My MK1 Golf, Dilbert

We've had a change of plan with the interior colour, yes already. Well not exactly a change as it was one of the colours we really liked from the outset after seeing a couple of red hot rods with tan interiors. The second one with the purplish red paintwork is especially nice.

So I've bought 4 Connolly leather hides in a warm tan with a nice grain, so nothing like white we'd latterly been considering. Haven't decided yet whether to go all tan or mix it with dashes of perforated black to match the leather on the steering wheel.

I still like the idea of vertical padding so the basic design will remain the same, almost certainly, probably, perhaps...

I'm not sure about using it as headlining, might be a bit too much, perhaps better in cream, will have to think. If we don't use it for headlining but still have enough left then perhaps leather carpets instead?

I've been Google'ing like mad researching how to retrim but there isn't a whole lot of info out there on seats, however I did find this useful article. The site is worth signing up to as, although it's primarily hot rod related, there are plenty of nuggets of information you can pick up and use. I don't think the retrim is going to be easy and will probably regret starting but, hey, it's something different. You never know it might actually turn out OK!

Here's the current favorite idea for the retrim. I've used a picture of later Porsche seat as it was already black and white so the shape is a bit different. The top section would be smaller probably to flow in to the white "wings".

The idea of the central black stripe together with the padded sections (they're supposed to be creases in the padding not mini stripes) was to pickup the main lines from the GTI fabric. Not certain it's an obvious link but looks good.

I thought about red inserts but the black stripes might not stand out enough. However red is a sporty colour and things like the door cards could be made to blend in to the paintwork. Not sure.

If we decide to retrim the car then the plan is to try doing it all ourselves, including headlining which I thought would look good in white with a larger central black stripe. The top of the dash would be black, either in leather or carbon fibre, and the bottom white. Door cards and parcel shelf would also be done using the same theme. Should be fun as we have trouble darning a sock!

I bought these today, a set of Happich rear pop-out's. MK1 versions don't seem to come up often in any condition never mind still boxed so I thought it was worth a go.
I'd decided that I wasn't going to bid an outrageous amount for them, if I won then great, if I didn't then I'd do without them. This isn't meant to be a blank cheque project, we want to work to a reasonable budget. So another thing to add to the "to do" pile of parts when they arrive.

If you need to look on eBay Germany for parts, as there's much more choice than in the UK, here is a list of translations I've noted down that should be of help. It's not exhaustive but gives you a good start. First though here are a few tips for buying from Germany.

1. Not all sellers ship outside Germany, however they often seem happy to so ask before bidding.
2. Not all take PaPal, unlike here German sellers are not obliged to allow PayPal payments. If not listed as a payment type it's still worth asking.
3. Bank transfers, you'll normally be charged to transfer money to a foreign account. Make sure you know how much you will be charged before bidding as it may turn your bargain in to an expensive purchase. Another disadvantage is that it is harder to get your money back if anything goes wrong. Personally if I can't pay via PayPal I don't bother.
4. Unless your German is a lot better than mine then you'll need to use a translator. If you're using Internet Explorer 8 select Page>Translate with Live Search from the command toolbar. If you're using a different browser then go to the Live Search page. You'll need to tell it that you're translating from German.
5. If you need to ask the seller questions keep your english simple and don't use slang or abbreviations they're unlikely to understand or be unable to translate. It's not a good idea to send them the results of an online translator unless you're sure that it isn't jibberish. Send it in English, they can translate it if required.
   

Alternator = Lichtmaschine
Alternator bracket = Lichtmaschinen-Halter
Belt release wheel/pulley = Riemenspanner-Rad
Bolts = Sechskantschrauben
Bonnet = Motorhaube
Bonnet catch (top) = Motorhaubenverriegelung
Bonnet hinges = Motorhaube Scharniere / Motorhaubenscharnier
Bonnet lock (bottom) = Motorhaubenschloss
Bonnet struts (actually could be hatch struts) = Heckklappen- Dämpfer
Brake callipers = Bremssättel
Brake master cylinder = Hauptbremszylinder
Dipstick = Ölmeßstab
Distributor bracket = Zündverteiler-Halter
Distributor cap = Verteilerkappe
Door handles = Türgriffe
Door pins = Türpinne
Engine bracket = Motorträger
Engine mounts = Motorlager
Expansion tank = Ausgleichsbehälter
Filler cap = Tankdeckel
Gear knob = Schaltknauf
Grille = Kühlergrill
Handbrake = Handbremshebel
HT lead covers = Zündkerzenstecker
Hub caps = Felgendeckel
Indicator stalks = Lenkstockhebel
Instrument/dial rings = Tachoringe
Instruments = Armatur
Jubilee clips = Schlauchschellen
Mirror = Spiegel
Oil cap = Öldeckel
Oil filter bracket = Ölkühler Halter
Opening quarter window = Drehfenster
Petrol cap = Tankdeckel
Radiator = Wasserkühler
Rocker cover = Ventildeckel / Zylinder Deckel
Seal = Dichtung
Seal for opening quarter = Drehfenster Dichtung
Servo = Bremskraftverstärker
Servo bracket = Bremskraftverstärker Halter
Starter motor = Starter
Steering wheel = Sportlenkrad / Holzlenkrad
Steering wheel hub = Lenkradnabe
Sump = Ölwanne
Valve cap = Ventilkappen
Vent (air) = Lüftungsgitter
Water pump = Wasserpumpe
Wing (fender) Screw = Kotflügel Schrauben
Wiper arm = Wischerarme

What does a Zonda F and Dilbert have in common? They now both have same steering wheel! Exciting eh? Well a bit anyway. It's the Nardi Kallista Pagani Zonda F Commemoration wheel. I'm pretty sure that this is as close as I'm ever going to get to owning a Zonda.

Nardi, who I'm sure you know is the Ferrari (or should that be the Pagani) of the steering wheel world, designed this wheel specifically for the Zonda F. The budget Zonda's have to make do with a leather covered version, no wood and aluminum highlights for the paupers!

It's a real beauty, hand made of course. Other than the Zonda I've yet to find a car with one. So either it's rare or it's not as nice as I think. Nah! It doesn't come cheap but then there's no reason it won't last a lifetime.

I still haven't found a boss and snap-off kit that I like the look of. Would still like a chrome one or at least polished aluminium so if anybody knows of one let me know.

Bit quiet at the minute. James is getting ready to move house which will be taking up most of his time. He'll then have his own shed to work in which will make things easier for him. He's only got a damp basement to work in at the moment which isn't pleasant or healthy to work in. Just hope he's not swapping that for a damp shed!

I'm in the process of buying and watching a few items, none to do with the engine so will probably just be stored for now. One thing I have bought is a pair of chrome bumpers which arrived late last week. Although they're repro's they're of very good quality and I managed to get them for a pretty good price too, so we're happy.

I've been working on ideas for the interior, although still not sure which direction to go. The angular shape of the car limits the options. Using a design with loads of curves is probably out, so that cuts options down by about 99%! Not been wowed by any Golf interiors and interiors from other cars are full of curves, so not a whole lot to get inspriration from. Had a couple of fairly mad ideas (mad as in wacky not the stupid slang term) but not sure whether they'll work.

I've bought a very special steering wheel today, not going to say much about it just yet, you'll just have to wait! Suffice it to say that you don't see them every day.

Although we're not doing much to the interior at this stage, I bought it as they don't seem to come up for sale very often with it being a limited edition. I couldn't find any in the UK so have had to import it. I just hope it's not too posh for the car. Actually I don't care because it's the best looking wheel I've come across that suits the lines of the Golf and, if it's good enough for the car it was designed for (hint, costs not far off £500K!), it's good enough for Dilbert.