The Red Baron

[Damo88]

Long time lurker, first time build threader.

Picked up this low km, totally rust free grey bumper 1979 GLD from an elderly couple (second owners) who have owned the car for 14 years and other than a short stint by their son, had been the wife's daily drive until it fell into my hands

The couple had quite a number of rare air cooled VW's and a couple of Ford Model T's and this car came with a folder full of 14 years worth of documents and receipts! He even kept the bags from new parts with part numbers on them and the old parts to keep a record of what had been replaced over the years! Insane!

Plan is to keep things simple, clean it up, slight drop with some ad on's and enjoy cruising about, a big inspiration being Dom's Mk1


How she looked the day I picked it up, apologies in advance for the crappy phone photos.





The simplicity is fantastic








First thing on the list was to clean up the shoes. It's amazing the difference a bit of paint, polish and elbow grease does to the look of a car!






Before


After






A bit of a different perspective, it's amazing to see how VW's have grown over the years.

[Damo88]

Next up was bringing the paintwork back up to scratch as it was looking a little faded, or as I like to call it "Classic Australiana Red".

Before cut and polish





During





After








Needless to say I was VERY happy with the outcome, not bad for $80!

[Damo88]

Went in to get a roadworthy done, all it needed was a couple of rubber exhaust mounts and rubber boots over the front suspension.

A big thanks to Elton for helping me join a club , now I get to enjoy a second car without that stinging guilt of needlessly paying extra rego for a hobby haha

I have to say on standard suspension and 13" tyres this is the most comfortable car I've ever owned, all my passengers are pleasantly shocked by how smooth it actually is. Just wish it had a 5th gear and wasn't a diesel haha.

It was a shame to let go of the original rego but it was wiser to do so, freshly rego'd!







Since then I've put chrome bumpers on and it now looks MUCH better and cleaner without the old grey killing the vibes of the fresh red.

I picked up a vintage roof rack from the 70's, one of those multi fit ones, just missing some bits for the feet so yet to go on.
Also yet to be installed are some white wall inserts. I know these aren't everyones cup of tea as they aren't 'period correct' but I think they look great coupled with a roof rack and are a great way to transform stock wheels for cheap.

Eventually I'll go down the BBS route when I can afford to

Also bought some coil-overs off Elton's old Mk1, just JOM's I believe but if we're honest it's a GLD, it was never going to be tracked or bombed through the mountains, I still have to be budget conscious with the end goal of this car and these serve their purpose

Only other thing on my wishlist at the moment is some windshield plastic chrome trim as mine is definitely tired and ruining the clean look of the car a little. I know VW Heritage sell them but by the time you buy both front and rear along with shipping it ends up costing around $100 without installation, does anyone know of someone local who can supply and/or install?

[mitch750]

Epic dude!!
So weird just got my 'new' gld cut and polished



Keen to see your project progress


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mjv79]

I did my chrome surround last year, it really makes a huge difference.

Don't buy the trim from Just kampers, looks the same but has a round front profile instead of a flat profile. Also save yourself the headache and buy the trim tool. I tried the coat hanger method etc. Wasted hours trying without it.

With the trim tool, 10 mins and it was in.

[sports racer]

That is one good looking MK1. Whitewalls, roofrack and a slight lowering would look awesome.

[Notso Swift]

Looks like a great pick up

Calling the fade "Classic Australiana Red" - awesome description

[GeorgeMK1]

This is awesome man!! Waiting for some inspiration, when will we see a pic with the chrome windshield surround??

Where abouts are you located in Melb? If you need any help with anything, feel free to ask!

[browndizzle]

Yewww following this for sure! Which coilovers did you get off Eltons old mk1? Was that the blue one he had?

[browndizzle]

Hahah just saw the "JOMs" bit

[dublub]

With the bumpers and wheel arches, take a heat gun to it. It remelts the plastic and makes the black look brand new. Did this to all 4 arches and looks mint. Just be sure to clean any grime/tar off them first or it'll melt it into it.


.:R32 MK5 3DR Manual
MK1 Golf (Swallowtail) 3DR Manual

[DYL55]

With the bumpers and wheel arches, take a heat gun to it. It remelts the plastic and makes the black look brand new. Did this to all 4 arches and looks mint. Just be sure to clean any grime/tar off them first or it'll melt it into it.


.:R32 MK5 3DR Manual
MK1 Golf (Swallowtail) 3DR Manual

How long does this last once done?

[DYL55]

Car looks good man! Keep up the progress [emoji1360]


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[dublub]

It basically has to start the fading process all again. I've done it to my centre console and all 4 flares, they have been stored on my balcony for the last 3 months and nothing has changed. Please take your time doing it. It only takes a few seconds to melt the top layer but too many seconds and you'll ruin the finish. Here have a watch of this.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R9tDq1oRy9U

.:R32 MK5 3DR Manual
MK1 Golf (Swallowtail) 3DR Manual

[Damo88]

Thanks for the kind words and great tips everyone!

This car had grey bumpers and rear wheel spats from factory so a heat gun won't do much I'm afraid. The method does work but I believe you can only do it once. For those wanting to blacken their plastics Par-boiled Linseed Oil works a treat and can be had for peanuts at Bunnings.

That green really pops on a Mk1, looks mad! I'm in Endeavour Hills but if ever I need some expertise I know where to go