1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI

This is a last of the line run out model GTi in characteristic bright red finish. It’s the 8-valve variant, which is preferred by some as a more torquey, lazy performer, over the more rev hungry 16-valve version.

Astonishingly, it’s covered just 53,000 miles since 1992 and is in almost museum condition, such is its originality. It’s a long time since we saw such a spot-on Golf GTi.

Wandering around this Golf we can almost hear My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) by En Vogue playing in the background. This could well actually be 1992, such is the condition of the VW hatch back.

The bright red paint shines like a new pin, the BBS alloy wheels are immaculate and the black bumpers and trim are all superb. We managed to find some almost invisible tiny marks on the leading edge of the bonnet, but they really are tiny and we’re splitting hairs. This is a lovely car.

Opening a steel sliding sunroof can often reveal hidden rust but there are no such worries here, it’s all in excellent condition and totally rust free. The sunroof itself, naturally, works perfectly.

Opening a fuel filler cap often leads to disappointment on a repainted car as it can reveal the original, degraded finish. No such worries on this GTi – it’s like a new car under here. If only unleaded were still at 1992 prices (40p a litre)

If the outside condition of this Golf GTi makes you gasp in appreciation, take a good deep breath before you open the door. Inside here is simply astonishing. I think the single most amazing aspect is the driver’s seat.

No matter how little use a car gets used you can usually see some signs of wear here – especially on the upright’s bolster, which gets continually rubbed against as people get in and out. But it’s like new.

This is vitally important too – repairing leather seats is reasonably straightforward, albeit not cheap, but repairing cloth seats with unique material like these can get very tricky indeed, assuming it’s even possible to get the right cloth to do the job. However, that’s not something the lucky new owner of this GTi will need to worry about.

Everything else is equally impressive – carpets, dash, seats, switchgear – it’s all in unmarked condition and just waiting to win trophies at shows. The trademark golf ball shaped GTi gear lever knob is present and correct.

Okay – it’s not as shiny under here as it is up top – someone would have led a very dull life if it was, but it’s still in superb condition for a 30 year old car. There’s some light surface corrosion on the front steel suspension parts, but no oil leaks, no rust, copper brake lines and swathes of red paint are the theme of the day.

That surface corrosion has taken a bit more of a hold towards the rear of the car on the rear axle parts, and we reckon a good quirt of rust preventative wax would be a good idea to keep everything sound. That said, there’s absolutely nothing here that an MoT tester would be concerned about – these are merely cosmetic matters.

Under the bonnet though, and we’re back into concours land. The familiar eight-valve 110bhp VW GTi engine looks great, with a flawless cam cover and only small marks on the alloy cylinder head itself. Around the bay lots of parts have obviously been replaced simply to make the car looks this good.

This VW Golf GTi comes with a large stack of old tax discs, all its old MoT certificates, original handbooks, details of its concours wins and a large pile of receipts for parts and labour, highlights of which include:

2008. Assorted engine bay parts – £776.

2010. Service parts – £30.

2011. Replace brake fluid, flush cooling system, new engine temp sensor – £184.

2016. Distributor cap, rotor arm and HT leads – £60

2016. Timing belt and auxiliary drive belts £35.

2017. Cupro-nickel brake pipe set – £65.

2017. Goodridge stainless steel braided flexible brake pipe set – £115.

2017. All brake pipes and flexible hoses replaced – £150.

2018. New Bosch lambda sensor – £69.

2019. New gear lever gaiter and parts for brake caliper – £53.

2019. Rear brake caliper parts – £17.

2019. New rear disc backing plates and assorted trim parts – £51.

Also with the car are a Bentley workshop manual, two Haynes workshop manuals and a Haynes restoration guide.

The owner says:

‘I bought the car because like so many teenagers I always wanted a Golf GTi but could not afford one until later in life. I’m selling the car because I have now fulfilled that want.

‘It’s only 3 owners from new and covered just 55,000 miles. It’s the desirable run-out model in the right colour of Tornado Red. It’s been in a number of concours events and has always finished in the top three, most recently achieving second place at Stanford Hall Concours.

‘This actual car is featured in and on the front cover of the book Golf GTI by James Richardson. It’s all original, including the radio, has always been garaged, and only used on dry days.

‘It’s had over £700 spent on genuine VW parts for the engine bay alone,

And the excellent BBS alloy wheels have been fastidiously maintained.

‘Every part is standard/original VW Golf GTI, and the car has had a recent service, changing the cambelt, ignition leads, and fitting a new Bosch Battery.

All the solid brake lines are copper and there are stainless steel braided flexible brake hoses installed, plus Evans waterless coolant in the cooling system.

‘To do the it full justice potential buyers should see the car in the flesh – it’s probably one of the best in the UK.’

We can’t remember seeing an unrestored Golf GTi in this kind of condition for a long time. It’s a proper time warp car and original in every respect. If you’re after a Mk2 Golf for your classic collection we suspect you’ll struggle to find a better, more original example anywhere.

We estimate this car to reach between £17,000 - £23,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.