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

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The dual-round grille from '88-'93 Cabriolets can be installed on '79-'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 relays 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.

NOTE: Grilles for A2 chassis Volkswagens (1985-1992 Golfs/Jettas) will not fit your Cabriolet!

The single-round grille from '79-'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 a '79-'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.

Aftermarket badgeless grilles (including all-chrome versions) are also available at many of the aftermarket retailers found on the Parts page.

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.

Front Valance Spoilers

1979-1987 Cabriolets:

Most commonly used is a "duckbill" spoiler and there are 2 types: the smaller, 1-piece spoiler (as seen above, left) and can still be found at your local dealer for about $20 (update: the spoiler is no longer available at VW dealers).  The other bigger, deeper and often 2-piece GTI "duckbill" spoiler can be found at many online aftermarket suppliers found on the Parts page.  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); the spoiler clips are the same as the grille clips.

Part Numbers

Small duckbill spoiler: 171 805 903

Mounting clips: 171 853 695 A

1988-1993 Cabriolets:

Hood/Grille Spoilers

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 (Meguiar's 3-step clean-polish-wax products work well for highly-oxidized paint)

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

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. 

New trim clips are available at NAPA Auto Parts: Part #6651396, 16 for $6.  There are 24 clips total for the side trim.

Note: ^Those clips are slightly different from the OEM clips and will require more force to install

 the trim/molding.

Warning: If you use a tool to punch out the center posts to remove the old clips, be sure the windows are rolled all the way up or you may break the glass.