VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTi 1° SERIES 5 SPEED (1980)
CHASSIS N. WVWZZZ17ZBW115467
ENGINE: FUEL INJECTED 4 CYLINDER
DISPLACEMENT: 1588 CM3
POWER: 110 HP
BODY: HATCHBACK
UNIQUE ONE-OWNER FIRST SERIES GTi
Volkswagen’s success of the 1950s and ‘60s almost killed it, as it failed to renew its products and was caught with an old-fashioned range.
Looking for ideas, a group of VW managers went to Turin to meet young Giorgetto Giugiaro, who soon started to work on new products, one of which was the 1974 Golf hatchback.
It was a lower-medium segment family car which had a very good handling and soon a group of VW engineers started working on a ‘moonlight project’ of a high-performance version. With a 110bhp 1600 cm3 fuel injected Audi 80 engine, tuned suspension and improved brakes, the 800 kg three door Golf was a flyer. As soon as they showed the car to their bosses, a production of 5000 units was approved: this was to be multiplied a number of times, such was the new car’s success.
The very first GTis were left hand drive only and had metal bumpers, then came rubber bumpers and finally a five-speed gearbox, just like the car we are offering today.
Bought new in 1980 by the seller, it has driven only 32,000 km (20,000 miles). It has the original registration plates and papers, as well as a complete service and warranty wallet: a unique opportunity for those searching for an original and unmolested first series GTi.
The vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition but for safety reasons, we advise the purchaser to have it checked over and to replace the fluids, filters and perishable elements.