Building a race car -hopefully! Help may be required

heat gun and scraper, dont get it too hot and it will peel off soooooo easy get it too hot and it will just be like molten tar and make a mess. Clean the residue up with PVC solvent cleaner its the nuts!

shadydaz wrote:

RM2WAS wrote:

shadydaz wrote:

RM2WAS, Iam going to try and compete in VWDRC, well that is the goal anyway

I am aware that I need a "stamped" welded cage. Have started looking into it already! I know of a chap who does cages for a living and build drag cars, might have him do it when he does my bro's

Good lad, I already race in the vwdrc and it looks like we live in the same place. So if you want any help or pointers it's not far for me to come and have a look/lend a hand. The more people we have on track the better! do you have a target for when you aim to be done?

Wow that would be great. If you are not up to anything any evening and want to come and laugh at headless chicken efforts so far, feel free. I will PM you my numbers if you like...

What I have said to people is that it will probably take about two years. The rate I am going I just don't know, I don't get out to it everyday what with work and the kids. I don't have any previous build experience so nothing to gauge against. Probably won't be next season but hopefully get it down to the POD at some point for RWYB. For my first build it is certainly a challenge, any help or advice would be mega appreciated!

sorry I've not looked at this thread in a bit, PM me your number and I'll try and get over when I can. I'm sure I can help point you in the right direction.

RM2WAS wrote:

shadydaz wrote:

RM2WAS wrote:

shadydaz wrote:

RM2WAS, Iam going to try and compete in VWDRC, well that is the goal anyway

I am aware that I need a "stamped" welded cage. Have started looking into it already! I know of a chap who does cages for a living and build drag cars, might have him do it when he does my bro's

Good lad, I already race in the vwdrc and it looks like we live in the same place. So if you want any help or pointers it's not far for me to come and have a look/lend a hand. The more people we have on track the better! do you have a target for when you aim to be done?

Wow that would be great. If you are not up to anything any evening and want to come and laugh at headless chicken efforts so far, feel free. I will PM you my numbers if you like...

What I have said to people is that it will probably take about two years. The rate I am going I just don't know, I don't get out to it everyday what with work and the kids. I don't have any previous build experience so nothing to gauge against. Probably won't be next season but hopefully get it down to the POD at some point for RWYB. For my first build it is certainly a challenge, any help or advice would be mega appreciated!

sorry I've not looked at this thread in a bit, PM me your number and I'll try and get over when I can. I'm sure I can help point you in the right direction.

PM sent!!

Thanks for the help guys, I returned from the in-laws with a heat gun borrowed from the old man and cracked on. It is so much easier but my fingers are still sore! I slipped with the scraper and burnt my hand on the nozzle, so "the glove of power" went on straight away and on I went. (you live and learn!) Just gto to find some of that solvent cleaner from somewhere. One rear foot-well to go on the inside then on with welding a jig together so I can flip the car and start underneath.

like the look of how this is going minus the ideas of smoothing bits will be keeping an eye on this. keep up the good work, i know how hard it is to scrape off all the sh*t from a mk1. just a shame i never got around to putting mine back together

jaques_g60 wrote:

like the look of how this is going minus the ideas of smoothing bits will be keeping an eye on this. keep up the good work, i know how hard it is to scrape off all the sh*t from a mk1. just a shame i never got around to putting mine back together

I did specifically use word smooth and not fill!

It is hard graft and feel like I have learned so much already, I have loved every minute of it so far, even the cuts bruises and burnes along the way!

Having only owned on Golf previously many years ago (1.8 on a H reg) and not done any modding to cars for a very long time, the ideas that I am having are born out of pure inexperience. Setting up an already built MK2 Escort for rallying is entirely different to this. I have always been an excy guy (boo!) but am fast falling in love with the whole VW scene.


Thanks for the interest!

Slowly but surely ticking along with this. Not much posted recently as progress is slow but am still cracking on when chance allows. It's all pretty boring stuff at the moment but here are a few pics anyway









Plan is to give these areas a quick lick of Mastic121 or something similar to help protect it. Obviously with trying to keep it as light as possible, if anyone has any other suggestions on wht media to use instead of M121, throw your ideas this way!

Windows rubbers have all been returned to Black as apposed to red, blue, white (rattle can spray) and rust! Will be going plexi so have a set of three door windows if anyone is interested?

Both front wings have now been sorted and primed.





With this in mind, they are still scruffy around the edges. I am now contimplating buying new F/Glass wings and saving these as spares. (Remember, I am building a racing car so thinking about weight all the time)

Another problem is the boot lock area on the rear panel, it is completely perished and have been eying up new ones but they are so expensive. I will get a close up pic on here soon and you can advise what is the best course of action please? I was origianlly going to try and repair but I think it may be beyond my skill...

My Bro-in-laws recently roadworthied, soon to be Drag Racer...known as Corporal Punishment



1600 at the moment but the temtation of a scooby might be too much! Waiting to get the cage done as it is F/G front end.

Rear panel:







Suggestions please? Fix, or too far gone...

it's 50/50...


What about this rear arch then? just smidged a bit of gunk off to see what is was like...


Finally I think I can sort the firewall out, once i get that nasty plate off, lol;

Could you not cut out what you want from a car being broken buddy?

As for the glass, i looking for a drivers door window. 1 without the original cars reg plate stamp on

I could do that, I just need to find one being stripped! Will check the windows and get back to you...

CaddyRage wrote:

As for the glass, i looking for a drivers door window. 1 without the original cars reg plate stamp on

Neither Fronts have any Car regs on but they are from different Manufacturers, both VW stamped

Can I pop by to have a look this weekend if you wanna sell separately?

Just picked this up, if you read this this morning I am in all day today. PM'd you my number CaddyRage...

Been off the radar for a little while, busy with other things. Not done much on the old girl, went out last week for a look around and the bulbs in my light had gone. Got some today so now have two work lights. Will be getting out for a few ours tomorrow.

Having now decided to repleace the rear panel, I can't find any anywhere. If anyone sees or has one for sale could you please let me know!

I have also been mulling over what lump to power this with and am still undecided. This is really starting to get me down. This has got more to do with not having the tekkers when it comes to VW power.

I am going to need some seats soon also so I can get the mounts in before the cage goes in.

So much to do, I don't even know if I am doing things, or planning work in the right order!

If your talkin rear lower panel theres one on ebay.

ring movac they do replacement panels as they distribute for hadrian panels in cambs area, all panels available

mk1g60phill wrote:

If your talkin rear lower panel theres one on ebay.

Seen it but I think I need the bit that sits above that. The panel that takes the rear lights

mvdevelopments wrote:

ring movac they do replacement panels as they distribute for hadrian panels in cambs area, all panels available

Had a look on Hadrian website, they do the lower rear valance but I need the bit that sits on that. Will have to give them a ring!

Thanks for your help guys.

Mik- I want to come down to your workshop please to have a nosy and a chat. Wouldn't mind having a gander at that wee project of yours, it looks cracking. I am in search of inspiration and Quotes (more importantly!)

Just spent a couple of hours out on her today. It seems that a bit of surface rust is appearing on the bare metal and on the areas I have prepped and primed. I need to get it sealed pronto.

I have come across people using all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff to seal their floorpans, does anyone have any recommendations as I am unsure? Do want to cake it or use anything that will be too heavy, thanks.

shadydaz wrote:

mk1g60phill wrote:

If your talkin rear lower panel theres one on ebay.

Seen it but I think I need the bit that sits above that. The panel that takes the rear lights

mvdevelopments wrote:

ring movac they do replacement panels as they distribute for hadrian panels in cambs area, all panels available

Had a look on Hadrian website, they do the lower rear valance but I need the bit that sits on that. Will have to give them a ring!

Thanks for your help guys.

Mik- I want to come down to your workshop please to have a nosy and a chat. Wouldn't mind having a gander at that wee project of yours, it looks cracking. I am in search of inspiration and Quotes (more importantly!)

pop down when you want mate the door and kettle is always open and on.

they will do full rear panels just ring them.

Did a bit more today...

Sorry about the crap pics, it was dark, cold and I had been out there for hours. My phone is not very good either.

Bit more done:





The paint was still a bit wet when I took these but will dry matte and not be so glarish (More photos like...). It's just really a rattle can guide coat for now. Once the rest of the inside is done I will get my Bro's compressor and do it proper like!

Got some stuff lined up to order:

whole rear panel.
Possible front panel (will try and fettle the existing one straight first).
Looking for fibreglass rear arches other wise steel one at least for drivers side.
Bit of POR15 to give the underneath a sparce lick after stripping when I get a spit unless anyone has a better suggestion?
F/G front arches/Bonnet/Boot Lid.

Still can't decide on kind of power, I think I need some advice as will be starting on Bay soonish.


On having given this quite a lot of thought this week, Once the body is done will need to get it rolling next so can trailer it for cage fitting at a proffesional est.

Now eyeing up supension etc but still have all the old gash stuff which I could use interimly

On a side note my wife is getting a HD Camcorder from Santa so will be able to update (sneakily) with better pics than those you have had to endure thus far!

Thanks for Looking!