Started work on the engine bay
Well the sanding is completed. Were just waiting for our body shop to come over and show us where they want the pannels cut for the new ones to go on.
We’ve started to clean the ziebart off the engine bay so that we can cut the rear tray out and smooth it all ready for the respray. Were using petrol and cloths to clean the worst off it off and it works quite well although it’s hard work. If the weathers good next weekend we should be able to get this finished on the Saturday.
Sunday were off to DC10 really looking forward to this show!
Here’s a few catch up pictures of our MK1 Polo still looking very sorry for it’s self, we cant wait to see it with a fresh coat of Manila Green paint.
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Open Heart Surgery on the Polo
Sorry for the delay in updating the blog just been so busy!
Anyway last Saturday was the big day for the engine coming out. After spending an hour rebuilding the front of the Passat, Mark had installed new headlights and it was a bigger job than it looked. Then we got the engine hoist delivered and moved on to the Polo.
It took us about an hour and a half to disconect all the pipeing and linkages to the engine but once this was done and the manifold was dropped out the bottom of the car, the engine lifted out with ease. Now thats in storage ready to be stripped cleaned painted and polished ready to go back in once the cars been repainted.
Now we can start cutting sanding and smoothing the engine bay. So were on the final push on the prep work we recon its going to be mid January that the polo can have the weilding done.
On the plus side Dav at PureKLAS is taking the Polo’s allys away to be stripped and polished cant wait to see them finished!
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Starting to see the light!
Well the metal!
We’ve spent another six hours stripping and sanding the MK1 Polo and it’s starting to show progress. We have decided to take the outer shell back to the metal so that it can have a proper job done on the respray and we can makes sure that there is no underlying rust issues. So far we’ve been over the moon with a car that’s thirty two years old, its got minimal rust and rot issues and what we have found were either replacing the panel completely or the area can be patched. All this work now will hopefully means less prep work required by the body shop who will do the respray down to a minimum cost.
We recon two more days like saturday and we will be ready for the car to go in for the welding. We need to hire an engine hoist to take the 1.1 power plant out to give us access to the engine bay and allow us to smooth it.
While the cars away we’ll then be able to work on the engine cleaning painting and polishing and also spec out the interior retrim.
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First day working on the MK1 Polo
Well we spent our first day working on the MK1 Polo stripping it down. So we can see what we have to work with, and to be honist were really happy. Apart from the damage and rust to the off side rear quarter and sill which we have replacements for the rest of the car is solid.
It’s also aloud us to make a list of parts we require for the rebuild. These are mainly window trims and rubbers, but we do need a front bumper.
One other thing that’s come to our notice was we do need to retrim the interior it’s not in as good condition as we remembered and looks a bit tired. We’ll have to decide later if we want to do a straight retrim or buy something a bit different.
We’ll also be on the look out for a new steering wheel maybe something with a bit of chrome and wood.
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1977 MK1 Polo has landed
Finally we’ve got our 1977 mk1 Polo! I wasn’t able to be there to pick it up. But Mark with the help of a mate with a car transporter picked up the Polo Saturday morning. It’s now sitting in our lock up waiting to be stripped. The stripping starts next week photos to come!
Read More »Finding MK1 Polo body pannels
Well I’ve spent the last couple of nights trying to source the body pannels we need for or 1977 MK1 Polo. It’s not been as tough as I thought it would be I think you just need to look and ask in the right places. So big thanks to Juan for pming me with the off side rear quater we needed. The Polo can go into Base21 as soon as we pick it up and the pannel arrives.
Were going for it! The MK1 Polo will live again
Well after a chat with Dave at Base21 weve decided to go for it so now we are the prowd owners of a 1977 MK1 Polo originally Manilla Green but at the moment metalic purple, dont worry it will be Manilla Green again!
The Base21 guys have said that the pannel can be replaced and we’ll end up with a totally solid car. So now we have to arrange transportation of Smoo as the Polo has been named by my wife, and source a few parts. Were on the look out for an off side rear quater, dash board trim, parcel shelf and drivers side front wing.
Read More »Seeing cars…
Well arranging to go see a few cars next week on the list to see are:
1977 Polo – This is a started project and has been made fairly solid already. I quite fancy this as it’s different to a Golf that little bit rarer. It was also originally a cool flat green like the one in the picture.
Next is a Silver 5 door MK1 Golf 1500 GX again i quite like the look of this it looks solid form the photos so we will wait and see.
I’ve also been contacted by a guy with an early Polo for sale but waiting on more details and where he’s based and cost.
I’m leaning towards the 1977 Polo I just fancy something that will look different and stand out when finished.