My 1st Mk1

[GTI4ME]

Cheers guys, getting some good feedback about the car, it seems like its worth the effort!
Got the engine stripped down to the point it's ready to come out with the gearbox, then it's just a bit of trim and the windows out, then the wife and I are sanding and getting ready for paint.
I did wuss out though, I have a rust repairer coming to quote the floors, a pillars, rear beaver, and a few other little bits and pieces. But better it's repaired properly the first time!

[Ironman]

Cheers guys, getting some good feedback about the car, it seems like its worth the effort!
Got the engine stripped down to the point it's ready to come out with the gearbox, then it's just a bit of trim and the windows out, then the wife and I are sanding and getting ready for paint.
I did wuss out though, I have a rust repairer coming to quote the floors, a pillars, rear beaver, and a few other little bits and pieces. But better it's repaired properly the first time!

Might I ask who you have coming to look at the rust? Might come in handy for the cancer on my Cabriolet.

Hey Badger if your still floating round do you have a Manual gearbox in that MK1 up there I could "Steal" off ya? Converting from Auto to Manual.

Great to see you are getting stuck into it GTI4ME. Might have to come and check it out for myself. Money has been a little tight of late so haven't been able to do anything with my beast.

[GTI4ME]

It's a mobile guy coming out, he gave me a business card but I can't find it, his name is Sam, seems pretty clued when it comes to rust repairs.
Badgers manual gearbox it spoken for mate, I grabbed that with everything else I need to carry out my own manual conversion on my build car, sorry!

[GTI4ME]

Been a bit lazy on the old thread here, just a quick update for those interested.
Grabbed the whole car from badger, took an entire day with dads 4x4 to collect it and store it at a mates place! My mk1 has been treated to a full strip down, only got the dash left in it at present, and that's coming out in the very near future. Ordered an industrial ****load of parts from the uk to rebuild the car front end and aesthetics wise, going to fit some of those and update the photobucket thread. Also picked up a dellorto and manifold to give it a bit of extra pep, and thinking the head needs to go in for conversion to unleaded so I don't have to run that awful fuel additive.
Went down with Glynn today and stripped the parts car a bit, took the steering column and all the parts for the manual conversion including the gearbox, the body is totally shagged but parts wise it's ok, so if any players at home are looking for bits shoot me a pm and I will let you know if we have it.
Now just to get the rust chopped then it's paint time!

[Glynn.]

Forgot to add the size of that ****ing spider under the passenger seat lol

[GTI4ME]

**** that ****, I want Baker to find it for himself!

[GTI4ME]

So I have had my second rust repair guy come out, after the 1st guy gave me the run around with actually being able to do the work the car needs, and he tells me the floors are cactus and the car is basically either scrap or a very very expensive restoration project, to the point I would never see even a quarter of the money spent back on resale.
My question to you learned scholars of all things mk1 is, have I bought a lemon or should I persist and find myself someone to carry out the repairs and finish the project?

[roccodingo]

Comes down to what your wanting mate .

I had a peek at you photobucket pics, all looks pretty well std Mk1 rust issues .
Biggest concern is the rot in the A pillar at the base, there is a few layers of metal there, corrosion both sides usually indicates its rotted thru all of them. It is a big job to fix correctly ( most hog out the rust and bog it up ) and necessary to keep the structural integrity.

Floor panels, valence, windscreen frame repair sections are available from Vw Classic parts and their agents, crazy quiffs, rabitparts and many others online.

To reduce costs learn to weld yourself ( night school course ) and when your ready to tackle the car have it sandblasted or dipped to remove all the coatings of the metal, repair, re blast and coat it correctly ( external and internally ) Once you work out that cost then you can decide if you want to spend ( or have ) that kind of money to throw at a 30 year old car.

I would suggest you read Duncans build thread from start to finish, this guy is dedicated !!

VWVortex.com - -tailBack from the dead... the RotisseRabbit

It can be done, you just have to work out if you have the dollars, time and dedication / motivation to do it... good luck

[GTI4ME]

So, I have been a bit busy lately, but the mk1 hasn't been neglected. At present I have bought just about everything I need, including my new paint colour which I picked up today. The car itself is in at a panel shop around the corner from my place, I was sent a message from my mate and fellow mk1 owner Glynn. about it, and the guy was more than happy to take it on for a very, very reasonable price. At present he has removed the floor completely on the LHS along with the rail, the front of the RHS and repaired one door, and should be finishing both a pillars Monday morning. So, I should be getting it back next Friday, then it's primer/paint and put it all back together.
Will update thephotobucket account soon so you can see the cars progress if you're interested.

[danpez]

I've seen people do things to the front lights before, but the badges on an angle at the rear?...

[funkamedic]

Nice progress mate!

So is your repairer welding in new metal? Did you end up getting replacement panels or is the repairer using sheet metal?

Can you let us know who the repairer is? I'm in need of similar floor rust repair work.

And yes to more pics!

[GTI4ME]

Yeah the lights were the first thing to go, i had that tape off before the car even hit my garage floor. The rear badges looked like an afterthought for the "enthusiast" I bought the car from, I don't think he really had any idea what he was doing.
I haven't gotten the pics yet, still in the process of getting a few good ones. It is sheet metal from a VE commodore that was used, it was used to make a new floor with some patches for the rest. Sent you a PM with the guys details funkamedic.
Been working on the car these past few nights getting the body a bit closer to its coat of primer, but its still got a fair bit to go to get there, i'm starting to get sanders elbow

[funkamedic]

Thanks for the pm buddy! Commodore donor for sheet metal - genius!

That RotisseRabbit thread and build looks epic Roccodingo. Just had a quick scan - I'lll have to add it to my reading list too

[GTI4ME]

So I have just checked this thread, and can't believe it was November last time I wrote anything in it!
Sadly, my mk1 has been a bit neglected, well a lot neglected actually. I bought a mk3 Wolfsburg from a guy at work and its taken a bit of money and a lot of time to sort out enough to be used as a daily, and most mk1 time has been soaked up with that.
However, I have been getting some time to carry out the body prep for primer/paint, the interior panels are all good to go, and the exterior has been massaged (and bogged) to get it relatively straight. However, seems every time I fix up one panel there is something else that needs attention, its becoming like a never ending prep-a-thon in my garage.
I have updated the photobucket link with more photos from recent times, including this afternoons effort.
Hoping to have the car ready for paint inside a month before I go on holidays with bushnut for his wedding. Wish me luck!

[GTI4ME]

Well, its been a long time coming, plenty of prep, sanding, prep, sanding the even more prep and sanding but.......
I finally managed to get paint on the mk1 this weekend! Uploaded pics on the photobucket link, keen to really get the build cracking now, got another load of parts coming from the UK soon so should be updating this build thread a bit more than I have been!
As usual, any feedback/criticism is welcome, keen to see what other mk1 enthusiasts think