1977 Mk1 2 door build

[Browneye]

Hi everyone.

I'm a very new member to this forum, and thought that I'd bring you all along on this journey I'm about to embark on.

I recently bought a 1977 mk1 golf 2 door from hiho, for the low price of $600, however it ended up costing me around $750 to get it back to my house. This car can be found on his "WReck or Rat" thread. With the help of my step father, who owns a truck due to his earth-moving business, we managed to get the car back without too much hassle, with the only expense being the fuel to get us the 360km there and back.

The car has a not unsubstantial list of things that will need attention before it is even close to being ready for the road. Not the least of which is a serious rust problem in most areas hiho has assured me that the floors and firewall are rust free, however I can not confirm or deny that at this stage.

My goal is to get this car on the road, however keeping its rat appearance as present as possible. I know that 2 door mk1s are getting harder and harder to find, so I would like to try and keep this one alive. The reason for this thread is fairly simple, as I just want to log what I have done, and seek advice wherever it is needed anyone who is willing to help in any way will have a special place in my heart haha.

P.S. I'm sorry to any purists out there that think rat is a disgrace or whatever, but the way I see it is that if this car can be revived at least it isn't going to waste completely. Rat is better than dead.

The night I brought her home

With no battery, rolling her out was the only option

A dent incurred from moving on the trip back home

Roof which has been pushed in by a goat.

Various areas of rust


which has gone through around the rear windscreen

dodgy fiberglass repair on some of the rust



There is rust in many of the sills as well, particularly around the boot hatch. Also included in the deal was a 5 speed gearbox, with mount and linkages which is pretty cool.

All in all its pretty straight and other than the roof and rust, the body is in alright condition.

Plus those Cheviot 13s look radd!

First port of call will be fixing the roof. I'll probably give it a go myself but if unsuccessful, might have to spend the big $$$$ to get it reskined If anyone has any ideas as to how to get the roof looking better, I'd be more than happy to listen(read) what you have to say.

Thanks in advance
Jordan

[Jarred]

Good luck with your project.

Getting in on the road with that much rust will be difficult!

if you're going for rat look, why bother trying to fix the dent?

[Browneye]

Thanks Jarred

Ah the dent is more serious than it looks i guess. The whole skin has lost its rigidity. I'm going to try and straighten it as much as I can and try and reinforce the underside of it. Hopefully that will give some of its rigidity back. If its not necessary to get a roadworthy, I won't really worry about getting it any better than that.

[garumba]

Thanks Jarred

Ah the dent is more serious than it looks i guess. The whole skin has lost its rigidity. I'm going to try and straighten it as much as I can and try and reinforce the underside of it. Hopefully that will give some of its rigidity back. If its not necessary to get a roadworthy, I won't really worry about getting it any better than that.

It maybe that the roof braces need adjusting and/or padding. Have a look under the roof lining.

[pag3y]

Keen to see what you have in store for this little beast. Got the same wheels on mine and they're rad

[Jarred]

yea, mk 1 roofs (rooves?) can be pretty flimsy at times, good luck.

[hiho]

The cheviots looked **** on my red GLD but awesome on the orange rat.

Like I said, this car is not a restorer, its a minimum fix and enjoyer. Good luck and keep us posted!

[revnit]

plenty of potential in the old girl oh and i love the tip truck hahaha

[Browneye]

Sorry for lack of updates on this little project of mine.

Unfortunately I bought this car only a week before I had to return to Uni And while I'm there 5 days a week and at work every weekend, I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate or money to throw her way (books and Uni fees).

Luckily I had some free time during the weekend to do some work on her (one of the only perks of working overnights is I get the day free ). So I decided to pull almost everything off the car, and really assess the rust situation, which I've now got mixed emotions about.

Fortunately, Hiho was right and there is no serious rust concerns in the floors or the firewall, however, I did discover some rust under the interior panels near the rear windows.

Will have my work cut out that's for sure! But I know it will be a good project when I'm still not deterred to tackle it




P.S. I found one fundamental reason as to why it crashed into the back of the truck on the journey home...



Wish me luck fellas

[VdubEd]

Wow lots do do. What have you got planned for it? I wouldn't go the rat route myself but screw the 'purists' it your car and you should it the way you want Looking forward to seeing the progress. good luck