The Appeal

The GTI is a little pocket rocket that needs no intro. Many of us had dreams of owning one of these little gems, and some - sorry, all - of us still continue to have those dreams. The lesser-known Campaign model was the final sign-off for the Mk1 GTI, a special edition benefiting of virtually all optional extras installed as standard and a few other tell-tale signs it wasn’t just another GTI.

This particular example is presented in largely original condition with the exception of the rare and desirable Kamei front and rear splitters fitted - these aren’t just for looks, they were specifically designed in a wind tunnel to lower wind resistance, increase fuel economy and positively influence driving characteristics.

Looking cool is just another plus! It’s also worth noting that the car will turn 40 this year, meaning it will be exempt from road tax, ULEZ and MOT’s - although it’s always good practice to ensure the car is roadworthy with a yearly MOT.

The History and Paperwork

First registered on the 7th of November 1983
Vehicle has been in the current family since 1986
The car has been in the current owners name since 1990
Gentle paintwork carried out on odd stone chips and sills around 2007
Circa £4,000 spent between 2016-2018 giving the car a good recommissioning
Cam belt changed in 2019 at 138,507 miles
Original service booklet present with the vehicle
Original instruction manual present
Two original VW keys
Every MOT certificate since 1986 is present in the cars file
Current MOT present until the 30th of September 2023
V5C is present in the owners name
Dry stored in a garage whenever it’s not in use
Plethora of invoices for mechanical work undertaken through the years
The car has had 4 owners according to the DVLA, however 2 of these entries are the the current owner listed as a private and standard registration plate.

The Interior

Fabric upholstery is well presented throughout, with the original gradient stripes retaining excellent colour. No rips or tears are noted anywhere here!
Leather seat edges all appear good with just the usual hints of age in the form of creasing
Original black carpets are well kept and have the proper VW rubber mats atop to help preservation through the year
Gash gauges all function properly, and no unwelcome warning lights present themselves upon startup of the car
Original steering wheel shows some gentle signs of use and age however the stitching remains intact and the plastics undamaged
Dashboard undamaged and free from any cracks or sun damage, retaining a deep black colour as it would have from the factory
Centre console controls all remain fully functional and the screenprinting is all easily visible
Sony head unit fitted to introduce bluetooth into the otherwise undiluted cabin, and a 10-disc CD changer in the boot
Headlining is all original and shows some signs of sagging, and the sunroof cover appears to have some very small scratches on the driver side
Door cards in great condition with very little signs of age
Windows all remain functional as do the mirror adjustment mechanisms
Full sized spare wheel present in the boot area

The Exterior

Original Mars Red paintwork is presented in nicely maintained condition and is reported to never have been resprayed - just little paint chip fixes and the sills repainted around 2007
All original body panels with excellent panel gap clearances throughout
Rare Kamei front and rear spoilers which have been designed to aid in the drivability o the Golf - as well as looking handsome
All original plastic bumpers are well maintained with a rich black colour and not sun dyed like most of the examples still around. The rear does have some patchy spots but easily overlooked
Iconic four headlight grill and two lower fog lamps, all appear to be in great condition however the keeper notes there is a stone chip in one of the lenses (driver side, inner lamp)
Original Pirelli P wheels present and all in lovely condition, all shod in good tyres with plenty of meat
Rear GTI ‘Heckblende’ decorative panel with some cracks and signs of age
Rear light clusters appear to be in excellent condition and fully functional
Chrome tipped exhaust pipe

The Mechanics

1,781cc inline-4 cylinder engine, revised from the earlier 1,588cc variant. The 1,781cc engine was used long after this, in later GTI’s with the 1.8T engines
5-speed manual transmission which is reported to be in great mechanical condition, with smooth gear changes and no unwelcome grinding between the gates
Front-wheel drive configuration, providing excellent cornering ability when paired with the lightweight chassis
118bhp and 109lb-ft of torque making it more powerful (by a small margin) than its older brothers, thanks to the newly revised engine
Reportedly excellent mechanical health,
Great MOT history, with MOT records all the way back until 1986 when the family acquire the vehicle
Fully stamped service history with plenty of invoices showcasing mechanical work undertaken over the years
Near £2,000 invoice from Daniel James Performance Cars in 2016, giving the car a proper going over including timing belt, injectors, major service, and inspection of oil pressure warning which turned out to be the pressure switch - an invoice worth looking at
£2,081 invoice from Crazy Quiffs in 2018, and another for £1,016 in 2019

Summary

The Campaign model is probably among the most desirable of the MK1 GTI’s, thanks to its revised engine and pretty much every optional extra available. A well used example in tremendous condition, this Golf is nothing short of charming.

This would be a welcome addition to anyone's garage, an absolute pleasure to drive, and maybe even more so to look at - you’ll be turning heads at every turn you take.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.