New Mk1 owner '78 GL 55k miles, small rear light 3 door.

Introducing myself as a new mk1 owner, after owning 6 mk2's over the years. Found this on autotrader as a non runner with 55k miles and 2 owners father and son from new. I raced down the same day as I was told the phone had been ringing off the hook, and did the deal.
The guy was a dealer, and had come across the car after the owner's daughter asked if someone could just get rid of it for her, after her father had moved in to an retirement home!! He had struggled to get it running, so let it go cheaper than he'd hoped, so I was keeping my fingers crossed it was nothing major, but also thought how much can go wrong on a 1 litre engine?!
He kindly delivered it to me a few days later on a flat bed, and I tucked it away in my garage.
Since taking delivery I have had my vw mechanic friend get her running (though badly), and had a dig around for rust. I think it needs a carb rebuild/clean up, (anyone help with rebuild kits??), but essentially the plan is restoration to original with a set of coilovers and wheels.

Everyone likes a pic so here ya go, and if anyone has any ideas regarding a new carb/carb kit please let me know

Oh wow great find!

I can't help with the rebuild kit but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can.

Welcome to the forum btw and keep us posted on your progress  

hi welcome along mate what a great find!

if i were you buy a webber to replace the solex carb and convert to manual choke.

i have a 1978 GLS 1.5 and the carb/kit/choke cost £201 all in brand new. runs so much better now.

where abouts you based?

Scott

Ok, might be a plan, where would you recommend getting one? I'm based in Solihull, Midlands way.
Cheers

i bought mine from this company

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/fastroadcarslimited/

phoned the number and spoke to a guy called Anthony, he sounded pretty spot on and knew his stuff.

The price was £201 for everything including postage



scott

Hey mate welcome to the forum.

There's loads of people around the midlands way and they have regular meets (I used to live there / go to them sometimes!) Good crowd though, you can join the region on the top right of the home page!

Good luck with getting it all sorted, you thought about joining us at the annual gathering a week saturday?

Si

Welcome to the forum mate!
Looks like you got yourself a real little cracker they mate, well done!  

That's got to be one rare car - don't see many Indiana Red Golfs, but particularly a 3 Door GL With a 1.1 engine - I thought most were 1.3/1.5 and 5Doors and GLS models or the 1.1 in the N/L/LS models.

36thCrazyFist said

Hey mate welcome to the forum.

There's loads of people around the midlands way and they have regular meets (I used to live there / go to them sometimes!) Good crowd though, you can join the region on the top right of the home page!

Good luck with getting it all sorted, you thought about joining us at the annual gathering a week saturday?

Si

Yes mate, will definitely come to your AGM, but I doubt the car will be on the road by then. 

RichardHall said

That's got to be one rare car - don't see many Indiana Red Golfs, but particularly a 3 Door GL With a 1.1 engine - I thought most were 1.3/1.5 and 5Doors and GLS models or the 1.1 in the N/L/LS models.

I thought the same myself tbf, especially being a 3 door, nice to have all the chrome detailing. Should this not have had small bumpers? 

Sweet, still has the passenger mirror blanking plate.

7osh said

RichardHall said

That's got to be one rare car - don't see many Indiana Red Golfs, but particularly a 3 Door GL With a 1.1 engine - I thought most were 1.3/1.5 and 5Doors and GLS models or the 1.1 in the N/L/LS models.

I thought the same myself tbf, especially being a 3 door, nice to have all the chrome detailing. Should this not have had small bumpers?

I think the plastic bumpers came in during the T reg cars, so most V reg should have plastic bumpers.

I remember having a T Reg VW Derby which had chrome bumpers, and then when I got my V reg one they were plastic

also have a look at this site, looks like it might have been a 1979 model year only version, as it mentions it here in 79, but also on the 80&81 pages, but in the UK brochures I have for 80&81 it's not listed, sadly I don't have a 79 brochure.  The model years used to change in the September, so whilst yours is a 1978 registration , it could be a 79 model year car.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/volkswagen/golf_1gen/golf_1gen/1979.html

RichardHall said

7osh said

RichardHall said

That's got to be one rare car - don't see many Indiana Red Golfs, but particularly a 3 Door GL With a 1.1 engine - I thought most were 1.3/1.5 and 5Doors and GLS models or the 1.1 in the N/L/LS models.

I thought the same myself tbf, especially being a 3 door, nice to have all the chrome detailing. Should this not have had small bumpers?

I think the plastic bumpers came in during the T reg cars, so most V reg should have plastic bumpers.

I remember having a T Reg VW Derby which had chrome bumpers, and then when I got my V reg one they were plastic

also have a look at this site, looks like it might have been a 1979 model year only version, as it mentions it here in 79, but also on the 80&81 pages, but in the UK brochures I have for 80&81 it's not listed, sadly I don't have a 79 brochure.  The model years used to change in the September, so whilst yours is a 1978 registration , it could be a 79 model year car.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/volkswagen/golf_1gen/golf_1gen/1979.html

Thanks for that, good read. May end up going with small bumpers if they are period correct then, to a degree. Looks like I'm needing a new fuel tank and filler, due to sitting for 4 years, brakes are non existent too. Guess it was to be expected…..

Car looks really tidy, great find!

My T reg has chrom bumpers. 1978 was the last year they had them

1979 cars had the plastic bumpers

wow nice find.
Rust in the fuel tank probably clogged the carb.
Looks nice, some of the cars had grey bumpers too.
There was a topic about some time ago as the thought was trim restorer wouldn't black them again, turns out they were were grey from factory.
Be good if you can get her going and bring her to the AGM..

Nice find, 79 GL should have plastic bumpers

Nice find 7osh.  The bumper change over from chrome to wrap round plastic came in August '78.  Looking forward to more updates.

All, this will be for sale very soon as I just haven't got the time or space especially with another project on the go.
Have got her running sweetly now on a new Weber carb and manual choke as described above.
Will need work for mot etc, defo some welding in areas. In my opinion deserves a resto considering the low miles and relative rarity.
Will throw In a set of p slots too. Just after what it owes me so £1600
James 07919484150
Cheers

Welcome