Base Model To Gti

[jord294 92]

Quick question folks

 

Can a base models rear wheel arch be easily modified to replicate a gtis please?

 

Or would it mean sourcing complete gti rear 1/4s?

 

Thanks

[steve@cornwall 100]

Rear quarters are just a cut and drill, quite simple. Where you will need to be inventive is in rejoining the reprofiled panel to the inner arch so it will really depend how much work you want to do which, I guess, is relative to what you're hoping to achieve. If like when I did mine you just want it functional and to look good from the outside only you can cut, form and tiger seal the join back together thus avoiding paintwork.

 

Of course if you are fitting a new base model quarter to a gti it will just need cutting to shape and the arch mounting holes drilling.

[jord294 92]

I've found a mint non sunroof base model shell, as would like to reshell my gti hence the question.

 

I suppose any decent body shop could alter the base model arches to gti

 

Thanks

[calvinhorse 870]

Yes it's easily done, with little effort you can do a nicer job than peugeot did

[Clarky3rdNut 13]

Without wishing to hijack, this is an avenue I have been considering to explore as I too have a completely solid base model shell.

 

Are there any other considerations? I thought I had read somewhere that the subframe mounting is different.

 

What happens with regards to DVLA/insurance? eg would I be left with a 1.6 XL Automatic with a list of modifications as long as my arm?

Edited July 15, 2016 by Clarky3rdNut

[welshpug 1,657]

you can either ring it or do it legally.

[Clarky3rdNut 13]

Haha ..I take it both ways involve swapping the VIN plate and chassis number.

 

Is legally just a case of informing them? Or are there ball aching hoops to jump through?

[welshpug 1,657]

no, one is swapping the vin the other is leaving the vin and updating the capacity, but you can't change the model.

[Clarky3rdNut 13]

Ah I see so one way would result in a GTI through and through including on all the paperwork. ..as far as anyone would know.

 

The other way would result in forever being known as just a 'GTI replica'.

 

Hmm ..what's the deal with the subframe mounts if there is one?

[welshpug 1,657]

gti subframe bolts directly to the chassis leg, shape of the base model chassis leg is different and has a bolted on mounting.

[Clarky3rdNut 13]

I think that's that avenue explored enough for now. I'll stick with the original rusty shell.

Welshpug, thank you so much for helping me arrive at that decision!

[steve@cornwall 100]

There is (or at least was) a way of keeping the identity of the "doner" vehicle rather than the identity of the shell , it involves the resultant vehicle being a certain percentage more doner than shell if that makes sense. You would need to investigate on dvla / vosa etc. Of course how much gets swapped after registration is a bit of a grey area iirc

[welshpug 1,657]

i dont think thats possible with a monocoque.

[Anthony 1,003]

There is (or at least was) a way of keeping the identity of the "doner" vehicle rather than the identity of the shell , it involves the resultant vehicle being a certain percentage more doner than shell if that makes sense. You would need to investigate on dvla / vosa etc. Of course how much gets swapped after registration is a bit of a grey area iirc

The shell is one part that can't be changed, unless it's a new, unregistered shell (like what Juttie205 did on his Dimma or "Heritage" shells for older BL stuff).

 

I think technically if you re-shell a GTi into a base model shell then you'll fall foul of the points system that you mention because not enough of the other parts would be original to keep even the base model shell ID/registration. I don't know anyone that's fallen foul of that rule, but DVLA (or whatever they're now called) are starting to check things in some cases, although I'm not sure quite how they work out what is an isn't original - for example, would a GTi axle in place of a base model one really be spotted, and how would they ID a gearbox when the numbers have likely disappeared after 20+ years?

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

The dvla has a scoring system when you swap shells if you wish to keep original identity but could never be done with another registered shell as u couldn't get enough points.

[steve@cornwall 100]

Further reading shows that I was wrong, once a vin is associated with a vehicle, it's associated forever. As said can be done perfectly within the law with a certified brand new shell but that's it. Has made me wonder though just how much of a shell can be replaced under repair before falling foul of the registration laws, imagining at the age of these cars now it would be feasible that if damaged early in its life maybe the rear panels and boot floor were replaced due to accident damage, and perhaps front panel too. Through its life could have had sills and floor sections and parts of inner wings replaced due to corrosion and maybe even a sunroof roof section replaced with a non sunroof.

Yet replacing only a rusted bulkhead with a number stamped on it in an otherwise perfect shell is not on. An let's be honest, it's not the shell that's the difference between a gti and a sdtd, is it?