spudlet loses his spots

After encouraging words from the kind folks of Essex and Herts Region at a meet last November, I decided that after 14 years, it was time for a makeover.

I bought SPD in 1995 for ?250 from somone at work. 1982 GLS, 3 previous owners, full service history…and a nice spotty paint job courtesy long exposure to some North London pigeons!

It was meant to be a short term thing, but I got fond of him, and he kept sailing through MOTs.

Most everything is original,if well worn with 133,000 miles on the clock. Plan is to keep it as standard as possible, do as little as possible mechanically except what's needed. Bodywork is being re-done, re-spray to original colour (probably Inari Silver) and wheels cleaned up.

I'm not doing it myself cos I would not have a clue how (and I have no tools or garage…) So SPD is at RacePower in Kent, keeping company with some much flashier motors.

Here's the before pics, and some 'in progress' pics…

note attractive 'self ratted' effect

tow bar essential to persuade anti social parkers to keep their distance

inside not bad…


but hole in wheel well due to persistent leak through rear door seals (my fault, got used to smell of damp and the odd live snail  ops: )

done by a bin lorry while I watched!

wheels could look sharper

engine ok

never had a radio…

but nice window boxes!

Here's the first stage..good news is there's no nasty surprises - so far.




marked up for surgery!

aerial damage nibbling away…

and the hole in wheel well from underneath  - needs a plate welding in ..

Next episode..is it Inari Silver (no colour ID plate)? Can I get folding wing mirrors (cos London street parking means they get snapped off by w…..rs)? Will there ever be a cheap parcel shelf on EBay?  Can I drive with the radio on (no I'm not blonde…). Such fun.

That paintwork was certainly spotty.Was that really caused by bird pooh,where did you park it?? an aviary  

Will be rather costly I imagine.Theres a lot of work to be done.

Full marks for biting the bullet,another one saved :wink:

previous owner left it parked under an elderberry tree for several months while abroad..it was autumn…pigeons loove elderberries…and they're really acidic. I s'pose VW never tested their metallic paint like this….

You're right Sean 1151, it won't be cheap, but considering what i paid for it and I've already had 14 years…no other car…and that this is a 'car for life' plan, where I'm hoping it'll be my only car, I hope it'll pay off.

Well like you said having never bought another car, the cost of the saving should more than cover the repair work.  Will be nice to see it looking nice and new again.

spudlet said

done by a bin lorry while I watched!

Next episode..is it Inari Silver (no colour ID plate)? Can I get folding wing mirrors

Did you tell the council that their bin lorry did that?  8O You could have got your restoration paid for  

Not sure about the colour, it's hard to tell with the discolouration, my first impression was that it wasn't Inari Silver, but I'm not aware of any other mk1 silvers!  :dontknow:

And…you need flag style Mk1 mirrors if you want them to fold in (they fold either way when wacked or pushed!)

All the best with the work, glad to see it's a 'car for life'  :wink:

spudlet said

tow bar essential to persuade anti social parkers to keep their distance

   My last Mk1 had a good towbar too, it's true! Works a treat!

the bin lorry damage was years ago, when i thought I'd only have the car for a year or two..was in a street market and they were clearing all the veg trash as they closed up..it was parked illegally  :roll: so I didn't pursue it…

thanks re the wing mirrors diesel-dubber, that's just what i need, will search some out.

Nice to see it underway

Keep the updates coming!

spudlet said

thanks re the wing mirrors diesel-dubber, that's just what i need, will search some out.

Make sure you find some nice original v.a.g second hand ones. Most of the copied ones you can get (from GSF etc) are too flimsy and the plastic's rubbish.  :wink:

Hi Spudlet!

So glad to see that you decided to go the resto way!  8)

We'll look forward to seeing the finished item at a meet!