk head plate fitted to strength the area as common problem to pull the clutch cable through the bulk head and rip the metal. If there's not one fitted get one soon.

Looks like this and sticks to the bulk head.

https://www.vwheritage.com/171898152-bulkhead-repair-patch-for-the-clutch-cable-vw-spare
https://www.vwheritage.com/171898152-bulkhead-repair-patch-for-the-clutch-cable-vw-spare

When looking at the horn remember VW wired them differently from the rest of the automotive world. Most are earthed to the chassis where they are fixed and pushing the horn connects +ve 12v.

With VWs of this age they are feed with +12v when ignition on and pushing the horn on the wheel connects to earth.

Sometimes there is a bad connection at the steering wheel, there is also a earth wire that connects the steering column/rack to the bulkhead. Unfortunately this located is in the engine bay quite low down and gets corroded and drops off.

If twin horns (and single?) there is a relay in the circuit too. As the wiring ages and resistance builds up not enough power gets to the horns to make them sound. A quick fix is to disconnect one horn leaving enough juice to power the single remaining horn.

 

Brad0671

Welcome to the club first of all.
Cracking looking Cabby you've got there mate!

During your time of ownership your going to be needing a few parts and stuff so why not look at becoming a 'Paid Members'!

We have a list of preferred advertisers for parts and services each even the RAC. All offer constant discounts to our paid members.
Not only that but as paid member you get discounts of everything in our club shop as well as on our AGM.

Many members find that over a year the membership more than pays for itself and on joining or annual renewal you receive a goodie pack stuff with useful freebies!  

Here's a screen shot of our front page and as it changes you need to click on "READ MORE" and follow the instructions.




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mark1gls said

I do like the colour, you don't see many in that colour.

Get to roof changed ASAP, the roof on the car is scrap and you don't want water getting in the car.
Check condition of rear window frame as common to rust away, get the frame cleaned and repainted before fitting new roof as you can't do it later.

When changing the clutch cable check there is a bulk head plate fitted to strength the area as common problem to pull the clutch cable through the bulk head and rip the metal. If there's not one fitted get one soon.

Looks like this and sticks to the bulk head.

https://www.vwheritage.com/171898152-bulkhead-repair-patch-for-the-clutch-cable-vw-spare
https://www.vwheritage.com/171898152-bulkhead-repair-patch-for-the-clutch-cable-vw-spare

Thanks for the advice I've been phoning around a few local companies that will fit the new hood, the company that was recommend to me I spoke to them and they told me £385+VAT does that sound about right? As for clutch cable I'll have a look on your link but it sounds like what you said. Thanks again for the advice 👍🏻

Early-1800 said

When looking at the horn remember VW wired them differently from the rest of the automotive world. Most are earthed to the chassis where they are fixed and pushing the horn connects +ve 12v.

With VWs of this age they are feed with +12v when ignition on and pushing the horn on the wheel connects to earth.

Sometimes there is a bad connection at the steering wheel, there is also a earth wire that connects the steering column/rack to the bulkhead. Unfortunately this located is in the engine bay quite low down and gets corroded and drops off.

If twin horns (and single?) there is a relay in the circuit too. As the wiring ages and resistance builds up not enough power gets to the horns to make them sound. A quick fix is to disconnect one horn leaving enough juice to power the single remaining horn.

 

I'll be looking into this at weekend hopefully get it sorted out, thanks for the info will let you know how I get on!

Golf Cabrio said

Brad0671

Welcome to the club first of all.
Cracking looking Cabby you've got there mate!

During your time of ownership your going to be needing a few parts and stuff so why not look at becoming a 'Paid Members'!

We have a list of preferred advertisers for parts and services each even the RAC. All offer constant discounts to our paid members.
Not only that but as paid member you get discounts of everything in our club shop as well as on our AGM.

Many members find that over a year the membership more than pays for itself and on joining or annual renewal you receive a goodie pack stuff with useful freebies!  

Here's a screen shot of our front page and as it changes you need to click on "READ MORE" and follow the instructions.




Sent from my Smartphone

I'll have a look at that now looking forward to coming down to the annual event also! 

Gave it a good wash today and took it to a nice spot 2 minutes away from where I live to get some scenic pictures ha! 

Looks nice, I just bought exactly the same car in Canada in October. Interesting the Canadian version doesn't have Recaro on the seats.

Do you know what the suspension/wheel size setup is and how does it feel over bumps/cornering? I'm just about to begin this mod.

Thanks!

Nice cars both of them, the seats aren't Recaro's just standard Golf sports seats but someone has done  a neat job of stitching a Recaro badge on I think.

Brad0671

If you want to talk about new roofs then you really need to talk to Carl chortle before you do anything.
He is a roof expert, great guy and the clubs go to person for roofs, roof parts and fitting.

He's so good he's just started his own company!


Sent from my Smartphone

simongood said

Looks nice, I just bought exactly the same car in Canada in October. Interesting the Canadian version doesn't have Recaro on the seats.

Do you know what the suspension/wheel size setup is and how does it feel over bumps/cornering? I'm just about to begin this mod.

Thanks!

Regarding the suspension no I don't the guy I bought it off had new spring put on but he wasn't aware it had been lowered which it definately has! 

RichardHall said

Nice cars both of them, the seats aren't Recaro's just standard Golf sports seats but someone has done  a neat job of stitching a Recaro badge on I think.

How would I go about finding out if they are genuine recaro as the drivers bolster as you first get in has basically worn away so needs repairing? Cheers 

Golf Cabrio said

Brad0671

If you want to talk about new roofs then you really need to talk to Carl chortle before you do anything.
He is a roof expert, great guy and the clubs go to person for roofs, roof parts and fitting.

He's so good he's just started his own company!


Sent from my Smartphone

Thanks a lot! I've just bought a set of side tensioning cable and the rear window 1 also, is it just the 1 side that you need to buy? As it only looks small sorry if I don't sound the most clues up I've been recommended somebody local who has fitted quite a few of these and he's just told me to buy the bits and he'll fit it for me? 
Cheers 

That's the seat that needs repairing 

Thank's for filling in the gap on the Recaro stitching Richard.

Brad, I've got the same issue on my seat. Talked to an upholsterer he can replace just the seat bolster fabric keeping the seat center fabric intact. His suggestion was to do the two front seat bolsters in leather/vinyl. I didn't like that and will cut a square of the cloth off the ripped bolster and go to a few fabric stores and see how close a match I can find.

 You can buy the seat foam insert from a few places, MK1 Auto House, Ebay and probably VW heritage.

Brad, I'm fitting some Eibach springs this week and also be putting on my newly refurbished Avus Snowflake rims. I'll post a photo and we'll see if the drop is similar.

simongood said

Brad, I'm fitting some Eibach springs this week and also be putting on my newly refurbished Avus Snowflake rims. I'll post a photo and we'll see if the drop is similar.

Don't for get you will need to buy shorter or shorten your bump stops when fitting lowered springs or you will find the bump stops will hit over any bump or worse case you drive on the bump stop and have no suspension movement.

Kit I'm going for in my Cabriolet.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Lowering-Springs-Bilstein-Gas-Shocks-Bumpstop-Kit-Golf-Mk1-Cabrio/232018793570?epid=2223520749&hash=item360565d462:g:0eMAAOSw9KhZ-hQy

simongood said

Thank's for filling in the gap on the Recaro stitching Richard.

Brad, I've got the same issue on my seat. Talked to an upholsterer he can replace just the seat bolster fabric keeping the seat center fabric intact. His suggestion was to do the two front seat bolsters in leather/vinyl. I didn't like that and will cut a square of the cloth off the ripped bolster and go to a few fabric stores and see how close a match I can find.

 You can buy the seat foam insert from a few places, MK1 Auto House, Ebay and probably VW heritage.

Yeah I didnt want to change to leather other I like the cloth! I've found the foam on vw heritage but they do it for the recaro or the standard so I'm stuck on which to order now