Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI
Posted: Jul Tue 03, 2012 5:43 am
Hey guys - some of you know me from my days in the Bozone, most I am sure don't. I lived out there for 5 years or so and moved back to New England in 2007.
Trevor (MTGetto) was kind enough to drive out a rarely seen (here anyway) rust free and original 1990 Calypso GLI to me a few weeks back. I will try to keep everyone updated on how this transplant is doing as I know at least one of you also has some history with the car.
I have some big plans for this baby, but she will always remain a 16v. I am unfortunately not mechanically gifted as many on here obviously are, so you may have to bear with me a bit.
Here she is as she arrived from the trip from Montana to Massachusetts. The guys had a blowout in South Dakota, which ripped the drivers wheel arch flare and some of the lower trim off. That was okay with me because I had planned on removing all of that anyway - plastic trim doesn't treat cars well in the moist air here. Most MK2's that lived their lives here have gaping holes behind the wheel arches.
Sorry, not a great photo.
My first task was to clean up the 5 spoke wheels. Mission accomplished! They came out pretty good actually if I do say so myself.
Then I removed the rest of the trim with the exception of some riveted items and some really tough double sided tape...it's on the list...
Haven't finished the passenger side - but as Rob B once said "It's pretty hard to see both sides of a car at the same time"
As luck would have it Craigslist led me to a guy in Rhode Island with three buildings full of VW parts from the last 20 years. I am talking boxes and boxes of stuff, body panels, wheels, you name it. I am pretty sure he was a little autistic because I would mention a part and he would almost run to where it was...one of them was under a pile of leaves behind a shed... Great guy and I am sure I will see more of him. Here is what I got from the first trip.
Pretty much everything I need for the swap, minus the small bumper guides for the front and the quarter flares for in front of the rear wheels.
I started on the reconditioning of the rear bumper first. I am sure Aaron, Joe, and maybe Mike remember when the "FukenGruven" stickers came out. I hadn't seen one in years.
Took out the ole heat gun and gave it a go...
And Voila!!! Not bad!
Installed the full rain tray I got. This thing is perfect!
Cleaned up some other parts and assembled my new grill, primed and painted the metal piece. I couldn't find any paint that resembled Calypso, so I just went with black for now.
As she sits now waiting for the small bumper guides...
As it happens we are also waiting for our first child - due in about 6 weeks, so I am trying to get this done before she arrives. She will be able to ride in comfort however!
Updates to come...damn that was long - sorry guys!
Trevor (MTGetto) was kind enough to drive out a rarely seen (here anyway) rust free and original 1990 Calypso GLI to me a few weeks back. I will try to keep everyone updated on how this transplant is doing as I know at least one of you also has some history with the car.
I have some big plans for this baby, but she will always remain a 16v. I am unfortunately not mechanically gifted as many on here obviously are, so you may have to bear with me a bit.
Here she is as she arrived from the trip from Montana to Massachusetts. The guys had a blowout in South Dakota, which ripped the drivers wheel arch flare and some of the lower trim off. That was okay with me because I had planned on removing all of that anyway - plastic trim doesn't treat cars well in the moist air here. Most MK2's that lived their lives here have gaping holes behind the wheel arches.
Sorry, not a great photo.
My first task was to clean up the 5 spoke wheels. Mission accomplished! They came out pretty good actually if I do say so myself.
Then I removed the rest of the trim with the exception of some riveted items and some really tough double sided tape...it's on the list...
Haven't finished the passenger side - but as Rob B once said "It's pretty hard to see both sides of a car at the same time"
As luck would have it Craigslist led me to a guy in Rhode Island with three buildings full of VW parts from the last 20 years. I am talking boxes and boxes of stuff, body panels, wheels, you name it. I am pretty sure he was a little autistic because I would mention a part and he would almost run to where it was...one of them was under a pile of leaves behind a shed... Great guy and I am sure I will see more of him. Here is what I got from the first trip.
Pretty much everything I need for the swap, minus the small bumper guides for the front and the quarter flares for in front of the rear wheels.
I started on the reconditioning of the rear bumper first. I am sure Aaron, Joe, and maybe Mike remember when the "FukenGruven" stickers came out. I hadn't seen one in years.
Took out the ole heat gun and gave it a go...
And Voila!!! Not bad!
Installed the full rain tray I got. This thing is perfect!
Cleaned up some other parts and assembled my new grill, primed and painted the metal piece. I couldn't find any paint that resembled Calypso, so I just went with black for now.
As she sits now waiting for the small bumper guides...
As it happens we are also waiting for our first child - due in about 6 weeks, so I am trying to get this done before she arrives. She will be able to ride in comfort however!
Updates to come...damn that was long - sorry guys!
Got out the jack and promptly reassembled. 
