Bit less than 160k on it Was rebuilt in 2015 at about 152k by Chris Umpleby VW Specialist Rebuild included new pistons and rings Pretty much brand new alternator Brand new metering head lines
Feel the pain. My headlining is starting to go. But the last time I took one out was my old 8v and it shattered into about a billion pieces so I’m a bit concerned about tackling it again!
Can be a long road sometimes, but it’s worth it. What does it need to get going again? It’s easy to lose the enthusiasm when it’s off the road for a long time, I’ve been there!
After the ravaging success that was my front bumper respray I’ve decided to do the same with my side trim. A few them seem a bit bent out of shape, so bend away from the door a little, even when they’ve got all the clips.
I could try and tiger seal them on, but that’s probably a last resort. Thought about getting a heat gun, heat it up and try and bend it back?
Anyone done something similar? They are original VW so I’d rather salvage them then buy some copies
Done 15, 16 and 17. Think a good 15 with a meaty tyre looks best. 17s with rubber band tyres is just about the worst ride in the history of rides, also feels like steering a boat even with PAS! 16s are fine but tyres seem to be a bit pricey.
All can look good though. Remember an old Oaky on 17 TH2's I think it was. Looked amazing. On a poster. On IG. Probably didn't drive that great though
I bloody love a BBM Mk2! One of the best colours easily. Tastey power plant too, always fancied doing a swap myself. Do you know what front splitter it is your running? Seems a bit deeper/flatter than mine and I dig it.
Progress was slow. But I started to get what I needed. New AP Racing Coilovers, a Jetex exhaust, new Black Diamond Discs & Pads, new fuel lines, new fuel filter.. and finally, something like 3 years after buying them I had my RZ's refurbed:
Also fitted braided fuel hoses and Eibach front and rear ARB's. But then a nasty little bodge was found in the sill:
It didn't have skirts when I bought it so seemed fine. 5 years later the poor repair was in a real state and needed sorting
All the crap cut out and a new plate welded in, then painted over to stop it rusting (again)
Wasn't sure what to do with the front end. Love the single lamp, but I also like the quad setup. Thought about putting on my old Rallye front end that I've held onto for years. In the end decided to go quad lamp, bought what looked a good grill on eBay but it ended up getting damaged in the post
Annoying but seller refunded some cash so it wasn't a waste. Decided to fit it anyway and got hold of a uprated headlamp loom to fit too because I'd got used to head lights that actually worked so felt like it was worth doing.
Rear bumper was in a bit of a state so decided to get that repainted, not sure what it is but quite liked it with no rear bumper
Quad lamp on, got a new GTI 16v badge from VW Heritage whilst I was at it
Just before Christmas 2019 it was MOT'd! Legal and driving well for the first time in years. I was really happy to have it back and looking forward to getting back out to some shows
Finally my rear bumper didn't have paint falling off it and the exhaust didn't look like it was going to fall off
Finally in it's new home
But with a car like this, it never ends. I wanted to take off the lower trim on the grill and paint it body colour, like it should be, so off the grill came
Quick sand, bit of primer, few layers of spray paint and then sealed up with some lacquer and I chucked it all back together again. Small job but makes a big difference
Started trying to drive it about a bit and get it rolling and sort any teething problems before Ultimate Dubs. But this had become a common sight:
Battery was draining very quickly and I was having to jump it with the tractor. Seemed to having a hot start issue too- after a run, when the engine had been warmed up- but then left for 10 minutes or so, it wouldn't start back up. It turned over really slowly, as if the battery was flat. Some Googling later turns out it had ended up with the wrong battery was in it, picked a new higher rating one and the issue disappeared completely. That was easy! Makes a bloody change.
Thinking that there was a spring/summer of shows ahead I picked up a Blaupunkt Bremen head unit, really happy with it, love the retro look but modern features. For some reason I didn't take a picture, so here's one of the cat back on his favourite climbing frame
The day before UD, whilst on a shake down, my rad fan packed in Well, that's what I thought it was after knocking up a bit of fused wire to. force 12v to it. Sometimes it would work, sometimes not. I got the voltmeter on the wiring to it from the car, voltage seemed totally random. Anywhere from 1 to 3 or 4 volts. Bugger.
So I missed out on what would have been my first show it years, and then the fault revealed itself. My alternator was on he the way out, but I didn't catch it until wiring up the amp for some new audison door speakers. After fitting the stereo it didn't take long to remind me how crap the standard speakers are in a Mk2!
Decided to sort it. Had two amps and a sub from years ago. Got some component audisons for the front doors that would be amped up from the rear, started running cables and wiring, with a little help, of course
Never been happy with a generic sub box so I had a look online to see I could buy one that fit the car better. Couldn't find one new or used, so decided to make one myself, little lock down project!
Almost done in this photo, decided to cut up some MDF to make a false wall in the boot, so I could hide the amps on the other side and stop whatever is in the boot from smashing into them all the time. Bit of universal boot carpet and some glue and then it was all done:
And that's it, all up to date! It's only taken 7 odd years, but it's starting to get there now!
