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 is one of the last fifty produced without sunroof in full compliance with Group A homologation standards. Delivered new and registered in Eiban Spain, it was treated over the years with regular maintenance at authorized V. A. G. centers prior to being stored in 2007. Four years later it became part of a private Golf collection to be preserved with unparalleled authenticity to this day. It is now offered in stellar cosmetic and mechanical condition with all original manuals and certificates.
Specifications
Year: 1989
Make: Volkswagen AG
Series: Golf Mk2
Model: Rallye Golf Syncro G60 Catalyst
Type: 1G4 718 / 191H2S
Homologation: Group A Nr 5398 Dec. 1st 1989
Manufacturing plant: Volkswagen Vorst, Brussels, Belgium
Chassis number: WVWZZZ1GZLB010103
Engine number: 1H 005488
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
Exterior color, type, code: Schwarz, L041
Interior type, color, trim, code: ‘Sportkaro’, Grau-Schwarz-Rot, leather/ fabric, WW
Current mileage: 126986 km
Equipment:
1 AC Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
1BE Sports Suspension / Shock Absorption
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
8D4 Four Loudspeakers (‘Passiv’)
3U1 Foldable Trunk Cover
8TC Rear Foglight for Driving in the Left
8WD Integrated Front Fog Lights
8AV Without Radio, With Louspeaker Connections
8F0 Without Side Lights
1TB Fuel Tank Vent Line with Gravity Valve and PVC Breather Hose
3L3 Manual Height Adjustment for Front Seats
3B1 Child Seat Anchor, Canada
Upgrades:
- Xenon headlight assembly
Service V. A. G. maintenance records:
Feb. 20th, 1991, Guaranty inspection , Autos Eibar, S. A., Volkswagen Audi
July 27th, 1991, 9388 km, Autos Eibar, S. A., Volkswagen Audi
April 27th, 1992, 14992 km, 224, Bilbao, Seat Volkswagen Audi
August 30th, 1993, 26835 km, Autos Eibar, S. A., Volkswagen Audi
Jan., 31st, 1996, 51015 km, Autos Eibar, S. A., Volkswagen Audi
May 17th, 2000, 83469 km, Eibar Motor, S. L.
Oct., 5th, 2001, 93600 km, Eibar Motor, S. L.
Aug., 12th, 2005, 108359 km, Ressa
Aug., 2006, 112662 km, Ressa
Oct., 10th, 2011, 115838, Ressa
MoT history:
Mar. 6th, 1996
Nov. 18th, 1998
Jan., 1st, 2001
May 3rd, 2002
Mar., 31st, 2004
Jun. 8Th, 2004
Jul., 14th, 2007
Manuals:
- Volkswagen Golf Mk2, Operating Instructions manual, original
- Volkswagen Plan of Technical Assistance V. A. G. manual, original
- Volkswagen Service Stations V. A. G. guide, original
- Volkswagen Roadside Assistance pamhlet, original
Certificates:
Technical Inspection Certificate, Sociedad Espanola De Automoviles De Turismo, Madrid, Spain, issued Oct. 1989
