Description
Genuine 'Campaign' model.
Series 2 Mars Red GTi with twin headlamp grill.
Incredible handling and instant throttle response.
Lovely exhaust burble.
Anologue car.
The first mainstream hot hatch.
VED / road tax exempt with historic vehicle status on log book.
Average of 1k miles per year since recommission nine years ago.
8 former keepers. Keepers 1-7 (inclusive) were between 1983 & 1996. The frequent changing of hands at that time was commonplace. Purchased by the current vendor in February 2007 it was briefly brought back to roadworthy standard following 5 years off the road.
Due to circumstances, the car was again kept Garaged until in 2016 & 2017 a significant recommissioning took place - using reputable suppliers and workmanship. This returned the car to factory OEM appearance in the process. The cosmetic recommission was carried out by the original home of Car SOS in Aldridge Walsall - Westgate Classics (now defunct). After their closure the car has been cosmetically maintained by the same team of experts - at the new home of Car SOS - Nathan’s Restoration (also in Aldridge).
The story of the car very much like an episode of Car SOS, saved from becoming a relic by the same professionals.
Performance work and all running maintenance has been carried-out by very reputable specialists as shown in the vehicle history images.
These include:
Dave Crissell (AllStage),
Dave Knight (Knight Engine Services) under D. Crissell's recommendation.
Midland VW (Norton Canes),
Stealth Racing (Southam) under D. Crissell's recommendation,
Glebe Autotech (near Silverstone) under D. Crissell's recommendation,
Aldon Automotive (Brierley Hill),
Roger Bayliss transmissions,
MacG Racing (Barrow on Trent).
The top-end was rebuilt in November 2017 featuring a Dave Crissell cylinder head. If you are unfamiliar with Dave Crissell (once known as 'the man in the shed’) and his work for the likes of 'TSR' and 'GTi Engineering' - this car may not be for you. He has over 40 years of experience in cylinder head work for VW engines, and in my honest opinion, unlikely to be bettered. The head was the last unmolested 'DX' engine specification original in his possession at the time. Please refer to his specification sheet with hand-written notes at handover.
According to Ashley Exhausts (Walsall), their opinion of an underside photo of the car is that a Milltek exhaust is fitted from the previous owner. It has a Koni adjustable suspension which was fettled with in 2018 for a perfect set up and gives permanent feedback and road feel.
Between 2017 and 2023 the car was MOT’d regularly. Since obtaining Historic Vehicle classification in 2024 the car retains a regular servicing and ongoing maintenance.
As you can see from the names mentioned, no expense has been spared with maintaining the car.
Many interior trim items were sourced from Mark Carter (Classic VW), VW Heritage (South Coast), the Mk1 Golf Owners Club forum (such as the original pinstripe seats). The VW Heritage headlining was a sample item fitted by Dave Hayden (Aldridge Walsall), my go to upholsterer for previous cars (such as W124 Merc). The driver’s seat has a bolster patch in-fill which I have never intended to fully repair as it keep the car honest and authentic.
The car underwent a comprehensive professional detail using ceramic coating in Spring 2018. Even 8 years on, the vendor's detailer who maintains the washes on the car, has commented that this coating is still holding up very well for a mirror like finish. The average age of the coating typically lasts six years. Photos included from the 2018 detail job.
Note: some photos show the car sitting on 15" x 7. 5" BBS RM 012 two-piece split rims with mirror polish & gold studs. These are not included in the sale but shown to demonstrate an alternative period-correct look for the car. They are 4x100 BBS made for a first generation E30 BMW (before they switched to 5 studs). The vendor may consider including these in the sale for a £2, 250 premium (with Nankang tyres).
Vendor not in a hurry to sell.
Offers considered disrespectful will be ignored.
Rude or aggressive tone will not be accepted.
Viewing by appointment only.
Group viewings will be turned away.
Thank you for looking. In 1996 the previous owner bought it for his son as a first car. In their ownership the son carried-out some Max Power era modifications such as 16" OZ wheels, cream Scirocco Storm leather seats and boot button delete, rear wiper delete, front single wiper conversion.
They sold it in early 2007 to a family friend - the vendor - who in turn bought it for their son as a first car. It was briefly brought back to roadworthy standard in 2007 after being off-road for 5-6 years. Then garaged for 9 years due to family commitments.
Work by previous owner which has been kept includes: Koni adjustable suspension giving excellent road feel, Milltek (or similar full exhaust), front single wiper conversion.
Minor underside welding work and MOT worthy work by Blakenall Garage (Walsall in June & July 2007) - refer to photos. Samco Sport blue coolant hoses and 'Onyx' gas bonnet struts fitted by same Garage in August 2007.
To prepare the car for returning to stock/ factory/ OEM look, the following items were purchased shortly after purchase: pin-stripe red seats (correct for series 2 post-1981 GTi from Mk1 Owners Club forum member), red trim grill surround, original filler cap, swage line trims, sill trims and decals, wheel arch spats, internal lighting, rear seat belt buckles, genuine parcel shelf (eBay), new rear lights (eBay)
Wheel bearings, front & rear brake overhaul, front wishbones, ARB bushes 2016.
Boot opening button from Classic VW (Mark Carter), VW Heritage sample headlining, custom cut sunroof brackets from Germany - all between June & August 2017 as part of recommission works.
Radiator & Bosch fuel accumulator fitted September 2017 before recommission MOT.
Underside flexible braided hoses fitted September 2017.
Audi 2. 2L WUR (warm up regulator) fitted 2017.
Mk2 Golf GTi larger Pagid master cylinder, new Mk2 16v 'ATE' brake servo, Mk2 used reservoir bottle, new Circoli water pump and new thermostat - all fitted November 2017. Reverse gear black switch from VW Heritage November 2017. Timing belt & drive belt December 2017 as part of rectification of teething issues following recommission (after 9 years off road).
Refurbished genuine Mk1 specification Pirelli P-Slot 14" alloys - refurbished November 2017 in Lichfield.
Dave Crissell original cylinder head fitted December 2017 as part of top-end rebuild, complete with new head and rocker cover gaskets (see Dave Crissell hand-written head spec notes and Midland VW Receipts for work carried-out). Dave Crissell treated inlet manifold. Other items purchased and fitted at the time included fan switch, fuel injectors, fuel pressure sensors x2 (to name a few).
Dyno test in February 2018 at Stealth Racing showing near original performance figures.
Short trial with vernier pulley and Kent GS2 fast road cam. Tuned by Stealth Racing.
Prompt revert to stock / factory set-up in September 2018 - with original camshaft examined by Knight Engine Services (Nether Heyford) before refitting.
Replacement clutch (preventative maintenance), new clutch cable (original was fraying), Lucas starter motor all fitted summer 2018.
Replacement chin splitter (large duckbill) from Classic VW fitted summer 2018. Another new large duckbill will come with the car as the vendor keeps a spare aside, including GSF Car Parts shifter bushings kit.
4x Falken 14" tyres fitted September 2018.
New rotor arm and dizzy cap (Beru items) fitted June 2021 following purchase from GSF.
Pagid handbrake cable fitted September 2021.
Gearbox rebuild by Roger Bayliss (near Dudley) which was re-fitted by Aldon Aitomotive (Brierley Hill) in 2021, alongside genuine Audi VDO gauges which are period correct (see photos).
Engine-side flexible Goodridge fuel lines and Bosch fuel injectors fitted January 2023.
Genuine original VW wind-defectors sourced and refitted to windscreen in September 2023 (after the pattern items previously purchased flew off).
Cosmetic / paint correction work by Nathan's Restoration (Car SOS) in June 2025 on a OSF wing. Paint matched using laser. Work included repair to window winder mechanism on Driver's side door.
Service, including spark plugs & HT leads in July 2025.
Static compression test by Stealth Racing (VAG specialist) in July 2025.
Replacement distributor made by consultant of MacG Racing (and fitted by them in September 2025). Required as original unit vacuum advance had failed.
Many unexpected original features are still with the car, such as the scuttle tray, exhaust tip grommets, bonnet sticker.
Imperfections:
Sunroof opens but will catch on the roof as it slides. Therefore never used since new runner rails (from Germany 2017) were fabricated & fitted.
Stereo removed in 2021 as I am more interested in the sound of the car. Blanking plate to be sourced from Classic VW when the item becomes available.
Horn wiring is temperamental and sometimes does not work.
Only one of the two instrument cluster green back lights work.
