Golf III, no sunroof.

[GRMPer]

I'm looking around for a Volkswagen to build as a project car and debating the whole "should I look for a unicorn?" and start with a non-sunroof Sport.

Has anyone weighed the sunroof crap on a glass sunroof VW?

I'm finding a lot of sunroofs here in the sunshine state...and the hardtop I found is rusty....either way, I think I'm going to be welding.

Per

[Knestis]

I suspect, after looking at more than a few of them, that a rust-free example is going to be more rare than a hardtop. I JUMPED on the one that I found (Pablo II), only to commit ourselves to dozens of hours of floor repairs. If I could find one that wasn't rotten, I'd cover the hole.

K

[GRMPer]

Are they rusting that much worse than a A2? rear quarters, gas filler, hatch...where else?

[shwah]

They all rust in the floors A2 and A3 are worse than the A1 IMO.

Defintelyl look out west for a donor.

[Knestis]

There's some basic problems with how the floor layers come together and trap water, I think. Check the floors in the rear seat, the rockers particularly toward the back, and along the tunnel at the floor panel seams in front of the shifter.

K

[chewy8000]

Yeah don't get stuck on the sunroof, the floor repair is WAY more work. I got lucky with Pablo's cousin Pedro being super clean with no floor issues.

[JoshS]

They all rust in the floors A2 and A3 are worse than the A1 IMO.

Defintelyl look out west for a donor.

Good advice ... there are plenty* of rust-free examples out here, Per! Here's a nice red one:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1212337999.html

Or a white one:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1212039404.html

[JLawton]

You guys are all giving him the WRONG advice!!! :cool:

Don't build, BUY!!!!!!

[GRMPer]

In Soviet Russia, ITB builds you!

Um. I build. that's the fun and the editorial angle. Not sure if this is going to be a ITB car, an FSP car or just a fun track rat. Either way, my last VW was a Golf Sport hardtop that I bought new. Time to find another.

thanks for the suggestions!

Per

[Beran]

I think a non sunroof after market replacement roof skin is cheap.
Although.... on average, most non sunroof cars have much less rust on the floor then sunroof cars since the sunroof cars leaked down behind the drivers seat which caused the puddle and rust in the floor. (tube that drained water from sunroof always clogged/leaked eventually)

[lateapex911]

In Soviet Russia, ITB builds you!

Um. I build. that's the fun and the editorial angle. Not sure if this is going to be a ITB car, an FSP car or just a fun track rat. Either way, my last VW was a Golf Sport hardtop that I bought new. Time to find another.

thanks for the suggestions!

Per

ITB! ITB! ITB!

[Flyinglizard]

I have a customer with solid Jetta, MK 3, that has a bad auto, and is going to part out the whole car. Roller should be about 500$ or less.
I also have 85 Golf GTI and 85 Jett, both solid race cra builders. The Jetts are a better race car, aero wise and balance wise.
FL. 34604. MM

[shwah]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1220131301.html

[D. Ellis-Brown]

Per, have you considered a Jetta for your ITB car? There were twice as many Jetta's built as Golfs. Therefore being able to find a good one cheap is a more likely. We found ours in a junk yard here in central florida for $200.00. The body was perfect, the engine was seized. It has a sunroof, but after we removed the glass, etc. and sealed it up weight issue was negligible. Plus you might come across one without a sun roof. Mine was the first to race in CFR, and now another has been built, and I know of a third that is under construction. Plus, two drivers, Randy Pobst and Paul Ronie, both said that they were impressed how well my Jetta handled over the GTI's they were used to driving. Paul commented that his "hands" did not have to move as fast with the Jetta as compared to the 2 door Golfs. Plus you can get the weight down. A little work scrapping, but it can be done. Just a comment.

[GRMPer]

I've already had a few Jettas (the 2-doors) and wanted a Golf. I actually found a base 94 no-sunroof that's cheap. Got a spot of rust on the passenger front tower---but saveable.

[edison_GTI]

You guys are making me feel really bad since I'll be sending to the crusher a rust free '95 Golf shell

[GTIspirit]

I think a non sunroof after market replacement roof skin is cheap.
Although.... on average, most non sunroof cars have much less rust on the floor then sunroof cars since the sunroof cars leaked down behind the drivers seat which caused the puddle and rust in the floor. (tube that drained water from sunroof always clogged/leaked eventually)

After being surprised at the floorpan rust on my '87 GTI 16V I totally agree with Beran. I'll never buy another sunroof car again, new, used, for whatever reason. The car is in great shape otherwise, I had no idea about the floorpan rust and repairing that is causing my cage build to take longer than expected.

[Knestis]

You guys are making me feel really bad since I'll be sending to the crusher a rust free '95 Golf shell

Where is it?
K

[edison_GTI]

Where is it?
K

College Station, TX

[Knestis]

College Station, TX

Bummer. That's neither of the places I need it.

K