Description
DEPOSIT NOW TAKEN.
This is a tough advert to write after 14 wonderful years of ownership..... but I'm just not using it enough..... Please check the MOT History...... I'm simply not using it, but love owning it....
Please note - the car has only very recently moved to West Somerset with me (last 3 months!) to a garage - it has previously always been garaged in North Hampshire for the 14 years I have owned it, and is NOT a 'lived near the coast' example!!
Key Points of note:-
Approx 10 owners total (will need to check the V5) – but has been with me since May 2011….
Genuine mileage – low for the year, but not silly low so you are scared to use it…..
NEVER Painted – paint is ALL original….. orange peely goodness ahoy!
NEVER Welded – the chassis is as it left the factory – the ONLY little piece of welding that it has ever had done is a little cosmetic piece on the outer thin ‘skin’ of the front subframe – the actual chassis is still factory rock solid absolutely everywhere else!!
It is likely one of very, very few that are still in original paint and have no welding or structural rust anywhere!
No rust at all on ANY of the exterior bodywork…. a few components like the radiator and rocker cover are a little tarnished, but this is exactly the sort of easy, peasy weekend job a more energetic owner could do with no real skill or tools required, just elbow grease and the time to do so…....
Make no mistake, I absolutely love this car…. but I am a ‘credit card’ mechanic at best and as I’ve slid into my 50’s my enthusiasm for getting anything other than the cleaning kit out of the shed has waned….. so I just pay someone else to do it!!
Complete full engine rebuild on the original engine completed in 2017 - so matching numbers still if you want originality…. so, so many of these cars have had the engines chopped and changed with many DIY VR6 and 1. 8T turbo conversions actually being swapped back to the original 1. 8 injection lumps as values of original cars have risen….. but it’s never the ‘original’ engine that goes back in is it….
Gearbox rebuild in 2022, gear linkages and bushes replaced, various new oem bits such as distributor, waterpump, alternator etc. etc, underside cleaned and Shutz’d – but hiding NOTHING – just done for maintenance and to protect whilst stored and any inspection whatsoever is encouraged to show how clean and original it is underneath……….
In 2024 she had a complete brake overhaul including discs, pads all round, rear callipers, bias valve and all new brake lines run in and hoses as well as the fluid..... front calipers were changed a few years back from memory also.
Last week she has had a fresh MOT, oil and service, both track rods end and links replaced to clear the advisory on last years MOT and a full refresh of the exhaust system from the manifold back including a beautiful full stainless rear section that I managed to source that was supplied via VW Heritage but is now NLA - this replicates the iconic twin angled pipes of the original but with ever so slightly larger rear tips and as mentioned, in full stainless. It finishes the car perfectly at the back - the pictures show the original Jetex back box that has been on the car since I brought it...
It’s a true “survivor” example in every sense of the word……
Interior is in amazing condition – perfect headlining – small hole in the drivers seat bolster where they all go, but I have a complete spare seat in matching material and also a complete seat cover set in matching material that will come with the car….. only negative is little speaker holes that a previous owner cut into the door cards – the rest of the doors cards are so mint I have never bothered sourcing replacements, but they are out there on EBay, and again the material is there if needed to plug or patch or recover should you wish too….
The eagle eyed will note that the wheels are in fact BBS KBA 7 x 15”s – as fitted to BMW 325i’s from the same era – these are in original unrestored condition also, so whilst they do have some 35 years of little scuffs/ nicks, they are in amazing condition overall and just fill the arches that little bit better than the oem 6. 5 x 15” BBS RA’s.
These have brand new UniRoyal Rainsport 5’s on all round and would easily sell for the cost of an equally lovely set of BBS RA’s should you wish to swap back.
She is about 30mm lower on Bilstein shocks and Eibach combo – again – easy swap back to oem BOGE if that’s your thing, but the wheels and suspension were on there when I got the car and are quality items so I have never felt the urge to change them when the car looks and sits so well as it currently is….
Overall, she’s in wonderful original condition, looks amazing from a few feet away, and wears it’s 35 years and 135K miles incredibly well….. but there are marks and touched in stone chips when you go looking for them….. but then you don’t have to panic each time you take it out either. The drive:-
So in terms of ‘analogue’ driving experience’s….. it doesn’t get much better…. no power steering on this one – but it’s the better for it having had several versions of 8 and 16 valve cars over the years with and without power steering….
The little Golf delivers in spades on the occasions I’ve used it and then will equally do a 200 mile round trip with luggage with just a quick kick of the tyres if needed……it’s even decent on fuel – mid 30’s mpg all day long…
It’s a great example of a great, great car……
There is loads more I could write and say about it, and if anyone is seriously interested, please prepare yourself in advance as I can and will go through every scrap of paper I have for the old girl if you want me to.
Paper work consists of the original service book and manuals, 90% of all the old MOT’s, loads of bills and invoices from past owners where you can see it’s been a well loved car, and then stacks of paperwork from my own ownership, 2 keys, etc. etc.
Central locking, electric windows and a (manual) sunroof complete the extensive options list…..
Many thanks for reading and for clarity I'm not interested in any part/ ex's for any other vehicles. and won't enter into any discussions about pricing over the phone or email. You need to come and see it basically and then we can have a haggle!
