The Mk1 Golf Gti was something of an automotive revelation. It brought performance, handling and excitement to us mere mortals. It was a performance car, but as per its name, it was a car for the people. It was also a car we desperately wanted, which is crazy when you think that Volkswagen bosses were really quite staunchly against the idea of a sporty Golf. But there you go, executives aren’t always right, imagine that!
With the landslide success of the Mk1, Volkswagen put itself in a very difficult position indeed, in that at some point, it was going to need to replace it. For many, the Mk1 was perfect, so how could Volkswagen possibly better it? There was much head scratching, many meetings and many, many pencil sketches, but in the end, they nailed it. They kept the Mk2 Golf GTi simple. They could have gone mad, but instead, they fitted it with the same design touches such as the red stripes, the BBS wheels and the check interior. To begin with, they kept the proven 1,781cc four-cylinder engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and they kept the car light. The result was a storming success. It was also a car that, as is evidenced by the one available for auction here, we would still be lusting after in 2020. Nice work, Volkswagen
This particular eight-valve three-door Mk2 Golf GTi in gloss black a very, very rare find indeed. To find any Mk2 Golf in 2020 is something to be celebrated, but to find a GTi that is in wonderful condition, and that hasn’t been modified to oblivion in the early ‘00s is akin to finding a unicorn. Modification is something that has killed off, or irreparably changed many Mk2s, making honest cars like this a sight to behold.
It’s had just three owners, and has covered a mere 104,000 miles over the course of its thirty-year life, so that's 3,466 miles per year on average. Incredible, really. But then, a look over the car soon reveals that it has been fastidiously maintained and cared for throughout its life. Black is a colour that holds no secrets, so to look down the flanks of this ‘80s icon and see nothing in the way of rust, ripples, dents or dings is impressive.
In excellent used order throughout, this Golf GTi is the perfect charious for someone looking to recapture their youth, or to maybe experience the youth they couldn’t afford in 1990. Whatever the impetus behind your bid, the fact is this is a GTi worth bidding on. You won’t find another like this.
There is a smattering of paperwork which includes the original book pack, the current MOT certificate (which runs until 27th July 2021 - passed with no advisories) and the service book which shows the car was regularly serviced at the dealership in its early life. In 1995, however, when the Golf went to its second owner, they maintained the car themselves, which is evident from the condition of the car - it’s clearly been maintained without any expense spared.
We had a look through the MOT history of this Golf and were pleasantly surprised. We could see one fail in 2013, which was because of the exhaust being corroded. This has since been replaced, of course. The rest of the Golf’s MOT history is remarkably clean and free of any mention of any structural issues - rare for a car of this vintage. The only advisories were on perished items like bushes and so on. And even then, only twice. This car is, make no mistake, in excellent order.
Another addition to this Golf comes in the form of a load of parts. There is a spare interior, spare wings, spared doors and all manner of other bits and bobs. Acquired by the previous owner, they were obviously keen to always have the GTi’s health and condition at the forefront of their mind.
Impressive and near perfect, this Golf GTi’s interior is in excellent order. The grey check bucket seats are present and correct, and bar a small hole in the driver’s bolster, are in excellent condition. Volkswagen seats of this era can suffer from bending frames that lean, but that’s not happened here.
From the driver’s seat, the dash presents well and there is nothing to cause concern. All the gauges work, and the digital mileage readout is clear and has suffered no dead pixels. The very top of the dash, however, does have two cracks that run for about 12 inches from left to right. However, a professional trimmer should be able to fix them with ease. Everything else on the dash is present, correct and functional. The only change being the fitment of a more modern JVC head unit.
The carpets are in excellent order, as are the door cards and rear seats (which look to have had minimal use). There is a small issue with the headlining, in that the trim that affixes it around the sunroof aperture has come away. But again, not a big issue to remedy.
Around the back in the boot, it’s clean, dry and tidy. The original parcel shelf is present and incredibly, not only is it free from damage, it’s also free from aftermarket speakers - a rare find indeed, what with the ‘90s obsession of putting 6x9 speakers in everything!
There is a tiny amount of work to do in order to make this interior perfect. But make no mistake, the condition as the car stands is exceptional. You will not find another one so original and tidy. Get that dash sorted, the sunroof trim and the bolster, too, and you’ll have a near concours interior on your hands. It’s that nice in there. The vehicle is sold with with full interior spares and panels.
As we touched on earlier, black is not an automotive hue that lies. If there was rust or damage inflicted upon this car, it would be blindingly obvious. But look at the pictures and you won’t see any. The paint is deep, shiny and free from any major issues. If it’s had any repair work in the past (though we have no reason to believe it has), it’s been done to an incredibly high standard. The condition really is exceptional. The only issue we could find was matte black adhesive trim around the rear window - at the lowermost edge, it has started to break up. However, this decal is readily available, so replacing it should be no issue.
All the lights are bright and clear, as is all the glass. Furthermore, all four wheels have been refurbished and wear new BBS style centre caps for some extra street cred! The tyres are all fairly recent and matching, too.
Finally, there is all the plastic work, of which there is a lot! Being a ‘90 model, this GTi is the often preferred ‘big bumper’ model, meaning deeper front and rear bumpers with body-coloured elements. Both are in excellent order and hang on the car correctly with no sagging (this can often be a sign of hidden corrosion). All the side-skirts are in fine fettle, too. It’s just a seriously good looking, well cared for car. One any enthusiast would be proud to own.
As we mentioned earlier, the Golf GTi has recently passed an MOT with nothing in the way of advisories. Furthermore, it was sitting happily idling with no complaint for the duration of our photoshoot. The engine, the eight-valve EA827 unit, is a hardy lump of simple construction, so as long as they’re looked after, they’ll go forever. This one revs freely, there is no smoke or noise - it’s in rude health by all accounts.
The seller informs us that the suspension is all in good order, with plenty of new bushes and parts fitted by the last owner. Furthermore, the current owner has refreshed the brakes both front and back including a fluid change, so it stops as quickly as it goes.
The five-speed manual transmission is direct and while there is some movement, it’s not difficult to select gear. In fact, quite the opposite - it’s a positive, direct shift. And of course, the all-important golf ball gear knob is present and correct.
Earlier we mentioned that one past MOT (in 2013) earned the Golf a fail due to exhaust/emissions. Well, ever since then, the car has been wearing a new system with a natty twin side-swept backbox, which leans into the sporty nature of this car perfectly.
In conclusion, it’s in exceptionally good health, it has the best part of a year’s MOT and as such, it is ready to hit the road and take you wherever you wish to go. This is it, your chance to buy the car of your youthful dreams.
Do we need to sell you on this car? The pictures should do that by themselves, because this is one fine looking machine. But it’s not all looks and no substance. It’s been cared for, it’s been driven, it’s been maintained regardless of cost and it’s been enjoyed. It’s in near mint condition because of care and passion, not because it’s a delicate show queen. No, this is the perfect Golf GTi in many respects because it’s pure to its origins and ready to go.
Cars like this, with such an enviable colour combination, the right body (three-door) and only a few owners, don’t come up everyday. This is a car to pounce on, because the value is only going to go one way, and that’s up. It’s an appreciating classic, but one you’ll also revel in the opportunity to drive. If only everything in life was as desirable as this Volkswagen...
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