1985 Citi Golf Phase 1 - South African import mk1 Golf

[jiggawhat2k]

He's called www.jayscustomgraphics.com/, should you need graphics for German cars in Africa, he's your man!

His citi and other golf collection over is SA (fun to see a few more!).

I'm particularly liking the sebrings on the white citi.

[jiggawhat2k]

Work has started finally on the citi. Some small jobs and a biggie.

New rear door handle (previous was broken and door would jam).







Some new fittings onto the battery live. 









Fixed the seat runners and tilt, Common problem. 

Then coilovers! Got a second hand set in decent condition from ebay and we got them installed on the weekend with lots of help from a friend. 

It is now very slammed and I love it, and it actually doesn't scrape on speed bumps and no rubbing. 







































Coilovers are Raceland, a cheap brand with reasonable reviews. They're honestly great! Quite soft for coilovers, probably not the track day set of choice but damping is excellent and they don't crash around. 

They're a more comfortable ride than the stance+ on the scirocco, we'll see how long that lasts! The standard shocks must have been shot, the ride is actually smoother now. 

[jiggawhat2k]

The wipers have stopped working as well as the screenwasher, thought it was the stalk so changed that. No luck! Relay to try next.







Simple solution is to check the weather before a trip... 

Clear skies so went to Ace Cafe (Wembley) German car meet. Some nice bits and bobs there, met a couple of South African lads who couldn't believe their eyes! 

[jiggawhat2k]

The citi has, been neglected for repairs as I've actually been using it quite a lot. It just works, always starts, no drama.

Finally got a bit of time to look at the wipers not working.

Had a look at the relay no. 19, well known for dying on these apparently (wiper relay).

Turns out it doesn't have a relay! Just a piece of metal essentially bypassing where the relay would sit, hence no intermittent wipers (apparently an optional extra on a citi).

I replaced the piece of metal with a relay in but didn't solve it.









The fuses look original and crusty, so I replaced all of them with modern fuses along with a big dose of contact cleaner. Bingo, I have working wipers and washers plus intermittent now too cos of the relay!








Next job was the temp sensor not working. Also there is a leak from the housing, turns out it was from some sort of sensor or tube attachment that wasn't blocked up. No idea what it is but I've now blocked it with some old rubber I found that fit.

The sensor snapped as I was removing it, balls. Took the housing off and managed to get the snapped bit out with my broken bolt remover, life saver of a piece of kit.

Housing is grot, cleaned it up and sensor back on. No leaks!

But also no temp still. The wire looks cracked and rough so that needs replacing next... On it goes!




















At least I did a coolant change, it was a grim colour.

Also found this fuel line looking like a fireball waiting to happen. I'll tackle that next.




Gratuitous photo to end.

[Alpina99]

Nice looking little car, loving the work done so far, (for it's age it appears to be in remarkable condition, )
That guy in S.A. appears to have, as you say, a beautiful collection of Golf's,
Looking forward to seeing future updates on this project,
Bookmarked,
Nigel

[jiggawhat2k]

Sept 10, 2023 8:14:56 GMT Alpina99 said:

Nice looking little car, loving the work done so far, (for it's age it appears to be in remarkable condition, )
That guy in S.A. appears to have, as you say, a beautiful collection of Golf's,
Looking forward to seeing future updates on this project,
Bookmarked,
Nigel

Cheers appreciate it, it definitely looks better in pics than when you get close. A true 15ft car lol. Enjoying working on it though!

[jiggawhat2k]

I've had a kit sat in the garage for months by fab53, they make various conversion kits to install different seats to golfs.

Decided to go for the mk1 audi tt interior as the rear seat bench is a similar size to the golf one and can be made to fit. A job to tackle later.

Time to install the front seats! 

The original interior is absolute grot, 30+ years of sweaty cracks that I can't cope with it any more. 

Bought a blue leather full interior off eBay for £220 including delivery. In decent condition, very pleased. 

















Pics don't show the true scale of grime... 

The kit is lovely, it essentially becomes a sub frame that the tt seats bolt right in to. 















For once a kit that actually fit first time! 

Found loads of coins which is fun. 


















I put the frame onto the seat first then fitted one, probably easier to just do the frame then bolt the seats on but both worked. 

Couple of evenings and they're in! 
























Super comfy, hug a bit more (not that I'm flying around) and all the adjustment works. I've not wired in the heated seats yet, I'll work that out later. 

Will get a better pic of both installed, but there we go. Not too expensive, fun to do and it all fit. 

Rear bench next. 

[twincammy]

those look a great match to the golf.

[misteralz]

Agreed, they look really good in there. I'm a big fan of mk1 TTs as well, and their seats are fab.

Now, your wiper relay. Pull it out and replace it with number 99 from a mk3 Golf or equivalent - that'll give you a programmable delay!

[jmotor]

Really liking this project.

Do like the SA spec cars. Doesn't take much to make them look good either.

You'll have likely seen this already. A fella called Jamie Orr rebuilt a Citi Golf in a week. With a 3.6 VR6 swap. Looks deadly on the BBS too.

[jiggawhat2k]

Sept 19, 2023 19:57:30 GMT misteralz said:

Agreed, they look really good in there. I'm a big fan of mk1 TTs as well, and their seats are fab.

Now, your wiper relay. Pull it out and replace it with number 99 from a mk3 Golf or equivalent - that'll give you a programmable delay!

Interesting I didn't know that! How do you programme the delay?? The intermittent isn't very intermittent currently, just a bit slower, so this could be a nice upgrade. Cheers 

[jiggawhat2k]

Sept 20, 2023 14:08:57 GMT jmotor said:

Really liking this project.

Do like the SA spec cars. Doesn't take much to make them look good either.

You'll have already likely seen this already. A fella called Jamie Orr rebuilt a Citi Golf in a week. With a 3.6 VR6 swap. Looks deadly on the BBS too.

I actually watched this a long time ago and totally forgot!! Have gone back to watch again. Its a nuts build in the time he does it.

I'm still thinking about wheels but they have to be white and 13s (got too used to the soft drive despite the coilovers). Maybe some bbs are are just the ticket (and not too pricey if 13s and I DIY the paint 😁) cheers! 

[jiggawhat2k]

A couple of better pics of the seats in place. Going to try and size up the rear bench tomorrow morning. Maybe they'll just slot beautifully in place! He says hopefully... Knowing full well they won't.

[jiggawhat2k]

Also if anyone has any ideas on the best way to get the heated seats wired in, I'd love to hear. Do they have different stages of hot or just on and off?? Cheers!

[misteralz]

Sept 22, 2023 16:17:43 GMT jiggawhat2k said:

Sept 19, 2023 19:57:30 GMT misteralz said:

Agreed, they look really good in there. I'm a big fan of mk1 TTs as well, and their seats are fab.

Now, your wiper relay. Pull it out and replace it with number 99 from a mk3 Golf or equivalent - that'll give you a programmable delay!

Interesting I didn't know that! How do you programme the delay?? The intermittent isn't very intermittent currently, just a bit slower, so this could be a nice upgrade. Cheers 

Yeah. Dunt the stalk down, then back up again. Once you've gotten fed up with the amount of rain on the windscreen, then dunt the stalk down again and leave it there. I think. There might be an extra dunt in there somewhere.

[jiggawhat2k]

Rear bench progress, although it's never as simple as you hope.

They basically fit but would need lots of carpentry to do it without any of the original frame in place.

So I've butchered the rear seat to get the frame out and fit that back in. Then I can add the audi backs to the frame.

Some test fitting pics.















The frame will need some covering with carpet of some sort (or could reuse the existing rear seat cover with some stitching), there is a maybe 5 inch gap on each side by the door.

Getting more confident it will work though...

[maf260]

Front seats look great; more supportive and comfier. Could you not use the leather from the Audi seats to recover the original rears? Might need the services of a professional to make it work, perhaps using another pair of rear seats to provide the materials. Blue set for £40 on the bay of e...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155658456052?hash=item243df78bf4:g:yjQAAOSwSRdkrC5O&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwHnhKiOZ%2By8ngTpIc9ECcmWPmlzhggTAI8xtVJ0GniSr7Mj%2Be2RsTYUWaGWf0GT9CyxNqPzlQALL69LyIYNvRxwLhd5mYCcfH5WKRwAg%2BgGyNR3Nl1fQvlWpHopUYDPxZbMXxUAujyg7mok7%2Beety99xUEiCHAaHHd2y0eY1EvP3RViwYlCeMlG37wccn6VlrPCHuFSGrL9hgYVwg%2FeKihyv0gxe6bUdMLJvzeVm24aGAbcltDUSKiiaJJu7FI%2BcEQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4qWj5XeYg

[jiggawhat2k]

Oct 2, 2023 16:59:01 GMT maf260 said:

Front seats look great; more supportive and comfier. Could you not use the leather from the Audi seats to recover the original rears? Might need the services of a professional to make it work, perhaps using another pair of rear seats to provide the materials. Blue set for £40 on the bay of e...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155658456052?hash=item243df78bf4:g:yjQAAOSwSRdkrC5O&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwHnhKiOZ%2By8ngTpIc9ECcmWPmlzhggTAI8xtVJ0GniSr7Mj%2Be2RsTYUWaGWf0GT9CyxNqPzlQALL69LyIYNvRxwLhd5mYCcfH5WKRwAg%2BgGyNR3Nl1fQvlWpHopUYDPxZbMXxUAujyg7mok7%2Beety99xUEiCHAaHHd2y0eY1EvP3RViwYlCeMlG37wccn6VlrPCHuFSGrL9hgYVwg%2FeKihyv0gxe6bUdMLJvzeVm24aGAbcltDUSKiiaJJu7FI%2BcEQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4qWj5XeYg

Tbh that hadn't even occurred to me... I'll investigate, the size difference between the backs is about 10 inches total at the top so it's need some fettling by someone more skilled than me with a needle.

The lower part of the seat though could work fairly easily. Will have a look cheers! 

[jiggawhat2k]

Continued the installation of the rear bench, bit of carpentry on the lower part and it's nice and fixed in. More trimming etc to do but it works for now. Seat belts also installed, but I need extensions so they can pop through the hole in the lower bench.






Finally went round to all the open surface rust marks (rear tailgate mainly) and gave them a rust treatment. Once cured I'll give them a touch of paint for now. Better paints needs doing at some point once funds allow.

Also fitted 8mm spacers hubcentric on all 4 corners. Fills the arches out nicely and still no rubbing.

Before:




And now!













Jobs getting ticked off. Have to say, it's a very easy car to work on generally.

[jiggawhat2k]

Thought I'd investigate why the driver side indicator doesn't sit flush with the bumper like the other side does.

Took the grille off and what do we have here! An absolutely rooted bumper support bar, obviously been in a front end knock. Good news is the actual chassis is fine and straight, the bumper took the impact and just missed from touching the body. Phew!










Simple job, unbolt the bumper then either bang it with the BFH or get a 2nd hand bumper support bar.

But there was 1 final bolt I couldn't get access to due to some bl**dy great air con compressor (aftermarket) blocking it.








No problem, rather than take the compressor off, I'll combine a job I was avoiding - replacing an engine mount to stop the low rpm vibration.

It was a foolish plan. Loosened the engine mounts, jacked the engine up, still couldn't get enough clearance for the bumper, then ran out of time and ended up abandoning it with half its mounts undone but still with a bumper dangling off.

In the end I did the mount first, front mount so not too hard.






Inspected the air con and a bunch of the copper pipes are in bad shape. So just figure I'll take it all out and do a proper installation with new plumbing one day (which probably means never - will store it though!). Bumper now off too.










The bumper bar is wrecked so I'll be picking up a 2nd hand one locally that was on ebay.

Did try to bend it back my weight isn't enough and it has a nasty buckle that will never come out.













Also removed the awful indicators on the front bumpers on the side (added to make it UK-legal). I'll put some ones in the stock position in the wing at some point. Will need to fill these holes for now and sort them properly when I do a bit of paint.
















Did a little inspect while it's on stands, underside is very nice, no rust I can find. Front valance too, not rusty in any of the usual spots (especially behind a big bumper).