READER’S STORY
ME AND MY RESTO
Gordon Corrieri got his Golf back on the road in quick time, ready for a special day!
This car came into my possession in November 2018, but I’d been after it for 20 years! It had been lying in my friend Nick’s workshop since 1998, after he took it off the road for some 'wee' jobs. These escalated into many, many wee jobs and sadly 'Helmüt' never made it back onto the road in Nick’s ownership.
It then sat in a makeshift garage at my house for five years without much happening. I then had the romantic idea of reviving Helmüt to use as our wedding car – after all, he is the correct colour! It was just six weeks before the wedding when I finally made a start. The body was in great nick considering it hadn't been washed in 20 years, but being kept inside had helped. Helmüt had already had a very good respray in 1996, and it has really stood the test of time. I haven't had to do any bodywork as of yet, but he does need a few bits doing though. Mainly the lower sections of the wings, where they meet the front valance.
On inspection of the engine, it was found to have rust in the bores and a few other issues from lying for so long. I stumbled across a nice wee deal on Facebook and set off for Chester to collect a 1.8-litre 16v engine that already had a set of Weber 45 DCOE carbs fitted.
The KR 16v engine is paired up with the correct 2Y gearbox from a MkII 16v GTI. I have converted the clutch operation from cable to hydraulic, using a Wilwood pull cylinder and a few custom-made parts from my new uncle, Patrick. The gearbox came from another friend who also suffers from the financially draining VW hobby!
In regard to suspension and running gear, Nick had stripped and powder coated a lot of the parts previously. Things like the rear brakes needed nothing more than a strip down, inspection and refit. Front brakes were replaced with Audi 100 units, going from the stock 239mm up to 256mm, which the later MkII 16v's run. The servo was also from a MkII (9in), with the master cylinder to match (22mm). The notoriously bad RHD Golf MkI brake relay bar setup has also been upgraded with an Autocavan Superbrake setup, something I had been saving for the right time to use. A Wilwood bias valve now provides adjustment for the rear brakes… the original load sensing valves are prone to seizing up and this one was showing its age! The car has been fitted with Koni sport adjustable dampers, Eibach springs, Eibach anti-roll bars and a full Superpro bush kit. To say the wee Golf handles well would be a massive understatement. It just drives beautifully, not at all harsh like most coilover-clad Golfs these days.
Now for the interior. Having sat for so long the wee Golf had attracted some squatters, namely mice! Most of the interior plastics had been munched, plus the edges of the fro
