Possible buying a MKI......maybe looking for a really nice one.

[mk1mark at gmail.com (Mark F.)]

On Nov 14, 2007 11:31 PM, C Boyko <roccit53@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Truly rust free is going to be hard to find, and it will probably have
> a toasted interior if it's from the sunbaked no-salt states. I've
> always been glad that Klaus is reclaimed salvage, and though the goal
> for aesthetics is "improved stockish", it leaves me no guilt at all
> doing stupid stuff under the hood. Everyone has a goal, perfection in
> a thirty year old car is a lofty one. It'll take some doing. But
> that's the hobby part of it. GL with the search. Cathy, MkI addict.

Yup, 'truly rust free' is very hard to find.  I've been on a quest for
the perfect unrestored Mk1 for the better part of ten years, and
thought I had it twice.  Both were pretty close to rust free, but
ended up being accident cars.  These, as well as other nice examples
had been ravaged by idiots at tire shops and damaged underneath.
Rather than wasting any more of my time I decided to get VERY picky.
I started looking for not only a rust free example, but one that had a
perfect underside, zero accidents, low mileage, and it had to be an
early (75-77) Mk1.  This was a tall order.  Finding a mint 75-77 is
almost impossible.  The 75 and 76's didn't come with the familiar
monkeysnot undercoating like the later cars, so even mild climate
examples usually have rust issues.

It took a couple years but I ended up finding a mint 75 that fit all
my criteria, except one - it was a (very mild) track car without a
rain tray (the only non-reversible modification).  The trade off was a
car that obviously had been kept indoors it's whole life and looked
like it only had 2000 miles on it.  My point?  I *still* found rust -
even on a car that looked like it had never even seen rain!  An almost
imperceptible 1/8" abrasion/hole in the front fender undercoating had
allowed moisture to get between the fender and the chassis where it
bolts together on the door jamb.  After reluctantly removing the
fender I found some rust hiding in there.   Nothing too serious, but
rust nonetheless...  I'm convinced every 'rust-free' classic car has
rust hidden somewhere.

Although this car is one of my 'keepers', previous modifications will
dictate that it will be a resto-mod type of project.  I'm still on the
lookout for the ultimate unrestored Mk1 as my stock 'keeper' (although
not at the moment - my Caddy project has killed any hope of acquiring
another vehicle for a while!).

As for buying an unrestored vs. already done car I vote for the
unrestored.  You will never get the same pride of ownership from
somebody else's work and vision, plain and simple...  You also have to
trust that the PO has diligently searched for and removed any rust
before painting the car (not to mention done it properly).  I hear ya
about the time thing though Jim.  I tend to underestimate time, for my
business, as well as projects - which often bites me in the ass.  Life
happens as well, so if you have the cash ready for a nice example
maybe that's the best route to take...  Instant gratification is nice
- just pray to your particular invisible man in the sky that it won't
be short-lived...

Later,

Mark.
75
82
82 Caddy - mTDI swap in progress
91 Jetta Coupe - PITA A2!!! (had a fight with exhaust spring clamps
today - argggg
                                          I don't know when I've been
more frustrated at a car!)