1989 Volkswagen Golf GTi Cabriolet

Finished in white with a contrasting red roof and a set of split-rim BBS alloy wheels, this lovely little Golf GTI Cabriolet couldn’t scream the eighties any louder if it tried.

And we love it for it.

As those of us who were there know, the eighties had the best music of the 20th century, and while we might not be as proud of our shoulder pads and big hair now as we were back then, that we were alive at a time when cars like this were new is some compensation for having depleted the ozone layer with our hairspray.

Peppy, reliable and, most of all, fun, the Golf GTI Cabriolet is a moment in time on four wheels, and this one is being offered with no reserve, so it could be yours for less than you think…

Volkswagen’s build quality has always been a cut above most and the fact it sub-contracted the work to build these to Karmann did that reputation no harm at all.

As you can see here because the two doors still fit very well, and the flanks are free of the sort of ripples that tell a tale of careless owners.

Originally blue, it has been resprayed white at some point and this refreshed paintwork still looks good, and while you might think you’d prefer something a little more colourful, can we remind you that no colour is easier to maintain and match than this?

The hue also shows off the black trim to best effect, and the wheelarch extensions in particular bring memories flooding back as they were by far the easiest way to spot a GTI from a distance.

Unless you were driving, in which case you’d be looking out for that iconic red stripe around the radiator grille. It’s an iconic design and all the more impressive when you saw it in your rearview mirror, headlamps flashing to move you out of its way.

The rest of the black trim is as dark and glossy as it should be, although the cynical among you might attribute that to the rain, in which case why not contact the seller to make an appointment to pop along and see the car for yourself?

It’s currently with him near Cardiff in south Wales, along with the Volkswagen Golf GTI 25, Ford Capri 2.8i Special, and Peugeot 205 GTI we are also selling for him – and the four of them would make a helluva collection, wouldn’t they?

The red fabric roof is in such good shape because it’s new. That also means it also fits well and the seller tells us that it opens and closes as it should, which is more good news.

The aftermarket BBS split-rim wheels look to be in good shape, and they’re fitted with a set of mixed tyres. However, given that stretched tyres are an affectation you probably don’t understand either, best budget for a new set of matching wheels and tyres and be done with it, eh? Who knows, you might find a willing market for these ones to help recoup a bit of your outlay.

Other flaws? Well, the boot lid doesn’t fit as well as it should (#8).

The grey check cabin offers a remarkable amount of space from such a small footprint, but then the MKI Golf was a remarkably space-efficient car.

It’s also in a pretty good condition. Sure, some of the cloth might be a bit rumpled (i.e. #66) but that’s only to be expected, isn’t it?

More importantly, it looks to be largely undamaged and clean. The door cards, for example, are good, as are the carpets and dashboard.

The seats are still firm and supportive, and while there is some damage to both front seats (i.e. #88, #91, #99, and #103) retrimming or even replacing them shouldn’t be onerously expensive.

The three-spoke steering wheel has come from an earlier car but its fits in well with the Golf’s semi-retro cabin. Whether you replace it is a matter of taste but sourcing and fitting the correct one wouldn’t be difficult.

Other changes include ‘Wolfsburg Edition’ window winder handles, aftermarket door lock pulls, and a modern stereo.

Both The Market and the Seller are reliably informed, although cannot confirm, that this Golf has had an engine conversion, with it appearing to enjoy a 1.8T 20V engine similar to the type found in the MkIV Golf. Perhaps take a good look at the images or indeed go and see it, the seller would be delighted to show it to you.

As you can see in the video, its starts and runs well. However, the coolant warning light is flashing and the digital display for the MFA computer isn’t working.

The battery and exhaust look recent but there isn’t any paperwork to support this.

The engine bay is cleanish but given how good the rest of the Golf looks, we can see that the new owner might like to tidy it up a little to enable it to shine as brightly as the rest of the car.

Speaking of which, the underside looks pretty good as well aside from some surface rust on the odd component.

The Golf’s MoT certificate is valid until July 2023, and it was gained, like every one since 2019, with no advisories.

The MoT history also suggests that it was in storage between 2006/07 and 2019. If so, it would account for its condition and the fact that no tester has ever mentioned rust, which must be a first for the model.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clean but sadly, that’s all the paperwork there is.

Some might see big tyres, faux Nürburgring stickers, Porsche door handles, and blue hoses under the bonnet and think this isn’t a car for them.

And yet, like the steering wheel and window winder handles, these would be easily replaced, and given the car’s remarkable MoT history we think it would be worth that outlay because you’d then have a standard car that would be exponentially more desirable among the sort of folk who have the money to buy the cars they couldn’t afford first time around.

This means that your initial investment of, we estimate, somewhere between £4,000 and £6,000 might offer you some headroom to buy it and remedy the niggles before you embark on an intense affair with your first love.

This won’t only be easier on your marriage than actually hooking up with your first boyfriend or girlfriend, it might actually be a canny financial move.

Regardless, it’s being offered with no reserve, so is going to sell from the very first bid, no matter how insulting that might be.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.