My GTI, ready for show season

Hi All, I've been a quiet/silent user on this forum for about a year, using it often as a source of info and inspiration, so firstly thanks to you all for that, and your input/content.

Ive owned VW's for all my driving days, my 1st car was a mk1 Driver, I've had a mk2 GTI 16v, mk4 25 Anni, currently drive a mk5 Edition 30 as my daily.
It's always been my dream to have a mk1 GTI convertible…my dream came true in June 2013, when I picked up a very well maintained 1984 (A reg) white on white model.
I am only the 3rd owner, the previous owner on a VW technician and owned the car for over 20 years, it's always been loved and kept in a garage, so I knew I had found a good one.
When I picked it up it was however looking a little tired, flat, dull, lacking the TLC it deserves. I love the standard look of the car, but it was always going to be a project for me…and a chance for me to build it into the car I've always dreamt of.

Since making the purchase I have completed a load of work on the car, on both the maintenance side and also the looks.
First job was a cam belt change and full engine service, this was followed by a full days intense valet, 2 of us over 11 hours, so a 22 man hour session, essential…and the results were mind blowing.
The paint, the roof, the seats…were white again!! Amazing!!! The previous owner did have the bespoke interior made, with the standard cloth trim being replaced with a black and white houndstooth pattern trim.

Then I wanted to get the handling sorted, so replaced the front wishbones and bushes, along with a set of FK Konigsport coilovers, plus new BBS style 15inch alloys wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1-Rs.
That was as far as I took the mods for 2013, and took the car off the road for the winter. it was over the winter months that I started searching and sourcing all the other parts I wanted to change as part of the rebuild.

FRONT
- Replaced white bumpers for black
- Single Headlamp front grill
- Chrome grill trim
- Black VW badge
- Clear smoked front headlamps
- Clear front Indicator lenses with silvertec bulbs
- German pressed plate
- Black splitter

REAR
- Replaced white bumpers for black
- Clear/Red rear lamps, with silvertec indicator bulbs
- German pressed plate
- Rear Aluminium strut brace

INTERIOR
- Stainless SteeL door handles
- Richbrook luxury mats

ENGINE
- Front Aluminium upper strut brace
- Fully Samco hose kit
- Replaced Dizzy cap, arm, coil, HT leads
- Powered coated Rocker Cover, Servo, Rad Couling, Cam Cover, Engine Mounts, Coil Bracket
- Expansion tank
- Replaced Jubilee clips all round
- Replaced Upper and lower bonnet latches
- Stainless Steel Rad brackets and screws
- Stainless Steel Rad top cover
- Stainless Steel battery cover

Along with all the above new parts, the engine was striped and every part refurbed to as new condition as possible, including respray of the bay.
All this work was over weekends and evening over a 4 week period, and sucked up around 65 man hours.

Big thanks to Funkster for all his help, couldn't of done it with out you mate.
I'd be interested in your comments, both good and bad…I am sure some of the mods will not be to everyones liking, but we all have our own tastes and dreams
So, here it is…I have to say I am really pleased with the results, and look forward to May 1st, when I can take it out for it's first drive once tax and insurance and in place.
This will continue to be a project going forward, but will always be used as a driving car….and I am sure I'll be seeing some of you at a few of the show this summer.



























 

Hi Reg, welcome officially - thanks for popping out from the shadows!  

Well you've done yourself proud with that, your cabby looks fantastic I think!  

You should bring it along to Stanford Hall next weekend, would be a good first outing for it  

That looks very, very nice, all your hard work has paid off.  I really like the seats, better than the originals I think.  Wasn't sure about the black bumpers rather than the white, but the more I look at them the more I like them.  What's shows do you have planned?

It's funk-star you big fairy

Needs black arch spats 

Looks really nice work mate 👍
have you thought about the thin chrome side trim?
Cheers
Neil

Lovely looking motor 😊

Very neat

I was hoping to get along to Stanford Hall, but I have a prior appointment at Stamford Bridge!! Chelsea wins over VWs I am afraid. Think I'll be at Stoner Park, and defo the AGM again!!

Greetings.....very tidy...

Ah fair enough, you can watch them stuff Norwich then!    My boss is a Chelsea fan too (who seems quite famous now after making it on TV at the end of the Spain match last week making 'gestures' towards the Spanish fans!   )

     

I see your in Berkshire 

There is a show on the 18th May in Bracknell if your free. View topic: Dubs at the Park - 18th May - Bracknell - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Also there is a Berkshire meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the white Hart in Holyport SL6 2ND. 

Hi! I'm actually in Oxford, but Bracknell isn't to far away, have you any details on the show? This could be my first outing!! :-))

Cheers to everyone else for their comments

There is a thread about the show here. View topic: Dubs at the Park - 18th May - Bracknell - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Hey James_W, so the Dub at the Park is this Sunday, looking like good weather so I think I will come along. You guys got any plans, meeting up, show stand etc?

Cracking looking Cabby that mate, well done!
BTW. Love the wheels but if you don't, I'll have them off you!  

Hi Mate

FunkSter is a ledge   , half the cars on the forum must have a part or two on it from him by now.

Lovely looking motor, and nice to hear thanks in your post about all the help, I was on the forum for 6 months before I bought my first car, and everything I had learnt and the cabby buying guide really helped.

Some of your choices for yours are very similar to my clipper first car I had (link below)

If you can make dubs at the park Sunday that would be great , there is a few of us coming up from Bristol and a lot of the Berkshire boys there so be good to meet you, weathers looking good!!

Cheers

Rich

Hey welcome along, not sure how i missed your post first time round, stunning cabby you have

Be interesting to see any "before" pics you have

Scott

Cheers all for your comments. Looks like I will be coming along to Dubs at the Park on Sunday, and not alone, have a mini convo sorted from Oxford…myself, 2 other cabby's and possibly 2 buses!!

Looking forward to it, if the suns out…I'll be the one handed out beers!!

Regtheboy said

Cheers all for your comments. Looks like I will be coming along to Dubs at the Park on Sunday, and not alone, have a mini convo sorted from Oxford…myself, 2 other cabby's and possibly 2 buses!!

Looking forward to it, if the suns out…I'll be the one handed out beers!!

yea supposed to be 20 degree's also if you look on thread in regional bit theres gonna be a meet up before hand so we can cruise to the show and park up together
View topic: Dubs at the Park - 18th May - Bracknell - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Scott