80/4K differences/similarities/&the like

["George & Deanna Achorn" <coolidge@tidalwave.net>]

Hey,
    I was reading the new Car magazine, and in the back was a new car guide.
Reading the Cabriolet section, they mentioned how it was still based on the
80 chassis originally developed in the 70s. Does that mean that the Mk 3 80
or the first 80/90 in the US following the 4Ks was built on the same chassis
as the earlier cars, unlike say, the differences between Mark 1 VWS
(Golf/Scirocco) and Mk2 VWs (Golf A2, Corrado). If that is the case, what
sort of interchangeability would there be in parts (suspension, other
components etc) would be interchangeable. For instance, the 80/90 Mk3 dash
would be cool to mount in an older Ur-Q bodied '844KQ, as would 5-lug or
later 4-lug setups for wheel availability, or better yet the 1.8T which in
non turbo form is available in european Cabriolets.
    To me this sort of interchangeability could mean for the 4K the sort of
notriety that the BMW 2002 received. Think about it, the first Quattro small
sedan with the looks of the Ur-Q, cheap to buy, with crazy
interchangeability. A classic '84 4KQ would be very potent with a 225hp TT
spec intercooler equipped 1.8T. Further, 1.8Ts should be pretty cheap in a
few years with all the 4cyl Passats and A4s entering the market, then from
there just order the TT parts. The weight savings of the 4 cyl in the
lighter older 4KQ would be crazy in terms of performance.
    Just a thought, and one of these days I am going to pick up an '84 4KQ.