My resto - Helios Blue Campaign NEW PICTURES AND INFO!

Hey all!

Some of you may remember my last resto project - a 1983 Y reg Lhasa Green Mk1 GTi. Its due to come out of the garage this spring for final finishing. In the mean time I accidentally stumbled across a car i've always hankered after - a Helios blue Mk1 Campaign! Its been owned by the same family for 15 years+ and has clearly been looked after - The FSH weighs a tonne! Its done 145k but uses no oil and drives like new. There is also no evidence of any accident damage ever and there are only a few scratches. Its even taxed and tested!

I found it on ebay and went to collect on the Isle of White this saturday afternoon. This is how I found it - fetching blue rimed grille, white VW badge, tornado wheels, the wrong front spoiler and all! There are also some dodgy seat covers and blue rimed dash.






Check out those classy seat covers  


Engine will be getting detailing work done shortly.

I want to get the car to as original spec as possible (minus wheels, which I'll come onto later). The spec is correct and everythinbg works as it should (except for a snapped seat cable). There are also original optional electric windows fitted!

This resto doesn't need to be extensive as the car is in great condition - no rust or wear on the trim (those covers look bad but don't half protect the originals!) I'm intending to document and photograph my progress. Please make suggestions as to what you think I should be doing!

My m8 James drove it back from the isle of white for me and was stunned how well it drove, as when I when I got a proper first go. As soon as I arrived back I was off to Euro car parts to get some bits to get the project going. Firstly it was the details and I purchased the following;

1. New driver's side rear light cluster (Old one was full 'o crud)
2. New indicators (Old one's rusted and lenses crazed)
3. New pedal rubbers (detail that really makes a difference)

The lights have aready been fitted and already lift the car greatly. I'll do the rubbers soon but they are a pig to fit in my experience.

On sunday I took the car to my dads house to get more detaling work done. Firstly the grille and rims came off to get a coat of Mars red or 2.

 
Grille off and wheels about to be removed.

The horrible blue is now gone and while I was there I also gave the white badge a nice coat of satin black.


As can be seen from the pix, I've also re-furbed and fitted a set of 15" BBS RA's. They suit the car so well  8)  

Today I washed the car for the first time (I'd never seen it clean) and under all the grime was a stunning body - it looks much better than I expected. Let me know what you think.







Next up is a brief trip to the bodyshop for a small bit of tlc scratch-wise. The original front spoiler(s) are in the boot and these will be fitted this week. I also need to give the windows a good clean and fit a radio. A new fog lamp is needed, as are some new exterior window seals. I'm also going to fit the seat cable, make the engine bay look great, remove the seat covers, give it a full service and a couple of new tyres.

I'm really excited about this project - I'll keep the thread updated with my progress, any advice would be great!

o      8)

What a transformation! Looking very tidy already. Loving the BBS - I reckon RA's were made for the MK1!

Helios is such a nice colour. Is this a 'keeper' for you or will you sell on?

Cheers
Andy

That is very, very nice!  How lucky!?
 8)
 I wish i had a mint Helios- BBS RMs with colour coded centres for me! 8)  :mrgreen:

Thats a beauty anyways, take care of it 8)

Cheers guys  

Andy - i'm planning to keep this one and get it A1. This does leave me the problem of owning two mint MK1 GTi's, mind. I may have to sell one of them but i'm hoping its the green one if it does come to that..

o

Did you get it for a song? Looks a real stunner already! I bet the seat covers have done you a favour in protecting the seats or where they already worn?

Wasn't a bargain - had to pay a bit for it but its already more than worth it.

Your right about the seat covers - they have indeed worked a treat protecting the seats as they have been on there for years  :mrgreen:

o  :mrgreen:

Nice one, any pics for us of the unveiled interior?! :wink:

Wow  8)

You really saw the potential there! Would love a helios one… ahh well! Best of luck with the rest of the resto.

By the way, do you know if the fuel lines/regulator have been re-done? They'll prob need doing by now. Just a thought!

I haven't taken the covers off yet but will do so as soon as it stops raining! haha

Chris - thanks for the comments. The metering head, fuel tank, idle valve, injectors, etc were all replaced a few years back. It runs spot-on, though I think i'll change the plug leads when I do the service as they are looking a bit old.

o  :mrgreen:

Just a thought on things to make the car closer to original spec - I see the tailgate doesn't have the black window surround - is it just the way the pic looks?

I may be wrong, but I thought all GTis, including the campaign, had the black surround…

Otherwise I have to say your new car looks stunning :y:

Rich

Good point there.

Some came with, some came without. I think i'll get it fitted when it goes to the bodyshop

o :mrgreen:

Hey all,

More progress!

Firstly, I fitted the original front spoiler that was still in the boot. It bolted on no problem and makes the car look far more finished at the front end.



I also went down to Swansea to pick up the wheel arches I needed. I had to go collect as getting the arches meant I had to take lots of other stuff as a job-lot (The rest is for sale in the For Sale section   ). The arches are for my green one so don't actually relate to this thread  

I have also painted my wiper arms as the paint was flaking  8)

This saturday the into the bodyshop for some rennovation. I'll take pictures and keep you updated  8)

Any comments welcome!

o  8)    :mrgreen:

That front spoiler is a big improvement 8)

Lookin great now o!

Don't make the mistake of putting the tailgate surround stickers on !  Black side stripes = black tailgate surround. Silver side stripes = no tailgate surround (that's what I'm sticking to anyway ………..)
Car looks really nice by the way
Cheers,
Mark

M6 - Thanks for that steer - the car's going into the bodyshop on saturday so i'll get them to repair the chips on the tailgate surround rather than just cover them over with black sticky-stuff.

Cheers Phataz - I agree totally  :mrgreen:  8)

o  :mrgreen:

blue cars came without the insert i think. mine is the same colour and also is without it. :dontknow:

Also, I now know what colour decals to apply to the side of mine now!  Thought is was silver but wasn't sure what it looks like. Is helios blue metallic?

Yep, Helios is indeed metallic and the side stripes look great in silver  :mrgreen:

o  8)

Looking v nice - showing up the number plate condition now tho  :wink:

True say Malc - Will be getting new one's of these in due course once the bodywork is done  

o  :mrgreen: