Started collecting parts for the suspension/brakes overhaul. Hoping to have all the bits by spring!

Got a G40 rear beam, with built in ARB. Going to build up a rear disk conversion onto it.

Nice and rusty.

Drums got binned.

Wire wheeled and first coat of black, got some thick paint to brush on.

...and figured out what was causing the knocking on the passenger side,

The "lowering top cap" had cracked all around the centre, and the 2p's holding the insert tight had squished so were replaced!

Top mounts are still knocking, but only takes a week from new, so looking into some adjustable alloy ones from Germany.

Lovely polo.

Slight delay to the plans of rear discs, front upgrade needs to come first.

So for the moment, the drums off the G40 rear beam were dug out the bin and cleaned up.

Still need nylon bushes but its done for now.

New bearings and cables, and a whole lot of cleaning later...

MOT in a month, booked a week off work before it to check everything!

MOT was today, failed on rear brake pipe corrosion, but it's booked in in a week to get them all replaced.

So the strip down has started, everything I need off except gearbox, flywheel, inlet and throttle body.

The list for the next week is...

G40/GT rear axle and drum brakes

GT inlet manifold

VW11 brakes and Black Diamond discs/pads

Lightened flywheel, from ClubG40

LUK clutch, 200mm ABF

Oil change

Coolant change

Paint everything that's going back on

And maybe re-paint engine, gearbox and all the other little things I missed.

Should keep me busy for a while!

What do people think about underseal? Or should I just wire wheel the rough bits and touch up.

Too many photos as usual...

Can't beat some roadside mechanics.

Give me a shout if you're needing a hand.

The to do list has started growing, found a fuel tank online last night for a decent price, so that came out today.

Also now need to replace a front wheel bearing.

But still got a lot of cleaning and painting done.

It was dark at 19:00!

...worn out already, 5 days to get it done.

haha some true dedication going on here bringing it indoors too. loving this so far, little bit different to the usual is always good, keep up the top work

Nothing exciting happened today, but I'll stick up some photos to the collection :)

With the aid of sledge hammer, an angle grinder and a vice, the front wheel bearing is done. It's a cheap one but should last as long as the paint on the struts.

And a whole lot of lying on my back scrubbing, came out ok though.

Got a few patches to touch up and have some new white stonechip for the arches.

What's left of the inner race.

Half done

From behind the arch liner

That is super clean underneath

Half-day update now that I'm inside drying...

Test fitted the brakes last night, mk1 golf carrier hit the inside of the rim by a fair bit, so cleaned and painted the VW1 carriers.

Built up the cheapo gazebo, a whole roll of electrical tape to hold it together.

And started roughing up the inner arches then painting. Done a few odd spots underneath that needed attention.

Was still wet, pretty rough compared to he other ones though.

Not easy on you own.

Good to go.

Will be left to dry for a day then I'll spray on the stonechip.

Plan to get the suspension bits built back up soon.

Still waiting on fuel tank and nylon rear axle bushes to arrive...

Couldn't put this off any longer.

Was a right pain but its done now.

Flywheel, clutch and release bearing changed.

Old one

Bit of a lazy day today, the stone chip didn't get on well with the hammerite on a test so I just done another coat of white.

Also put the arch liners and bumpers back on.

The inlet manifold was swapped over, throttle body is out for de-wedging.

Will sand it smooth once dry.

Today's wet events...

Put the front half of the exhaust back on, throttle body etc.

And the front struts, brakes and ARB.

It was dark by the time I'd wrestled the ARB on and bolted everything up.

Nylon rear axle bushes will not be here in time, so the old ones will be going on for now.

And I'm giving it until lunch time tomorrow for the fuel tank to arrive, if not the old one will go back on :(

I'm all wrinkly from today, lying in the gutter...

Fuel tank still hasn't arrived, ordered last Wednesday from ECP :(

So the old one went back on.

Then the old rear axle bushes went back in, and that got fitted.

Then the back half of the exhaust went on.

I'd borrowed a vacuum brake bleeding kit so I had an attempt at bleeding the brakes. Not the best but should get me to Inverurie tomorrow morning for the brake lines and MOT re-test.

Not looking forward to taking the fuel tank and rear axle off again, but at least it's back on the road.

Old rusty fuel tank in a nice clean space...

Snap!

Replaced them both.

Proof that its a car again.

well done mate, shame about the fuel tank, starting ti get very clean inside and out this, I love it

Just in case anyone's wondering, if you order online from eurocarparts, and they make an attempt to deliver, they don't leave a card or call.

Fuel tank had 2 attempts at delivery, must of been in the 1 hour each day I took the wife to work. No cards, phone call, nothing.

Called up today to ask, at my front door 20 minutes later so not all bad.

Now to slap on heaps of paint and leave it in a corner until its a nice day...

Collected pretty much every bit of polo plastic/ trim there is today from Tav, and also a set of front scirocco seats, haven't driven yet but sitting in them feels a lot better.

Got some of it fitted earlier, what's been swapped so far is...

Glove box lid

Centre console without speaker holes

12v plug and tray

Black sun visors, sun roof handle, and an extra handle for the passenger side, plan to paint the roof lining in black plasti dip at some point.

Rear bumper with un-broken clips

Number plate plinth

Seat belt bolt cover

Clear front indicators

Smoked side repeaters

Late spec tinted rear lights

Thick boot carpet

Front carpet with no rips

Stereo blanking plate, will be going in the glove box at some point, the bright light is annoying me and I only really use my phone for music anyway.

Still to be fitted is...

Front bumper, a lot less scuffed than mine

Full arch trim set

Front speaker covers

Air filter cold air feed

Side boot carpet

Handbrake lever with working button

Hole free rear door cards

That's all I can remember.

Surprising how much will fit in the back of a polo!

Need to think of something to do with the old seats.

Love this so much!

Really good progess mate, must have really good motivation to get it done!

That's looking awesome mate. Do the scirocco seats fit straight in (on the original runners?) if so I'm well happy as a mate might be getting one to break soon :-)

Yup straight fit, they are a bit tight width wise, one side touches the door pocket and there's just enough room to get into the handbrake.

Been a while since an update, and took a few photos from the recent unfortunate event...

Been stocking up on suspension/ steering parts and bushes for a re-fresh in spring, back to 60/40 drop and standard size tyres. This low car thing is getting annoying.

Lovin this mate. It's kind of an inspiration for my new white coupe cl think I'm gonna go 60/40, but don't want a harsh ride.....trying to decide which kit is best (on a budget)