'86 MK2 Golf GTI - Resto job.

[Jason_E]

Working long hours and trying to get a start up business off the ground is doing some very weird things to my mind. I often find my ebay watch list looking quite eclectic, last week it had a Renault Avantime and about 3 Sega Master Systems in it. This week, it had a lot of MK2 Golfs. You see, I've always enjoyed VW's and the MK2 GTI was a car I thought was super cool as a kid. For one reason or another, I've never actually owned one, and as prices start climbing fast I thought I best get on it.

So last week my trigger happy ebay finger landed me with this.

MK2 GTI by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

MK2 GTI by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

It's a 1986 Golf GTI with 175k on the clock, and affectionately dubbed the "ugly duckling". I wanted a small bumper car, but didn't want to pay the prices that some are commanding these days! So I was up for a bit of project, and this ticks quite a few boxes. Firstly, it seems to have escaped 3 decades without being ruined. No crash history, no masses of rot, and no dodgy mods... Okay, the 90's maybe left their mark on this car with those smoked Hella rears, but otherwise it's just an honest car.

I was quite surprised when the seller told me it'd do the drive back home fine, and that I wouldn't need transport. After all, it may have a years MOT, but according to its history its barely moved in the last 10 years. So I was a little dubious, but I shouldn't have been. It was a lovely drive home, and although I promised myself (and my Mrs who was following me back) to take it easy, I couldn't help giving it a blast down some local backroads.

Currently the car is at a great storage place locally, so I dont have to worry about it sitting to rot again. Today I popped over to do a quick check over, and massive clean of the interior as it was a bit minging. So far I've found areas of rust in the rear wheel arches, and some surface rust in spots all over. Obviously theres mismatched paint, dents and other such things. The idea is to get the thing mechanically sound, and then send it for a full weld up and respray.

MK2 GTI by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Anyway, enough blabber. Thats my sad sad tale of inevitable financial ruin, I'll try keep this all updated as I go along.

 

[Bluebeard]

Prices of mk2's are climbing? Since when?!

I've been looking at them for ages and £2k will still get a really nice one.

 

[Poopensharten]

Nice one mate - the long term plan sounds good!

What are these, 130bhp? Rings a bell?

 

[Waitey]

It's MOT fails are errr interesting.

 

[Jason_E]

Prices of mk2's are climbing? Since when?!

I've been looking at them for ages and £2k will still get a really nice one.

Find me a nice one for £2k and I'll literally ring up and buy it right this second. £2,500 for a tatty one, upwards of £3500 for a semi good one, then into the stratosphere for "We've placed this one in a photostudio and written a 1000 essay for its advert" ones. This one was a lot less either way!

Examples for your lols sir:

Similar to mine, but better nick and modified:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mk2-Golf-GTI-8V-/162498728491?hash=item25d5add22b:g:0ugAAOSwT-FZBzjo

Another small bumper with fuel filler rust and no MOT and in Bradford:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-VOLK...447363?hash=item33cd955283:g:D~QAAOSwlndZBFJi

Here's what an 86 with 70k less are asking... FLOL
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-VOLK...030493?hash=item1a2a03a09d:g:5qAAAOSwOgdYtfak

Nice one mate - the long term plan sounds good!

What are these, 130bhp? Rings a bell?

It's an 8v so I believe about 115bhp, feels a lot more punchy than I thought and happily sat at 80mph+ with no quibbles. Totally hilarious levels of tripoding on tap too, ver chuckable. Then again, I guess it doesn't weigh much compared to most cars I'm used to.

It's MOT fails are errr interesting.

Absolutely terrifying. Then passed last month with no advisories, I'm guessing he had an MOT man like I do FLOL! Seems' to have been semi-restored by someone and had all the sills replaced. Had it up on the ramp today and underneath is solid thankfully! Just looks like a tatty b*****d everywhere else.

 

[Gally]

I have a brand new quarter panel for one of these.

Nice machine. Will be worth something once fixed at least!

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Looking forward to seeing this progress.

 

[Cub.]

Solid project IMO, and with the VAG scene you won't lose money on it if restored thoughtfully.

Good shout.

 

[General Dave]

Love a mk2 Golf, will be watching this :up:

 

[Mr R.]

I've had 2 Mk2 golf's in the pass.
My first was a red, 3 door big bumper car only the 8v

My 2nd was a one owner, 3 door F reg small bumper car in helious blue (the best colour in my mind) which I fitted a 2.0l 16v 9a engine to.

I always lusted after a big bumper oak green one though bit this colour always seems to ask a premium price though.

 

[Jason_E]

I've had 2 Mk2 golf's in the pass.
My first was a red, 3 door big bumper car only the 8v

My 2nd was a one owner, 3 door F reg small bumper car in helious blue (the best colour in my mind) which I fitted a 2.0l 16v 9a engine to.

I always lusted after a big bumper oak green one though bit this colour always seems to ask a premium price though.

Yep the Oak Green ones seem to be the one to have. Personally I prefer the small bumpers more retro look, but would live a big bumper too!

I've spent my lunch break on the phone to a good local bodywork guy, he's all booked up till November but given his reputation I may just wait for him! I've also managed to get a set of P-Slots (wheels, feel free to google) for a bargain price so picking them up tomorrow evening!

 

[Mr R.]

Couple of my old thing.

DSC00671 by Scott Raven, on Flickr

DSC00674 by Scott Raven, on Flickr


2.0l 16v but with the MK2 golf 16V inlet and fuel system.

DSC00677 by Scott Raven, on Flickr

 

[Jason_E]

Couple of my old thing.

Love that colour so much. Looked tidy too! Did you post that on here? Feel like I remember seeing it.

 

[Mr R.]

Love that colour so much. Looked tidy too! Did you post that on here? Feel like I remember seeing it.

Yes mate, i have.

It was okay, as i said it was a 1 owner car but had covered 198k but still drove mint. I bought it with a standard 1.8 8v engine which you know seem to go well for 115 bhp.

 

[Jason_E]

Yes mate, i have.

It was okay, as i said it was a 1 owner car but had covered 198k but still drove mint. I bought it with a standard 1.8 8v engine which you know seem to go well for 115 bhp.

Yeah they really do! Stupidly reliable as well as you say, mines on 175k and has barely done 1k in the last 10 years. Still sat at motorway speeds fine, and got off the line fairly quick for an old girl too. If I wasn't doing a full resto, I'd probably do the same engine swap you did with the addition of some ITB's or something.

 

[Slammed172]

Cool. Good buy.

I really want a MK1 Golf Gti or Mk2 Golf Gti with special engine in. Are you keeping stock engine?

Should just bite the bullet and buy one.

 

[Pep]

Me and a mate had what started out as a mint 3 door MK2 16v Oak Green, with factory electric recaro's and aircon!
We abused the s**t out of it at 15 on private roads at his uncles farm and it died a nasty death, such a shame looking back.

 

[Jason_E]

Cool. Good buy.

I really want a MK1 Golf Gti or Mk2 Golf Gti with special engine in. Are you keeping stock engine?

Should just bite the bullet and buy one.

Yep, trying to keep this 100% stock. Only changes will be period upgrades really! Really sad and nerdy I know...

Me and a mate had what started out as a mint 3 door MK2 16v Oak Green, with factory electric recaro's and aircon!
We abused the s**t out of it at 15 on private roads at his uncles farm and it died a nasty death, such a shame looking back.

Terrible. But tbf, a lot of MK2's got killed by the Scrappage scheme as well!

 

[Daz...]

Me and a mate had what started out as a mint 3 door MK2 16v Oak Green, with factory electric recaro's and aircon!
We abused the s**t out of it at 15 on private roads at his uncles farm and it died a nasty death, such a shame looking back.

Electric Recaros go for £1k+ now!

 

[Jekyll]

I love mk1s and mk2s. In fact, I'm starting to like the mk3s too but after that they all look dull and boring. That's probably due to these looking retro now.

Should be a cool little project.

 

[Jason_E]

Managed to get a bit of a bargain. Full set, £70. Went and collected them last night! They'll get a refurb to factory spec, and I'll try get the 2 missing centre caps replaced. They're rare and go for too much money, so I'll just draw them up in CAD and send them off to be made by someone probably!

 

[bashracing]

one of very few cars I haven't owned due to not liking them in the 90's-00's but having seen a couple recently I wouldn't mind a nice oak green,
funny how taste changes. That k-jet injection always worried me too.

 

[Jason_E]

Managed to get some work done on this over the weekend. Firstly, dropped those Smoked Hellas out for some standard Hellas. Much better

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

However, the bumper on the back is lol grey. I'm going to buy a new one once its resprayed, so for now I used a tin of halfords "Bumper paint" to bring it up a bit.

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Then went to a driving range with the mrs, so token Golf-at-Golf photo.

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Ordered a 1986 Golf Brochure off ebay, as well as a blank spare key lol. Not much I can do with it right now but just enjoy driving it, it really is an antidote to the M3. As much as the BMW is addictively fast, all the fun is had at very high speed and can be knackering after a day of hooning. The Golf however is so easy to take to the limit and beyond, its proper pure fun.

 

[Jason_E]

A few things have changed in the last few months, but the Golf laid fairly unchanged for some time.

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Since the last update, I've had a few areas of rust sorted out. Mainly those around the rear floor, and rear arches. They didn't warrant as much repair as first thought, and overall the shell is more solid than I was budgeting for which is nice!

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

I've also taken the effort of fitting a fairly period correct radio, although a little bit too late its better than a gap and plays cassettes yo!

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

On Monday however, the car took its big step into the bodyshop! As I drove it out of storage, I had to get some snaps with its D plated friend (The Cossie) and my 2 month old GTI!

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Currently, it looks like this. Some more rust repair at the bottom of the A pillar and around the windscreen, and a few scabs on the front arch too. Also, look at all that filler in the door! Guess we're going to find out what lurks beneath (Financial ruin, probably).

Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

 

[davo172]

Cossie is p**n !
Moonstone is full of win!

 

[koi]

Love these projects, glad to hear it's staying mainly stock too

 

[Ian_182]

All I could see in that pic is the cossie, is it yours @Jason_E its a lovely thing.

 

[c4pob]

Great little project. Hope things aren't too bad once the filler is removed!

 

[davo172]

A few things have changed in the last few months, but the Golf laid fairly unchanged for some time.

View attachment 1346094Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Since the last update, I've had a few areas of rust sorted out. Mainly those around the rear floor, and rear arches. They didn't warrant as much repair as first thought, and overall the shell is more solid than I was budgeting for which is nice!

View attachment 1346095Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

View attachment 1346096Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

View attachment 1346097Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

I've also taken the effort of fitting a fairly period correct radio, although a little bit too late its better than a gap and plays cassettes yo!

View attachment 1346098Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

On Monday however, the car took its big step into the bodyshop! As I drove it out of storage, I had to get some snaps with its D plated friend (The Cossie) and my 2 month old GTI!

View attachment 1346099Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

View attachment 1346100Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

View attachment 1346101Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Currently, it looks like this. Some more rust repair at the bottom of the A pillar and around the windscreen, and a few scabs on the front arch too. Also, look at all that filler in the door! Guess we're going to find out what lurks beneath (Financial ruin, probably).

View attachment 1346102Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

How are you getting on with the new GTI?

 

[Jason_E]

All I could see in that pic is the cossie, is it yours @Jason_E its a lovely thing.

Unfortunately not, just happens to be the same year as my Golf and kept at the same storage place!

Great little project. Hope things aren't too bad once the filler is removed!

You and me both mate!

How are you getting on with the new GTI?

Absolutely love it. It's everything I love about GTIs, just with a load more tech thrown at it. Done way too many miles in it already! But it beats driving an old shitter to work.

 

[cat171]

This is properly cool! I saw one on BBS's parked next to an E36 M3 in a petrol station last night.

BTW, that dudes Cossie looks ace!!

 

[Ian_182]

Good luck with the resto, I hope it doesn't throw up to many problems.

 

[Jason_E]

Golf should be out of the paintshop next week, now having a bit of a nightmare trying to find someone that will refurb steel wheels. After thats done, shes pretty much there.

To add to the fun, I ended up driving to north Norfolk yesterday for one part! Too awkward to post, and theyre thin on the ground so needs must (Gutter rail). Handily my MK7.5 provided a good comfy parts van for the trip. As for stuff ordered new from VW Heritage, well, I'd think twice in the future. Parcel one ended up in Glasgow for some reason, and when it did finally arrive the quality of the plastics was so shocking my paint guy just refurbed my old ones. Package two was a windscreen, which arrived smashed on Friday. They say a new one will be here on Monday.... I hope so.

 

[super_ted]

Nice project, will be following this.
Currently thinking of selling my mk1 to get a mk2.

 

[Jason_E]

Nice project, will be following this.
Currently thinking of selling my mk1 to get a mk2.

As much as I loved my old MK1 Driver, they are a bit of a buzz box. Its remarkable how much more solid and refined the MK2 is! You can actually daily it, it'll sit at 90mph without blowing your ears out (or trying to kill you..)

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Parcel one ended up in Glasgow for some reason, and when it did finally arrive the quality of the plastics was so shocking my paint guy just refurbed my old ones. Package two was a windscreen, which arrived smashed on Friday. They say a new one will be here on Monday.... I hope so.

Amazing! What was the windscreen wrapped in, paper? why would they not package anything up properly.

 

[Jason_E]

Amazing! What was the windscreen wrapped in, paper? why would they not package anything up properly.

No idea. From what I’m told it arrived like a box of cereal.

Car is now done anyway, collection tonight and then I’ll finish it off over winter if I ever get time from work! Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BIFCAIDS]

No idea. From what I’m told it arrived like a box of cereal.

Car is now done anyway, collection tonight and then I’ll finish it off over winter if I ever get time from work! Lol

I look forward to seeing pictures of it bud.

 

[Gally]

Exciting times mate! Looking forward to seeing it finished!

 

[Coops Mk1]

looking forward to pics and was it financial ruin in the end?!!!lol!