1987 Volkswagen Golf GTI 8V

We are pleased to be offering for sale a pre-facelift 8-valve GTI, the pretty three door version to boot. Despite being over 35 years old, this lovely car has just under 73,600 miles and has had just two registered keepers.

The second keeper acquired the car in 1992 and from what we can see loved and cherished it over the long ownership period.

Our trade seller acquired the car some time ago and has spent a little time and effort making sure all is now well. To that end, he fitted a new clutch and serviced the engine.

With good MK1 Golf GTIs now fetching crazy sums, the MKII will surely follow suit. And if you are that way inclined, then surely buying one of the best is the way forward. And in case you hadn’t twigged, we mean this car!

Being a pre-1987 facelift car, you will notice the seven-bar grille, teardrop alloy wheels, small bumpers, and quarter light mirrors. The wipers are set up for left-hand drive, something that was addressed in the revamp.

Alpine White was a popular colour back in the day and we think it rather suits the car, especially with the splashes of red on the bumpers and side trim.

Our seller reckons the paint is all original. It is quite possible, but we think it is more likely that it has had some paint during its life. We will leave it for you to decide. However, what we can tell you is that it all looks so very smart, and we can find little to criticise bar the odd chip and mark here and there.

We have noticed a small area of rust on the lower front valance (pic 295) and near the sunroof.

The plastic on the bumpers is a little faded in places, so a little time with some of the specialist cleaners on the market may be worthwhile.

The teardrop alloys look in great condition and we suspect they have been recently refurbished. Each is fitted with an Alliance 030EX tyre, made by Yokohama we gather. All have plenty of tread.

Those who appreciate originality in their classics will be gladdened by the sight that greets them on opening the doors. Barring the new stereo, a modern Pioneer unit with modern features, it appears to be as it came out of the factory, right down to the iconic golf gear knob.

We might be tempted to seek out an original Blaupunkt radio for that authentic look.

The seats are still covered in their original and rather fetching striped fabric. It has stood the test of time rather well, though is a little faded. We note the fabric is coming away slightly on the side of the front passenger seat (pic 25). There is also a little ruckling of the fabric on the back seats.

The renowned Volkswagen build quality does shine through though and everything still feels solid and well made.

We gather the headlining has been replaced and of course GTIs came with a sliding steel sunroof as standard. Not quite a convertible, but there is still some wind in the hair motoring to be had.

Carpets are a tad faded with age, though they have been protected with Volkswagen rubber mats. We are also not a fan of the gearstick clamp, though in this day and age it is perhaps a good thing to have.

We note three screw holes in the top of the instrument binnacle (pic 399) which is a shame. No doubt a period accessory was fitted at one time.

The boot houses a space saver spare wheel and the tool kit and is generous in size. There is a fitted Pioneer CD Autochanger too.

The parcel shelf is unmolested, as some owners used to cut enormous holes in them to fit oversize speakers.

We always include plenty of photographs of a car’s underside and that is the case here. There is some surface rust visible on some of the components and we feel sure any new owner will spend some time with a wire brush and some good quality underseal. A lovely, if messy way to spend a Sunday, or trust it to the professionals. Prevention is better than cure, especially with such a fine example of the Golf GTI.

The car starts readily and our seller reports that it drives well. It has certainly been improved by the fitment of the new clutch, thus ensuring snappy gearchanges are now there for the taking once more.

Although possessed with a mere 110bhp from its 1,781cc engine, the Golf can still muster a good turn of speed and can keep up with many modern-day sports cars, should you be so in the mood. Top speed is a heady 129mph if you find yourself on an empty runway or derestricted autobahn.

On arrival of the car here with us, the battery was flat and does not hold a charge so we would recommend a replacement.

The original service book is present and correct and contains a large number of reassuring stamps. Most of the car’s miles were done during the first 25 years or so, and the last stamp was in 2013 at 66,060. Less than 10,000 miles have been covered since. We suspect more servicing was done, but we have no paperwork to prove it.

As mentioned, our seller has fully serviced the car which should provide some reassurance.

The timing belt was changed in 2009 at 60,842 miles, so perhaps it’s time for that to be done once more.

A raft of MoT certificates accompanies the car, which help to corroborate the low mileage.

The last MoT was carried out in May 2022, with two advisories recorded for a minor exhaust leak and the drive belt being worn, though not excessively. The new owner will need to get the car tested before heading out onto the highway.

If you are looking for a Golf GTI, we think the MKII makes a lot of sense. Not only because it is still more attainable than the MKI, but also because it is a much more rounded car, and dare we say it, better to drive.

It is a usable modern classic and one that is quite capable of family duties too, with room for four and plenty of luggage space.

However, this low mileage, low owner car will really come into its own when you find a bit of challenging B-road, when you will marvel that some 35 years ago Volkswagen produced a hot hatch that outhandled more or less anything else on the road, supercars aside.

So, how much for all this Germanic loveliness? We estimate a sale price of between £11,000 and £16,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.