Body

Note: The press-in seal/retainer can be used on 1990+ Cabriolets but you will also need the windshield glass for/from the '80-'89 cars. There are two types of press-in seals available: with and without the groove for the chrome molding.

*If you want to replace your drab "chrome" windshield trim, it's still available through your local VW dealer. The parts person may say that you need to order two. This is not true; one piece is more than enough to do the entire windshield. To make your life a bit easier, use this tool to install your new windshield "chrome".

Clipper kit explained

"Clipper kit" is the phrase used to describe the body kit installed on 1988-1993 Cabriolets. Click here for a Clipper anatomy lesson.

Installing Clipper kit from an '88-'93 on an '80-'87

You will need the following parts to complete the transformation:

Front and rear bumpers with brackets and light assemblies
Front and rear bumper covers with in-tact holders
Front spoiler
Fender flares/fender arches
Side skirts
Hardware for installing all of the above
optional: Dual-round headlight grille with lights and clips

This site approves & supports this anti-Clippering message.

Removing the bumpers

Disconnect the front turn signal wires from their harness connectors. Remove the 4 bolts holding the bumper brackets to the frame, two bolts per left and right side (rear bolts are accessed inside the trunk; front bolts are accessed from under the car -- one left side bolt also holds the horn bracket in place). Clipper kit bumpers: Remove the screws and/or rivets in the fender flare area. Bumpers weigh approximately 50 pounds each; be prepared to hold/catch the bumpers as the bolts are loosened and removed.

Swapping grilles

The dual-round grille from '88-'93 Cabriolets can be installed on '80-'87 Cabriolets. The white car pictured at right is an '84 with the dual-round grille. (In most instances, it may be necessary to add wires and/or to add a relay to make the inner lights work. The inner lights, in stock form, are wired into the hi-beam wires and, therefore, only turn on when the hi-beam switch is activated.)
The single-round grille from '80-'87 Cabriolets can be installed on '88-'93 Cabriolets. Contrary to popular belief, it is simply plug-and-play; however, the wires for the former inner lights may need to be capped or taped off. No additional wiring should be necessary due to the outer dual-round grille lights being pre-wired as both hi- and low-beam (you may need to purchase dual-filament headlights to complete the swap).
There is also what is known as the Hella grille insert which is the same as an '80-'87 grille except it has lights in the center section (blue car pictured at right). This grille came stock on some Cabriolets in Europe. If installing this grille on A/C-equipped cars, the A/C condenser will most likely need to be relocated or removed.
To replace the chrome grille trim with red like the euro GTI's have, remove the trim from the grille pieces and paint it (GTI color is Mars Red), apply red 1/4" pin striping to the grille, or source OEM red trim from Europe.

Installing Euro bumpers

There are two types of Euro bumpers: small metal bumpers (a smaller, lighter version of the USA bumpers) and plastic-over-metal bumpers (seen on car at right).

RPI, Concept1, Oldskool Industries, Rabbit Parts, etc. sell these Euro bumpers. The black plastic bumpers can be painted to match the car. If you order the plastic bumpers be sure to request that they include the fender mounting clips and check to see if the lights are included.

Note 1: You cannot use the USA bumper bolts. You will need to purchase M8x1.25x25 hex bolts as well as matching washers (best to use one larger washer with one smaller washer).

Note 2: Euro bumpers use bulb #1156. Be aware that most stock light housings that come with the bumpers are not dual-filament/dual-contact which means the lights have to be wired as running lights or turn signals, not both. If you wish to have the running/turn light combo, you'll need to order light housings for Euro bumpers that come with "city lights". Furthermore, the stock USA bumper lights will not fit Euro bumpers without modification.

Installing front spoilers

Cabriolets without Clipper kit:

Most commonly used is a "duckbill" spoiler and there are 2 types: the smaller, 1-piece spoiler (as seen at right) and can still be found at your local dealer for about $20. The other bigger, deeper and often 2-piece GTI "duckbill" spoiler can be found at many on-line aftermarket suppliers such as RPI and Rabbit Parts. Both spoilers snap into the 5 holes at the bottom of the front valance utilizing clips which are usually sold separately from the spoiler (you can also use bolts, washers and nuts in place of the clips).

Part Numbers

Small duckbill spoiler: 171 805 903

Small duckbill spoiler clips: 171 853 695 A

Aftermarket body kits

Various aftermarket body kits are available for Cabriolets (note: most, if not all, are no longer being made):

BBS	GMP	Neuspeed

	Rieger	Zender

Aftermarket tail lights

Various aftermarket tail lights are available for Cabriolets:

M3-style

Available at:

TMTuning

eBay

Smoked version

available at:

German eBay

Crystal Clear

Available at:

TMTuning

German eBay

Smoked

Available at:

TMTuning

German eBay

Make them yourself using VHT NiteShades or similar product.

Altezza-style

Available at:

Memo Imports

Install at your popularity's risk.

Frosted Clear

Available at:

Memo Imports

Red

Also available smoked

Available at:

German eBay

LED Optik

Black or chrome background

Available at:

German eBay

Install at your popularity's risk.

Clear

Available at:

a non-USA eBay

When searching German eBay, use the following search words:

Golf I leuchten

Golf I Rückleuchten

Golf I lampen

Be sure the seller is willing to ship to North America before bidding!

Best cleaning products

Exterior Paint

Exterior Trim

Detailing How-To

Meguiar's NXT or Gold Class car wash* with soft sponge, cloth, etc.
Chamois and/or microfiber towels for drying
Meguiar's NXT or Gold Class wax* with an orbital waxer/polisher

* Other brands can be used, this one is merely highly recommended.

Black plastic parts such as the OEM gas cap, bumper strips, bumper ends, etc.: Meguiar's Exterior Trim spray, ArmorAll wipes (if they've faded to gray, Mother's Back to Black).

Do not use ArmorAll on rubber or vinyl parts -- experience has shown that using ArmorAll on rubber and vinyl ends up damaging these parts.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/

http://www.carcareonline.com/

Other products are just as effective; finding the right one for you and your car is a matter of trial and error.

Car wash tips

Do-it-yourself coin-operated car wash: Safe to use, but use caution when spraying where the windows meet their seals.

Automatic car wash: Yes, you can run your Cabriolet through an auto wash, but chemicals used in these car washes may harm your car's top as well as force water into the top/car junction points leading to watered carpets, dash, seats, etc.; they may also damage the car's finish (the owner's manual says to stay away from these car washes). Use these car washes sparingly throughout the year. If the car is run through one of these car washes make sure that the wax option is not selected and that it is a touchless system.

Standard car wash with a hand wash option: Most car washes today have "hand wash" as an option and this option is the preferred method for convertibles.

Installing square Rabbit/GTI headlights

Installing the square GTI headlights on your Cabriolet requires more work than simply swapping the headlights. You'll need the fenders and bumper from said Rabbit along with the grille components, lamps and the corresponding radiator support.
You can also install the square headlight grille from a '79/'80 Rabbit, but it too is not a straight swap: the radiator support/front valance will have to be altered (the grille is slightly taller), or the matching support will have to be swapped in.

Replacement body parts

Part	Notes
Trim pieces: fender flares, side moulding, side skirts, rocker panel moulding...	Aside from the fender flares and side skirts, these pats are no longer available new from your local VW dealer. You will need to source them from eBay or other online sources.
Hood, fenders, radiator support...	Still available new from your local VW dealer as well as aftermarket sources (aftermarket parts are known to be of inferior quality and/or fitment). These parts are readily available used. NOTE: The rear section of a Cabriolet is one piece; the rear quarter panels are not bolted on and are, therefore, not available!
Badges	Salvage yards, on-line auction houses like eBay, or other suppliers (see Parts page); dealers can still order some of the badges/emblems. Collector's Edition badges and Etienne Aigner decals are no longer available.

Cabriolet roof rack

A roof rack was available for purchase through the dealer; however, it is no longer available new. Click here to see a picture of it. You can try searching for one of these racks on UK eBay or German eBay (search for Golf cabrio gepäcktrager).

Installing Mk2 Golf bumpers

Mk2 bumpers can be installed on your Cabriolet, but it will take some modifying to make them fit properly. Additionally, there are two bumper styles used on the Mk2 Golfs: "small" bumpers and "big" bumpers; click here for more details and click here for an example of a Cabriolet with the Mk2 "big" front bumper.

How to install the side trim clips

New trim clips are available at NAPA Auto Parts: Part #6651396, 16 for $6.

How to remove the side trim

To reduce the instances of broken clips, remove the side trim in the following fashion:

Beginning at one end, place your forefingers along the bottom edge and your thumbs along the top edge of the trim.

Pull the bottom edge of the trim out and up.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 along the trim piece until it is completely removed.

The trim can be pulled straight off, but the clips are more prone to breaking.

Installation of the trim is reverse of removal, with the larger edge being on the bottom.

Finding the paint code

The paint code can be found on the build sheet sticker on the cross-bar in the trunk:

If your Cabriolet does not have this sticker, cross-reference your car's paint color with the Models Pages and/or Paint Codes page (if your Cabriolet has been repainted in a different color, look in hidden areas for the original paint color, such as the trunk, firewall, under the rear seat, etc.).

Structural reinforcements

Karmann Coachworks added structural reinforcements to the Cabriolet, which can be seen in the following image (shaded areas):

wtopw

Please do not email the site administrator with personal questions to mechanical-related problems (they will not be answered); instead, please use one or all of the car forums listed on the links page. Thank you.

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