1984 Cabriolet Rebuild - thoughts / reccommendations Wanted

I recently purchased a 1984 Cabriolet. Originally sold in the american market and brought to Canada within the last four years (so I am told).

I am planning a 3 year restoration on this. I have never restored a vehicle before, I consider my self moderately mechanically inclined but with minimal experience.

I do not intend to autocross the car or anything like that, just weekend and nice day driver in the summer. It will live year round in the garage (unheated). It will not see light of day from October to May due to winter and prevalance of salt on the roads in this part of canada.

I intend on getting a Bentley soon enough (before any real work starts).

First stage is suspension. Right now the car is running stock suspension and wheels (13" bottle caps with alot of curbage and pitting). Looking for advice on control arms, strut tower bbraces, bushing kits, strut & spring combinations, and wheels. Should I get the wheels restored (quoted at $350CDN for the five wheels). I want a lower ride height, but not sacraficing comfort. Right now the car feels very sloppy when cornering and hitting wee bumps in the road.

Year 2.... Engine Bay detailing and new roof.

Year 3.... bodywork and paint

Any thoughts or suggfestions on sewtup are welcome.

Reply to
corried
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You should join (free) the VWVortex forum at

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It is loaded with posts about the Cabriolet.

Reply to
Papa

VWvortex is a must. You'll find some helpful people there and maybe one or two hacks, but mainly helpful. And you'll open up a world of resources.

Suspension and brakes. Make them a dual initial goal. Replace, replace, replace. Firm up the suspension with poly bushings in the control arms (ideally on the steering rack but that is difficult). Lowering springs with nice dampers. Try Scirocco.org for some killer links for parts and other resources (all basically the same stuff). Click on the Links section at the bottom of the page.

Cabby - enjoy, and make it hot!

Reply to
philboeye

Hi,

While VWVortex has alot of good people that frequent it... I'm feeling like coming back here more often...

r.a.vw was one main reason that I enjoyed VWs back in '91 or thereabouts... would be interesting to see if any of the other old time Cabby nuts still come here and could offer up some good suggestions...

best regards, Peter Tong

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

Reply to
Peter Tong

Peter Tong! Wow, I remember you from the early 90's on this group. I used to have an '85 GLI that I was constantly working on and discussing. Currently I run a '95 Volvo 850 Turbo wagon, a 1985 Audi 5000 wagon (beater), and just acquired a 1991 Audi 200 20valve Turbo Quattro with a friend (project car). What are you driving these days?

Vortex can be a cool place, seems to me that it depends on the car "group" as to how the community is. The Audi people seem to be very helpful, haven't had an older VW in awhile so I couldn't say on the Mk1/Mk2/Mk3 groups of late.

Barry

Reply to
Alan Talk

Hi Barry,

I sent you an email reply, but nice seeing a fellow old timer on here :)

best regards, Peter Tong

Alan Talk wrote:

Reply to
twinscrewnut

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