First real build (83 Rabbit L content)

[chance946]

Hello everyone I come from mkiv land to share my project and seek advice on my recently purchased 82 Rabbit. I'm 22 years old and work at a body shop and hope to return this vehicle to somewhat show quality. Here's my plans for this old girl.

Exterior:

- Patch gas filler, floor pans, left wheel arch, left rocker, both fender mounting strips, euro core support/fenders.

-Paint either teal or light blue, haven't decided but I have a while to think about it.

-Shave side markers

-Euro, or custom bumpers

-Wheels, undecided but they will be 15x8 and 15x9

Interior: couple options here

-Keep the blue vinyl interior that's overall in good condition. Or sell it all.

-Black carpet, false floor, roll cage, two racing seats, black dash pad, quick disconnect wheel.

Engine/suspension:

-Coils

-New control arms and anything else I cant save

-Shaved bay with the stock 1.7l gas engine. (need advice on what i can delete and make it drive-able when I want)

-Either keep a/c and wipers, or ditch them both.

That's about it. Any advice is welcome and appreciated, especially on what to do engine wise. Now onto the pictures.

Day i brought it home


Less than a week later


Found this under the back seat, kinda creepy


My current daily for anyone who cares.

[rabbit_rot]

I would live in the mk1 forums for a bit and just get some ideas if you do not have that much knowledge about them.

[Phil0]

The beautiful thing about MK1s is there originality. Keep it original I say... preserving history sort of preserves us all I think, but then I say a lot of things... Wish I had your balls to strip the metal like that. My '84 really needs some attention.

[rallydiesel]

Speaking of preserving things, you need to keep that rodent. Maybe get it dipped in acrylic or keep it in a jar of formaldehyde and hang it from your rearview mirror. It should be the car's mascot from now on. Serious.

[jo3kr]

Speaking of preserving things, you need to keep that rodent. Maybe get it dipped in acrylic or keep it in a jar of formaldehyde and hang it from your rearview mirror. It should be the car's mascot from now on. Serious.

Agreed. Keep the car original please keep squares.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

[chance946]

Agreed. Keep the car original please keep squares.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

Originally I wanted to keep it how it was. But after taking everything apart I found much more rust than I thought. The fenders would have fallen off if it weren't for the seam sealer and undercoating, and the core support needs a lot of work. My though was to just replace the whole front end with new parts so a euro conversion would be an easy way to go. Not to mention the grille was already busted and one of the blinkers.

[Phil0]

Originally I wanted to keep it how it was. But after taking everything apart I found much more rust than I thought. The fenders would have fallen off if it weren't for the seam sealer and undercoating, and the core support needs a lot of work. My though was to just replace the whole front end with new parts so a euro conversion would be an easy way to go. Not to mention the grille was already busted and one of the blinkers.

You know all this OEM and NOS stuff is fairly easy to find?

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...MK1-Parts-List

Start with Moogie's MK1 Autohaus and go from there. If he doesn't have it ask him or ask us if you need it used. Rust happens. That would be a great original GTI.

[Phil0]

I dare you to do better mister 22 years old works in a body shop...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...nger-16v-build

Show us how a young man with good hands can renew a classic. Watching.

[panzer 2.3]

Speaking of preserving things, you need to keep that rodent. Maybe get it dipped in acrylic or keep it in a jar of formaldehyde and hang it from your rearview mirror. It should be the car's mascot from now on. Serious.

Looks like a guinea pig or something? Good luck on the build

[foxygrandpa]

Found this under the back seat, kinda creepy

el chupacabra!!! lol... You're right, that is terrifyingly creepy. Good thing you stripped the car, just imagine driving around with that thing a few feet from you. *shiver*

Anyway, welcome to mk1 land. I'm somewhat new and have mine stripped (not as much as yours) also. Good to know their is some youngblood on here. I'm 24. Anyway, looks great man. Can't wait to see what you do with it since you're an actual body man.

[panzer 2.3]

Now that I'm taking a close look I think it's a chinchilla

[chance946]

I dare you to do better mister 22 years old works in a body shop...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...nger-16v-build

Show us how a young man with good hands can renew a classic. Watching.

that makes me want to keep it white. Just have to get the motor out and I'll be starting on floorboards and other patches.

[definition56]

Hey Chance,

Welcome to the mk1 side of the pond and good luck with the build. Glad to see another Mansfielder in the mk1 forums I think you must live close since I see your mkIV driving on Lex-Ont. all the time. I just sold my mk1 scirocco but still have a rabbit project going on in the garage.

[chance946]

Hey Chance,

Welcome to the mk1 side of the pond and good luck with the build. Glad to see another Mansfielder in the mk1 forums I think you must live close since I see your mkIV driving on Lex-Ont. all the time. I just sold my mk1 scirocco but still have a rabbit project going on in the garage.

Thanks, I'm right off of lex Ontario by the Apple orchard, I didn't think there were too many people in this area into volkswagens

[definition56]

Haha. I'm on Noblet. There are a lot more people around town than you think...we like to hide.

[Phil0]

that makes me want to keep it white. Just have to get the motor out and I'll be starting on floorboards and other patches.

Now you're talking... Get all the bolts zinc coated and keep it white put some cool ass GTI black trim strip kits on it and then clear coat it. Red trimmed grill!!! Man! Fantastic to think about. I've been shopping around for white GTIs but not found one tolerable yet. Still looking.

Can't wait for you to make some head way!

[chance946]

Now you're talking... Get all the bolts zinc coated and keep it white put some cool ass GTI black trim strip kits on it and then clear coat it. Red trimmed grill!!! Man! Fantastic to think about. I've been shopping around for white GTIs but not found one tolerable yet. Still looking.

Can't wait for you to make some head way!

There is actually a GTI sitting right in front of this car. white, stripes on the doors, red stripe grille, blue striped cloth interior. Body needs possibly more work than the one I'm working on.

Haha. I'm on Noblet. There are a lot more people around town than you think...we like to hide.

Never would have known there was another rabbit on my road haha.

[definition56]

Yep. It's obviously not driveable. haha. Sent PM.

[Phil0]

Photos?

[chance946]

Photos?

Best I could get with my phone.




I guess it doesn't have stripes on the door, it's in my yard and I didn't realize they aren't there.

[rabbitnothopper]

MUMIFIED RAT!!! OMG



epic thread!

[chance946]

Some patch panels are on their way.

Interior out


Glass out

[chance946]

Haven't done much to the car yet, been collecting parts. Made a little cartoon deal to show what I want to end up with.

[Hakkalugi]

Haven't done much to the car yet, been collecting parts. Made a little cartoon deal to show what I want to end up with.

i say small tails and bit less camber

[chance946]

Everything I take off of this thing I find more holes. I don't know if I want to keep going with this or just sell all the good parts I have and scrap the thing. What do you guys think, I wanted to keep it in the $4000 to $5000 range but I don't know if its even worth fixing

where the fender should mount


wiper bracket


hole actually continues into the frame rail




this was going to get boxed in anyway so it didn't matter


Also needs a front control arm mount made

[Phil0]

how much is bulk metal in your area? Vise + ball pein hammer + heat + ear protection + eye protection + weld ?

Come on young hands... don't give up yet. Metal cuts like paper with the right tools. You're the guy to "tape" it back in. It's your first MK1. Get your experience on this one. Come up with a plan and post it.

What welder do you have access to? Don't give up with all this help here. We are rooting for you.

Focus on the goal. Don't get bogged down from the trees: