Restoration: New Shell?

[Waspy]

So, instead of buying a new modern car, I am considering putting some of that money into restoring to 8v and bringing it up to a but closer to like new. Thinking Rebuilt engine, gearbox, respray, fully reupholstered, as well as loads of small thinks to my taste.

The weakest part of my current golf is the shell really. I has clearly had on of the jacking points welded, then it has a few rust spots and the filler area is pretty bad.

So my question is, am I better selling the current on, and buying a better shell before starting the resto work. Or even spending like 3k on one which needs substantially less work.

If I do buy I new one it will also give me the chance to go down the 16v route...

Any advice or experiences?

[dubber36]

Always buy a Mk2 based on the condition of the shell, and if you want a 16V, then buy one not build one.

If your current shell is as bad as you say, it's a pretty poor starting point for a restoration project. You must have seen plenty of Car SOS, Fast and Loud, Bernie an Mario type programmes, where when they start digging, the shell is far worse that first appeared.

[Waspy]

I don't plan on building a 16v.

I have done a shopping list of everything I would do to the car to make it almost show worthy (I don't plan on showing it, I want to drive around in a nice car day to day) and came up with about 6k costs, so naturally would probably spend 8. I then realised if I discover sh!t loads of hidden rust (like you say) It could be a nightmare. That's where the idea to buy a cleaner shell came in (and get a 16v while I'm at it)

However, I love the colour (Capri Green). I don't want a boring red, black, silver etc. I want something a little less common. I would make an exception for oak green, who wouldnt. Bright Metalic Blue would be nice too.... But these are all hard to come by colours. Since I'm respraying I could just paint it whatever colour I want. But that seems a little wrong.

I'm also concerned that buying a cleaner shell, and then still having to do all the work on it would just be more expensive...

[dubber36]

I'm glad that I bought my car when I did 5 years ago without too much scene tax. It is a one previous owner, full service history, never modded car with every single scrap of paperwork imaginable. I've had quite a bit of work done since I've had it, and still have quite a bit to do. A full under bonnet restoration is next on the cards. By the time it is all done, it will owe me somewhere in the region of £10k. Some may mock and say it's not worth that, but where else do you find an as new concourse car?

[Waspy]

Mine is a year old, and in that time alone the prices have rocketed. Like it's crazy.

I'll have to have a looks a see what a good shell will set me back. I'm not fussed about the milage really since I will be overhauling the engine (and gearbox if it needs it). Other than that my main expenses will be reupholstering and respraying.

I agree though. Name a modern car you can get for 10k which is half as nice as a mint Mk2 which is exactly how you want it. Modern cars have become so dull, unless you are willing to spend 40+k. Hence my desire to restore the golf. My modern car budget was 13k. Why not just spend it making a mk2 just the way I want it and keep daily driving it?

Life it too short for a sensible car.