Mk1 GTI vs non GTI if i am going to modify it heavily question.

Hello,

I plan to buy and build ( I say build. Do what I can and then hand it to a pro ) a turbo'd mk1.
As part of that, I will be upgrading the suspension, brakes, and all the other good bits you would want.

My question is if I going to be ripping most stuff out. Is there any real point in buying a GTI to do it to?
I have looked and researched and found this:  "Other GTI-specific changes were a 20mm lowered ride height and firmer suspension, a 14mm wider track with broader wheels and tyres, and ventilated front disc brakes."

So yeah. Gents. Which way to go? Anything I am just not going to get in a non GTI model?

Cheers

Matt

Most Mk1 Golf would of had there springs changed due to rust so don't worry about lower ride height as most people do that anyway.
All later cars and all cabriolets came with vented discs and a simple change from solid to vented discs as you just need to fit thinner brake pads.

GTI just had wider wheels so the wishbones and rear beam are the same width from a 1.1 to a 1.8. The GTi did have anti roll bars fitted as standard but again all cabriolets came with anti roll bars so easy swop.

The main difference is 1.1 and 1.3 cars had a different engine mount so the fixing is in a different place compared to the 1.6 and 1.8 engine.

I would just get the most solid shell you can as that's the hard bit as Mk1 tin top cars do like to rust.

Lots of Mk1 20v turbo cars out there and some parts needed now available of the shelf to buy. Depending on how good you are at fabrication and how deep your pockets are it may be cheaper to buy one already converted?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295578031596?hash=item44d1d2d5ec:g:k~EAAOSwnjJkDOkt&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4AR%2FLLVsUDuKRq3uX6BIsk1FcbTEgyVMP6ASuZYd2RyorJRCjCpzs6mKW4aIo7HtfHv%2FLxg%2BTJz0pluJbhhd87LTUuMSuiFbnTIN%2FDCsKqaI8Uesk1S0D5vypX5Hu8PiI%2BuprQome5GFGee7nafW7Px2JTVq4HYbGrc1vVbxWrW1nA86LbG6y%2Bep5c0q45D5x3vsx6uCVTxvAfRBx%2BgedZ1L6qxZI%2BSNhEaSEcGMcdEnCTZUzOcwqEA54NXDYU3KAB6WpKOXFGBhrnXLsN41CXG41zSb2CuuqeLNLIPjayWF%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4auqqToYQ

If I was building one from scratch I'd want a 3 door non sunroof (tin top).