My MK1 GTI

[Big Yellow]

So I'm back in a VW and got myself a MK1 GTI. Bought it from Sydney and drove it home back to Melbourne. Car didn't skip a beat!







There's a few things that need to be done before rwc, but they all seem to be electrical related which I have no clue about. None of the dash lights work, need to wire up the gauges, need to replace the speedo disk with one that shows MPH.

The mechanical issues that need sorting out is new starter motor (potentially), new exhaust (current one seems too big and rattles and bashes everything haha) and new extractors (current hurricane one seems to foul shift mechanism - to be tested).

Also on the immediate fix list are the tyres. Currently are 175/65/15 and will swap to a 185/45/15. Anyone have suggestions on which brands make that size and where to source from?

The tint is 15% so i will need to remove that for Vic rwc as well.

I've already ordered a new set of silver side stripes so will stick them on once they get delivered.
More pics soon!

[Tommie]

Nice one. We need more Mk1's on the road.

[Big Yellow]

Cheers Tommie! You're car is looking great!

If anyone has a starter motor or stock headers please let me know!

Also after recommendations for a good auto-elec to sort out the wiring!

[eri_12]

Nice pickup! Glad you got this one!

[Jarred]

Nice work.

Side trims should be black though, not silver.

[Big Yellow]

Nice work.

Side trims should be black though, not silver.

i think black GTIs came with silver. i googled factory black ones and they were all silver.

not 100% sure though.

[abreut]

Welcome to the mk1 gti club. I met your car at Oran Park years ago (and a couple of owners ago).

[Petska84]

Nice to see another mk1 in Melbourne. Congrats

[Big Yellow]

Thanks guys! its going to be a long and slow journey!

I realised last night after driving getting home from Sydney that my brake lights didnt work. Im surprised no one rear ended me! Been trying to figure out why they don't work, as the rear lights actually work. I tried to look at the Haynes manual for the fuse location, but my fusebox doesnt seem to match whats in the manual, as I tried disconnecting a few to test and they didnt match the description.

i dont have any tools where i live currently so will have to try drive it back to my parents house with a proper garage to work in.

also discovered a minor oil leak coming from the dizzy so will need to attend to that too!

list of things to fix is getting longer and longer haha.

[h100vw]

i think black GTIs came with silver. i googled factory black ones and they were all silver.

not 100% sure though.

The metal trims is what Jarred is referring too. The silver stripe below it is a sticker, as are the ones at the bottom of the door.

The dissy has an O ring on it IIRC and a paper gasket underneath. they are designed to leak, I am sure .

There should be 2 switches in the master cylinder for the brakes. If you short out either one, the brake lights should come on.

Gavin

[Big Yellow]

Ahhh I get it. I'll order some black trim once I get all the other issues sorted out!

Hopefully i can figure out the brake lights today so i can drive it back to my folks place.

[sports racer]

The best fix for the brake switch is to attach an on/off switch to the brake pedal arm so every time you push down the switch comes on.

Much better than the original switch which can become quite temperamental.

Good luck with MK1, one of the few cars in the world that can be really annoying and so much fun at the same time.

Cheers

Paul

[Jarred]

Paul's right, have a look in Pete Jones' brake upgrade thread, he's got all the info you'll need there for what to do. You can asily get a brake pedal switch from a later golf, or just pop down to repco and find a switch that'll work.

[eltonking]

i might have stock headers if you want

[Big Yellow]

Cheers Elton, is it a 2" at the collector?

Managed to drive the car back to my parents house without any incidents hah.

Drove my DC2R back to my apartment and it was such a massive difference. The throw on the GTI is so long I have to lean forward to get into the 3rd haha. Thought the gearbox in my dc2 was broken because it felt so short in comparison.