・Dry Stored
・Full Respray in Pearl White in 2014
・Recent cam belt and water pump replacement
・Covered less than 18,000 km during its 14-year English residency

The Mk1 Volkswagen Golf was a car that took the world by storm. Small, frugal, well made and reliable, it was a triumph of engineering and design. Then Volkswagen have us a hot version in the form of the GTi, and we thought it couldn't get any better. But it did, because Volkswagen cut the lid off it and had Karmann build it back up us a proper convertible. That's what we have here, and what a glorious thing it is.

Interestingly, however, when the Mk2 Golf came along, Volkswagen didn't create a convertible version. Instead, it kept production of the Mk1 going. In 1988, to modernise it, the Mk1 was given a Clipper body kit, which featured bigger bumpers, arch extensions and fuller side skirts. The car also got a slightly bigger fuel tank, too. Being a 1989 car, the one you're looking at here has all that good stuff fitted. Plus, there is a new fetching red roof, BBS alloy wheels, and of course, being a GTi model, it has that brilliant fuel-injected engine, too. It's pretty much the perfect Mk1 Golf convertible.

This GTI started its life out as a resident of Germany enjoying its life there until it was purchased and imported into the UK in around 2007, since arriving it has been well looked by the two owners from the same family making sure the car is always kept in a dry location.

Within the past few years, it has benefitted from a full respray, in Pearl White, replacement of several mechanical parts and has also been put on some stunning deep dish BBS wheels that really set the whole late 80’s early 90’s vibe off.

With servicing being completed whenever necessary and rust prevention precautions taken, you can already tell that this car has been cared for by this family.

There is some paperwork that comes with the car which includes the V5 documentation. A few invoices that reference some of the servicing and mechanical tasks taken out on the car as well as the hood replacement and some documentation about the MOT history.

Sadly, little is known about the car from its time in Germany due to the loss of that documentation in a fire.

For an older car that shows 214,000km on the clock the interior is in remarkable condition. While the seats show some signs of wear, due to the fact that they have been sat in for a long time, the material covering the seats is in great condition.

The GTI has been fitted with a Momo wheel which looks excellent against the retro dials and switchgear, it is also fitted with the now famous Golf ball gear knob a feature that has become synonymous with the GTI.
 
There has been an aftermarket stereo fitted to drag the interior into the 21st century. When the hood is up there are some marks on the inside but there are no rips, and the rear glass panel is in good condition. The boot seems to be nice and clean, and there's a tool kit included with the sale.

Whether you have the hood up or down, the cabin of this GTI is a lovely place to sit and enjoy a long road trip anywhere.

As previously mentioned this GTI has been privy to a full respray back in 2014 and its thanks to this that the car really pops. When the sun hits the paint, it glistens and this paint is then added to with the deep-dish BBS wheels that have been fitted which all leads to a great looking convertible hot hatch.

The maroon-coloured hood was replaced by BAS International back in 2019. The mechanism to open the hood is simply a few clips and within 5 seconds you have gone from a hatch back to a convertible, something that these days would take an age.

The iconic look of a GTI is something that many people love. With this GTI being such a good-looking example for its age it is one to watch.

This GTI has been on the receiving end of recent regular servicing and maintenance which shows in the way it drives. Some more major works that have been completed fairly recently include the Cambelt change, a new water pump and also a gearbox flange kit has recently been carried out.

As you will be able to see from the undercarriage pictures this GTI has had some money spent on rust prevention, with a rust treatment being carried out within the current owner's time with the car.

When you think of all of the hot hatches on the market these days you have one car to thank, the Golf GTI and this convertible version is just about as good as they get. You get the spicy golf with the ability to drop the roof and listen to the glorious 1.8l engine sing through English country lanes. With the current owner taking such good care of it you can imagine that this particular GTI will live on for a fair few more kilometers.

Whether you want to take it on trips within the UK, use it as a daily driver or any other type of task this car will do it. The added benefit of this being a Left-hand drive version you have the option to take it on continental road trips with ease. This GTI would be great through some of the mountain passes or cruising through Parisian streets.


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