[Vwpickups] standard ride height?

[MILLER S.H.T.]

Firstly apologies for a non Caddy post. It's just that many of the
people on this list are so knowledgeable...

I am in the UK and have a Mk1 Golf GTI (1983), similar to the North
American rabbit. (Standard car, not a cabriolet) I have just got my car
back after having new front suspension springs because one had broken.
Anyhow, the mechanic has fitted a pair of 'standard' springs and now the
car looks like it is on stilts. I always thought the car had standard
springs before but now the ride height is outrageous. I have a VW Caddy
Mk1 which was always higher than my GTI, but now my GTI rides higher
than it at the front. On my pickup I can just fit my clenched fist in
between the wheel and wheel arch, but it is a struggle. Now on my GTI
doing the same, I have loads of room to spare. I need to measure
accurately. Can anyone tell me what the standard ride height should be
and how it is measured?   

I vaguely recall dimension drawings in the Bentley manual, but my copy
seems to have gone missing. I'd really appreciate your help.

I think the garage has fitted the wrong springs. They assure me that the
part numbers are correct for my chassis. How can I tell properly? The
contrast from before and after is so great that I can't believe it is
just that the old springs were tired and had compressed that much over
the years. I don't have accurate measurements but I'm guessing it is at
least 2 inches higher than it used to be. As the rear hasn't been
touched I feel like I'm tipped back as I'm driving...

Many thanks, 
Scott