1988 Golf Cabriolet GTI restoration

[mjv79]

Hi all,

I was lucky to find what id consider to be a bit of barn find. I have a Uk Import 88 Cabriolet GTI, One of around 3500 delivered into the UK between 88-92. Before the rivage and sportline models came out.

It has spent around 24 years in London, before being imported here 18 months ago.

It has done approx. 10k miles in the last 12 years, and only 4k of these in the last 8 years. total mileage 113K.

I have around 21 years of history for the car.

The car is completely original, it has the correct trim and wheel combo still.

My plan for the car is to bring it back to its former glory. i'm not really into heavily modified cars, or butchering future classic, but that's just me.

Here's some pictures


I thought for quick fix, I'd change the wheels. Which I know to be a rooky mistake. I bought cheap BBS fakes on Ebay. the results were nasty. so they where quickly pulled off and sold.

[mjv79]

I ordered some BBS Rm's from Europe. Which are now here. (I like them before I'm told how BBS are over done)!

I got a new steering rack, all new rubbers. and have ordered H & R Comfort Cups. Want to drop and inch or so nothing too aggressive.



once I get the suspension done, then i'll update the brakes.

The main thing is the body work. its has 2 small patches of rust. Then will be time for the full respray.

[mjv79]

The nasty alloys. I couldn't advise people stronger to stay away from the ones on Ebay. the caps didn't match the main alloy colour. I think I got them Thursday morning, had tyres on them Thursday arvo. and sold them on Gumtree Friday morning.

[PassionGarage]

This will look mad as bro!!
keep us updated!!
what colour were you thinking to go ??

[mjv79]

I'm going to stick with Helios Blue

[PassionGarage]

I'm going to stick with Helios Blue

sweet as mate

[nightphotographer]

BBS RMs <3 - definitely less played than RS. This is going to look sick!

[mjv79]

I got the Rm 012's too which where the factory option, not the Rm002 which were aftermarket. Not sure it makes much difference but it did to the price... LOL

[nightphotographer]

nah - I think they're identical - 15x6.5 et33 4x100? They're both the same.

[mjv79]

Yes, there identical.
I was just making reference to the codes!

[mjv79]

After 4 months of sourcing and buying parts, I'm finally pulling my finger out and having them all fit.

So by the end of the week i'll have the following fit.

H&R Comfort Cups suspension
New engine Mounts
new wishbones (track control arms)
Steering rack
Tie rod ends

Should start to handle correctly then. Then its time to start saving for the next thing. New brakes.

Does anyone know of local suppliers for parts? rather than the usual suspect's in Europe? The Freight is killing me. I've spent nearly as much on freight as the cost of the parts.....

[sports racer]

Give Brian at GTI Imports a call. He's got or can get almost anything and at decent prices.

Matt at Camden GTI has lots of local parts and might have bigger brakes off a Seat that suit. I'm in the process of stripping a Seat Cupra for parts for my MK1 (280mm disks, bigger calipers, brake booster etc).

Cheers

Paul

[mjv79]

Thanks for that. Not heard of gti imports.

[sports racer]

Brian's a one man show, works from home at Galston. He imports a lot of aftermarket stuff for VW's and has been doing so for over 30 years. 02 9653 1114

[mjv79]

I now have a different car. With everything I've done to the front end, getting rid of mixed springs and tie rod ends. New Rack. Pretty much everything made of rubber has been swapped too.

When I go around a roundabout I now have a bit of confidence that I'll come out the other side unscathed. it was like driving a cruise ship before.

Only down side, the degreased engine bay..... I have work ahead of me there...

Big shout out to Julian Jones for helping me with everything and not charging ridiculous pricing. He cut his teeth on early golfs and what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing.

He fixed a few other problems in my engine bay, cooling issues etc. if your Sydney based he's worth a call..



Now to start collecting parts for my next project....