Highlights

• 16v engine fitted
• Comes with some spare parts
• A classic in the making 
• Original alloy wheels

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• First hitting the roads in June 1989 this Golf has gone on to live an interesting life
• It then spent a lot of time in the UK 
• There are tax discs that date from 2005 until 2010 
• An invoice from 2010 is also present 
• The car’s UK MOT history ends in November 2010
• This is when the car travels across Europe and ends up in Italy
• It is said to then have sat in a warehouse for a while until the previous owner found it 
• They then cared for it until the current owner acquired it in 2022
• They have since returned it to the UK 
• After paying all of the import duties the car was placed back onto its original number plates
• With a current V5c present, it has all of its important UK paperwork
• It is currently in storage and will need an MOT before it can go back on the road 

The Interior

• Upon opening the striking red door, you are presented with a proper GTI interior 
• Comfortable and figure-holding cloth seats are fitted to the front 
• You might be able to observe an area where the original fabric has worn through
• The rear seat fabric looks to be in good condition
• Sitting in the driver’s seat you are held well by the side bolsters
• You can also get a commanding view of the interior and road ahead
• Directly in front of you, there is the original VW steering wheel and gearstick 
• Just behind the gearstick is the well-presented black plastic centre console
• Set into there are the usual electric window controls, heater controls, and aftermarket radio
• The black plastic dashboard is also in very good condition with no obvious cracking 
• On the floor, there’s a nice set of black carpets which appear to be in good condition 
• They are currently being protected by a set of black over mats with fetching red piping
• Up top the headliner may have seen better days toward the rear
• It's currently being held up by a plethora of black pins 
• The original door cards look to be in good condition 
• In the boot, you’ll find a large area big enough for those weekend getaways
• There is also a couple of spare wheels in there
• Overall, the interior is in good condition, there are a few areas that could do with a little tidying up

The Exterior 

• Externally this GTI has bags of character
• The classic boxy shape has aged beautifully and is now very eye-catching
• Finished in a striking red you are certainly not going to miss this in a hurry
• Red paint seems to age quicker than other colours, which is what’s happened here
• There are a few tired areas of the paint that could do with a polish 
• The original sheen might come back after a session with a detailer
• All of the original exterior trim still seems to be attached 
• Underneath the GTI is where it has experienced the most wear
• Unsurprisingly for a late 80s, UK based, classic the underside has seen some salt 
• This has resulted in areas of corrosion that will need seeing to 
• The previous owner did amass a small collection of replacement parts that will come with the car
• These should help facilitate the restoration
• It’s not all doom and gloom though the original GTI wheels look to be in good condition 
• As does the iconic round headlights up front that give it that characterful look
• Overall, the exterior of this GTI is good, everything is there to create a great GTI it will just need a little work

The Mechanics 

• Mechanically this GTI looks to be in good condition 
• It started on the day of the photos with the help of a jump-pack and was taken outside
• During the shoot, it idled quietly and manoeuvred several times 
• It was easy to locate first and reverse during the manoeuvres 
• Fitted with the 16v engine this GTI has more power than earlier variants
• Before the car was delivered it went through a large service
• With new oil, filters, water pump, and belts
• The current owner tested the car when it was back in Italy and mentioned that the engine performed well
• Now it’s time for you to get behind the wheel of this modern classic hot hatch

Summary