Newbie with a 1983 MK1 Driver

Hi all,

I've recently taken ownership of my late father's Golf mk1 Driver. I'm the 3rd owner of the car after my Dad owned it for nearly 20 years. I'm based in the Bristol area and I'm not sure what I want to do with the car but I want to try and bring it up to as good as condition as possible.

The car is mechanically fairly sound (touching wood) and managed a 100 mile journey with no problem. The bodywork though has some rust spots although I can't see anywhere where the rust has gone all the way through. The paintwork may need some seeing to as well but won't be able to tell until I've cleaned it properly as there are green marks where it's been sat under a tree. The trim around the car also needs treatment but not sure where to start with this as don't want to make worse. The interior is in fairly good condition.

I look forward to hearing from you guys in future and hopefully getting some really good advice as fellow owners. I'm not the most mechanically minded but love VWs as also own a mk5 r32.

Cheers.

Welcome along  

I'd be tempted to give it a good wash and polish and leave it at that.

Treat any rust that may be appearing with a rust converter and then just keep it well waxed.

Possibly tidy up the wheels and leave it alone. After all it's a survivor car and it'll never be the same again.

Door seals and window seals can be had from either Classic VW  https://www.classic-vw.co.uk/ or Heritage VW   https://www.vwheritage.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCkzdIcHKEzjgz7rNpXAorrIFX96j84F-AqRh0WHGf70Txn3-Xr7gLTBoCBzgQAvD_BwE

But most importantly……..enjoy driving the car

 

Ian

Thanks Ian.

Appreciate the advice. Definitely want to just enjoy it as much as possible. I'll look out for any more useful in the forums.

Thanks 

borednow said

Welcome along  

I'd be tempted to give it a good wash and polish and leave it at that.

Treat any rust that may be appearing with a rust converter and then just keep it well waxed.

Possibly tidy up the wheels and leave it alone. After all it's a survivor car and it'll never be the same again.

Door seals and window seals can be had from either Classic VW  https://www.classic-vw.co.uk/ or Heritage VW   https://www.vwheritage.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCkzdIcHKEzjgz7rNpXAorrIFX96j84F-AqRh0WHGf70Txn3-Xr7gLTBoCBzgQAvD_BwE

But most importantly……..enjoy driving the car

 

Ian

I agree with this as its much better to keep it in its original paintwork and just clean it up and polish it.Get the wheels blasted and repainted though.
There are not many Driver models left!- so I would not be tempted to uprate the car by putting another bigger engine in it or anyother mods as its really lovely as it is ,and, in any case you have the R32 for fast stuff.
There have been posts recently about what can be done to 'revive' the plastics, it isnt hard to do and you will be amazed at the difference that can make.
Marcus.