A bare-metal pocket rocket for tearing up tarmac
Here’s the very definition of what it means to own a sleeper. As if a pristine Mk1 Golf GTi, the car that began the hot hatch era, wasn’t enough, this highly modified 1983 Mk1 Golf GTi packs more of a punch the closer you look at it. As ready for your next continental journey as it is taking the chicane on a track day at Goodwood, this little Golf is big in everything but size. So it might consent to doing a supermarket shop, as well. But you might equally expect the odd dropped jaw when you open a door.
The Interior is totally stripped out. No sign of the solid, sensible form-follows-function approach of a Volkswagen of that era, barring the oh-so-1980s VW dashboard, which remains present and correct. Unlike: back seats, trim, sound deadening and just about anything you’d expect in your daily driver hatchback. Welcome instead to a full multi-point welded roll cage and Kevlar Corbeau Revolution seats, equipped with Luke three-point race harnesses.
Let’s pause to take breath and recall some history. As you no doubt already know, the first Golf remains one of the all-time classic pieces of 20th century motoring design. Designed by the brilliant Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Golf set a new, sharp-edged standard in small car design. Every iteration of the Golf since references Giugiaro’s deceptively modest masterpiece. This example, with its near-restomod qualities, pays a unique homage to an extraordinary piece of automobile history.
1983 Mk1 Golf GTi: Under the hood
So it’s time to open the bonnet on this unlikely 1983 GTi. You’d expect a potent - for its 840 kg weight anyway - 1.8-litre engine and you’d be right, except that this one has been entirely rebuilt by specialists The Phirm - including steel ARP head stud kit and a tubular manifold - and then fitted with a rip-roaring Garrett GT28 Turbo. Power is estimated at 300 bhp+, against 110 bhp on the standard car, and it’ll be up to the lucky new keeper to determine acceleration and top speed. If you dare.
There is so much more to say about this inspirational bare metal rebuild. Correct Alpine White colourway contrasts with standard fit black side striping. Distinctive 16" steel wheels are a VW option, underlining the subtle nature of the GTi. Brembo brakes ensure that all of that power will not only get you to a significant speed, but come to rest afterwards, too.
We already know that you want it. We do too, by the way, so there may be a bit of competition. The 1983 VW Golf GTi is for sale through Fast Classics and as you’re probably expecting it’s not cheap. Ask your bank manager first, if you must, but £32,995 will put this one-of-a-kind GTi in your garage. We doubt you’ll regret it: about the same price as a mid-range new Nissan Qashqai. We know which we’d choose, even if it means doing with a few less seats. Really quite wonderful.
Next up: 10 Of the best German car brands of all time.
