Description
By 1986 Volkswagen had established itself at Group A World Rally Championship via several wins of Kenneth Eriksson, Erwin Weber and Stig Blomquist in their front-wheel-drive and naturally aspirated Golf Mk2 GTi 16V. With FIA banning Group B in 1987, automobile manufacturers turned their attention towards Group A class to develop cars with forced induction and all-wheel drive systems. In response to the ensuing fierce competition, Volkswagen engineers revised their GTi into its ultimate version, the Golf Rallye. More specifically, Volkswagen’s durable 4 cylinder, 8 valve, SOHC engine coded 'PB' was bored to an FIA-compliant maximum capacity of 1763cc to receive a 60mm lag-free G-Lader supercharger, an air to air intercooler and a Bosch/ Volkswagen digifant multipoint fuel delivery injection system. The new engine coded ‘1H’ was capable of a massive overall power output range of 250 to 280 bhp at 6800 rpm and 320 Nm at 5000 rpm, far more than its GTi 16V predecessor of 197 bhp and 200 Nm. The required traction was achieved via Volkswagen’s Syncro all-wheel drive (AWD) system providing permanent power delivery to the front transfer/ diff box with viscous coupling clutch delivery to the rear. Braking was upgraded with ABS, dual circuit with special front bumper air ducts to cool its 280 mm vented front discs. The redesigned lightweight thermoplastic-polyester bumpers, angular headlights and flared wheel arches infused a testosteronic aura of a trained athlete. In order to achieve FIA homologation, Volkswagen handbuilt 5071 road-going Rallyes for privateers at a special facility at Forest near Brussels in Belgium. Offered with a price tag of two GTis at 45600 DM, the Rallye featured a detuned version of its 1H engine equipped with G-Lader 60mm supercharger, air/ air intercooler, Bosch/ VW digifant fuel injection system and a catalytic converter. Its power output would be delivered via a cable-operated 5-speed gearbox through its Syncro AWD of viscous coupling system to its 6 x 15inch wheels. The rack and pinion steering was power-assisted and direct to match its sport suspension set up of MacPherson struts in the front and trailing arms at the back with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers all around. The ABS-equipped, hydraulically assisted dual circuit braking system featured single-pot Girling calipers, vented front and solid rear discs. Its passengers would benefit from ample lateral support offered by a set of Recaro height adjustable sport seats trimmed in leather with torso-cooling cloth inserts as per 'Sportkaro' interior design. Basic equipment included a manually operated sunroof as well as tinted glass, darkened tailights, front fog lights and roof mounted rear spoiler. Special options offered included electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, electric windows, electrically adjustable seat height and central locking. The Rallye’s single year production run ended with concurrent Erwin Weber's win at New Zealand followed by Volkswagen’s decision to withdraw from World Rallying for the next 2 decades. Of the 5071 homologation units produced, very few remain to this day to pay homage as testaments to Volkswagen’s history of engineering and development during the golden years of rallying.
The Rallye Golf offered was produced in black body over Sportkaro interior for the German market to be thereon imported and registered in Greece. In 2012 it became part of a private Volkswagen collection to be treated to an extensive 8-year long nut and bolt restoration to absolute stunning original as new condition using strictly NOS parts. The process entailed a bare metal refinish to the original L041 schwarz to be trimmed with NOS front bumper (with old stored), radiator grille, front/ tail/ fog/ indicator lights and body plastic trim. Recaro seats with electric height option were reupholstered to original specifications of black leather and grey cloth. Additional original equipment fitted was the electric power windows and electric exterior mirrors. The 1H engine fitted was totally overhauled using new pistons, springs, liners, valve guides, inlet manifold, throttle body studs and radiator. Its G60 supercharger was overhauled and ported to match a Schrick-supplied performance camshaft and an enlarged-capacity oil pan to an estimated output of 195-200 bhp. The gearbox and differentials were rebuilt using new selector assembly, clutch, flywheel, sychros, bearings as well as new coupling. The suspension and steering were disassembled, restored, powder-coated and reassembled with anodised bolts to receive the overhauled rack and pinion, brake calipers, new discs and a set of adjustable Bilstein and AVO performance shocks. Since completion of restoration, the car has been stored in climate control indoor facility with maintenance miles to local drives and classic car shows. It is now offered with only 2550 kms since, in concours condition throughout, fully certified with a comprehensive restoration file and spare parts.
Specifications
Year: 1989
Make: Volkswagen AG
Series: Golf Mk2
Model: Rallye Golf Syncro G60 Catalyst
Type: 1G4 716 / 19E-299
Homologation: Group A Nr 5398 Dec. 1st 1989
Manufacturing plant: Volkswagen Vorst, Forest, Brussels, Belgium
Chassis number: WVWZZZ1GZKB085248
Engine number: 1H 004908
Engine type: 1763 cc, 4 cyl. in line, 2 valves per cyl., SOHC, Bosch VW-Digifant multiport manifold fuel injected, G Lader 60 mm supercharged, air/ air intercooled, 8:1 compression, 160+ bhp at 5600rpm 225 Nm at 3800 rpm output, wet sump
Drivetrain type: Syncro viscous coupling to the rear all wheel drive
Transmission type: Syncro cable-operated hydraulic clutch controlled 5sp manual
Transmission number: 2 CBC 27041
Exterior color, type, code: Schwarz, L041
Interior type, color, trim, code: ‘Sportkaro’, Grau-Schwarz-Rot, leather/ fabric, WW
Equipment:
9X0 Without Heated Door Lock Cylinder
1 AC Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
1BE Sports Suspension / Shock Absorption
3FB Steel Sliding Spoiler Roof, Manual Control
5J4 Body-Colored Rear Spoiler
1N1 Power Steering
CΟJ Alloy Wheels 15’
H1V Tyres 205/ 50 R15
4KC Side and Rear Windows Tinted
4GR Laminated Windshield Tinted
3NM Rear Seat Bench / Backrest Split Folding
1MG Leather Trimmed Sports Steering Wheel with Reduced Diameter for Power Steering
3KB Left and Right Sports Front Seat Type 3
J0C Battery 220A 45 Ah
1G7 Space Saving Spare Wheel (Radial Tyre)
8M1 Rear Window Wiper and Washer System with Intermittent Control
8BU Halogen Headlight for Left and Right
U0C Instrument Insert with Tachometer Clock and Km/ h Speedometer
8D9 Four Loudspeakers (‘Passiv’) and Two Additional (‘Activ’)
3U1 Foldable Trunk Cover
8TC Rear Foglight for Driving in the Left
8WD Integrated Front Fog Lights
8AD Radio ‘Gamma’
8F0 Without Side Lights
1TB Fuel Tank Vent Line with Gravity Valve and PVC Breather Hose
3L3 Manual Height Adjustment for Front Seats
Additional equipment:
- Electric height adjustment for front seats, original
- Electric windows, original
- Electric adjustable exterior mirrors, original
- Powerflex suspension bushing all around
- Bilstein B12 Sport shocks at the front, AVO Performance adjustable absorbers at the rear
- Schrick aluminium oil pan, fin cooled with increased to 175% oil capacity
- Schrick performance camshaft for road use
- Ported original G-Lader supercharger with performance bearing
Manuals:
- Volkswagen Golf Mk2 Notice d’ Utilisation, Operating Instructions manual, original
- Volkswagen Rallye-Golf Zusatzanleitung zur Cetriebsanleitung, Owner’s manual, original
Certificates:
- Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens Identity Card, class A/ 3, issued 2020
- Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens Historic Vehicle Certificate of Registration, issued 2020
- Greek Ministry of Transportation and infrastructure Certificate of Motor Vehicle Registration, issued 1996
Spare parts:
- set of genuine G60 steel wheels 6 x 15, Volkswagen part 357. 601. 025 M
- set of genuine BBS RM 012 ET33 wheels 6. 5 x 15, Volkswagen part 191. 801. 025 R
- genuine front left fender, Volkswagen part 191. 821. 021 C
Restoration:
Body: Ground up restoration with original to the car panels fitted, passenger floors repaired and NOS front bumper fitted with original stored. Bare metal body was resprayed in original L041 Schwarz and NOS head/ tail/ indicator/ fog lights, firewall padding and rubber trim were fitted.
Engine: Totally overhauled with new pistons, springs, bearings, valve guides, studs, throttle body, inlet manifold, exhaust and radiator. Performance-oriented Schrick-supplied camshaft and oil pan as well as a ported G60 supercharger and were used with originals stored.
Drivetrain: Totally overhauled gearbox, shifting selector assembly, diff and prop shafts with new bearings, synchros and coupling.
Suspension: Fully rebuilt with powder-coated original to the car arms/ spindles, anodized bolts and performance-oriented Powerflex bushing, Bilstein B12 and AVO adjustable shocks fitted.
Steering: Overhauled rack and pinion
Brakes: Rebuilt calipers with fitting of new lines, vented front discs and solid rear discs.
Wheels: Refurbished Volkswagen Rallye Golf Sebring 6 x15in wheels with Continental Premium Contact 2 205/ 50 R15 fitted.
Interior: Fully reupholstered seating with original leather/ fabric trim and ‘Recaro’ stitching with original Recaro front seats with electric height adjustment option installed.
