1985 VW Gothwagen - FOR SALE

[vulgalour]

Holy carp, I attacked the car with an angle grinder! It's okay, I have a plan. I've been thinking about how best to fit these Corsair lights, and what would require the least amount of materials and fabrication without compromising the end result. If I had a welding machine, I would have made a start on some of the fabrication too, but I'm lacking in quite a few tools at the moment, namely the drill which I forgot Dad had borrowed back from me so once again, the light cluster doesn't sit as flush as it will when this is done.

 

I decided it best to attack the dented side rather than repairing it to stock. After fiddling about with cardboard and eyeballing stuff I decided the best course of action was just to set to with the old rhubarb and custard machine and make the car the right shape for what I wanted to do. Note: I hadn't lined the cluster up perfectly in this shot, as you'll see later.

 

If I'd had the power drill, I would have drilled the new top bolt hole so this sat flush, but for now this is what I've done and this is my thoughts on it. As you can see, the little plinth that usually sits under the Polo lights has had the face cut away to let the Corsair lights sit inside it, matching up with the original mount.

 

I've not decided yet if I'm just going to get the bodywork to fit flush with the back of the cluster, or if I'm going to build the bodywork forward to french them in a little. I can't make a final decision on that until the tailgate is back on and the cluster bolted into place properly.

 

To get the cluster sitting properly, I plan to weld a whole plate over the original bracket and drill new relevant holes for the bulb holders and the bolts so it all fits properly.

 

There will likely be nothing needed on this side of the bodyshell, it all lines up as good as it needs to.

 

This is the side that will need the bodywork altering, though which direction I go in exactly I've not yet decided. I'll make up my mind when the light clusters are bolted in place properly.

 

Here's what it looks like underneath. When the new plate is applied to the old cluster hole it will extend down into the old plinth and have a new curved piece added to bridge the depth and match the profile of the bottom of the Corsair cluster. The face of the plinth will need building up a bit too because I didn't get a good accurate cut here.

 

 

It should look good when done. The tailgate will need some shaving off the red section and probably a small peak cut out of the black top half just to get it to look right and not obscure the light cluster but that should also be a straightforward cut and weld job.

 

Now, if the agency pull their finger out and actually give me some paid work I can get this sorted out, it's the only thing holding me back on it really.

[vulgalour]

Holy carp, I attacked the car with an angle grinder! It's okay, I have a plan. I've been thinking about how best to fit these Corsair lights, and what would require the least amount of materials and fabrication without compromising the end result. If I had a welding machine, I would have made a start on some of the fabrication too, but I'm lacking in quite a few tools at the moment, namely the drill which I forgot Dad had borrowed back from me so once again, the light cluster doesn't sit as flush as it will when this is done.

 

I decided it best to attack the dented side rather than repairing it to stock. After fiddling about with cardboard and eyeballing stuff I decided the best course of action was just to set to with the old rhubarb and custard machine and make the car the right shape for what I wanted to do. Note: I hadn't lined the cluster up perfectly in this shot, as you'll see later.

 

If I'd had the power drill, I would have drilled the new top bolt hole so this sat flush, but for now this is what I've done and this is my thoughts on it. As you can see, the little plinth that usually sits under the Polo lights has had the face cut away to let the Corsair lights sit inside it, matching up with the original mount.

 

I've not decided yet if I'm just going to get the bodywork to fit flush with the back of the cluster, or if I'm going to build the bodywork forward to french them in a little. I can't make a final decision on that until the tailgate is back on and the cluster bolted into place properly.

 

To get the cluster sitting properly, I plan to weld a whole plate over the original bracket and drill new relevant holes for the bulb holders and the bolts so it all fits properly.

 

There will likely be nothing needed on this side of the bodyshell, it all lines up as good as it needs to.

 

This is the side that will need the bodywork altering, though which direction I go in exactly I've not yet decided. I'll make up my mind when the light clusters are bolted in place properly.

 

Here's what it looks like underneath. When the new plate is applied to the old cluster hole it will extend down into the old plinth and have a new curved piece added to bridge the depth and match the profile of the bottom of the Corsair cluster. The face of the plinth will need building up a bit too because I didn't get a good accurate cut here.

 

 

It should look good when done. The tailgate will need some shaving off the red section and probably a small peak cut out of the black top half just to get it to look right and not obscure the light cluster but that should also be a straightforward cut and weld job.

 

Now, if the agency pull their finger out and actually give me some paid work I can get this sorted out, it's the only thing holding me back on it really.

[stuboy]

great idea

[stuboy]

great idea

[rml2345]

That's going to look really neat VA, nice one!

[rml2345]

That's going to look really neat VA, nice one!

[PhilA]

Unfortunately now I'm going to have to refer to you as Victoria&Albert, after seeing VolksAngyl shortened to VA.

 

Lights are looking good. You keeping the lower lip below the light with a notch in, or you going to smooth it out some?

 

Is it me or do the reflectors not have the usual silver tinfoil backing? If so, you could do what VW did and put a light behind there. Not sure it'd be bright enough for a foglight as the reflector will scatter the light, but it's worth a try with a flashlight. That'd keep the clutter to a minimum

 

--Phil

[PhilA]

Unfortunately now I'm going to have to refer to you as Victoria&Albert, after seeing VolksAngyl shortened to VA.

 

Lights are looking good. You keeping the lower lip below the light with a notch in, or you going to smooth it out some?

 

Is it me or do the reflectors not have the usual silver tinfoil backing? If so, you could do what VW did and put a light behind there. Not sure it'd be bright enough for a foglight as the reflector will scatter the light, but it's worth a try with a flashlight. That'd keep the clutter to a minimum

 

--Phil

[vulgalour]

The foils were in the box, they're not attached at the moment, but I think it'll be better to keep them as reflectors with the fog and reverse mounted under the rear bumper, possibly in the rear valance.

[vulgalour]

The foils were in the box, they're not attached at the moment, but I think it'll be better to keep them as reflectors with the fog and reverse mounted under the rear bumper, possibly in the rear valance.

[vulgalour]

Not a lot has happened since the last update, aside from me regularly mopping the car out because my cover is full of tiny holes - I'm blaming the age of it, and cats. I'm lacking time, money and to a small degree motivation because of the aforementioned items. We'll get there though.

 

Recently, my brother bought himself a '99 Skoda Felicia LXi estate which we've been spending a lot of time cleaning out. The other night we were looking at the Tarantula alloys on the Polo which, since getting those lovely Lancia wheels, I must admit I've fallen out of love with a bit.

 

We found out that the Felicia and the Polo share all the same vital statistics so tried a little experiment.

 

Hmm, that fits slightly nicer than the Tarantulas and the design is in keeping with what I have planned. The shape of the wheel centre with the hub cap on isn't too dissimilar to the Lancia alloys either.

 

The steels are a bit thinner and the tyres a bit taller, but they fit with a bit more room to spare.

 

Not only that, I love how they look up front.

 

Currently, the plan is to just change the centre cap badges for VW or Wolfsburg or something else appropriate and leave the steels as they are for now. Best of all, my brother likes the Tarantulas better on the Skoda and I must admit I think they look more at home there than on the Polo, so everybody wins! Well, once he gets some better looking tyres on them.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

They look tiny on the Skoda.

[vulgalour]

I swear it's the tyres that are doing it above all else. We checked all the measurements and the wheel itself is the same size, just different widths and probably offsets. Since tyres can be changed, we thought it was worth a punt.

[eddyramrod]

You were right!

[stoney13]

love to help eddy but I'm down south

 

stoney

[eddyramrod]

No worries... but, er, are you sure this is the thread you meant to post that in?

[vulgalour]

I was wondering about that.

[purplebargeken]

The steelies look great on the Polo. I think the colour of the alloys makes them look smaller as well.

 

Interesting mod re: the corsair lights, I wouldn't have thought about that. Will watch how that progresses.

 

Ken

[blackbird]

Will he finish this just as the Euro-police get the bill through banning modifications !!!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I am really keen to see how the Corsair lights end up looking, so hurry up with that. I could get run over by a bus tomorrow.

[stuboy]

i got a driveshaft from an polo for a favorit

[vulgalour]

I'm going to disappoint you all with this post, so for that I apologise in advance.

 

Personally, I've reached the end of the road with project Wilhelm. Ideally, I'd like to see him rehomed with someone that will at least finish off what I've started and get him on the road, but realistically I don't think that will happen.

 

I've struggled to be motivated and to find the money to get this project done the way I see it in my mind's eye and right now it's sat on the drive just wasting away. It seems wrong to just leave the car there doing nothing and being unable to progress with it.

 

Stuff I know he needs are:

Handbrake cable

Windscreen

Rear light clusters fitting - some modification work here

New tyres

New headlights, sidelights and grille fitting

Paintwork finishing

New carpet

New headlining (cut out, ready to sew and fit)

Original rear side windows refitting or some fabrication to make the pop-outs fit.

Line of weld on the floor pan, no patch required.

 

I know that I can't control what happens once I let him go and I know I'm unlikely to see much money for the project as it stands unless someone really, really wants to carry the torch.

 

So, if you might be interested in taking him on drop me a line and make me an offer. I don't expect anyone will, but I think he has to go now.

[HillmanImp]

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I would be shocked if this sold to anyone but the scrapman. If you got it on the road it would survive for a while but......sorry.

 

I hope it lives on and I am proved wrong but I suspect the writing is on the wall. Its the nature with modified cars and what is currently an 'unfinished project' for what is not a recognised classic car.

 

GLWTS ETC DVD BBQ BBW OWO

[vulgalour]

Yeah, I'm expecting I'll end up breaking it for bits and scrapping what's left, in all honesty. But there are some crazy, crazy people out there, so who knows? I've just had enough of it.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Kinda want to buy it and finish the lights.

[Bobthebeard]

A shame...

I was looking forward to the final result, and those lights...!

[vulgalour]

Well I'll be putting the car back together and making it water tight to be a bit more saleable. I might finish some of it, but only to sell it on, I'm not feeling the love for this any more

[Bobthebeard]

Probably missed it, cos I am a bit of a clod, but how's it going with the Princess? Post accident. Sorry if the news is elsewhere!

Much Lurve

[vulgalour]

Waiting on the assessor at present, am going to be giving them a call tomorrow.

[MikeKnight]

Sell everything and buy a 90's Corsa.