Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
2003 Volkswagen Golf R32
Estimate
£25, 000 - £30, 000
Registration No: PN53 FBL
Chassis No: WVWZZZ1JZ3D508840
MOT: August 2025
Upgraded by The Phirm, Camberley, Surrey
Still retaining a very original look
One of c. 2, 391 MkIV iterations of the R32
Displaying a low mileage of some 54, 518
By the time VW got to the MkIV version of the Golf GTI, it had got heavier and slower. Something clearly needed to be done. Behold, the entry of the Golf R32 in the last two years of MkIV production, and undoubtedly the flagship of the Golf MkIV range. Built for just a few years from 2002 to 2004, it was loosely based on the same running gear as the Audi TT 3. 2 Quattro.
According to mkivr32. com some 2, 391 MkIV versions of the R32 were produced for the UK market. Rare in the day and even rarer to find today, making this a very rare car and one which is likely to increase in value as the years go by. The 3. 2-litre V6 engine fitted to the R32 was a massively revised version of the perennial 2. 8-litre V6 (née VR6) unit. The Golf hits 60mph in a blink under 6. 5 seconds and will only stop accelerating at 153mph. Rivals of the day included the Subaru Impreza and the original Ford Focus RS. The R32's design was more classless looks and more understated than them both. Subtle changes were made, and it is easy to spot an R32 from a plain GTI. For a start it sits around 20mm lower, and then there is the addition of a body kit, with a roof spoiler and a large front bumper. Unique 18-inch multi-spoke alloys were fitted along with a bespoke exhaust. On the inside, body-hugging sports seats were fitted, ideal for when you were pressing on. An R32 in good fettle was able to accomplish the 0-60mph sprint in just over six seconds, fast even by today’s standards, and the top speed was a heady 150mph. Once again there was a hot Golf, ready to thrill and excite.
Which brings us to this rather special MkIV Golf R32, first registered on 6th September 2003, the vendor purchased the R32 in February 2008, with some 14, 000 miles on the clock. Having owned a few VWs over the years, he knew the VAG specialist, The Phirm in Surrey, and set about discussions about turbocharging the R32. There was an EIP turbo-kit sourced from the USA and The Phirm made plans for a bespoke fit. A number of parts were sourced at a cost in excess of £15, 000. A further substantial amount was then spent on ceramic coating with a company called Zircotec, specialists in reducing temperatures under the bonnet. The alloys are standard but diamond-cut to give the stunning look and shod with Goodyear F1s. Large AP Racing brakes were sourced and modified to fit the R32, at a cost of some £5, 000. The main request on the conversion was to make it look 'Factory OEM'. So, to the un-trained eye, the engine looks much like any other R32 and inside the double DIN stereo was replaced to house 3 gauges with matching trim to blend with the rest of the cockpit.
The Phirm have looked after this car since in our vendor's ownership. All in all, over £30, 000 has been spent to get the R32 to the standard he wanted. The conversion took nearly a year to fully complete. All parts used were 'the best available' with 'all chains replaced'. Part of a small collection, the Golf is kept in a warm garage, only driven in sunny weather, never raced or tracked. It has covered some 35, 000 miles since the modifications and serviced and MOT’d every year regardless of the mileage. There's a current V5, a comprehensive service history, all receipts for works done, MOTs, the bookpack and 2 keys.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
