VIC New member looking into mk1 ownership. (e30 content inside)

[JamesE30]

Hey guys
long time reader, 1st time poster.

Been searching for a cheap daily for a long time now. I just want something fun to drive, small, 4 door, manual, and CHEAP ON FUEL!
I love german cars, and I've allways had a craving for a Mk1 Golf.

Well one finally came about that might just be too cheap to pass up.
It's a 76 Golf LS. 4 door manual. It's local and it's cheap ($500)
It runs and has rego for another month.

Now the bad news... it's got a bit of rust haha. I'm not too scared by it but i'll let the pictures do the talking:




I was pleasently suprised by the interior. Not too bad at all I dont think:



Ok here we go with the rust.. This looks ok, but it gets worse.









Alot of it just looks like surface rust Which is no big deal. But I'm hoping it's not too bad undernieth..
I have limited welding skills (have a small ARC welder at home). I'd like to have a go at fixing some of the bad stuff myself -eg. the lower front wing (I'm hoping that's the worst).

At the end of the day though. I really don't care if the cars not perfect, I just need a cheap DD that I won't **** my pants if it gets scratched or gets a door ding. I'm kind of looking forward to the challenge of rust repair. I've done a bit of body work on my e30s but nothing to big for fear I mess it up.

So what do you think^? $500 sound like a good deal? I'm going to check it out and take it for a test drive on Tuesday so I'll let yuo know how that goes!



Oh and here's my other car:










Cheers
James.

[Peter Jones]

Welcome aboard, That Mk1 looks alright for the price.

With regard to the rust, I'd be more concerned about the stuff you cant see. All the rust in the pictures above are easily fixed. I'd probably replace that guard rather than repair it, you can still find rust free ones.

You need to take a good look under the front carpets and see if the floor is solid. The base of the A pillar where it meets the sill and floor is another trouble spot. Check the inner wing too, from both under the guard and from inside the car. Rust in this area is structural and if bad enough pretty much seals the fate of the car.

The rain tray is another area to check as the the firewall and inside the boot.

If it all looks good, go for it! (At $500 you might even consider this one for parts if it turn out to be too rusty to put back on the road)

Come to Day of the Volkswagen on 15th November and check out a whole bunch of MK1s.

Pete

[Jarred]

Welcome aboard James!

I find it's better to start with a really good base than to find a really rusty car and try and fix it up. Pete Jones is a wise man! if the car is structurally rust free, then go for it, small rust spots like in the photo's shouldn't be of major concern.

where abouts in Vic are you and the car located? Someone may be able to help out if you're really keen on the car.

oh, and your E30 looks mint! just needs to be lower...

Jarred

[mikinoz]

Your plates, how do the VicRoads and Police allow them?

[JamesE30]

Welcome aboard, That Mk1 looks alright for the price.

With regard to the rust, I'd be more concerned about the stuff you cant see. All the rust in the pictures above are easily fixed. I'd probably replace that guard rather than repair it, you can still find rust free ones.

You need to take a good look under the front carpets and see if the floor is solid. The base of the A pillar where it meets the sill and floor is another trouble spot. Check the inner wing too, from both under the guard and from inside the car. Rust in this area is structural and if bad enough pretty much seals the fate of the car.

The rain tray is another area to check as the the firewall and inside the boot.

If it all looks good, go for it! (At $500 you might even consider this one for parts if it turn out to be too rusty to put back on the road)

Come to Day of the Volkswagen on 15th November and check out a whole bunch of MK1s.

Pete

Hey Pete thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to check out those areas for rust. Is it relativley easy to just pull up the carpet and take a look? (its a pain in the ass pulling up carpet in an e30 lol). And is checking the inside of the front wings for stuctural rust easy? (as in -can it be done without tools?). I don't have the car yet, just having a look at it on Tuesday and not sure if the guy would let me pull it 1/2 to bits looking for rust haha

And yeh i'd love to drop by for the day of the dubs. I may even bring this mk1 with me!

Welcome aboard James!

I find it's better to start with a really good base than to find a really rusty car and try and fix it up. Pete Jones is a wise man! if the car is structurally rust free, then go for it, small rust spots like in the photo's shouldn't be of major concern.

where abouts in Vic are you and the car located? Someone may be able to help out if you're really keen on the car.

oh, and your E30 looks mint! just needs to be lower...

Jarred

I'm definatley not in a position to be repairing structural rust, so hopefulley it's all (relativley) superficial.
I'm in SE Melbourne. I've seen one cool golf running round near here but thats it!

And cheers, i'd like to drop the e30 some more too, but I'm really happy with the handeling set up at the moment. GCs maybe in the future.

Your plates, how do the VicRoads and Police allow them?

Technically I don't think they do. But it's overlooked. They're proper german plates with reflective paint etc so they are functional. And my REGO is DSD-363 so I don't think anyone seems to care.
I've had them almost 3 years and no cop has even mentioned them. I carry the OE plates with me just incase.



BTW for those of you that do have rust, How did you pass roadworthy? To what extent (if any), is it "allowed"

[bujna]

Hello James,

Funnily enough i've seen your e30 on ECCA. I like those wheels!

Good luck with the Mk1. I was thinking of looking for a Mk1 or Mk2 GTI, until i decided on the e30...I'm enjoying having a combo of front and rear wheel drive cars, since each are quite different to drive...

[C.T_07]

mint looking E30, wheels looks fantastic on it