Sold my 77 Camper bought an 88 Cabriolet

So here I am. Proud new owner of a cracking little car.

Must admit I'm a bit new to the whole Mk1 Golf… thing. Always was a camper fan first and foremost but there's nothing like owning one to get that out of your system. So when we sold it we started looking around for something nice (and a fraction of the price) to fill that large VW shaped hole in the garage.

And this was the one.
88 GTI Cabriolet. Only 110k on the clock. Needs a new roof but pretty solid mechanically and engine well looked after.

We'll only have it out 6 months a year on weekends when the weather's nice so we can try and keep it in a nice state. Got a few odd jobs to tackle before the warmer weather comes around again but really looking forward to the year ahead with a renewed enthusiasm I'd long since lost for the old camper.

Glad to have found you all on this forum too. I've a feeling I'm going to need lots of advice in the future.  I've seen some seriously skilled and knowledgeable  Mk1 Golf owners showing off their dedication  on here already. I feel like a total newbie in as many ways as possible right now.
So much to learn.
 

welcome to the forum, nice looking car  is it a GTI or a Clipper with a Carburettor? the way the weather is going at the moment you might be using it more than you think!

Welcome to the club first of all and can we see some more photos of yours please? 🤔

Apart from a new roof what if anything needs doing to it?

By the way if you want a new roof you really should talk to Carl chortle as he's the Guru when it comes to roof replacement or repairs! 😉 👍🏼

As for knowledge, you'll pick it up as you go along, you are an experienced VW owner so you will know that if you are in any doubt ask.

They're isn't much we don't know about the Golf mk1. 😉

Also you should look at becoming a paid member, you can save a packet through our preferred suppliers! ☺️👍🏼

Thanks guys. I'll likely lurk for the most part here and look up examples of jobs I'll be tackling. 

Richard- its a fuel injected GTI- had a feel around the fuel filler before buying and its been replaced at some point- felt nice and smooth and not rotten. Likely needs a coat of something weather proof but I'm at least not too concerned about rust getting into the fuel injectors. Assuming the old filler was gotten out in good time. 

The fella I bought it off had just overhauled the breaks and suspension all four corners. New timing belt kit on too so and everything's nice and clean under the hood. Gear box oil freshened up too. 

So fingers crossed and no surprises I'll not have any major issues on that end. 

Up top the roof is original so its all 30 year old pourous vinyl. The frame is solid and moves easily enough though the piston on the left is broken but you never know what's under the cover. Looks like the tensioner wires have come loose too And the rear window frame is rusty all around. A couple of seals are a bit rough too and the head liner. Like I said, needs a new roof. 

I'm happy enough with the bodywork for now. Couple of paint scratches and one wing is a little on the rough side but I havnt looked under the karmann kit so there may be worse rust lurking. I'm not getting into all that just yet though.

For now I've got some rear seat belt brackets from CrazyQuiff to get the kids seats in the back safely.
Then we'll get it out for a good run and see how it goes. Nothing untoward on the 20 odd miles driving it home (apart from a dodgey tape deck) so I'm hopeful there'll be more fun than frustration. 

Welcome aboard,
Roof work is very expensive depending on what you need doing.
Generally side tension cables don't come undone, but rust and snap.
Bit of info really
The complete lot is known as the top assembly so when fitted in the factory go in this order on the bare frame.

1. headliner
2. interliner
3. top pad
4. outer cover aka roof, hood, top etc

So to change headliner its roof off and interliner and pad off as all the fixings staples etc are underneath those.
If you clean the headliner then that's a saving but if it's ripped etc then replacement is the way forward. Interliner capping and base sheets rot away exposing the pad which rubs on the underside of the hood causing thin spots plus they fall apart over the years. Putting a new pad and interliner makes a big difference than covering the old one over.

But message me if you info and advice etc.

chortle

Sounds like a serious job Chortle.

Is it possible to buy a complete top assembly rather than try to strip the frame and rebuild with new liners, pad, wires and roof?  

Likely my lack of the right tools and the know how required to strip and assemble the lot properly would render any cost savings moot. 

Unless it was properly prohibitively expensive. 

Know any good hood specialists in Northern Ireland? 

Congratulations on your golf. Looks to be one you will cherish.