What to restore?

neon4891 wrote: old full size P-up

92dxman wrote: I recommended a Beetle, a Rabbit, Scirocco or a Gti instead.. What would be an ideal starter rookie restoration car?

I sorta restored a Rabbit. It was hard to find a lot of the pieces that make the car complete. Hell, I still haven't found a back seat that fits the '75. Anyway, most stuff isn't available new, even if you want to pay dealer prices. There's no aftermarket for trim pieces like you'd have on a really popular car, like a Mustang for example. You wind up paying a lot of money for good used parts--if you can find them. Long story short, I spent a LOT of money to restore a car that most people wouldn't give two E36 M3s about. A2s might be a little easier because they're a little newer, but I bet it's pretty much the same story.

My theory on an ideal rookie restoration car would be to go for something like the above mentioned Mustang, where you can get replacement parts for everything from a catalog.

angusmf wrote:

92dxman wrote: I recommended a Beetle, a Rabbit, Scirocco or a Gti instead.. What would be an ideal starter rookie restoration car?

I sorta restored a Rabbit. It was hard to find a lot of the pieces that make the car complete. Hell, I still haven't found a back seat that fits the '75. Anyway, most stuff isn't available new, even if you want to pay dealer prices. There's no aftermarket for trim pieces like you'd have on a really popular car, like a Mustang for example. You wind up paying a lot of money for good used parts--if you can find them. Long story short, I spent a LOT of money to restore a car that most people wouldn't give two E36 M3s about. A2s might be a little easier because they're a little newer, but I bet it's pretty much the same story.

A2s are in that "in-between" period. Mechanicals are easy to source (including performance parts), but interior & trim can be difficult, depending on what you're doing. If you just want something nice, you can still find stuff, but if you're trying to recreate the original build sheet, it's getting tough.

angusmf wrote: My theory on an ideal rookie restoration car would be to go for something like the above mentioned Mustang, where you can get replacement parts for everything from a catalog.

Hmm. Maybe a 3rd Gen Camaro would be in the same boat?

Edit 4/7: Oops! Double post. Nothing to see here, folks..

I have a lead on a couple decent a2 golfs/gtis. I'm going to recommend that or a Miata. (Hey isn't that one of the holy trio of answers 'round these parts?)