Mk1 Polo Project

[tommmineh]

Well, I decided it was time to get a project car :) After much messing about with another Mk1 I was supposed to be getting, I spotted this baby on Friday, went to see it Saturday, and it arrived on Sunday :D

It's a Mars Red 1977 Polo N

895cc baby!

It's pretty straight, I beieve it's done 101k- It's had new sills and some welding on the floor, and a little on the front valance, but it is 30 years old! The roof, bonnet, boot and rear panels are mint. The fuel filler looks good, an initially so does most of the underneath but I'll no more tomorrow when I can get a proper look.

It has loads of history! and by the looks of things, the first lady owner kept it for 21 years! and has since only changed hands a few times. I have tons of receipts and MOT certificates, and what I think is the original Audi branded spare key B) original spare wheel etc

So here are some pics...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030131.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030161.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030179.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030197.jpg

It will be mine and my brother's project, not set on the plans yet, though a general tart up and slam is most probable. The stripping has commenced, all the interior is removed so far bar the headlining and dash, and tomorrow I need to take the towbar off aswell!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030202.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00144.jpg

Also 'big-up' to Lee @ easymoverecovery.co.uk who sorted me out at late notice for a very competetive price! I would defo recommend him, he's from the Notts area.

Thoughts appreciated folks....

[tommmineh]

:( Well nobody seems interested, could be in a more active section I guess.....anyways....

Got it running last night :D

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030207-1.jpg

Also got the dash out, just the headlining and the loom now and we're all done inside

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030214.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030216.jpg

And as determined as it was to stay on there, we got the towbar off :D

[UncleFester]

Slam and euro clean look :)

[MagicFR]

engine plans?

[Don]

Cool - please keep us up to date. I love these projects, and seeing what goes on.

[tommmineh]

Yay!

UncleFester- got in one mate, albeit with a bit of a twist ;)

Magic FR- I'm not sure, if I can pick up something easy to fit cheap enough it will get stuck in. I'm not totally against the idea of keeping the engine for the summer and then concentrating on that next winter. I dont have a desire to go incredibly fast, I just like the quirkiness of the car.

Don- will do!

[andyj]

keep the pics coming mate, always good to see a resto project on the go.... gives me something to read when I'm eating my sarnies at lunchtime !!! ;)

[Brummy]

nice one fella. keep us updated as you go..:)

[T. Spark]

You will have to bring it out to play if its road worthy in the summer matey.

[tommmineh]

It'll be road worthy by the summer. That's the plan anyway :whistle:

[nogutsnoglory]

Nice project mate, look forward to reading about its progress :)

[browno]

Looks like a good project car, and will be interesting to see how it goes - in fact for a 30 year old motor it looks in incredibly good nick before you've started!

[Rosco906]

nice 1 mate

whats engine plans

[tommmineh]

nice 1 mate

whats engine plans

:p

I'm not sure, if I can pick up something easy to fit cheap enough it will get stuck in. I'm not totally against the idea of keeping the engine for the summer and then concentrating on that next winter. I dont have a desire to go incredibly fast, I just like the quirkiness of the car.

Contemplating something slightly larger if it's feasible enough. Got a mate coming over at the w/e to have a good looky. He knows way more than I do!

[tommmineh]

Got it almost almost completely stripped inside bar the loom and the mega stuck-on (fireproofing :blink:) crap around around the pedals. I have no clue what it's called

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00152.jpg

[Tom B]

Nice one! I feel bad for not seeing this thread earlier, seeing as I've had a fair few Polos in my time!

So what are your plans? GT or G40 lump? ;)

[gazjones]

good looking project mate but you know you want a 20vt in there or 2lt 16v lol it will shift then lol
keep us up to date

[Tom B]

Nah, both of those engines are way too much for a little car like this, a tuned 1.3 G40 lump makes 180bhp and will upset a hell of a lot of cars. Oh and it slots in! :D

[gazjones]

yea good point they might rip the car apart but tuned g40 sounds interesting

[tommmineh]

Yeah it would need some serious reinforcement for a big power engine!

G40 would be amazing! Realistically I'm looking at a GT though, I think this is quite easily possible, and they're much readily available than G's! Will be enough power and I don't have a need to go incredibley fast (or so I keep telling myself :rolleyes:)

Will know more next week after I've had a chat to my mech mate- I'm going to give it a good going over underneath and makesure the rot aint too bad over the w/e. Majorly in need of some new wings though, passenger side atleast.

It shouldn't be too heavy when it's completed. I'll be adding some tasteful ICE but binning the back seats. I need to stop getting carried away as the interior is seriously lush in my head. Gotta sort something for upfront out to keep it in balance though ;)

Next bits to buy are panels and mechanical really, I have half the interior sorted already. Got a mate who welds so hopefully he can take a looky next week. Then it's planning the interior before the body prep :D Really loving it so far!

[Tom B]

I had a MK3 Polo GT last winter, and I found the GT lump very nippy, especially for a 1.3. I even had a guy in a 205 GTI stop me and ask what I'd done to it - it was standard! :D

Are you joining any of the Polo sites? I moderate www.uk-polos.net when I'm not on here.

[tommmineh]

Nice, I'd like to GT it as they're quite readily available. Will have to see what the mech says though...

I'm on ClubPolo... Will get on UK over the w/e :thumbup:

[Fl@pper]

looooking sweet

keep the pics coming

[jenk]

Great project , remember seeing a blue one in PVW with a 1.4 16v.....mega nice. Im thinking of getting a mk3 at some point.

[tommmineh]

Yeah that dutch(?) baby blue in pvw a year ago, really nice!

[jenk]

Yeah that dutch(?) baby blue in pvw a year ago, really nice!

Thats the one dude, the old timer ;)

[shefflad]

looking good mate :)

[tommmineh]

Right, well I've pretty much guaranteed me a GT engine and all the parts for the conversion :D Last week has been mostly spent getting loads of free advice about the job, the 'scene' (don't like to use that word) is awesome, great how many people are genuinely interested to help out.

Hopefully this weekend I can get her propped up and start cleaning and rust-treating the underside, then onto the welding!. Hopefully in a couple of weeks we can take the engine out when my mate's crane is available.

Only a small update. Interior is goin to be a little different than the norm ;) Lots of 'customisation' still to be done though. And no, it won't be stripped out, bit more towards the other end of the scale [B)]

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00002.jpg

[tommmineh]

Standard (read: fooked) interior for comparison

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/P1030150.jpg

[tommmineh]

Didn't have alot of time over the weekend... but there's no more panels to come off now! Hot air gun is proving to be a God-send

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00028.jpg

[Tom B]

Looking good! Do I spy G40 brakes? They look vented to me!

Did you get the bits from Pettsy?

[C11PRA DC]

You've got to keep that wooden dash!!

[jenk]

Keep the pics etc coming. Makes me want a project even more seing this....... makes me want that garage aswell :cry:

[tommmineh]

Looking good! Do I spy G40 brakes? They look vented to me!

Did you get the bits from Pettsy?

I think they're golf GTI calipers, something like that (can't remember what prev owner told me), but yeah, grooved/vented black diamond discs.

Yeah i'm sorted with Pettsy, GT here I come! :D

You've got to keep that wooden dash!!

Dude, that aint wood, not even close, it's a horrible plastic type thing. The dash is staying but the 'wood' isnt!

Keep the pics etc coming. Makes me want a project even more seing this....... makes me want that garage aswell :cry:

Until recently I never thought I'd be able to have a project, change in circumstance has enabled me to and I'm proper loving it! LOL the garage looks good but the car & bits must be kept covered, it leaks pretty bad!

[rashcupra]

wicked looking project mate! keep the pics coming! id love to start a project when i get my own gaff a mk2 golf or a polo or somthing like that. im so jelous!

[shefflad]

have the clocks been changed from the originals, they look more modern than like those on mk2 golfs and mk3 polo's where they use little led's lit up for things..

[tommmineh]

Nope pretty sure they haven't. The cluster surround is unique to mk1 polos and everything looks like it says it should in the Haynes (absolute god-send that book!)

I can be 100% later on it as I'm going to take the surround apart for a minor repair and plan some updating to it!

Hopefully the engine will be coming out this weekend :D

[jenk]

Your a nasty man, iv started clearing my garage out :lol:

[tommmineh]

:happy: u know it makes sense

[shefflad]

any more pics? or updates?

[Georgel]

Awesome I love old projects like this. :D

[tommmineh]

Well yesterday we got a bit done on it. All the glass is out now, and the engine is almost ready to come out but we didnt have the tool for the driveshafts :doh:

(sorry for phone pics)

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00046.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00052.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00048.jpg

a bit of the rust! mostly surface here, worst bit though is the battery tray
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00049.jpg

plenty more of this to come :headhurt:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00050.jpg

slowly building up the parts heap!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00047.jpg

Hopefully tomorrow we can get the rear suspension off and finish scraping down the inner wings/arches

Comments welcome!

[gazjones]

i wish i had a garage that big!!!!!!! and your getting on with it pretty quick

[jenk]

Do you live on a farm or something?

Looking very bare now

[tommmineh]

Something like that yeah!

[tommmineh]

not much left to go now...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00065.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00067.jpg

[Georgel]

Get it all seam welded and painted up. Then we can really see its transformation. :D

[basstard]

how comes I missed this thread for so long????

This project seems very cool, tbh it's the first time I see an mk1 polo project,,,
It's unbelievable the state the car is after 30 years!

please keep the pics coming, I'm very interested [and yes, me too I wish I had a bigger garage,,,]

[rashcupra]

coming along nicely matey! as said keep the picscoming i love these projects!!!!

[shefflad]

wow keep the pics coming :)

[jenk]

Anywork done over the bank holiday weekend?

[shefflad]

any new pics to show us?

[tommmineh]

Progress has been a little slow lately, more pics later tonight though!

Anywork done over the bank holiday weekend?

lol i dont even think i took the cover off it, bank hols are for getting mashed! :headhurt:

[tommmineh]

OK, last weekend I went to get the GT engine/box/loom...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00084.jpg

And then last night we got all pikey on it :blink: I aint scared!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00085.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00091.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00090.jpg

[m0rk]

what's with the camo net? are you al-queda?

but just wondering why you've rolled it (or is it because like me you get bored & do stuff like that)

[UncleFester]

Heh like it - coming along nicely that. I hope that's a good mattress, a 1977 car needs a good rest!

Edit: is the camo net to stop bird shit from hitting you and the car?

[basstard]

I guess that rocker cover need a bit of polishing,,,

[sssstew]

i saw a MK1 on the road this morning, gold one didnt look too nice, but a rare sight now and when i saw it i thought of your project.....

[corradophil]

Cool project, my first car was a 78 T reg Mars Red Polo L with the 895cc HA engine. Mine had chrome bumpers, and I loweed it on Mk1 Golf GTI 9 spokes, unfortunately I wrote it off about 11 years ago.

I still miss it, my mum had owned it from new, and when I got it, it had only done about 29k miles.

[tommmineh]

what's with the camo net? are you al-queda?

but just wondering why you've rolled it (or is it because like me you get bored & do stuff like that)

Shhhhhhhh.... yes i'm al-queda!

We rolled it mainly to check out the rust situation underneath, to weld, and to grind the rest back and reseal. Though yes I admit, I was slightly bored :whistle: The shell is so light I couldnt resist!

Heh like it - coming along nicely that. I hope that's a good mattress, a 1977 car needs a good rest!

Edit: is the camo net to stop bird shit from hitting you and the car?

My brother put the camo net up ages ago before the car was bought, though actually it does act as a sort of safety net from things dropping through/from the roof!

I guess that rocker cover need a bit of polishing,,,

Ofcourse!!

i saw a MK1 on the road this morning, gold one didnt look too nice, but a rare sight now and when i saw it i thought of your project.....

Awesome, I've never seen another on the roads! I do like that gold colour they came in.

Cool project, my first car was a 78 T reg Mars Red Polo L with the 895cc HA engine. Mine had chrome bumpers, and I loweed it on Mk1 Golf GTI 9 spokes, unfortunately I wrote it off about 11 years ago.

I still miss it, my mum had owned it from new, and when I got it, it had only done about 29k miles.

Quality! sadly mine wont be staying mars red....

[sssstew]

Awesome, I've never seen another on the roads! I do like that gold colour they came in.


used to see more of them when i started driving, but in the last 5 years i dont think *** seen any apart from the gold one. I used to live in devon where they make cars last longer and dont like new clean cars so the older cars were kept going longer.

[tommmineh]

Yeah this 1 lived down in Exeter with the first lady owner for the first 20 years or so of it's life!

[tommmineh]

Spent all Sunday and a bit of tonight heating, scraping and giving it a good seeing to with a wire brush drill attachment. Good (or possibly bad!) to see what's actually going on underneath! Welding will comence ASAP

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/Copy-1-of-DSC00099.jpg
(done more since photo)

Worst of it all....

battery tray (knew about this already but just thought i'd photograph it :blink: )
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/Copy-1-of-DSC00100.jpg

passenger floor
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00102.jpg

wheel well
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00103.jpg

rear valance
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00104.jpg

payday = panels ordering :rolleyes:

floor panel
battery tray
front/rear valances
inner front wings maybe

still after the elusive front wings [:@]

[reedbradshaw]

well smart cant wait to see colour - engine - interior nice to see you making a proper job of it not just stickin engine and calling it a day. going to be worth a lot once its done i bet but i suppose you cant put a price on all the time you will eventually have put in to it ! anyways its 5 to 5 so im off for a sh it then off home in beeza ;)

[tommmineh]

thanks mate, the amount of time put into it already is quite silly. fookin ridiculous amount left to do though!

Underside and arches are now completely clean, I've started gathering parts and I'm going to pick up a floorpan and spare wheel well tomorrow. Got a mate coming over Saturday to start welding then once that's done it's all systems go!

Also started cleaning the GT engine up, gearbox is lookin nice n shiny!

[reedbradshaw]

sounds good ! yuou think it would be quicker than your 1.2 beeza ?

[basstard]

I would deffo think so,,, it's much much lighter after all,,,

[rashcupra]

coming along nicely mate gonna need even more pannels if you lean it against the wall :lol:

[tommmineh]

There is a cushion between the sofa and wall! :rolleyes:

Yes it'll be quicker than the ibiza. GT engine is 75bhp standard and the car will weigh about 750kg :D

[basstard]

100hp per tonne ain't that bad,,,

[Tom B]

My MK3 GT would keep up with a lot of things, they're so light!

[gazjones]

just to put it into perspective fr20vt is 120 bhp per ton saxo vtr is 100bhp per ton so you can go chav hunting and piss them off as well :lol:

[Aimez]

this is cool!! reminds me of when a mate 'attempted' to restore a mk1 fiesta with 28,000 on clock and he stored it at my place so i got interested. He gave up and some twatt from Essex has it now and hasnt done anything really in over a year!
I hope the project gets seen through sounds like you know a few handy people to help you along so im sure you will.

[tommmineh]

Well finally got started on the prep and welding.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00148.jpg

Drilled the spare wheel well out as there are loads of holes in it and currently prepping a straight one to go in.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00162.jpg
(awful camera phone pics, i'm sorry)

Also got polo mk3 bits to update it a little chassis-wise- rear beam with arb and drums, mc & servo, struts & steering rack which enable it to run mk3 shocks and springs. They're all getting cleaned up and repainted. The car already has mk3 g40 brakes on so alltogether it'll brake a little better. Still not great though.

Full steam ahead on prepping the underneath now

[reedbradshaw]

get a air brake like the merc mclaren f1 !

o and lambo doors ;)

[reedbradshaw]

any more pics / progress reports ? ? ?

[tommmineh]

:blink:

Haven't been on here properly in a while, spending most my nights working on the car till silly o'clock! Entire underneath is welded, sealed, rustproofed and painted and looks sweet if i dare say so my self. Got lots of suspension parts painted and the fuel tank ready to go on. Currently trying to get my head round the fuellig as I'm running a mk3 GT pump (mk1 had nowt) and also my mat ehas been stripping the new engine for a rebuild, anyway some pics

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00186.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC02954.jpg

this is tomorrows task!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/IMG_0005.jpg

then its roll it back over time :funk::funk::funk:

[Georgel]

lol, thats one way of painting the underneath! :) Good work.

[basstard]

I thought you already got bored and stopped!! Passion is a great thing,,, passion for DIY is even better!

Good job, keep us updated please!

[tommmineh]

Hell no! passion is there... time & money are struggling though!

[myseatcupra]

whats going on now then?

[rashcupra]

nice progress matey looking good!

[mixupz]

NICE ONE MATEY>...... wish i had a garage that big!

[rashcupra]

any more updates on this bad boy dub
its been a while so would be GREAT TO SEE what youve been up to :)!

[myseatcupra]

yeah come on!!!!!!!!

[myseatcupra]

talking of updates where's your rash:p

[rashcupra]

:whistle: wait for this weekend

this thread inspired me to get a dub :funk:

[myseatcupra]

hang on, didnt you say you were waiting for the weekend last time lol

[rashcupra]

yer was but weather rouend it! :cry: i have a garage but not enough space to work in only store it but if i had a garage like this 1 id be working on it now ripping interior suspension and electrics apart! ive arranged the painter to come round this weekend so will be taking alot of shape soon as ive hit a very slow part of my project

hope to see this vw polo welded up all shell repaired ect resprayed and now on the rebuild process ;)

[tommmineh]

Haha I stumbled back across this thread searching for 'mk1 polo' on google :happy:

Haven't been on here in ages, my brother has driven the Ibiza for the last 6 months after he passed his test, so I bought this.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/loon-1.jpg

For £50 with no MOT/tax :funk: Flew through with only 1 advisory for a chip in the screen. Then I slammed it, put decent tyres on the p-slots and have just done service bits since and it's never let me down :) proper enjoying old, simple motoring.

So the mk1...

Spent most of the summer on it, bit of a change of plan as that was once when it should have been ready! Decided to do it 'properly' after going to such an extent on the underneath. I'll let pics do some talking.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC00389.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/New-005-1.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/New-018.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/New-016.jpg

[tommmineh]

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/New-012.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/bay.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/30122007218.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/30122007220.jpg

I moved up to Edinburgh to uni in September so progress has been really slow lately, I sealed and primered the floors at Xmas. I've bought a couple of parts, notably a NOS genuine wing (seriously rare) for £25 :funk: and this

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/dsc00038sa1.jpg

Aiming to make close to 100bhp with some other engine mods

[UncleFester]

That's coming along really nicely! Love the runaround :)

[rashcupra]

£50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you lucky bugger! and it looks MINT AS!

nice work on the polo! GLAD TO SEE SOME UPDATES!

keep up the good work.

[Georgel]

I like the polo coupe, the pirelli p's look nice too. Really suit it.

[Aimez]

looking good what you doing on it next?

[basstard]

proper job,,, hats off to you, keep us posted

[mixupz]

Updates maybe???? :cry:

[mhill]

Any updates?

[Tom B]

That 3F engine can't still be lying around can it?

If it is, get it in the MK2, then swap it into the MK1 when you're done! :D

[tommmineh]

Just dropping in again to update you lot.... ;)

Nearly all the welding inside is done, although got a few holes to plate up in the bulkhead. Going to be having a super smooth engine bay, battery, fusebox, washer tank all relocated out of sight. Heater and coolant tank deleted aswell. I've got a replacement front panel from germany so as soon as thats off I'm going to spend a few days on the engine back getting it right and then weld the new panel on.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/16022008331.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/18022008335.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/19022008338.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/19022008342.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/10032008425.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/10032008427.jpg

battery tray

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/11032008433.jpg

Tom - Yeah the 3F is still around, albeit being split and sold at the moment :) The thought had crossed my mind about dropping it into the mk2, but to be honest the little time I spend at home needs to be on the mk1!

Now going to be running a 1400 instead [B)] I am after the ABD engine, found in early mk2 ibiza's, I've put a wanted post up but would appreciate it if anyone knows of one (also found in early mk3 golfs).

[tommmineh]

More pics... brought some stuff up to uni to be getting on with.

Wiring loom

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/21022008347.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/23022008388.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/10032008429.jpg

Started polishing the manifold, proper pain in the ass of a job!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/IMG_1232.jpg

[Guinness]

looks good mate keep up the good work, cant wait to see it piece together

[rashcupra]

nice work!

[UncleFester]

"are you coming out on the town tonight mate?"

"no - i'm doing a little wiring job"

Nice to see things are still coming along :)

[Aimez]

looks like hard work but keep it up! Keep us posted!

[Tom B]

Keep the head, injection, etc from the GT, then stick it on the ABD bottom end - 90bhp apparently!

One of my friends has just scrapped an ABD Golf, but its down in Northampton

[The Beltsander]

Good project mate,
I love the old school VWs

[basstard]

looks nicer and nicer,,, don't know if it's been posted before but have you got any plans for the alloys? [ok, maybe it's early yet,,, :D]

I also see a nice music man bass in the wiring loom pic,,, what's that? a sterling or a sting ray?

[tommmineh]

Thanks for all the comments people :)

Keep the head, injection, etc from the GT, then stick it on the ABD bottom end - 90bhp apparently!

One of my friends has just scrapped an ABD Golf, but its down in Northampton

Bummer, I'm going to have a search round the scrappys round here on my Easter break, but will bare that in mind as Northampton aint too far away.

Twin 40s... bye bye GT injection ;)

I had planned to get an ABD bottom end, but the heads on the ABD and 3F are identical, so thought why not find a nicely running ABD lump and drop it straight in, I'm trying to cut down on a few things (like full engine rebuild) so I can actually finish the thing for the summer (financially and time-wise).

I will be using the GT cam though :)

looks nicer and nicer,,, don't know if it's been posted before but have you got any plans for the alloys? [ok, maybe it's early yet,,, :D]

I also see a nice music man bass in the wiring loom pic,,, what's that? a sterling or a sting ray?

It's a stingray mate, if you cast your mind back a year or so we had a thread on here about guitars and I posted it up there. You play too don't you? Ibanez...?

For alloys I'm going to be running wide 13s or 14s, hopefully splits. I have some ideas about what I want but I daren't start properly looking yet as I'll find some I have to buy and can't afford!

[Georgel]

Twin 40 "carbs" going on?

[tommmineh]

http://i12.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/e0/ca/fd8f_1.JPG

Yup just bought em off ebay tonight :) Will be receiving the mandatory clean, service and polish!

[Fl@pper]

should have said - just cut 2 in half for a throttle body design

already been cleaned and polished - would have been an ideal swap :)

[basstard]

CARBS!! :drool:

It's a stingray mate, if you cast your mind back a year or so we had a thread on here about guitars and I posted it up there. You play too don't you? Ibanez...?

I remember more than a thread about guitars/basses,,,

I got a few of the stuff,,, a cheap yamaha-like wooden lump [first bass], a cheap Ibanez RG-270 guitar for house riffage/demoing/quick recordings, a 1963 Hofner 173 guitar [it really has a sould and when you play it, it plays along with you :D] a modified ESP LTD F-205 bass with an EMG 40DC and an EMG HZ [hybrid active-passive setup] which got spanked by my friend's music man sterling which I helped changing the pickup for a SD basslines series one,,, that thing really humiliated my mahogany LTD so I decided to buy another LTD, this time it's an SM-405 but it's made outta swamp ash [like the sterling] and maple, it's neckthru and stringthru and comes already loaded with all active EMGs,,, I'm still waitin for it to come to my house,,,

back on topic, I'd suggest, if you gotta rebuild the engine [I know you'd prefer not to,,,] get the head properly done and lighten the flywheel so to make the engine a lil more revvy,,, it is good and avisable to take the time and effort to take each engine to its best shape, something you'll never have with the engines comin outta the factory,,,

[tommmineh]

Hey Carlo, sounds like a nice little collection. About all else I have is a Squire P-Bass which was my 1st. My dad and brother are big into guitars with about 20 between them, Dad has some really nice 60s and 70s Gibson semi-acoustics which just sound awesome.

Engine wise I totally appreciate what you're saying about doing the head. I plan to lighten the flywheel, but can't justify the cost of doing the head. I know I should and especially with having 40s :( But the cost of building this car is getting pretty big, especially me being a student. The list of stuff left to buy includes wheels and tyres, interior retrim, exhaust, paint supplies, complete braking system rebuild cry: engine and clutch service. And have all the suspension components, engine mounts, caliper, fan shroud etc blasted and powdercoated in a contrasting colour to the car.
I daren't even add up the total of this lot :blink:

I like to think of it a bit more as a rolling project, there's no way in hell I'm going to sell it so next winter can wait for more serious upgrades, fully rebuilt engine, cam, wishbone conversion, coilovers etc etc. I just want to drive the damn thing this summer!

Anyways enough rambling. A bit of my inspiration....

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6770/vagfest085jz3.jpg

http://users.pandora.be/buuntje/fotoshoot/1.JPG

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f215/specialredtrain/8359.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/yousafn/mk1polobluelow.jpg

[Aimez]

wow that's amazing completly mint!

[basstard]

I also build amps mate, it's great fun,,, I built a mesa boogie dual rectifier guitar preamp and now I'm about to finish a bogner ecstasy replica,,,
Next thing I'm gonna try something for my bass,,,


http://users.pandora.be/buuntje/fotoshoot/1.JPG


This one looks stunning! I'd just go for non-black wheels and that would be it,,,

I also like the engine shot, nice strut bar job with the weldings on the chassis and stunning polishin job of the rocker cover! Yours with the polished carbs will look even cooler,,, and yes, take your time with everything, you rush it, you ruin it,,,

[Tom B]

I have many other inspiring MK1 Polo pics, but I have no time to upload them! Shame!

Personally, my favourite Mk1 was actually an Audi 50, it was grey metallic (same shade as that MK1 TT Grey, but metallic) with chrome bumpers and them 4 spoke wheels with painted centres and a polished lip. The timestamp on the pic says 2003 and it was German so I guess its changed a lot since then :)

[tommmineh]

Howdy folks, thought I'd drop in as I'm just about finished with uni work so finally got my free time. The Ibiza is still in the family, my brothers put about 25k on it since July, and I gave it him with about 60k on it, hard to belive we bought it at just 16k! It's for sale soon though if anyone's interested? I'll no doubt stick a for sale thread up on here.

Anyhow, thought I'd updated since last time but appears not, so....

Boring stuff first, all the wiring is sorted and ready to be wrapped. Worked out exactly how much I need to extend the bits I need to so that'll be getting ordered soon.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/07042008093.jpg

More excitingly, I have a new engine! After all this talk of sticking a 1400 bottom end on my GT head, I saw a low-mileage GT head with 1.4 bottom end and GT box for sale. Recently built and made some very healthy power figures with its previous bike carb and uprated cam setup. So that got bought and picked up in the boot of my mk2 loon. Old engine got split and sold and I've near enough made my money back, which is nice.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC03172.jpg

Would have been rude not to test fit it with the other bits.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0269.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0220.jpg

:funk:

Also over Easter we had a major clearout in the barn where I keep my car. Also fixed the power so we don't have to keep using a extension reel from the house :rolleyes: Got some racking to keep all the parts on (already filled 2 stables with stuff) Did all this mainly so I could let me friends use it to restore their cars, firstly, a 1957 beetle.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/-29032008020.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/-30032008041.jpg

[tommmineh]

Secondy, a 1979 VW Derby (basically a mk1 polo with a boot [B)])

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/24042008150.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a66/chrissyngai/29042008171.jpg

That ones now rolled over like mine was, its in a really bad state, most would've towed it straight to the yard, but we're gonna turn it into a beast. G40? :yes:

ANYWAYS, back to my mk1, mainly been concetrating on the bodywork to get it ready for some primer, so we welded that plate up that I was test fitting last time.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0196.jpg

Repairing the rear corner...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/05042008085.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0183.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a66/chrissyngai/DSC01216.jpg

New rear valance

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/23052008230.jpg

[tommmineh]

To the front... inner wings were in a really bad way, so got crafty with the sheet metal and made some new ones.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/21032008458.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/21032008457.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC03165.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC03167.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0209.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0205.jpg

Really happy with how these turned out

More panel making, the corner of the scuttle tray was pretty rotten, I'd actually done a half-decent fibreglass(!!!) repair last year. Thought I may aswell do it properly though.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/01042008055.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/01042008057.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/21052008225rep.jpg

(see note left by my mate :happy:)

[tommmineh]

And into the bay.... I'm going for a fairly smoothed look with alot of things deleted, so a per my rewiring we plated up the fusebox holes

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/DSC_0175.jpg

I then proceeded to grind all the bay back to bare metal and apply high build etch primer, especially good for finding imperfections.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/02042008058.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/04042008078.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/02042008074.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/04042008075.jpg

Couldn't help but stick my engine (with new aluminium-to-be-polished rocker) to get an idea what things would look like.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/02042008071.jpg

Also got a replacement front valance for an extortionate amount of money from german ebay, so test fitted that.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/02042008071.jpg

Going to finish all the work in the bay, chassis leg strengthening and hole plating before we weld that on.

Inner wings have also been ground back and re-done in zinc primer.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/23052008228.jpg

Getting closer to primer with the hole car now. I couldn't help but lay some down on the back quarter. I'm going to be so excited when its all in primer and not that damn red anymore!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/tommineh/21052008224.jpg

That's about it for now! I'm back home for good in a week or so and will be working hard at it and hard at trying to finance it. My aim is for it to be done for Edition 38 :)

[mixupz]

:thumbup:

[rashcupra]

great work mate!

[Reuvers]

How is it that today is the first time I see this thread??? It really looks great. Can't wait to see when its painted. Thats when I really saw how cracking rash cupra's golf was. I also understand why he is taking so much interest in this...similar yet different....

All in all can;t wait to see the new bits, pieces, paint, wheels, engine and all else that is still coming!
great project

(same goes for you again Rash!)

[Aimez]

nice to see an update on this car thought you might have jacked it in! Keep up the good work!!

[karlosR]

i've only just stumbled across this thread too. there has been some hard work gone into it so far. you've done a cracking job mate, i hope you keep the standards as high all the way through the project. if you do then you'll have something very special when you've finished!

[black04ctdi]

I know this is old now, but did this ever get finished? I need to see the end result!

[digby130?]

just found this thread!!
looks amazing what you've done!
any new progress?
and i wish i had a drive, let alone a garage!!! :P