1981 Golf Gti Resto

nosmonkey

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So the main reason why work is so slow on the E9 is that currently, it's still a secondary project until the first gets finished up. it's an original, relatively standard 1.6 Series 1 1/2 GTi, making a whopping 110bhp, from factory. Engine has been breathed on by TSR ( a popular VW tuning company over here in the 80s, and still around I believe) and has raised compression, high lift cam, raised rev limiter and ported head. Power in the region of 130-140bhp, which in an 800kg car gives a very healthy power to weight ratio.

Dad owned this since '91, his daily until 00/01 when he picked up a 16V mk2 GTi and this was put into storage along with the coupe. Originally, the corrosion was just meant to be near the OSR subframe mount. Things weren't that simple, and still aren't!

Welding is nearly finished now with some engine work now looming. Once the bodywork is done that engine will be coming out for a complete rebuild as well as some more goodies.

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Come 2014, time to take it home!
14 years of dust cleaned up off it
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nosmonkey

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Back at base, the fun can begin.

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Picked up some BBS RM012s and refurbed them
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Inner wings rotten, signs of accident damage
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Welding sorted on the roof
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Inner wing repair panels made by hand. Primed, stonechipped and ready for paint. No photos of the metal work i'm afraid!

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Some rust on the scuttle and pillars cut, welded and painted up.

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nosmonkey

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Some rather major issues brought to light with the rear beam removed.

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Subframe mounts on the O/S looking less than optimal.
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Quick tug of the osr seatbelt revealed this...
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Subframe mounts reinforced and new panel in place
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New seats
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After a bit of love and leather filler and paint
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nosmonkey

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Inner arch removed
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and after much swearing, replaced. Primed then painted with anti stone chip

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Under the rear beam was all zinc primed and then stone chip painted, and waxoyled for good measure
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Fuel tank cleaned and painted
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GAZ adjustable coilovers installed along with new brake components, braided lines and so on.
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Golf G60/Corrado VR6 brake set up installed on the front.
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nosmonkey

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Inner arch repaired
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Out sill tacked on, then spot welded top and bottom as per factory, seam welded across the quarter.

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This was circa winter 2016. Car was then left for a while as I find it best to buckle down and work until you get bored or annoyed with it, then leave it alone until you get the bug again, prevents bodge ups occurring.
 

dang

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My Hat's off to UK car restorers. Always have hope that something can be salvaged. Nice. Love the Corrado too.

I was thinking the same thing. Here in CA we see a few spots of rust and freak out! "What's that stuff!" "Eeeewwwwww"
 

JayWltrs

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Sentimental value plays a big part in it too.

Went on a hunt for my 1987 Scirocco 16v last year, which I’ve regretted selling since I signed it over in 1993. Finally tracked down the VIN; ran to a computer and pulled the Carfax & Autocheck — looks like the next buyer drove it off the lot & immediately totaled it—salvage then junk/scrap. That car & I had some amazing experiences, and it took the wind out of my resto plan. It would take a psychiatrist to explain how that turned into an E9, but it did.


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craterface

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Great project! I have seen some low mile mark Is sell for 50k USD or more on the continent, so this is a project that also happens to make some financial sense, given that the donor car was free. I really like those wheels you had with the fat spokes, BTW.
 

nosmonkey

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Great project! I have seen some low mile mark Is sell for 50k USD or more on the continent, so this is a project that also happens to make some financial sense, given that the donor car was free. I really like those wheels you had with the fat spokes, BTW.

14" ATS Cups from the very limited edition Oettinger Mk1 GTI 16S - French only 1600cc 16v mk1 golf. I had the rare BBS kit for it too but decided against it in the end

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nosmonkey

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Front panel just wasn't lining up properly and I didnt want to cover it in filler.
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Engine and box out.

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Panel removed, crossmember welded up where the metal was a bit thin with some fresh sheet metal, then primed with Bilt Hamber products.

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Battery tray removed, spot welds cleaned up.

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Front panel on

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Also have a few shiny carbon bits to get fitted..
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nosmonkey

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More work done. Been in and out of hospital so been struggling to find time and energy to do much.

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New battery tray and slam panel/headlight corner section - genuine VW

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Engine bay primed with etch weld, some of the rippling from hand beating the panels covered with a thin skim of filler and seam sealed before final prime with epoxy mastic

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Couldn't resist a test fit of the front end!

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Then gave the engine bay a coat of 2K Mars Red. Gun finish.

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nosmonkey

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Front inner arches coated in bilt hamber electrox, then epoxy mastic, anti stonchip paint, another coat of epoxy mastic and then paint.
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Steering rack rebuilt with new inner and outer track rod ends, new boots, backlash set and polyurethane mounts.

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Suspension and brake lines fitted. Colour coded the lines from the master cylinder to make things quicker to identify when it's all in the engine bay and things are masked up.

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