88' Gti Clipper - First Ever Project (Daunting!!)

Hi folks,

I was given the ok by my great wife to buy a project, well for my 30th she was buying me it. I am by no way mechanical/technical and the idea of it is scary enough, but what better present could I have wished for.

I would love to do as much as I can but I'm sure I'll need help along the way and it'll be a huge learning experience.

Tonight I threw down my deposit to collect in a week or two and to be honest I think I got it for a steal.

She's a 1988 Golf Gti Clipper. Owner bought it as a project about 4 years ago, and has done some bits and pieces. At the moment it has no wheels, some panel damage to the rear nearside corner (cat C), and is missing front end that bumper would go over I think. Engine not running but all parts there so will have to wait and see if I get it going. Some panel and bits off but it's all there to be built back.

Needs a new hood, manual one is in a bit if a state. Bodywork wise apart from the rear panel it is surprisingly good, does need some minor touching around windows. Would need seals replaced around them too. A good detail and it would do great for getting it on the road without the need for an immediate respray. No rust that I could find on anywhere important. Interior is very good too, no bolster wear, small bit of the rear seat a bit loose/stretchy.

That's where I stand for now. Actually just rather excited too at the prospect of getting started. Will no doubt be placing a load of wanted posts up for parts, mainly that front section first.

Sorry I've no other pics but snapped this one as it sat in his garage.

Finally anyone who's had the joys of a mk1 cab project please feel free to inundate me with your knowledge and woes!

Few quick asks:
I was wondering if anyone knows the colour/code, its looks the same as what the rivage model came in but not sure?
Am I right in saying Karmann built the all cabs with VW parts, just wondering if its worth getting a Haynes manual but there is only one for Mk2 in my year, didn't know which applies more, Mk1 or Mk2 book.

Looks like a nice project!

The paint code will be on the sticker located inside the boot on the cross member behind the rear seat.

I believe all cabs were built by vw but sent to the karman factory where further strengtheningwas added to them.

As far as the Haynes manual, I have that problem too but the mk1 is of more use to you, I think.

Good luck with the resto and the more pics the better!

One important thing to check if you don't know already, is the condition of the fuel filler neck.
Take the petrol cap off and check the inside of the pipe for rust holes, common problem as dirt collects at top of inner wheel arch around the filler neck and allows rust, dirt and water into the fuel tank causing running issues.

Thanks for the info.

Still haven't picked it up yet but got a set of 13" Tarantula's of a local forum to get it on wheels at least! 

Off hand would 25mm nuts fit ok, I know steelies would be a bit shorter?

Well after buying it about 7 weeks ago I finally got it home, the seller had to clear his garage to get it out and I had to clear mine to get it in!

Talk about awkward, trying to get it on the trailer with 3 wheels but we managed well, getting it off was thankfully a dawdle.

At the moment the main thing is to get the wheel on so at least it's moveable for working on.  Need to get my hands on a front offside shock & spring. Condition isn't really an issue as it's just to get it rolling.

After that build the engine back up to running condition, don't care how bad it is just so it's running.

Some of the front end is missing, the previous owner cut away the section back to where you can see because of rust, so need to get a front end which the bumper will sit on.

Just after a bit of advice. So have the car sitting in the garage, contemplating whether it's going to be a long drawn out restoration and do I think long term and go for a full respray at some stage, after some bodywork repair. 

If that was the line I go down do I replace bits I'm replacing anyway before a respray or wait. I'm going to replace quite a bit of the suspension as some parts in desperate need. Also should I try and get it running now or wait as it would be an engine out respray anyway?

Finally, I know there's a few mk1 specific sites that sell parts including the recommended one's advertised here, but is there anywhere else recommended, are the like of gsf etc good/reasonable for parts for these? 

Cheers

Well it's been sitting gathering dust for a few months, but I finally got the finger out and started having a look.  Both kids at school and the boss gave me a morning to myself!


This was how I'd left it when I first got it, stuff everywhere and boxes tucked down behind it too:




First thing was to get it rolling, as it had been sitting on 3 wheels.  I got a shock/spring from a breaker and found the hub assembly etc that I thought I'd lost:





Next was to give a bit of a clear out inside and was left with this:





Took carpet out to check and seems all good underneath.  Got stuck with the front though and will have to go back to it:





So that's me now, hopefully get stuck in a bit and not leave it lying.  I don't have a time frame, just whenever it happens it happens.  I need a few bits and pieces:
Front left wing - possibly get a copy
Front valance/cross member/slam panel - have these sourced ok.
Internal door card and few other bits of interior trim.
New hood

On the hood, any opinions on colour?  The carpet is a blue to match the car so don't know if a blue or black hood would suit better.

Also getting some damage fixed at the rear:






Once the front end is sorted I will start to put the engine back together and see if I can get it going.  If/when it runs will look at sorting bits that could do with being replaced and some blasted.

Cheers

Glad to see you on it again. I reckon a blue hood would look great.

Love the retro Matchbox toy in the background too, had one when I was a kid  

Hi

I've used gsf for parts, always been good. eBay is a massive help as well.

Matt

Cheers Hairyarse, I agree the hood would probably be best blue, would suit interior etc.  Tried today to remove the hood but without joy, didn't know how much pressure to put on rear window so looks like I need to use a bit more brut force.

The matchbox was lying up in my Nan's attic, it's immaculate!

Yeah Matt I had a look on ebay, Eurocarparts etc and GSF did come in best so will hopefully use them.

Checked boot and sticker is almost worn but confirmed the car is helios blue.

Looks like some angry beavers have attacked the bodywork at the back corner!

I'd say it get it on the road asap especially if it's your first go at getting a car up and running.

If you do a full strip down and then try to build it back up again it's very hard work to keep the mojo going. It's also expensive and very time consuming.

Just a thought. You might be really disciplined and have a project map of what you want to do and what you want to achieve. If not then get it back on the road and enjoy it for a bit, even if you run it rough for a season.

As for the Haynes manuals I believe the brown covered one is the one you need. there is also a restoration manual that might help a bit.

cheers

Ian

I think there's a how-to on here somewhere for hood replacement so have a look around

Keep motivated matey I have working on mine pretty solid ie 1'to 2 days a week for a year and it is very close well for now, but the post From borednow was pretty spot on definitely get it up and running and work out a plan . But it does get very addictive . Also look up the hood replacement step by step was really helpful when I replaced mine if you carnt find the right link on here go on Google and you will find it . Good luck . Martin.

Keep going mate, ya doing a great job standard engine or something different?

Thanks folks, appreciate the comments.

You're spot on borednow, I think getting it running is the right choice, as much as everyone wants a lovely immaculate retro it's beyond a first time for me!

Got the front sourced and need a wing still, the rear is getting fixed too same time as front.

Had a look at the hood replacement, looks very informative so will give it a go.

In the mean time I'm getting 1-2 days a week to work on it, when both kiddies are a school/nursery, even then it's only a morning, although sometimes getting an evening to work on it.

So for now it's still just stripping it down to make sure it's ok, get old hood off and then up to body guy for the front and rear. Gong to keep the 1.8 for now to see if it still runs, failing that I may consider a mk3 16v if I can source one.

Well bit of a gap since my last post!

As it sits she's still in the garage,  very little has been done.

That was until yesterday when this arrived:


Not the best pic but it's another addition,  which my wife was surprisingly ok about,  phew!

It's a 87 gti. The shell is more or less solid,  a lot better than the other,  whereas the interior is great in my first. So all being well between the 2 of these I'll get 1 in some sort of decent shape!

Quick one but does anyone know if you can get hood kits that have all the nuts bolts screws cables needed? I have a spare hood which is in decent condition but need to fit it and have no clue about what screws go where or even have them

There is lots of pictures and info on this site.
http://www.partsbase.org/vw/golf-cabriolet-goc-eu-1987-body/

Also a guide on here to fitting a roof, I've never took one off but I have replaced the roof skin and I don't think there is not a lot of bolts/nut's holding the thing on.

The wipers on the 2nd car seem to be at a rather funny angle, what's happened there?

Thanks Mark,  that looks quite informative.

Not sure about the wipers yet,  haven't had much of a chance to check it out.

On another note there is no key with it,  so not sure whether to change all the locks or to try and swap them over from the other car as it still has a key

Could you not try and call a friendly VW dealer and find out if they can cut you a key, they might be more willing to help at the moment with all the bad press?

Could you not try and call a friendly VW dealer and find out if they can cut you a key, they might be more willing to help at the moment with all the bad press?