A rare example of the Golf GTI 16V 3 door Type 19 with quarter windows seven bar grille
Fully and fastidiously restored to original OEM specification using heritage parts
Now in a truly pristine and sympathetically original condition throughout
The Appeal
The Mk2 Golf GTI only became the “difficult second album” for Volkswagen after the huge and genre defining success of the Mk1 GTI. Suddenly they had big boots to fill and an eager and demanding public to satisfy. Luckily the Mk2 remained faithful to the original’s winning recipe. Other than the slightly more rounded design most everything else either stayed the same or was improved. As a consequence, many in the know will often confirm, in hushed whispers of course, that the Mk2 is the better car.
That’s especially true with this example which benefits from the later introduced and more powerful four valve per cylinder engine, originally producing around 139bhp which was a full 27 more than the eight-valve unit. This example has been fastidiously restored in its current ownership with originality being the watchword of everything done. It is now in a highly desirable, head-turning condition and is ready to drive away and re-live your youth in.
The History and Paperwork
This example is a UK supplied and specification vehicle
It was first registered in the UK in August 1987
The first owner kept the car for three years
The next two keepers, however, enjoyed the car for ten years each
The previous owner acquired the car in July 2010
At that point the car had covered around 106,000 miles
Between then and 2013 the car was used regularly covering another 15,000 miles
From 2013 until the start 0f 2022 the car was mainly garage stored and off the road
The current owner discovered the car in his neighbour’s garage about 18 months ago
Between then and now the current owner has fully restored the car to its current condition
In terms of paperwork the current V5 in the name of the owner is present
The car has a current MOT which is valid until the end of June 2023
There are stacks of invoices on hand from the restoration
These total over £10,000 in expenditure and validate the quality of the restoration
The Interior
The key to this car’s interior is originality
Very little in here required restoration or replacement reportedly
The seats are finished in the original striped, grey fabric with red textured accents
The diver’s seat has had its outer bolster rebuilt and a small tear repaired from beneath
Otherwise, the upholstery to both front and rear seats is in an excellent condition
The familiar black vinyl dash will be charmingly familiar to those of a certain age
This is all original, too, with just a couple of small cracks noted on close inspection
The original white on black VDO gauges are all original and operational
These sit behind an original four spoke, four horn press GTI steering wheel
The centre console houses the heater and other controls
Electric window switches are present which may have been retro fitted
The black carpets look to be in great original order throughout
The door cards and rear side panels are all excellent and unmolested
The dark headlining is complete and unmarked
A factory fitted, manual steel, tilt and slide sunroof is fitted
The boot features an original carpet trimmed parcel shelf
This is free from any DIY speaker holes or other unwanted modifications
The boot is generously sized and trimmed in black carpet
A spare wheel, jack and tools are housed under the floor
The Exterior
The exterior of the 16V has been fully restored and professionally resprayed
The car is finished in the correct OEM black livery
Where required panels and surfaces have been repaired with no filler used
The only full panel replaced was the nearside front wing
The usual weak areas were fully repaired such as rear wheel arches
The plastic trim is all original other than the wheel arch extensions
All rubber trims and seals have been replaced including the sunroof
New rain gutters were custom made in the USA due to their scarcity
The signature matt black rear window surround was replaced
All the original marque and model badges are original and present#
The cabin glass and light lenses appear to be original and in excellent order
The original 14-inch Volkswagen light alloy wheels are fitted
These were in originally fine fettle and have been aesthetically refurbished
These are shod with a new and matching set of Pirelli Cinturato P1 tyres
The P1s are in the correct factory specification size of 185/60
The overall effect is sublime with the level of originality being the standout feature
The Mechanics
This GTI features the later and more powerful 16-valve unit
These are renowned as being robust and durable engines
Power is fed to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox
As you might expect, this example has been thoroughly recommissioned mechanically
The aim has been to provide stress free motoring for the next lucky owner
The engine has benefitted from a top end rebuilt
The alloy intake cover has been refurbished and looks superb
The bottom end was in good shape but was fully checked and the rings replaced
The cambelt was replaced, together with pulleys, tensioners, oil and water pumps
New HT leads, plugs, filters, O rings and gaskets, including head gasket, were replaced
The Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection was checked but was setup and working correctly
One of the few non-OEM items are uprated, black silicon hoses
The gearbox has been checked and the clutch was found to be nearly new
New suspension, arms, uprights, links, struts, shocks, bushes and crossmembers were fitted
Brake discs, pads, callipers and wheel bearings are fitted
The exhaust is new from the manifold rearwards
As a result the car is reported to be an excellent runner in all regards
Summary
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, of course, but the passing of time shows us what a great job Volkswagen did with the MK2 GTI. For many it represents the sweet spot in GTI evolution, managing to improve on the MK1 with added power but retaining a light weight subsequently lost with the MK3 and MK4. Part of the car’s allure, of course, is that it does everything a standard Golf can do, such as do the school and supermarket run, but is exponentially more fun.
This example has been very thoughtfully and sympathetically restored in every regard. This seems like it was one of the few GTIs to never have suffered from tacky aftermarket adornments. Now, post restoration, it would struggle to be any more original and faithful to the original specification. Add to that the fact that it a popular 3 door type 19 model and this is clearly a car to set the enthusiast’s hearts racing. As a result, it is sure to be a popular car so avoid being disappointed by bidding today.
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.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
1987 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8 16v 3DR (MK2)
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