VW Golf GTI 1987 Restoration Project | Page 55 - Volkswagen Forum

Menu Log in Sign up

• Home
• Forums
• VW Model-Specific Forums
• Golf & Jetta (all Gens)
• Golf II & Jetta II

VW Golf GTI 1987 restoration project Jump to Latest Ice_ken I VW Golf GTI 1987(first post update) My name is Ken, I bought my first mk2 in 2009, at the time I was 19. This is the story of how a car became a hobby, a hobby became a passion and the passion became pure uncut love for the mk2. I currently own 2 mk2's, I bought my second one in 2013. This topic is about my first car; originally an Austrian golf gti however it moved to belgium via the netherlands. 1987 golf mk2 gti 8valve I bought it in March 2009. It looked OK from a distance, but it had (and still has) a lot of rust. Then 2 months later, this happend: So it got stripped: To respray it all done? 1,081 - 1,100 of 1,108 Posts 1 55 of 56

Go to page

Go 56 I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts Passed technical inspection with flying colors Now just waiting on the numberplates, could take up to 2 weeks. I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts Alignment done...Only the toe need adjustment after I tried my best with a Gunson camber gauge to get the camber correct. What a difference, I can finally drive the car without feeling anxious because of strange reactions in the steering wheel non assisted, so unfiltered). So I slowly started driving a little faster and then the GTI comes into its element, driving at 7or 8 10ths... The sound of the engine and the reactions in the steering wheel ... suddenly everything came back from the over 10 years ago when I drove this as a college student. And suddenly (relatively anyway) everything was fine so I could finally smile while driving. 😀 The engine has a really wide powerband, nice and linear, you can drive at 2000rpm to 6000rpm and maybe even more but I won't do that for a while. The gearbox is also short ratio and that seriously helps with acceleration, what a pleasure to shift this. The brakes take some getting used to because there is less bite in them than I am used to, you also use more pedalstroke so that you can't heel & toe easily. The KW v1 suspension is firm enough for the faster driving, and the balance is as I remember it, lots of weight on the nose and light rear end. The steering inputs result in immediate response thanks to the short steering rack, a bit heavy to use but you get used to it... 2 hands are required Sitting here typing is almost surreal after 10-11 years of restoration and stirs me to some emotion after all the hours, effort, swearing, yelling, ranting, bleeding, crying and frustrations. I'm glad I got to this point but I can't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have the patience.

Hoffa

· Registered Joined Jun 7, 2001 · 1,737 Posts Congrats what a beautiful restoration. I can only imagine what it would feel like to drive a new old car! 🍻

dviking mk2

· Registered Joined Mar 3, 2016 · 5,726 Posts I've always enjoyed checking your build out and seeing a mk2 this kind of attention. It must feel like a relief to just be able to get in it and enjoy it. I had an 85 Gti I spent almost 9 years working on and improving so I get how you feel. I'm now on to a 16v, that seems like it will take me forever to finish. You should be proud of your fine work. :cheers: [emoji1665] I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts Not a garagequeen anymoren, the first 100km have been driven this weekend; I'm suprised at how sporty i'm willing to drive this

banjopete

· Registered Joined Apr 28, 2013 · 956 Posts Wow and congrats, so end of the build story then and on to the good times driving it, experiencing it, and sharing it with people. It would be an incredibly rare car around these parts in that condition. Not sure how common the cars are around you but it's got to be one of the freshest by a long ways. I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts

banjopete said: Wow and congrats, so end of the build story then and on to the good times driving it, experiencing it, and sharing it with people. It would be an incredibly rare car around these parts in that condition. Not sure how common the cars are around you but it's got to be one of the freshest by a long ways. Click to expand...

A project car is never finished I might change the wheels and the stereo. mk2 gti's aren't uncommon out here but you almost never see good examples. 8

88jettaguy

· Registered Joined Mar 4, 2008 · 497 Posts I know you must be so overjoyed that you can't even wipe that smile off your face. I'm happy for you as well. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts to give you guys an impression of how this thing gets driven: S

Shriver87

· Registered Joined Sep 27, 2003 · 1,230 Posts What an amazing build and final product, congrats! Thank you for documenting it along the way, was really fun reading this thread! G

GREEK_MK5

· Registered Joined Mar 8, 2014 · 166 Posts WOW! congrats man! came out great I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts She's up for sale if anyone is interested. G

georgeboole

· Registered Joined Nov 9, 2011 · 1,861 Posts I d just drive it and enjoy a new car[emoji16] Στάλθηκε από το SM-M317F μου χρησιμοποιώντας Tapatalk I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts Added some new wheels

ejeffrey

· Registered Joined Apr 7, 2008 · 1,089 Posts Man, everything about those wheels is great M

Mrbaklava

· Registered Joined Dec 9, 2022 · 2 Posts What an excellent build thread. I'm super happy that it's still online and here to read. So you'd recommend the steering rack upgrade and short shift? I've just finished restoring my mk2, and it's not the nicest thing to drive in it's current totally stock form. I

Ice_ken2

· Registered Joined Aug 12, 2016 · 87 Posts

Mrbaklava said: What an excellent build thread. I'm super happy that it's still online and here to read. So you'd recommend the steering rack upgrade and short shift? I've just finished restoring my mk2, and it's not the nicest thing to drive in it's current totally stock form. Click to expand...

Yes but it's an expensive mod. Good quality coilovers and proper suspension setup helps too, if keeping it OEM looking isn't that important i'd try and find a steering wheel that's a bit smaller, 360-370mm diameter. Honestly guys, i'm having a hard time with this car. I'm trying to sell it for the past year or so and it's been a disaster, barely getting any offers...nobody has actually come and seen the car, i've advertised it at €17500....Maybe that's expensive, but there is very little to compare this car to in terms of quality, detail and history. I'm just done with it, I don't use it because i'm scared of damaging it and ruining the value. 100km driven in the last year...

cloval

· Registered Joined Jan 27, 2020 · 783 Posts

Ice_ken2 said: Yes but it's an expensive mod. Good quality coilovers and proper suspension setup helps too, if keeping it OEM looking isn't that important i'd try and find a steering wheel that's a bit smaller, 360-370mm diameter. Honestly guys, i'm having a hard time with this car. I'm trying to sell it for the past year or so and it's been a disaster, barely getting any offers...nobody has actually come and seen the car, i've advertised it at €17500....Maybe that's expensive, but there is very little to compare this car to in terms of quality, detail and history. I'm just done with it, I don't use it because i'm scared of damaging it and ruining the value. 100km driven in the last year... Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct. There is no comparison to this car; it was completed to a very high, incredibly detailed standard. Non-serious "buyers" are frequently scared by big asking prices, even when more than the asking was spent to construct the vehicle and there is evidence to support it (receipts, build quality, forum threads, etc.). I have experienced this. They will claim the seller is "crazy" or "asking too much". The reality is they would rather complain, talk trash, or own a s_hitty car with poor build quality, because that is easier. If I owned your car, I would drive it once or twice a week whenever the weather is nice. That is how I approach my 2004 R32 ownership. It's not some static garage piece to save for the next caretaker, I prefer to enjoy it. On my deathbed I won't say, "I wish I drove the R32 less to preserve it's value." It would be an amazing feeling to have a new, 35 year old VW, and personally it would be a blessing to own yours. Cars are meant to be driven, collecting memories, rock chips, and mileage along the way. Sorry for the long reply. My point is: Life is short, enjoy it and your car to the fullest; you definitely earned it. C

CHRGD_MK2

· Registered Joined Aug 22, 2002 · 13,258 Posts If this car was stateside someone would snatch it up for $20,000. Beautiful car and highly detail restoration. I just spent the day going through 11-12 years of pics and posts. Great Job, I hope someone worthy purchases it.

cloval

· Registered Joined Jan 27, 2020 · 783 Posts

CHRGD_MK2 said: If this car was stateside someone would snatch it up for $20,000. Beautiful car and highly detail restoration. I just spent the day going through 11-12 years of pics and posts. Great Job, I hope someone worthy purchases it. Click to expand...

Agreed. I meant to add in my post, that his asking price seems reasonable to me and would probably have a few people lined up. If anyone disagrees, show me another example that is equal. I also hesitate to make the now tired Bringatrailer reference. If this were my car, I would not sell it to just any person. They need to be deserving of the time and effort put forth, and what this car represents to true VW fans. 1,081 - 1,100 of 1,108 Posts 1 55 of 56

Go to page

Go 56 Insert Quotes Post Reply

1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
15. ?
16. ?
17. ?
18. ?
19. ?
20. ?

About this Discussion 1.1K Replies 215 Participants Last post: cloval Dec 23, 2023 posts 85M members 1.5M Since 2001 A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more! Show Less Full Forum Listing Explore Our Forums The Car Lounge Golf IV & Jetta IV Golf III & Jetta III Golf II & Jetta II Golf IV/Jetta IV Parts

Our Vendors

View All

• U Usually Sideways Rally Team View profile
• C Chris Knott Insurance Forum
• A AWE Tuning Forum

Top Contributors this Month

View All patrikman 388 Replies BRealistic 373 Replies B bentin 357 Replies

Recommended Communities

Volkswagen Passat Forum 187K members Volkswagen ID Forum 31K members Scout Motors vehicles 280 members

• Home
• Forums
• VW Model-Specific Forums
• Golf & Jetta (all Gens)
• Golf II & Jetta II