CHILD HOOD dream (the Project)

I've always been a VW fan… when I turned 18 I bought my mom's 1600 mk2 golf. K it didn't last long, ended up righting it off after 3 months and then the trail of cars started. I'm now 14 years older and have had about 17 VW's, from 1800 mk1's, old school beetles, 16V mk2 executives to the Jetta……YEAH im a fan.

So now i'm living in Dubai and stumbled across my child hood dream, mk1 Cabrio. These in South Africa were imports only and would cost from R50 000 to R70 000 (6000 pounds) yip so could never afford 1.

she is only a 1600cc AUTO, and i HATE AUTO's, but when u have the only mk1 in Dubai beggers cant be choosers,

So the GOAL: to have a STRONG 16V manual Cabrio

so far ive been upgrading the cosmetics, complete respray and think im getting there slowly, she is the love of my life, she just needs a bit more power, next is the engine conversion which I'm abit nerves, I don't except it to be easy, but could I get it done on my own???

I've already changed it to a 1800 as the old engine packed up, NOW I want to change from (1800 AUTO to and 16V manual)

HELP!!!!


o yes, how the F do i attached photos??? (blonde moment)

Finally I can get some photos up.

So this is what she looked like about 12 months ago, just after I got her resprayed. Wish I could find some photos of what she looked like when I bought her, OMG she was a mess

Never seen that colour before and it looks fantastic on your motor!!  Nice find!!!

that looks spot on

theres a "how to" on 16v`s in the mods and conversions bit good luck keep posting pics of progress

thanks for the comments dudes,

Here are some pix from when the Misses and a cement truck came close friends. Now keep in mind that there are ZERO mk1's here in Dubai so when looking for CV joints, Balls joints and NEW fender, this became a mission. So giving my mate in SA a call was my only option. Sorted…

ohhhh thats nasty, dont let the mrs drive your car, buy her her own mk1…

Then youl have two in dubai….

Plus dubai has alot of other mint cars so i supose youd not mind driving your veyron around instead of a mk1…..

Fair play for getting one though, even if it is hard to find cars, youve got one of the nciest cars in the country.

Think it that way.

Ya,, LOADS of Stylin cars here. I've just sold my 2008 Honda S2000……

So finally I get her back from the workshop, the gearbox was pissin oil, the gasket needed to be replaced, 2 weeks later she is back but STILL not 100%, as usual they have done a shit job!!!  NOW, when its cold, she wont change gears, it takes about 10km for the gearbox to warm up and only then will it change. Unfortunately its AUTO, so am I right in saying it works on oil pressure????

 I'm getting SO OVER this car. She looks the part, but mechanically needs help. (she is not a 16V yet!!!!!!) I've got the softest HEART for her



So got her back yesterday and got the camera out had had a little photo shoot, so this is where I am with the STYLIN side of my project. Next is I need to get under the hood and reflect on the badge. I know its found upon having a your car NOT reflect what it actually is!!!!! 8V when it says 16V (or having a TURBO badge when it's NOT)

Nice looking cabby.

I 'm sure there was 2 more people who registered a little while ago who had cabbys in Dubai.  If you do a search on this site you might be able to find them & have the first Dubai mk1 meet

NOPE, I THINK THAT WAS ME….

i wish there where more around

that colour always look good on a mk1. nice m8