FIRST MK1 1.8 GTI RESTORATION MARS RED

    Just bought my first MK1 GTI 1.8 its mars red and has the original parts after looking for some time i came across this one it has been sitting in a village in kent for 10 years… and after a period of long hard thinking I plucked up the courage to buy it. It has rot in places but i have not stripped it yet so dont know the full extent of the rot (soon to come), the engine is siezed and has 160k on the clock so I'm going to rebuild it and maybe add a few cheeky Mod's. I'm thinking of re-spraying the car black or pearl white (not too sure yet). i will be upgrading the brakes and the exhaust system (maybe stainless steel).

Will be keeping you updated with pictures and more info as I go along.
but for now this is the state its in, tell me what you think and I would like to hear you thoughts and opinions.

looks like a good base to start from

welcome to the site btw

keep us posted with the project

After stripping the car and attackin it with the grinder i av discovered a nasty lil surprise.... the car is probably more filler then it is metal... pictures to follow later.....

A car made of filler  

Hope you enjoy welding!

Good luck!!

I have just started on the car and stripped everything out, i wanted to see all the rust/rot, looks like needs a bit of welding and repairs. and i have decided to keep it the original colour. Im in need of 2 new wings and doors, rear arch and maybe the front valance, there is a hole in the spare wheel compartment and some on the floors where the front seats go. im going to change the exhaust system along with the manifold, and relay new carpets.



























Just found alot of filler on the rear arches more pictures to follow please let me know if you have any of the parts i require cheers.

just got the grinder out to see what lay beneath and to be honest was surprised by the amount of filler used and the extent rust/rot i was wondering if there are any specific places that are cause for alarm with rust/rot i know that it is common for there to be rot as it is a old car and especially in some spots. By the way things are looking is that it would be better if i bought new panels and parts instead of trying to repair it.