Description
15th Feb, 2025 11:00
The February 2025 Auction
1986 Volkswagen Golf GTi 'Turbo Technics'
Superb Mk2 Golf with factory turbo conversion and genuine BBS bodykit
Estimate
£12, 000 - £14, 000
Buyer's premium: 15. 00%
Lot details
Registration: A18 VWT
Chassis: WVWZZ19ZGW484798
Odometer: 109, 000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: January 2026
Factory turbo install by Turbo Technics
Genuine BBS bodykit fitted when new
Only 2 registered keepers
Full engine rebuild in 2015 with forged G60 pistons
Full gearbox rebuild with Wavetrac limited slip differential
Omex 600 ECU
Matching Nankang NS2R tyres
Recently tuned with dyno print out
The Mk 2 Volkswagen Golf GTi was launched in the UK in 1984 and was very much the hot hatch to beat. Meanwhile, Turbo Technics were making a name for themselves in fitting aftermarket turbochargers, most famously to fast Fords but actually covering an extensive range of cars from the humble Triumph Acclaim to the Range Rover V8. For the not insubstantial sum of £2, 000 they would turn up the wick on your 8-valve Golf GTI from the standard 112 bhp to 168 bhp with the fitment of a Garrett T3 turbo. Modifications were made to the manifold and exhaust, the injection system was upgraded and a front mounted intercooler was added. The clutch was upgraded to a Sachs item for its greater strength and the whole thing tuned for good low speed performance, minimal turbo lag and reliable daily use.
We are delighted to offer this 1986 Volkswagen Golf GTi in Tornado Red with grey cloth interior. First registered in April 1986 and supplied to a Mr Atkins of Banbury, it was quickly fitted with a full BBS bodykit - a very cool option at the time. Keen to take his new purchase to the next level, Mr Atkins then booked it into Turbo Technics for their turbo conversion. The car still bears a small Turbo Technics plaque on the slam panel indicating that this was a full factory conversion. In 2011, ownership was transferred to its second keeper who, clearly, was as passionate about the car as his predecessor. It would seem that by this stage the Golf was getting a little tired and in need of a refresh. Over a period of around 11 years, he spent almost £30, 000 on the car, a spend that he has itemised in the paperwork. Highlights include fitment of Eibach Pro kit springs with Bilstein dampers in 2012, a stainless steel Powerflow exhaust in 2013, Compotive TH1570 alloys in 2017, gearbox rebuild and fitment of Wavetrac limited slip differential in 2017/ 18, Tarox big brake kit in 2018 and Waxoiling also in 2018. However, the big one was a full engine rebuild in 2014, undertaken by CFM Engineering Ltd and coming in just shy of £10, 000. The brief was to reuse as much of the original Turbo Technics kit as possible but certain upgrades were unavoidable. The old-style K-Jetronic injection system was shot, so a modern Omex 600 ECU was used, the cracked block was replaced and a special cam with a vernier pulley was fitted. The pistons were upgraded to forged G60 items for strength and an alloy front radiator fitted to keep everything cool. It was set up on a rolling road and mapped for a safe and reliable tune. It has been back on the dyno recently for fine tuning, the sheets showing an at the wheels power figure of c. 190 bhp and 256 NM of torque.
The car comes with a huge history file with a stack of invoices for the work done, various dyno sheets and a selection of old MOTs. There are also some period Turbo Technics brochures. The full book pack is present with two service books recording a total of 30 services. The eagle-eyed will note that the speedo has been replaced twice, however, this is all recorded in the paperwork. The vendor tells us that the current figure of 109, 000 miles showing on the odometer is the corrected and accurate total mileage. This is supported by a calculation and the history file. The current MOT is advisory free and runs to January next year. Our vendor clearly has every confidence in the car, driving it almost 250 miles from Dorset to our salerooms here in Cheshire. Happily, the car didn’t miss a beat.
Alloys apart, the car’s aesthetic is entirely period. The car was resprayed at some point and the red paint is bright and vibrant. Those alloys are wrapped with some purposeful Nankang NS2R rubber which, combined with the LSD, help to put all that power down on the road. The inside has also been kept largely standard with additions restricted to a modern stereo and some handy ancillary instrumentation to keep everything in check. We’ve no idea how many of these Turbo Technic converted Golfs survive but we doubt there are many, even fewer with this level of love and attention lavished on them. Don’t wait around for the next one to appear.
