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Cabriolet 1990 original wheels question

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Question about original wheels supplied.

I'm very new to this, so forgive me if I am posting in the wrong place.
I have a 90 Cabrio, which I am now starting to restore. The wheels need quite a bit of attention.
Before I embark on parting with cash to restore them, I have 2 questions. Do they look original ? (Does anyone have pics of the wheels that were offered on the '90 Clipper ?).
And does anyone have a recommendation for a good wheel restorer (I know there are tons around but have heard some horror stories such as paint flaking off after a few months).

Pics are here.
Any help and advice will be much appreciated. And if this is the wrong place, please re-direct me. I will learn quickly!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1UGk5e2M6YVrCEn2A

 

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OEM wheels per year are located at www.cabby-info.com

http://www.cabby-info.com/images/Wheels/WheelGuide.pdf

Yours appear to be aftermarket, (non-oem) I have seen them but can't remember the maker or name of them.

They would be nice if restored and "polished or Chromed"  

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They all start with GOOD Grounds.

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I though the car would of came with steel wheels as standard as you have a carburettor car.
There should be a paper sticker in the boot along the cross beam which tells you all the car had fitted from factory, there's a few guides on de coded on the internet.

The wheels could of been fitted by the garage when new as well….

wheels like this?
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=cars-for-sale_2%2Fvw-golf-mk1-clipper_2


By the way your number plate is illegal as black plates can only be fitted to cars over 40 years old so you have a few years to go till you can use that number plate on the road, ok to use it as a show plate…. MOT it will fail and if the police are bored you may get a fine….  :thumbs:

Last edit: by mark1gls


1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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No your wheels are definitely not original or offered by dealers as an approved VAG. Accessory at the time. They are by the look of it probably made by MSW or RW (Macho’s?)


SO, as mentioned, 13/  14" steel wheels would have been  standard the older the car the more chance it came with 14” or dealers offered a variety of BBS options RA, RZ, RS or possibly some snowflakes could still have been around.

Last edit: by RichardHall


Golf GTI Campaign 1983 Mars Red, Ford S-Max 2015, Audi TT 180 quattro 2003, Fiat 500C 2013, Golf GTE MK7.5

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13 " steels
6DB81200-8492-4366-A460-2A8493E510F5.jpeg

14" steels

5A99BE2E-D9E2-45DF-A677-2D437D73E476.png

Golf GTI Campaign 1983 Mars Red, Ford S-Max 2015, Audi TT 180 quattro 2003, Fiat 500C 2013, Golf GTE MK7.5

image.jpeg
 

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Cabriolet 1990 original wheels question

I think doing a restoration you’d concentrate on more critical things first.
Such as body work, engine, running gear.
It’s got to start, go and stop properly.

Unless you got tons of money to go round.
You’ll soon spend lots on those.

Or the above are ok.

Then I’d look at the condition of your roof.
It’s shrunk, the cables hanging out the back.
Likely you need a new one.
That’s not gonna be cheap depending on what’s required.

Wheels would be last thing on my mind.

I’d go through the car make a list with tick boxes.

Just tick off as you go.
Otherwise you end up starting lots of jobs and not finishing one.

Make sure you got sealable bags like ziplock ones so you don’t lose bits n bobs and write on the bags.

Just a few pointers.



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"Making Cabbies More Beautiful One Roof at a Time" 

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Why does it need restoring, the car looks rust free and solid in the picture?

It's only tin top Mk1 golfs that seem to rust away to dust in no time, Karmann seem to do a better job at rust prevention compared to VW when the cars were built….  :thumbs:

 

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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It looks like a fairly straight example to me but before anything cosmetic sort the brakes.

Brakes, brakes, brakes!!

I started from the underneath up on my resto and ensured it ran 100% reliably and all components were new or in good order

Then steering then brakes.

Then electrics

Aesthetics are second place to usability and reliability

Last on my list will be roof as I dont use it in the rain and its covered up

Current rides:

2003 BMW 330d Manual Saloon Msport
1985 GTI cabriolet black edition (42k miles)
1999 Triumph Daytona 955i Post apocalyptic, rat, brat, scrambler, steam punk, cafe racer

IMG_20190803_123357.jpg

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Cabriolet 1990 original wheels question

Hey everyone thanks for all the great advice. The comments about restoration sequence are all good and very valid. The brakes are done and engine is all good so she starts/stops very well !!
The number plates - ahem yes. They came with the car and every year I have a bit of a laugh now with the MOT chap (local garage) as I take the proper ones out of the boot for him to see. Yes, a bored copper might object, but a pal of mine who is a plod, says he would have to be extremely bored to notice !! Saw several e-Types at the Bicester classic car show the other week that didn’t sport front number plates and they’d never had a problem.

So now my dilemma is, should I get these wheels restored, or focus on getting a set of 14 inch steel rims to maintain authenticity. What’s the general feeling about sticking to everything original ?

Thanks again.


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In my opinion they arent bad looking wheels and actually suit it quite well.
With regards to originality, unless your car a particularly special model I wouldnt worry to much and with the exception of the sportline model the later clipper cabs are of the lowest value on the Mk1 platform (correct me if I'm wrong)

That said wheels are easily removed and swapped for other items if you chose to do so, just find out what it should of had and store them away.

Mine is actually quite a rare edition and should be wearing 8 spoke "tarantula" wheels but if I'm honest they look terrible, so I've just stored them away and if the day ever comes to sell I'll put them back on

Its all personal preference and what makes you happy in your own car, enjoy it however you want and dont just worry about the £££ side of things.
Otherwise sell it and invest in premium bonds instead

Current rides:

2003 BMW 330d Manual Saloon Msport
1985 GTI cabriolet black edition (42k miles)
1999 Triumph Daytona 955i Post apocalyptic, rat, brat, scrambler, steam punk, cafe racer

IMG_20190803_123357.jpg
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