Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Classic Sale at Supercar Fest 2026 on Saturday the 16th of May, Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN.
Supplied new as a Volkswagen (GB) Ltd press car, first registered in the UK on 05/ 10/ 1979, this example was used in period marketing photographs and magazine features during 1979/ 1980 to promote the introduction of the close-ratio 5-speed gearbox, prior to the term ‘hot hatch’ entering common use
Purchased directly from the Volkswagen press office in June 1980 by respected motoring journalist and author Brian Laban, who retained ownership until 2016
Just two former registered keepers are recorded, including Volkswagen itself, with the current vendor acquiring the car in 2017 and retaining it for nine years
Laid up for approximately 20 years before undergoing a comprehensive restoration exceeding 1, 000 hours, including a full bare-metal respray, engine rebuild, gearbox rebuild and refurbishment of the interior with correct-pattern tartan seat trim and new headlining, completed in 2018
Restored with close attention to originality, including correctly finished brake pipes and accurate reproduction details such as period-style number plates
The only deviation from factory specification is the fitment of electronic ignition from a later GTi, improving usability and starting
Since completion, the car has covered approximately 10, 000 miles and has been shown successfully at Volkswagen concours events. With that use, it no longer presents as a fresh concours-standard example, but rather as a respectable, usable example.
Accompanied by supporting documentation including period magazines, books and press photography featuring the car, together with a photographic record of the restoration
Presented on period-correct Pirelli CN36 tyres
Professional photography to follow.
Please note, this description is awaiting approval by our vendor and therefore may be subject to change.
