Mk1 GTI - 83 plate Campaign

<sup>I wanted to start a build thread for my restoration, I used to own a MK1 GTI back in 98 when I was at uni and always wanted a mint one.

I have managed to find an 83 campaign with 87k miles on the clock which needed a full restoration. The car had been sorn/garaged for the last 15 years waiting to be restored. My plan it to keep it completely original, so I will keep it diamond silver and restore/ re-built the original engine and gearbox.

Fortunately the previous owner had been collecting parts to start the restoration and had boxes of them which came with the car as well as the original P slot alloys. So the first job has been to get it back to the shell.

It took a few weekends to get the interior out and I had help to remove the engine, gearbox and rolling gear, I am pleased to say it is still the original DX engine which has been shipped off to Power Units in Hatfield to be re-built.

The original gearbox is currently with Syncro up in Leicestershire being re-built and painted

With all the mechanical parts stripped I then took it back to just a shell removing every part

The shell, bonnet, door, wings, boot lid etc… were then sent to Cleaning –Consultants in Loxwood who specialise in media blasting to get it back to bare metal.

Once it was all blasted clean they applied a phosphate coating to stop any surface rust while the body work was sorted out.

Power Units have been making good progress on the engine and the head was skimmed last week.

The shell came back from the Cleaning Consultants yesterday and is now in the body shop to have all the welding sorted out; Brad has kindly offered to make me up a spit to make this process easier.

On the whole the shell looks very straight and has not had any work done on it, but as you would expect after sitting in a garage for 15 years there is quite a bit of rust in the usual places. Sunroof, rear arches, parts of the front section and the spare wheel housing etc….

I have started to get all the powder coated parts back now which were sent off to be sandblasted; they all look shiny and new. Once the welding is complete the interior and engine bay will be sprayed and then it will come back to me to put the engine in and interior back in before the outside is given the final spray.

So this has been the first 8 weeks of the project</sup>

Thats awesome, really looking forward to seeing more of your progress

This is some impressive progress! Had no idea it was in such overhaul! 

Are you doing the body work by the way? 

Your virtually in the same situation as I am with my recent purchase, previous owner had gathered parts/ started bits of the project but had to sell up so I now have a 79' Gti to build  

Some reason that came through as an email 

I have a build thread yeah mate: 
http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=your-mk1-golfs_2%2F-83-tin-top-gti

Should be updates this weekend as aiming for masses of work  

Il be keeping my watch over this ready for when I start my s1  

Nice find.
Get those updates posted!

Looks really good mate! What's the place called that's doing your gearbox and what's there's prices like?

Nice original car by the looks of it. Good luck with getting her sorted and back together she's going to be mint when complete

Keep the updates coming mate.  

I'm sure you'll have it up and running for the summer mate, good luck with it  

Looks like a good shell and you've got it all in hand! Good luck, looking forward to seeing it progress.
matt

Looking good parsons! you've done well to get to this stage in just 8 weeks

keep the updates coming mate,

Andy.