Highlights

• Unmodified, in factory spec
• Early Mk1 GLI Cabriolet
• Manual gearbox
• Perky 1.6-litre injected engine
• Overall fine condition

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• First registered in April 1981
• Early Mk1 Golf GLI Cabriolet
• Italian registration documents
• Currently displaying 84,618Km
• GTI lettering was added later

The Condition

• White paintwork looks to be in good order, with some minor blemishes and marks – as you’d expect given the car’s age – but no significant wear we could identify
• Black fabric roof is new and taut when raised and engaged
• Black bumpers, wheel arch extensions and chin spoiler all add a nice contrast and show well, again with only the merest suggestions of wear and tear showing
• There is some discolouration or corrosion evident on the chrome strip surrounding the front windscreen
• 13-inch ‘basket weave’ style alloy wheels are finished and silver and present in very good condition, with no kerbing or lacquer peel in evidence
• Tyres are a matched set of Nankangs and appear to be quite new
• Having a look underneath the car, the floor, sills and inner arches all look very clean, straight and solid, with no damage or corrosion we could discern
• Overall, the exterior of the car presents in very good, unmodified condition
• Fabric upholstery with attractive black and white design presents well
• The seats all look to be original, with a commensurate level of wear and sagging to the material, but other than a very small split to a seam on the driver’s seat, we saw no tears or major damage
• Black carpets appear to be intact and in decent order, with grey carpet to the boot space
• Under the carpet, the boot floor looks straight and solid, with no major corrosion, and a full-size spare wheel in place
• Aftermarket Kenwood radio/cassette player
• Manual window winders and door mirror adjusters make for easy maintenance
• All of the switchgear and trim appears to be in reasonable condition for the age, with only the end of the rear passenger side window winder missing
• When the roof is raised, there is a white vinyl headlining which appears to be in nice condition, with no damage or staining we could see
• The rollover hoop looks to be undamaged and doesn’t show any notable wear or scuffing

The Mechanics

• 1,588cc naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine
• Five-speed manual transmission
• The engine bay looks clean and tidy, other than some paint cracking and surface corrosion in the scuttle tray
• It looks as if the fuel lines in the engine bay have been replaced with new stainless braided lines
• It appears as if there may be a lower end oil leak, as the sump and gearbox show evidence of oil residue
• The exhaust appears to be a recently fitted system
• The vendor does not report any mechanical issues or problems