1983 Volkswagen Golf GTI 3 door (Mk1)
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*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT D insurance loss in 02/2003 ***
Highlights
- Unmodified and highly original
- Just two owners from new
- Superb V.A.G approved service record with 33 stamps up to 2006
- Off the road since 2009
- Ideal candidate for light restoration
The Appeal
While certainly not the first time someone had made a fast small car, the Golf GTI is certainly the genesis of the hot hatch – and as such one of the most important cars of all time. Besides being historically important it’s a superb thing to drive, with a perky engine, excellent handling and that all-important VW build quality.
Of course, over the decades, the vast majority have been crashed, thrashed or modified. Which makes finding a clean, tidy, unmodified example akin to the proverbial needle in a haystack.
Well guess what? Here’s a needle. A rather pretty, Mars Red one, presented in original, unmodified condition with a superb service history. Having been kept in storage for the last 14 years, it’s now ready for a new owner to take it back to its best. An ideal candidate for some light restoration work, this handsome little hatchback is a true survivor and has bags of potential…
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in January 1983 by a doctor at 59 years of age
- The car was declared a ‘Cat D’ by the insurance company in 2003 after some light car park damage to the near-side rear quarter panel, which the then owner chose to have repaired
- Purchased by the vendor from the doctor in February 2008 when he was 84 years of age
- The car has been SORN, stored in a heated garage and started regularly since 2009
- Given an MOT and four new tyres in 2018 when the vendor briefly considered selling it
- 111,709 miles from new, verified by the service record
- Unmodified and original
- Extensive service record – 33 V.A.G approved stamps, with the last at 107,485 miles in June 2006
- Comprehensive file of invoices and maintenance records
- Owner’s handbooks and two keys
The Interior
- Original red and black cloth seats
- The front seats show some wear, with the driver’s seat being in poor condition, but the rear bench looks to be in very good order
- Black carpet runs through the cabin and appears to be in pretty good condition, just requiring some refitting to the passenger side
- The vendor would like to stress that the car has not been professionally valeted, and they believe the interior will come up very well with a deep clean and valet
- The black vinyl door cards show nicely, with no tears or sagging we could discern
- The black headlining looks to be taut and undamaged, with no sagging in evidence
- An original period Panasonic radio-cassette system is fitted
- All of the controls and switchgear wear a light and appealing natural patina, with wear commensurate with the car’s age and mileage – overall it’s nicely preserved
- At the back, the rear parcel shelf is intact, with no speaker holes having been cut
- The boot itself looks solid and clean, with a full-size spare and a wheel brace present
The Exterior
- Desirable three-door bodyshell
- Original Mars Red paintwork with black side stripes
- Highly original and unmodified – the car is still wearing its supplying dealer plates
- Overall the paintwork looks to be in fine fettle, with some light blemishes and stone chips, as you’d expect and a little scuffing to the edges of the door shuts
- The bodywork presents well, looking clean and straight with no notable damage or significant corrosion on show
- We did note some bubbling to the rear arches and there is a hole through the off-side rear valance
- Underneath the car is clean and tidy, with a little corrosion showing under the spare wheel well
- Original factory 13-inch wheels, wearing some light scuffs to their rims and shod in a matched set of Avon tyres
The Mechanics
- 1,780cc naturally aspirated four-cylinder
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Very well maintained, with a fine record of servicing
- A new fuel filler neck – a common issue with these – was fitted at 70,396 miles
- The vendor tells us that the car requires a little effort to start, but once running drives very well with no issues to report, although they believe some recommissioning is in order
Summary
It’s hard to overstate just how game-changing the Golf GTI was – it’s a true classic and an era-defining machine. This charming and highly original example just needs a little love and attention and could soon be back to its very best.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1983
- Make Volkswagen
- Model Golf
- Colour Red
- Odometer 111,709 Miles
- Engine size 1780
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town St Austell
- Location Cornwall
- Country United Kingdom
14
bids
from 11
bidders
- Br•••• £11,500 09/06/23
- Br•••• £11,250 08/06/23
- la•••• £10,500 07/06/23
- al•••• £10,000 07/06/23
- la•••• £8,500 07/06/23
- mi•••• £8,000 07/06/23
- Ma•••• £7,500 07/06/23
- as•••• £7,000 07/06/23
- is•••• £6,400 07/06/23
- ri•••• £6,108 06/06/23
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