Finally got a classic Golf

[STOIE]

Hi all,

As many of you know, I have been hunting for a MkII or MkI golf for quite some time now...
Good thing is after so much searching and so much waiting, I have finally purchased one!

It is a 1977 MkI Golf GL
General specs are:
1.5L Petrol
Silver
Appears to have very little rust and panel damage
Immobiliser Fitted
Alarm Fitted
Remote central locking Fitted
Everything else stock

I phoned the lad named Anthony on Tuesday night after Gotrice posted it and another MkI from Canberra up in the Cars forsale section. It is rare to see one MkI/MkII here in Canberra nevermind two!
Anyway, yesterday afternoon, I went past Anthonys place after speaking...
The car looks great and drives well except for a low idle issue.

Anyway, we made a deal about 20 minutes later and we agreed on $1200, not to bad for a car in it's condition me thinks
Anthony said he had the car 18 months and learned to drive in it, before this it was owned by other Canberran's and believes it has been here it's whole life! (Probably why there is so little rust!)

But, before I go on too much I will say I pay for it and pick it up this afternoon, so should have some pics for you all in no time.

So thrilled to finally be onboard!

Aaron.

[racerrachy]

yay! its exciting finding a mk1 thats not completely hammered ay! upload pics asap wat r u plans with it??

[STOIE]

I have big plans, make that huge plans... make that HOOOGGGEEE!!!! plans! lol

I am planning to strip the car right back first, not motor, but interior and exterior fix the 3 dents it has near passenger headlight, and both sides of back tail lights.
Then sand back the drip rails and check that what appears to be very light surface rust is just that. Check over the entire inside of the car too for rust once all the interior is removed.
Then, if I have located them by then, which I am trying even as of now to locate a nice quad light grille (black badge), black (bigger mkI) bumpers, smoked tails and GTI flares... get them mocked and fitting well, then pull the motor and start rebuilding the steering rack, new shocks, brakes, everything that moves...
As for a new motor, I am still deciding, would love to try and pull off 4motion would just be amazing, understand it would be very very hard but I am willing.
Does anyone know if you can connect an R32 manual box to a MkV GTI 2.0L motor?

Anyway, I am rambling but just soo chuffed!

[Jarred]

Congrats on ther pickup! can't wait to see some pics!

you have some very ambitious goals! good luck!

[Oneofthegreats]

Congratulations on your purchase

Sounds like a good base to start with & also you've got some big plans for it.

In all seriousness, I'd stay right away from mk5 engine onwards for a mk1.

The mk1 was designed to be a simple & "reliable" car.

You don't need problems like those engine can give once they start getting old. The mk5 boys can argue all they like. I work on them for a living, so I see it day in & day out.

If you choose not to take my word for it.

Good luck to you, cause you'll already have enough to deal with if you plan on 4 motion.


Maybe try & simplify things & post up what your intentions are for the car, then the opinions/options can start to flow.
eg. track work, street duties, outright power (obviously not if you planned on a Mk5 GTI donk) etc.

[GoLfMan]

nice pick up mate

welcome to the club!

what condition are the chrome bumpers in?

looking forward to pictorial updates!

[mikinoz]

I have big plans, make that huge plans... make that HOOOGGGEEE!!!! plans! lol

I am planning to strip the car right back first, not motor, but interior and exterior fix the 3 dents it has near passenger headlight, and both sides of back tail lights.
Then sand back the drip rails and check that what appears to be very light surface rust is just that. Check over the entire inside of the car too for rust once all the interior is removed.
Then, if I have located them by then, which I am trying even as of now to locate a nice quad light grille (black badge), black (bigger mkI) bumpers, smoked tails and GTI flares... get them mocked and fitting well, then pull the motor and start rebuilding the steering rack, new shocks, brakes, everything that moves...
As for a new motor, I am still deciding, would love to try and pull off 4motion would just be amazing, understand it would be very very hard but I am willing.
Does anyone know if you can connect an R32 manual box to a MkV GTI 2.0L motor?

Anyway, I am rambling but just soo chuffed!

Nice one. I am quoting this so in 2.5 years we can remember what the ambitions were.

[STOIE]

Good stuff guys, thanks for all the heads up!

I want the car to be reliable but usable as a quick and easy to use car.
I was thinking of going for a 1.8L 16v and turbo'ing it, or a VR6 (poss turboed, but that will be expensive) so, thats why I am thinkingMkV GTI and upgrading the turbo...
That way it's already turboed and it will drive, well like a MkV GTI!

If I buy one it would be around 30,000kms and then up the turbo and intercooler to pull some good HP.
Only thing like I said is, can you bolt one to the R32 manual for 4motion?
If not, then I think my next option would probably be (very ambitious) R36, would that even be able to fit in physically....?
Would be a damn lot of mods, but I think it may just, just be able to squeeze in.

[Jarred]

you realise with what you want to do, you'll be completely tearing the car apart and custom fabbing EVERYTHING right?

If you want power, go for a 1.8T (mk 4) or a 16VT, as these engines will actually BOLT in, without much adu,. then you've just got the issue of traction.

there was no 4wd mk 1. anything you do will be custom. best bet would be using mk 2 synchro stuff, but good luck finding that in OZ

[STOIE]

I understand it will need to be custom, otherwise I wouldn't worry about speaking it.

The reason mainly why I have steered away from doing the "easy" ... er ... way ie. 16VT, is because I want the car to drive like a modern car, and feel like I am driving a modern GTI for instance... (well partially)
I plan to rip the entire car down to the shell and custom fab all the mounts, this is to be expected with such grand visions...

[Henri]

my next option would probably be (very ambitious) R36

VERY ambitious.

How about a MK4/A3 20v 1.8t?

Good luck with the project man, sounds like a good car.

[Jarred]

Don't expect too much, after all its is 30 year old design and as much as you can improve on that, you're still starting behind the 8 ball. Perhaps a mk 2 would have been a better starting base (I'm aware you were looking for one)

Also I hope you've checked your local RTA regarding engineering and legalities. I'd hate for you to do all this work, and then have it kyboshed by the authorities.

[dubai gti]

I agree with the others, the MkIV 1.8T is modern and very reliable (I ran mine from apprx. 100k klms to about 135k klms through 2 x Dubai summers of 50+ degree heat with no problems...and I drove like I stole it....) Mk V motors seem to burn way too much oil !!

The K03 turbo is easily upgraded to a K03a or K04.

Can't comment much on the 4wd path, unless you look at the MkIV V6 4 motion set-up, which again is very reliable, but be careful, as I know people who have damaged/locked-up their diffs too-easily and this is a repair in $1000's.

If you need any contacts in the UAE, there are a lot of Mk2 4WD hatches in that part of the world..

Best of luck !!

[Oneofthegreats]

Good stuff guys, thanks for all the heads up!

I want the car to be reliable but usable as a quick and easy to use car.
I was thinking of going for a 1.8L 16v and turbo'ing it, or a VR6 (poss turboed, but that will be expensive) so, thats why I am thinkingMkV GTI and upgrading the turbo...
That way it's already turboed and it will drive, well like a MkV GTI!

If I buy one it would be around 30,000kms and then up the turbo and intercooler to pull some good HP.
Only thing like I said is, can you bolt one to the R32 manual for 4motion?
If not, then I think my next option would probably be (very ambitious) R36, would that even be able to fit in physically....?
Would be a damn lot of mods, but I think it may just, just be able to squeeze in.

Got to say I don't really understand your logic but.

Fitting a Mk5 GTI engine into a Mk1 won't make it feel or drive like Mk5. Even if you fit all the Mk5 subframes, steering & suspension setup won't make it feel like a Mk5, cause the shell isn't designed or manufactured with all the high strength steel components etc like a "Mk5"

You already stated that you considered a 1.8L 16v and turboing it, or a VR6 & maybe a turbo but said that will be expensive.

Now your looking into a complete R36 running gear conversion, but think fitting a VR6T is too expensive!!!!


This sort of conversion has been done before OS, but here in OZ with a lack of support & parts availability.

I doubt any engineer will even look at you. The engine capacity maybe over the limit for starters & then add in every single cost of the engineers time etc. from things like chassis strength testing before you make your first cut & then again after its all been done, brake testing, pollution testing, seat brackets, subframes, crack testing & the list will go on & on..

The engineers bill would be in excess of $20K I reckon. If you think I'm joking. Find out how much engineers actually cost.




If you want something reliable & quick as a street car. I'd just throw in either a mild built up 1.8L or 2L 16V with a T3/4 & be done with it.

This will flog nearly every FWD VW out there on the street & won't break a sweat while doing it.

Even my own banger engine is reliable & thats as basic as you can get. Stock engine with a dirty old Saab turbo running mechanical injection & will whip stock Mk5 & MK6 GTI's all day & also tuned versions too.

[STOIE]

Sorry, I think my general out there idea's everyone is taking asif I am 100% on them...

I think I put some things the wrong way, a VR6T I say would be wayyy to expensive a base to begin on for me, but maybe if it could be pulled of right, then the cost may be justifiable to me, in other words if I had things running N/A, then may consider a turbo...
I also undertand it will never drive like a MkV GTI, but it will be able to start warm quickly then pull away, not like some older 1.8's that need a good 5 mins before you can roll the car down the driveway...

I have actually just worked out who you are Golfworx, I very much respect you, your the lad that brought us the 1.8 8v turbo k-jet in a MkI!
Your car is pretty much what made me interested in MkI's! Before that I only liked MkII's...

I understand that my ideas are very out there and would require significant engineering assessment, but I actually think I could justify 20k if the job was done to the number...

I really want AWD on this car and that is really the only reason why I am steering away from 1.8's, so with all your input of the MkIV motors would a 2.8 VR6 be a better choice?