Classified of the Day – 1985 Mk2 Golf GTi

The ‘80s were time of crazy excess and living life to the beat of synthwave. It was also the decade in which the hot hatch came into full swing, and if you wanted to be the hot hatch boss, there was only one car to buy – the Golf GTi. By the ‘80s it was on its second-generation, so it had filled out a bit. That was fine though. The Mk2 Golf was a stout, broad machine that had plenty of presence. It also felt solid and tough, especially when compared to the Mk1.

The Golf GTi was originally, as per the car you’re looking at here, fitted with a 1.8 8-valve engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and as such, 110bhp. Not a lot by today’s standards, but when you consider it had a curb weight of just 1,040kg (claimed), it was actually more than enough. The result was a car that could get the family from A to B while being fast, fun and engaging.

Of course, as is par for the hot hatch course, it wasn’t long before the modifying scene got hold of the GTi, and as such, many a poor Golf was subjected to all manner of horrid modifications. Now that’s not to say we don’t like a modified car, we do, but a lot are, well, rubbish. Stick on this body-kit that, horrid wheels, it was the death knell for more than a few GTi models. That’s what makes this one all the more special.

Resplendent in factory Alpine White and wearing period-correct Pirelli P-Slot 14-inch alloy wheels, this is the way a Mk2 Golf GTi should be. The red GTi detailing is all present and correct, and inside the red and grey striped cloth is mint, as is the all-important ‘golf ball’ gear knob. Also, being a 1985 model, it’s wearing the slim bumpers, which look better than the later big bumpers if you ask us.

At £10,499 it’s not the cheapest out there, but it is one of the best. Unmolested by an over enthusiastic Max Power reader, this is a pure GTi. And being a Volkswagen, it’s ready to go to a car show or to the office – this is a truly useable classic. Just don’t forget to crank the synthwave up to eleven.