The first car - A foray into manhood.

[lordairgtar]

Just a note. They sell a product that you can wipe onto the rubber bits that will bring back the black colour to them.

[Shelby 427 1965]

Thanks for the heads up, I shall be getting some

[rmvw guy]

Nice choice, hope it serves you well.

[martinfan5]

Overall, the car is not in all that bad of shape, it could of been a lot worse, I think once you get it all fixed up , its going to be nice.

[Shelby 427 1965]

Cheers you two!

[VW Dave]

I've had 5 Mk2 VWs(3 GTIs, one Jetta GLI and another Jetta GL), and that's a lot nicer than how a couple of mine came home...good score for your first car!

I know your goal is to make it factory fresh, but a popular 'bolt-on' performance upgrade is the 10.1"(256mm) front brakes from the later 16v GLIs and early 16v Passats. The corresponding/required 22mm master cylinder is a direct swap as well. My '89 16v GLI had them from the factory, and my '88 16v GTI had them swapped over by the PO.

Going back to the 'small' bumpers is a good idea, as they're correct for the car. As long as nobody bodged the upgrade too badly(i.e., random sheetmetal screws holding the later cover onto the early bumper bar and into the wings), the retro-swap should be pretty straightforward.

[Jon Cole]

A friend of mine had the twin to it! Red, too! Of course, over here in the states, the steering wheel is on the wrong side! Enjoy it.

[o-man]

It really doesn't look that bad. Love the factory wheels. As you can tell from my signature, I'm a Honda fanboi, but can respect the older VDubs. Are you planning any bolt on or appearance upgrades other than steering wheel and small bumpers?

[blunc]

are ya gonna fix the passenger side wing or replace it?

I'm guessing that's why the grill is having fit problems.

[VW Dave]

are ya gonna fix the passenger side wing or replace it?

I'm guessing that's why the grill is having fit problems.

The grill fit issue is likely due to broken clips...pretty common. My running joke was always how Mk2 VWs and zip-ties go together like Oreos and milk

[Zarana-X]

Congrats on the ride! Mk1 & 2 GTIs are classics now, take care of her. The window seals are the weak spot on cars this old. Most of the ones I've seen in Califonia are shot, and invite rust, even in California!

Love the factory BBS wheels on those.

If you want a cool factory style steering wheel, the older Porsche wheels from that era (924,944,928, 911) will bolt right on. There's always clapped out 924/944s in the wrecking yards here. The Scirocco steering wheels are cool, too.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Zarana-X

[VW Dave]

The Mk2's had a 4x100mm bolt pattern, while the 911 & 944 were 5x130mm, so I must disagree

the older Porsche wheels from that era (924,944,928, 911) will bolt right on.

Edited May 29, 2013 by VW Dave

[Zarana-X]

The Mk2's had a 4x100mm bolt pattern, while the 911 & 944 were 5x130mm, so I must disagree

D'oh! Meant to put steering wheel...

[440 Magnum]

My first car was 1980 BMW 320 (E21) and my firt American car was 1970 Plymouth Satellite 4D wit a318+TF727+ 8 3/4.

Now we have a 93 VW Golf, 95 Opel Vectra and 1966 Dodge Dart 2D.

[Shelby 427 1965]

Wow everyone, thanks for all the lovely comments about Lara! (After Lara Croft. Don't judge me.)

As far as wheels go, I'm planning on this one:

Apart from that, no, I don't plan on any modifications to it. Sure maybe better brakes, but looks wise and all that, no.

Got one of my good mates round today and we sorted taking off the metal water pump, as much as I'd love to swear to describe the experience, it was bloody difficult. He knows a lot about cars and the mechanics behind them, but wow the hoses in that car were not fond of moving! New metal pipe is in the post, shall be putting it in as soon as. Then once that's done, that's pretty much the only mechanical thing on it that needs done!

Also, instead of getting a fancy radio for it, I'm gonna see if my dad has any 80s cassette players lying around, which I think he does.

More period correct, plus I can then go about getting me some sweet tapes, Zeppelin and Sabbath and Blondie and Rod Stewart and all sorts going on, woo!

Thanks again everyone, the response is bloody overwhelming to say the least!

This is how the car sits now, in front of the garage.

Back bumper is off, need to make new mounts for it. I'm gonna keep these bumpers on it, but I'm going to buy a set of the correct ones so that anytime I go to sell it or if the mood takes me, I can put them on. Keeps 'em in better shape too.

Thanks again everyone!!

[Maindrian Pace]

Great looking MK II GTI, those are a very worthwhile car to restore. Now pretend that you are an episode of Wheeler Dealers, and go all Edd China on it!

-MJS

[Shelby 427 1965]

What, do a botch job and charge more than it's worth?

Kidding!

[o-man]

What car is that sitting off to the left of yours? You sure about cassette deck? Will limit your music choices unless you are able to hook up some type of MP3 player.

What size motor? 1.8L or 2.0L SOHC?

Edited May 30, 2013 by o-man

[Shelby 427 1965]

It's a 1972 Reliant Scimitar GTE. It's my da's project that he'll get round to once we've the garage built.

And yeah I'm sure about the cassette deck - you can get special tapes that have a lead coming out and your iPod or whathaveyou plugs in to it. My friend has one for his.

It's a 1.8, it's an 8V GTI.

[Shelby 427 1965]

Got some Autoglym bumper restore and wheel cleaner stuffs on her today just to give it ago. I think the bumper stuff worked a treat, wheel stuff didn't come out too bad either.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Really I should be focusing on the mechanical stuff... oh well!

I got a quote on a respray of the new boot to Tornado Red. He estimated around 80 to 100 quid depending on the condition of the boot (and it's pretty good). Is this a fair price do you think? I'm not sure.

Cheers!

Edited May 31, 2013 by Shelby 427 1965

[lordairgtar]

You mentioned the tape adapter for hooking up yer iPod and other media. Try this. I make the cables for the company that sells this. Pretty straight forward install. http://rediscoveradio.com/

You will save your dash with no hole boring and it's a simple wiring job connecting to the antenna leads and power lead. The jack can be left hidden in the glove box or just hanging behind the dash out of sight. People who have old cars and hot rods love this.

Edited May 31, 2013 by lordairgtar

[o-man]

Tomo, you got her looking good! Keep it up

[Nacho Z]

She is really looking good Tomo!

[Tom Geiger]

Tomo.. why not do all the body work over time and spray the whole car? And I love the hood ornament on the Scimitar! Can you just ship me that car? That would be cool and unique here in the USA. Do you live in the country? That looks like an ancient barn in the background of one of your pictures?

[Marcus M. Jones]

There will be dozens of cars come and go in your lifetime,,,,,,, but only 1 first.

Enjoy it and the good times it provides

never a more truer statement. my first was a 84 s10 ex cab. V6 with a 4speed. oh the memories... she's been out of my life for a long time and now i want her back.