another mk1 restoration on the way

**mollins** · 22-10-2006, 11:29 PM

hey guys ...

ive been flat out with uni work this semester, but now as the semester winds up, im taking on my first mk1 restoration project...

its a very rusty old 76 LS... known as "the putter" (lame golf joke from previous owner)

the known history of the car:
the car came from a paddock in gosford, where it had been sitting for 8 yrs (with only 123 000 k's on the clock!) ... it was purchased by my cousin for $50... with a new battery and some new fuel (and a dodgy blue slip).. just one turn of the key, and he was off...

after flogging the old girl around for 6 months, it had some problems:
-leaking big end oil seal (and therefore a slippery clutch and oil everywhere)
-leaky brakes
-engine sounded like it was running on scrap metal and bitumen
-blown left front shock (shock oil everywhere)
-screwed tie rods (im talking 10-20mm of play in the left one!)
-broken handbrake cable
-broken exhaust (fell apart in the middle)
-rust holes in passenger side floor, firewall, left side of engine bay, boot door, drivers door, and other undiscoverd locations
-etc, etc, etc

.. so he gave to to me... for free!!

and now im gonna fix her up!!

here it is after the initial pulling apart and cleaning process

holes where i cut out the big rust holes (emergency exit)

engine bay (not sure whats going in here yet)

plans are to keep it mostly original... oldskool rocks!.. im also very limited in budget, its a choice between food or car parts.. haha

ill try to keep you updated on whats happening

cheers

mike

brackie · 23-10-2006, 05:21 AM

But the bumpers alone are worth a mint! Keep it old skool and get the rust properly cut out and welded professionally. It's worth the money. If you want inspiration just look at Loon's, Valver's and Tassiegti's and other forum members' projects.

**Golf Loon** · 23-10-2006, 08:03 AM

That doesnt even look that bad Mollins. Bet you can weld too.

I have heaps of old Mk1 bits. If you wanted to come down when you have some time and go through my shed, I`ll give you some stuff.

I currently have 3 of everything for my Mk1, but when its back together I want to pull the shed down.

**Valver.** · 23-10-2006, 08:28 AM

Looks in pretty good nick for an LS

Nice to see another Mk1 being kept in shape

**Bluerex** · 23-10-2006, 11:26 AM

Excelent start Mr Mollins!!
Should be loads of fun, both in the resto and the driving.

C

Now if it was just BP Yellow it would be perfect

**joshyd-mk2gti** · 23-10-2006, 11:42 AM

looks like its in not bad condition. good find! whens that ugly purple tint coming off????

**mollins** · 23-10-2006, 04:05 PM

yeah i love the decals... i wanna keep them but i dunno what to do when i repaint it..
as for getting anything done proffesionally... i just cant afford it

... i should should be able to sort out the welding myself..

thanks for the encouragement guys.. loon, me and aydan will definitely drop in next time we are down your way.. we may even make a special trip down

cheers

mike

PS: bluerex, i already have a yellow one.. haha

**Bluerex** · 23-10-2006, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by mollins

PS: bluerex, i already have a yellow one.. haha

Shweeet!!!

blackgti1.8 · 23-10-2006, 10:20 PM

Looks pretty straight. Even the rust doesn't look to bad.
Good to see another 3 door MkI rescued!
Take your time - do it right, now that you've got it stripped

**roccodingo** · 24-10-2006, 12:05 AM

Mollins, if ya need some body sheetmetalI have a white 76 here that succumbed to the sawzall a few months ago. still have the whole floorpan if you want repair patches.

If I had my way this car would still be in one piece, but the owner wanted the rear quarter for his cabrio repair..even though I have 2 cabrio's to scrap here...some people ...

Good to see ya rejuvenating the old stuff...