Rare GTI Mk1 sells for more than the price of a brand new Golf

3:12 pm, July 30, 2020

A super rare Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI has sold for £21,500 in a Car & Classic Auction – some £1,230 more than the ticket price for a brand new 20-plate Golf.

Listed for a week on Car & Classic Auction, the 1983 GTI’s estimate of £11,500 was already smashed by day three.

Fans will notice it’s no normal Mk1 GTI, though, but a genuine Pirelli edition with five doors – a combination that was never sold in the UK.

Not only that but the car had been given some special treatment by GTI Engineering, and a switch to right-hand drive.

The biggest change was the eight-valve RE2000 engine conversion. Modifications were also made to the cylinder head, pistons and exhaust manifold plus reprofiled inlet and exhaust valves, sports camshaft and modified injection system.

The result was 152bhp and 158lb ft of torque, and the first time a 2.0-litre engine had appeared in a Golf.

GTI Engineering also upgraded the clutch and brakes, while the interior was trimmed in high-grade black hide, with a GTI Engineering leather steering wheel, and 15-inch BBS lattice alloys.

CEO of Car & Classic Tom Wood, said: ‘This is a very rare Golf and we were thrilled to have it consigned on the website and it’s no surprise it sold for more than its estimate given we have the largest group of classic enthusiasts in Europe on Car & Classic.

‘Obviously those of us here at Car & Classic Auction know that classic cars are far more interesting than their modern counterparts and I hope the new owner of this stunning GTI is very happy with their purchase.

‘We’ve been delighted with the success of our new online auction platform and results like this go to show there’s great demand out there for a service like this especially in these uncertain times. Our Online Auctions mean our users can have the privilege of viewing, bidding, buying and arranging transfer of their new classic without leaving their houses!’