A589 VGB (The Blue Beast)

coming along well fella…after my own heart with doing a mk1 escort next, first car i built.. want another after ive done the golf.

Done a similar thing to what your doing but on a limited budget so its a KR on Bike carbs. was a 1.1 originally too.

Got a shock on the very first pic but this one gonna be mint!
I take it the smooth and decluttered look is coming?
I wouldnt know where to start,hiding all the wiring etc. maybe one day!
like the bias box too!

Keeping an eye on this one bud,reckon I'l learn somethin here!

Thanks mate. To be honest I am not that sure about how to hide the wiring but i am just going to get stuck in lol. There is only one way to learn  

Chidz said

I think if i put a YB engine in, it would twist the car in half  . No i am staying with VW for this one. Might get myself a Mk1 Escort once i have finished this and got my bank balance back up. I think i am going to need a big garage    .

Well we're still pricing a container from Aus, Tim reckons solid escort shells are ten a penny over there, they don't rust. Reckons you can pick up a solid car, still on the road for ?200. With racking, I could get 6 in a container, think there's some money to be made there mate

Put me down for 3   . I know what your like tho, you will want to keep all 6.

Right. Not been much happening lately due to work commitments but getting some spare time again now.

As mentioned I have been on with the front running gear. I ended up with new everything. Steering rack, wishbones, tie rods and ends, ball joints, hubs and all new bushes.

Here is a pic of it all prepped before going for shot blasting and powder coating. I normally let the painter do the masking up but there was so many things, it was easier for me to do it rather than telling him what needed doing and what didn't.



While that is away I cracked on with the front brakes. New caliper, discs and fast road pads, and shotblasted carriers all painted in black brake paint.





They look a little ropey in the pic because the paint is still wet, but they look spot on now they are dried.

looking good there mate!

where you based then, in raf myself?

Leeming but posted to Marham next month. I am GEF.

nice one, graduate from cosford in few weeks as an armourer. got marham 1st line as first choice. hopefully got a good motor club, heard they have.

I was at Marham for 5 years out of training. It's a really good camp but I carn't remember for the life of me where the motor club is  :dontknow: .

Anyway if you need a hand with your Golf when you get there give me a shout.

Looks like your local to me fella. I saw your tank at Impreziv the other week. Give me a shout if you need a hand with anything mate.  :wink:

Yeah i am from just outside Darlington. I have seen other mk1 stuff in impreziv before must have been yours. Yeah i will give you a shout if needs be. When i move down south my car will be at my parents in Darlo so I will only be able to work on it at weekends.

Good to see clean new shiny bits  :mrgreen:

Looking good, are you planning to run a front anti roll bar? As the brackets you have at the mo for the rear of the wishbone mounting don't have the "loop" need to fit standard or some uprated rollbars. Sorry If you already know this, just thought I would point it out before there all cleaned up and painted.

Yeah i have noticed that. The plan is to run it without an antiroll bar first and see how she goes. As it will be running a 9A engine i think i will prob have to fit one, but i want to keep the car as clean/de-cluttered as possible. Its just going to be a cruzer when its done and not a racer. Has anyone run a mk1 without a rollbar?

Chidz said

Yeah i have noticed that. The plan is to run it without an antiroll bar first and see how she goes. As it will be running a 9A engine i think i will prob have to fit one, but i want to keep the car as clean/de-cluttered as possible. Its just going to be a cruzer when its done and not a racer. Has anyone run a mk1 without a rollbar?

Mine as a 1300 driver had no anti roll bars or braces, just a set of fk coiles, and still handled like a go kart, and was pretty stiff.

I have fitted a eibach kit now, but my only problem now is the front arb is pretty close to floor, now i've lowered it on my 14"s :?

Pete.

That was one of the factors behind not running one. I am thinking of running it on 13" wheels and slammed so didn't want the ARB sticking down. Like I say I will run it as is and see how it goes. I can always through one on if needs be.

I have got the front running gear back from the powder coaters. The powder coating is spot on as always but the steering rack and arms could not be done. Apparently the powder coat is 200 degC when it is sprayed on and this destroys the grease in joints.

So I got a guy who sprays cars to paint them in gloss black paint. However he wrapped them up in bubble wrap when they were still wet and the finish on them is shocking. They will have to be stripped and re done at some point.

You move quick chidz!  I popped into your work last week to see how you was getting on and have a chat but I couldn't find you mate

Nice, I cleaned and sprayed/painted most of my bits, tho I should have just chucked them at the powder coaters as it would have saved so much time, ho well  

Keep up the good work.

Pete.

nice work m8 8)