Which choice of MK1, 16V bad body or 1.6l good body?

[worm]

Hey guys

I have owned a few MK1 over the yrs, been a member here for bloody ages actually. That reminds me, is Wabit still around? Went on a few drives with him many yrs ago. I had a nice 2 door which was sold to a mate and subsequently blew up and ended up gods knows where, then had a couple for doors, one being a 1.8l with a few nice mods. Red with black bonnet. Stripped that and sent it to the crusher.
Anyway I sold all my MK1's and you know what its like, once you have owned one you always want another one.

You think it would be better to buy a MK1 with a upgraded engine but average body/interior or buy a nice stock MK1 and get someone to put a engine in to it? What would be less stress and less money?

any advice welcome

cheers lads

[Tim]

Everyone will have a different take on it but for me mechanical work is nice and easy. Body work is an expensive pain in my arse
So yeah.. id take a clean body over everything when it comes to mk1s. You dont need a lot of power to make such a light car go pretty hard.

[worm]

True that. But its hard and expensive to get a 16V, especially when you cant put one in yourself. I had a 1.8 8v and it went good but seeing as though I have done it I need the next step up.

[ffoff]

It depends what you want to do, and just how bad the body is. If it's got rust, I'd take the clean 1.6. But if it's just a few knocks and dents then 16V all the way.

Engine work>body work IMO

[sports racer]

It depends on how long you've got and the budget. My MK1 has some good mechanicals (1.8l, 5 speed, aftermarket suspension etc) but it has a rusty body. I know bugger all about bodywork but there are heaps of people willing to help me and I'm eager to learn.

[Hilal]

It depends what you want to do, and just how bad the body is. If it's got rust, I'd take the clean 1.6. But if it's just a few knocks and dents then 16V all the way.

Engine work>body work IMO

this.. ....

[pepperwhite]

If you park undercover then a rusty/leaky/smelly car wont be a ever worsening reality.

Imo body work is a real pain as it quickly becomes an complete respray on a mk1.

But i do have a 16v and love it so

[Bluerex]

The main thing I would do different with my next project is buy a better shell. Everything else is a bolt-on, but without a solid, rust-free chassis life is sooo much harder. Dents and a re-spray are not so much of a long-term problem, but given the choice - a clean body wins every time.

[dubmc]

The main thing I would do different with my next project is buy a better shell. Everything else is a bolt-on, but without a solid, rust-free chassis life is sooo much harder. Dents and a re-spray are not so much of a long-term problem, but given the choice - a clean body wins every time.

i agree, if i had the chance to do the project over again i would definately have resprayed and treated every bit of rust (i.e. sandblast)before commencing the build...if you have a good body you can swap/upgrade for as long as you want knowing that you have a solid body...

[h100vw]

I have had plenty of MK1s and I am not in a rush to buy one either!

If it was the last car I was allowed to have ever. I would start with a 2 door shell in smart condition and fit a 16V in it. Using a KR/9A/ABF, which ever came available first. I would run injection and a rod change gearbox, 14 inch wheels with 270mm brakes and drums at the back.