Hello everyone! After lurking since 2011, shortly after acquiring my 1989 VW Golf Cabriolet GTi, I’m finally making my first official post to document its journey.
This UK-registered (F plate) Golf Cabriolet was almost in its original condition when I bought it. It had been owned by a “paint-sprayer” who used it as a demonstration vehicle, having resprayed it in what appeared to be a Subaru metallic blue, covering the original Helios Blue underneath. The wheels were also aftermarket BK Racing alloys. However, the interior remained original with Mauritius Blue fabric, an Atoll Blue hood and tonneau cover, blue carpets, and the sweet, original 1.8-liter engine and gearbox.
At the time, I was running a vehicle wrapping company – perhaps where my questionable decisions began! Feeling a touch of mid-life crisis, having just purchased a brand new 2009 Focus RS, I decided to further enhance its ‘demo car’ status, given it wasn’t in its factory color anyway.
In preparation for Modified Nationals in 2011, the Golf was completely wrapped in Hexis Rose Gold Pearl. Classic Porsche Fondmetal alloys were added, along with coilovers all around. I also went heavy on chrome, fitting a chrome front grill, door mirrors, handles, and a Hella chrome fuel filler cap to match the chrome side trim. We debadged it, filled the лишние holes, relocated the front number plate, smoothed over the aerial hole and replaced it with a windscreen-mounted one, and added pressed plates. And that was just the exterior!
Inside, the slightly worn Mauritius Blue fabric seat covers and door panels (except the passenger door – long story!) were replaced with a black and white leatherette kit from a Swiss manufacturer. We dyed the carpet and carpeted panels black, and it was ready to hit the road.
We showcased the car at the show, even managing to shred the brand new tires with an excessively aggressive front camber angle. Afterward, the Golf went back into the garage, awaiting new tires that never materialized.
Fast forward to 2012, and following a breakup, I moved the car to Weston-super-Mare. There it sat, gathering dust, until I thought I’d struck a deal with my racing team, trading it for labor on my new race car build.
Unfortunately, that deal fell through. So, another skip forward to 2015, and the Golf Cabriolet was returned to me in WSM. It was now unwrapped, revealing much of the Subaru blue paint, with different wheels and a few standard parts refitted.
Firstly, I must admit I went overboard with the modifications, perhaps lacking taste in my approach to this potentially Quartet version of this iconic car – and I’m still hoping someone can confirm if it is indeed a Quartet. Secondly, I plan to document the restoration process as thoroughly as possible, both for my own record and to share with the community. Thirdly, any guidance on sourcing replacement parts, especially wheels and interior components, would be greatly appreciated! And if anyone is interested in chrome parts, I might still have some available!
