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VW Golf Mk1 GTi Campaign

Mileage: 67,522 Top Speed: 114 Year: 1983 0 - 60: 8.2 MOT Expiry: Feb 13 BHP: 110 Tax Expiry: Dec 12 Transmission: 5 speed manual Exterior Colour: Diamond Silver Engine Capacity: 1781cc Interior Colour: Black/Silver Cloth Engine Configuration: Inline 4

VW Golf Mk1 GTi Campaign | £9,995

Mileage: 67,522

Model History

The launch of the Golf GTI in 1975 is what most regard as the birth of the hot hatchback (even though the Renault 5 Gordini hit the roads a few months earlier - the respective fans can fight that one out) Weighing in at only 820kgs and coupled to a 110bhp fuel injected engine and a lively hatchback chassis the Golf was not only quick and sporty but practical too. This made it an instant hit with the young middle class and the combination created a brand new sector in the market, resulting in other marques trying to muscle in on the success of the hatch back ‘Car' magazine at the time called the ‘Wolfsburg's Go-Go' golf.

 

Volkswagen were not confident that its seventies ‘people' car the golf would be accepted in sports guise so decided discretion was the best course of action so opted for smooth, clean fuel injection rather than a great big dirty turbo and lag. Engineers started with the 1588cc Audi 80GT engine with revised combustion chambers, bigger valves and a larger intake and exhaust manifold all tuned and run by Bosch K-jetronic fuel injection. 3 small discrete letters were added to the front and rear and the GTI went into production. To Volkswagen's surprise they sold by the transporter load!

 

It wasn't until 1979 that the UK received a right hand drive version and by 1984 the hot hatch was a well established genre with the market bustling with competitors in the form of the XR3i, MG metros and Maestros, the Gordini sprouted a turbo, Vauxhall Astra GTE and the Lancia Delta turbo. The Golf Mk1 gained a 1781cc engine up from the original 1588cc to keep pace with the late arrivals but it had already established a reputation as the original and dominant player in the market - one that has developed today into legendary status.

By 1983 the Mk1 had been in production for 8 years and it was coming to the end of its life as a new Mk2 model was expected to be launched towards the end of the year. In order to sell the remaining Mk1's Volkswagen decided to create a special edition 'run-out' model which would be equipped with all the factory optional extras as standard, these became know as the 'Campaign'. It was fitted with a twin headlamp grille that had fog lights instead of spot lights, tinted green glass, a leather bound steering wheel, internally adjustable door mirrors, the famous Pirelli 'P-slot' alloy wheels were fitted and shod with low profile Pirelli tyres, a steel sliding sunroof and a MFA (multi-function actuator) trip computer was added which gave a digital readout of the journey time, average speed, miles travelled, economy, outside air temperature and oil temperature. 1000 models of the special edition were made before its replacement in September 1983.

Equipment

Campaign model, Fog lights, Sliding sunroof, Internally adjustable door mirrors, Kenwood cd player, Heated rear windscreen, Golf ball gear knob, Lockable petrol cap, Green tinted glass.

Exterior

The GTi Campaign editions only came in a limited variety of colours, this example is finished in stunning Diamond Silver paintwork. Even under close inspection there are very few stone chips to be found anywhere on the body including the commonly affected areas such as the bonnet and front wings which all remains in excellent order. Having recently been treated to some light restoration work, much of the black trim including the waist mouldings, wheel arch trim and door mirrors remain in excellent condition with no unsightly scratches or fading. The instantly recognizable GTi front grille with its red surround is still in fine fettle housing the headlights that remain clear and free from any cracks or moisture.

Interior

The classic striped black cloth sports seats are in great condition for their age only showing a few minimal signs of wear, the rear seats look like they have seen very little use throughout their life as they remain completely free from any wear or tear. Sitting in the GTi you are faced with a beautiful kept black dashboard that still retains its dark colour and texture with no cracks or scratches to the surfaces. Being a Golf of this vintage there is minimal switchgear to be found in the cockpit, giving it a clean, clutter-free environment. The dials and switches it does have still operate as they should do and have surprisingly little wear to them. Continuing the black interior theme the vinyl door cards and roof lining remain clean and unmarked with no scuffs or damage.

Engine & Transmission

Having covered a mere 67k miles in its 28 year life the 1.8 inline 4 engine remains in excellent mechanical condition feeling smooth and responsive, idling up to temperature correctly after ignition. The current owner has recently fitted new and refurbished ancillaries, as a result the engine bay looks clean and well maintained. The 5 speed manual gear box matches the torque and power of the engine perfectly, changing through the gears cleanly and effectively adding to the wonderfully nimble performance the Mk1 GTi is famed for, this is where hot-hatch fever first gripped people's attention.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The alloy wheels are in excellent condition looking like new with no kerb marks or scuffs to report, they are shod in matching tyres that all have plenty of tread remaining. The spare alloy wheel is housed in the boot area and is also in fine condition. Having been replaced earlier this year there is still plenty of life left on both discs and pads pulling the car to a stop smoothly and effectively in a straight line.

History File

The GTi was first registered on the 18th of November 1983 by its supplying dealer St. Brelades Garages of Jersey. It was delivered to its first owner who cherished the car for most of its life up until 2011 when the current owner purchased, shipped and registered it to the UK. The first 3 services were undertaken by the supplying dealer and from then on it was serviced by the same independent garage in Jersey until it was exported to the UK. There is a total of 17 stamps in the service booklet the last being in March of this year at 65k miles.

 

The original V.A.G document holder is still present containing all the appropriate booklets and manuals. The original service book is included backed up by a large amount of hand written invoices from the regular yearly work that the independent garage carried out and as such creating a superb history file for this low owner, low mileage GTi.