My new Sportline project.

OK so I've been a member a while but sadly not ben contributing nearly as much as I should! Anyway I've always been a fan of the Sportline model, so when I sold my left hand drive example in 2011 I have had what can only be described as a mental health issue with cars! I've had a MK5 GTI, a MK4 GTI Anniversary, a T25 Caravelle, a Skoda Octavia and an Audi 80 hardtop/cabriolet since, but they just haven't hit the spot. It was getting to the stage where I had the car for a few months before getting bored and selling it on. Something had to be done and I knew what I really wanted - so after a lengthy search and a chance ebay browse I bought this;

 

Apologies for the i phone pics - its all I have at the minute. It is was a bit pink and needed a proper clean. Unfortunately I didn't have any real time over the first week of ownership and the weather was against me too. It was only last weekend I could really get going.

So what did I get for my money? Well obviously its the red version. I know everyone has their preference when it comes to the red v black and the seemingly inconclusive figures on which is rarer. For me I love the Flash Red as its a nice bright colour to maintain and I don't believe it was available on any other Mk1. It was pinkish in places as the car was dry stored for a couple of years, and on the bonnet the paint has been worn through by an over enthusiastic machine polisher!

It has had a black mohair hood fitted which is in great condition as is the black headlining. The all important Recaros are in great order for 160k miles and the red needle dials are all present and correct. It has the correct BBS RAs and looks to be a nice original and complete car.

There are a couple of modifications, notably the crystal rear lights and an Alpine CD player that doesn't work. Also the door pockets have had some kind of elliptical shape cut out for some crossovers - weird!

Plans so far are a good clean and service, get rid of the crystal rear lights and some of the niggles - more on those later. As the car is mainly standard and original, I'm going to go down that route in its rolling resto. It will be a daily driver for now.

First job cosmetically was a good clay bar and the removal of some trim.



No rust underneath which was a good start, just the usual years of grime.




After a claybar, cleaning polish followed by wax the car started to look much better. Trim blacked up now too and I've popped on some plate frames that I had lying about from a previous vehicle.



I've taken off the grille to clean the inner spots and have repainted the wiper arms too. More pics to come on that soon. Today the rear crystal lights have been sold and have financed an original set (on a bit of a budget right now!).



Anyway a nice project so far, so will update with more soon.

Looks nice bud , I have not long sold my Sportline (link below) pop over and register yours when u have time here - http://www.golfgtisportline.com, also I think Hugh who runs the sight might have had some speaker pockets for sale if you wanted to replace the ones that have been cut to show crossovers

Cheers mate - yeah I keep meaning to register on there as I kept visiting the site to see my old one (K408SAF). This car will be a keeper for me. Your thread is a bit of an inspiration for mine too - just love the RMs and the fact that the subtle mods enhanced it without changing the overall original look.  

Thanks for sharing with us!  

I love a red Sportline - and sure miss mine  

Looking forward to your updates

Thanks mate, if I didn't go RM's I was going to get original RA's refurbished with polished lips as that looks really good as well  

Nice sportline - well done on the new addition - did you own the red left hand drive red sportline on the register?

Whatever happened to it? Who picked it up?

Looks like this one is in good hands too.  

Yeah the left hand drive one used to be mine and I had cosmetically restored most of it to its present condition. It was a French one originally with clipper carb mechanicals and power steering. As far as I know its still going strong in the hands of a regular on here (Denia I think?) and lives it up in Valencia! Must get mine up on the register - its got a very similar plate to the one that was in Gibraltar (K310VPC v K301VPC!) and was sold in the same dealership in Surrey. I take it I can e-mail the details/photos on the register contact?

Any thought I'd fixed the leak on the driver's roof handle with a new gasket but hasn't worked unfortunately. Thinking maybe the hooks need tightening as there is some thread leeway there, either that or some seals of some kind. 

Oh yea I now see the link with Denia red motor.

Interesting to see how close the registration date details are too each other.

Just email me your pics and a bit about the car and yourself and I'll host it for you on the register.  

For the hood leak - check the seal on top of the door. Sometimes it can crack here and not make a perfect joint and hence the water gets in. Other than that it could well be the front roof seal where the hood meets the frame.

Took some pics yesterday in the rare sunshine - inspired by 'pic of the month'! Think a nicer venue would be better though. 

Jobs done include lots of cleaning, sticking down carpets, some nice new mats. Doesn't look too bad for a daily school runner I think! Looking to get the crazy quiffs rear seat belts and a full service for the spring. Hope the photos work……

Very nice!      

So else is left to do? Loads as always! Needs a black tonneau, correct rear 'GolfGTI' badge, fitting of some original uncut door pockets I've acquired, rocker cover gasket, original style gamma or beta stereo, rear spat decals and touch ups here and there.



Still got intermittent MFA display - works in extreme cold only???!!! Still got hood leak fixed crudely over winter with vaseline and still got wash/wipe connection issues. I'm assuming I should have 'intermittent wipe' but stalk won't go down for some reason. Slight hesitancy low revs when cold too, but has been a bit better on momentum and some fuel cleaner.

All in all very happy and can't wait for spring/summer. Lost no love for the MK1 and hope to go to some shows this year.

Replacement door pockets fitted so last obvious 'Max Power' mod reversed!

Lovely motor mate thanks for sharing still miss my J reg  ..

Thanks mate - know what you mean. Just glad I managed to get this before they all go silly money.....!

Really nice looking motor this…  

I've a couple of the bits (black tonneau cover - MINT one) your after in my tresure chest! Drop me an email and I'll see if I can help you out. I'm sure I have the rear badge but would have to check.  

Looks really good mate, keep us updated. I'll be getting my thread started soon (another red sportline)

Tidied up the filler area which been bodged with b & q screws I think! Popped some new stainless ones on and a new trim. Bit tidier now.