Golf Clipper Cabriolet

[Spurgey]

My mate is looking at a buying a '89 Golf Clipper Cabriolet (Mk1) can anyone let me know what the standard factory spec was or where I can get the info for him?

Also anything specific to look out for - leaky hoods etc?

[gibby]

I don't think the clipper had anything particular in it's spec, it's a 1.8 carb, I don't think it had factory electric windows or anything special, just the usual bits and bobs you find on most cars of that age. Although it should have an electric roof in '89. If you want to know what to look out for read this little guide here ---> http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=18122.0?

[Phil303]

As mentioned, the '89 models came with electric hoods (and windows?) from August of that year.

Depending on mileage the auto-choke may need replacing or servicing, although I'd recommend the manual choke conversion rather than the expensive auto-choke replacement. Mine went after 200,000 miles.

Check the gearbox for rumbling and ease of use. They should be quite firm even after all these years. Any noise could just be bearings. Again, my 'box lasted over 215,000 miles before I had the bearings replaced.

Engine mounts need checking, as do sagging suspension springs (it's a heavy car).

The pull down valve (I think) that controls the hot/cold air mixture to the carb may well be on it's last legs. Don't bother replacing this, just fix it closed with a couple of screws so it draws air from the manifold. I've not noticed a difference in performance, apart from the fact that the carb doesn't ice up in the winter if the valve was sticking open...

Interiors are hard wearing although check for the usual things like carpets shrinking away at the edges (due to a leaky roof) and the seat bolsters.

Petrol tanks may be starting to corrode or have a build up of sediment which can get sucked through to the engine - have a look underneath at the general condition and also check around the fuel filler neck for rust.

These are some of the things that I've come across with mine, I'm sure there are other things that people can add. Half of these may be down to the astronomical mileage I've done rather than the age of the car.

Don't be put off though, find a good one and you'll have a car that never fails to impress.

[Bronze MK1 Cab]

Yeah watch out for rusty fuel filler necks. Also the standard peirberg carb, some people swear by them, I swear at them?

If it's had a weber carb conversion then your in luck?

Roofs often leak, mine does a little even with a new mohair hood. Check for cracks in the hood, any little ones will soon turn into big ones!

Mine is an 89 clipper and it doesn't have an electric hood 

[Phil303]

i think the electrics kicked in towards the end of the models made in '89. Mine was first registered in May '89 so i thought I'd just missed out but if yours Bronze, is a G plate, then I would guess the electrics came in on the late 89-early 90 models? Possibly?

Anyway, it's more to go wrong and the roof only takes a few seconds to put up and down manually so it's not great loss, although leccy windows would be nice.

Also check for rust bubbling on the corners of the bootlid and the door edges as well.

All this may sound ominous but find a car of the same year and mileage and do a quick comparison for condition. I'll lay money on the VW being in better shape. Thanks to the German quality it's built like a tank and the doors shut with a nice chunky thud as oppose to the tiny rattle of the Escorts and Astra's of this world. It sounds gay but you do notice subtle attentions to detail like this.

[Flidster_uk]

A car that old you'll have all on to find mint without paying the earth, but tatty is tatty out there and there are some right sheds. Check the boot the edges of it, a common trap for water and these panels were not from VW and are the places more likely to rust, slam panel at the front is another, check the rim underneath the roof where it meets the body, start pulling rust off from here walk away. Check the window frame at the back these rust very quickly if your planning on replacing the roof you would need to budget this is.

spec is pretty much the same as a gti except there is no mfa and its carb fed, later 1990 cabs gained electrics and updated door cards allowing bigger speakers. fusebox, water can get onto this, check the contacts as the fuel pump relay can fail and youll find yourself on the roadside, most components are mk2 and you can pick them up for peanuts down the scrappy.

Gearbox can leak as the seals tend to degrade. if you know the faults you can bargain a fair bit, some people get rid of their cabs at the time the problems start i bought using my eyes and never checked anything it cost a grand to put right.

And bare in mind they rattle, dashboard fittings are not amazing and over 90mph and the roof sounds like yer grandmas beating down on it with a brolly. Thats half the fun of them.

[black_cabbie]

The electric roof and windows come from 90 onwards. Still it was not standard. If the new owner decided to pay the extra cost at VW back then, the car would come with the package.

Whats really a shame, is that you people never got Power Steering. Maybe VW thought it was not worth it to produce a RHD steering rack.  Who knows......

Check out this guide. It has almost everything you need to know about Cabriolets.

http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~kaw5/vwindex.htm