I used to own a 1984 MK2 GTI in Mars Red which was sadly destroyed by a Volvo in 2017. It was a special example and received many awards for its original condition. It also featured in several magazines and an oil bottle. I am happy to report that I have finally bought a replacement MK2 GTI, which arguably isn't as eye-catching in Atlas Grey but it's a very nice original example that has had one lady owner for over 33 years. The recorded mileage is 73,000 and it appears to be rust-free and very original. I quite like the standard 14" steel wheels, which you don't see very often. It's quite a basic spec, with the only options I can see being the metallic paint, sunroof and a Fischer cassette box. The car was supplied new and originally serviced by Bristol Street Motors in Nottingham. Bristol Street Motors were bought out by Arthur Prince of Loughborough in 1987 and that's where the car was serviced until 2017. The car was owned by a friend of the Sales Director and ended up on display in the VW dealer's showroom for many years, used occasionally for events and promotions and MOT'd every year. I have every MOT from 1990 to 2017 and they are all signed by the same VW technician who PDI'd the car at Bristol Street Motors. When it was recommissioned in 2017, VW fitted a new full exhaust system and a fuel pump. It passed its 2019 MOT in March with no advisories. The headlining is perfect and even the MFA works. I have a few jobs to do, mostly cleaning and minor cosmetics, plus a full service and cambelt at my local VW specialist in Sheffield. There is no radio fitted so I will be looking for a suitable period radio cassette. I have sourced an original-type radio aerial to replace the aftermarket one that's currently fitted. After 18 months with a Porsche 944 it feels really good to be back in a VW! I will post some more pics once I have finished the cleaning.
^ Thanks guys! A few pics of the interior: A couple of pics from last weekend’s Elsecar at the Races VW show: The car has recently been serviced and had the cambelt and tensioner replaced at Autohaus Dolby. I have now replaced the aftermarket electric aerial with an original style manual one. I just need a period radio cassette to finish it off inside. Next jobs are to overhaul the vague gear change, replace the rear bump stops and fit new front discs and pads due to their age.
The car went back to Autohaus Dolby yesterday for the much-needed gear change overhaul and rear bump stops. The gear change mechanism was removed completely after removing the exhaust and heat shields, which come off without any issues. The gear lever assembly was rebuilt with several new parts. A couple of linkage rods were also replaced in the engine bay as they were found to be badly worn when removed. It would appear that all the parts that came off were the originals so it’s not surprising that they had seen better days. The loose plastic reverse guard was replaced with a genuine VW part which was riveted in place. The difference in driving the car is huge, with a much more precise change, especially from third to second, where before it was easy to go into the reverse gate. When removing the rear speaker shelves to replace the bump stops they lost one of the pressed metal nuts that go onto the captive threads. It’s in the car somewhere but they couldn’t find it. I had a search and couldn’t see it either. I will try and pick one up at a show.
I met someone at a Nottinghamshire classic car show recently who recognised the car and had a friend with some pictures of it in the Arthur Prince VW showroom on his phone. He sent me these, taken in 2016. Note that the board describes it as delivered in August 1985 but it wasn't registered until February 1986!
Hi Nick Glad to see you've got another good un. Ours (thanks to your previous one after the smash as our donor car), all done, as I think you know, and being used as a daily driver in the good weather...
Thanks Paul The photos I have seen of your early GTi look amazing and it's good to know it's being used. I hope to see it in the flesh sometime!