harin

Thanks, I think i'll try to get it into shape as suggested and then @Dox I may be in touch if that doesn't work out!

Hi, So I removed the dashboard a while ago and have just noticed what looks like some sagging above the drivers side (raised) portion of the dash. See attached photos - it was hard to get in a photo but you should be able to see it. Now I did (stupidly) store this upside down so may have caused in in storage but having checked a few on eBay I think I can see something similar. So the question is, have any of you guys noticed this happening on your dashes that are in the car? If so, have you managed to sort it somehow? Thanks!

Nice thanks, ordered!

Thanks, I am having the under seal removed at the fabricators and will tackle the others bits myself. How would you treat thinner metal used inside the car? E.g. the frame that is part of the dash has surface rust - is there a specific bilt hammer product for that?

Posting a few update pictures. Progress is slow but I am getting through it! It has taken longer so far but I am trying to be meticulous in labelling and bagging everything that comes off and not breaking bits etc. Since the last update I have: Engine and gearbox out Engine ancillaries stripped Driveshafts out Glass out (with help) Spoiler mechanism removed Fuel tank Sadly I found more rust around window frames but good news is that doors are solid (taking the small wins!). Its off to DST Rustworx today to get those bits looked at so hoping I don't get any more bad news! (thanks @_Matt_ for the recommendation) In the meantime, I have a garage load of parts that need restoring! My logic says I should focus on gathering and sorting the rear subframe, fuel system and brake systems next. Any advice for or against that approach?

Thanks, I might do some more research on the MK1 Octavia as already a couple of scrappies don't have the Passat sunroof or if they do most likely it will be at a premium!

Yep, for me returning to the forum and seeing all the content has been super useful. Lack of images are a problem and it's usually the image you need the most! I was thinking the other day that if people still had these images we could get as many uploaded somewhere and using an AI tool *try* to categorise them somehow. Won't be perfect but might give us something we can refer back too for the future? I'd be happy to give that a go if we could get enough people to pull together the photos.

Amazing work and some great inspiration for my VR6 build, especially seeing all of that fresh looking paint! Quick question, how hard was the sunroof fix and do I need to get a specific b3.5 model/year? Thanks, Harin

Thanks both, given its a driveshaft it probably makes sense to replace these along with the joints. I have seen Deox gel before so might give that a go as interested to see how it works out. I definitely don't have a shortage of rust sports to test it on thats for sure!

Hi, As per the title - is this level of pitting acceptable on driveshafts? I also need cv joint/boots etc so looks to be cheaper to get the whole assembly if these are too far gone. But, if these are acceptable I will give them a good clean and paint. Thanks

Thanks for the advice both, very useful. I've been quiet as I've been busy trying to get as much done over the summer as I can! @Cressa, you were right, I bought a bunch of wire brush attachments and the bad areas do look better once cleaned up. There is lots of rust but its mostly on the thinner/cheaper metal and for what I can see now the chassis looks solid. I feel like it was looked after for most of its life and the underneath was well protected. @Matt, I never thought of the impact from dipping but after having been through the car I agree - those small details are what give the car its history. And it is booked in with Dan for next month so the race is on the get it prepped in time! So far I have ( a few photos attached): Interior Stripped out the interior Taken out the dashboard Disconnected and labelled the wiring Started removing some of the interior rust Body/engine Removed the front bumper and slam panel Removed all exterior fitting Disconnected all engine electrics Next job is to disconnect the shift cables, exhaust/manifold and then engine can come out. Also need to remove the fuel tank and exhaust and get someone to remove the glass. A few questions though: The sump has what seems like fibre glass protection around it - any idea what this is? The sunroof is knackered - whats everyones thoughts on deleting it? I really want to restore this back to factory but the cost of replacement looks crazy. I have seen some Passat versions used but do these use original controls and will they last a decent amount of time? Engine bay - I just want to tidy it up really. I'll be removing a few things (brake components etc) but do you think I can get it looking good without stripping everything out? Are there any other parts (similar to the sunroof) that I should take special care with? I am trying to be careful but be good to know any other areas where parts are non existent. Thanks!

Hey Matt, Thanks for the recommendation! I just had a good chat with Dan at DST about the work that needs doing. He seemed like a nice guy and very knowledgeable about Corrado's and issues with pattern parts etc. I'm going to send him a few pics and will go from there. In terms of cost the fabrication was a bit more than I was expecting but everything else seems inline tbh. Its a long term project and I'll do as much as I can myself and then space it out over time. The one thing I'm worried about is what I can't see under the current bodywork and so I talked to Dan about blasting vs dipping - do you have any experience of that? The body looks pretty straight but I guess its hard to know what lies underneath! I'm actually on the same side of Hertfordshire but south near just the Essex border - will probably have seen you on the A10 at some point!

Hi all, Great to back on the forum after a long time out. I sold my Midnight Blue VR6 years ago and after recently tracking down and failing to convince the current owner to sell, I recently bought/saved an Ice Grey Violet VR6. Its a (very) long term project and it will need pretty much a full restoration. Its a complete car and while it has done 180k I believe its been well looked after for most of its life by its owner. However for the last 4-5 years it sat outside not properly covered with a leak in the body which resulted in some interior rust as well as the usual exterior. My biggest concern right now is the chassis/bodywork and thats what I wanted some advice on. What is rusted (see attached): Jacking points Arches Spare wheel well Interior surface rust - especially where unprotected steel came into contact with the body Underbody looks ok since it looks like it was well protected but all components looks like they have at least surface rust but some work than others I know I should probably get it to a bodyshop but wanted some opinions before I decide to spend money. Has anyone had a similar experience and what kind of spend am I looking at? Thanks! H PS. I'm based in Hertfordshire if anyone knows any good fabricators/bodyshops nearby!

@pfnsht Yea, that was actually a few years before I sold it. I had the sills, arches and bumpers tidied up. Does anyone know if there is any way to legally find the keep of a car?

Hi all, A huge long shot but I have to start somewhere I guess.... It's been a while since I've been on this forum because I sold my VR6 in 2013. I've always regretted selling it but I had my reasons back then (in retrospect they were stupid reasons). Anyway, I'm now in a better position with a garage and a bit of cash to restore it. It's a midnight blue VR6 (see attached) with the registration M596 YPU and it had about 100k on the clock when I sold it. It had all the usual mods, lupo wipers, coilovers, etc and was pretty rust free. I was based on east London when I sold the car but cannot remember the name nor location of the buyer back then hence why this is such a long shot! From the DVLA history it looks like it was declared SORN in 2014. I'd like to think its in the middle of some major work to bring it back to life but understand its unlikely! I'd like to rescue this one, restore it and use it as a weekend car *maybe* giving it to my son when he's old enough. So has anyone seen this car parked up in a driveway somewhere???