1983 Volkswagen GOLF MKI GTi Campaign

This is a car with a great presence. It sits squarely and looks like an immediate flashback to the roaring 1980’s. Everything presents well – the interior is superbly finished, door shuts, panel lines and all the badges and trim are correct. It presents as a Golf GTi should; a car that means business! These are all good signs that the car has been owned by a series of enthusiast owners.

The car's 1.8 litre engine uses a 5-speed manual gearbox and is mounted transversely driving the front wheels – unusual for VW at the time of the Golf’s launch. This red Golf GTi has something else that is special and now quite rare – it is confirmed as one of just 1000 genuine MK 1 Campaign because it has the E digit on the car ID. This was the last hoorah for the MK 1 Golf and had some valuable extras thrown in. These included a quad-lamp front grille, green tinted glass, matt black ‘A-pillar’ and window trims, factory sliding sunroof and (now very hard to find) P 6Jx14 alloy wheels. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, internal mirror adjusters and the MFA trip computer system. So the car came with some nice driving touches. And this car drives today as it should – tight and fast with no rattles or rolls. Money has been spent in the right places resulting in a car that is still a wonderful reminder of why the Golf is so loved even now.

A common worry with a fast hot-hatch has to be the engine and gearbox condition. Although this car has a mileage of 144,000, a lot has been spent over the years on re-furbishing the engine, bushes, suspension, brakes, exhaust and steering so that it drives just as tight today as it should. On our test drive, the Golf was tight, generally rattle-free, the suspension feels sharp and it handles well, plus it does not appear to leave any ‘messages’ on the garage floor.

The current owner for example has had the whole engine overhauled by VW specialists Deutsche Doktors, plus new clips and hoses have been fitted and the radiator cowling repainted. A lot of work has been done on the appearance of the under bonnet area too, with paint and finishes so clean and reflective, you could probably eat your lunch off it. But don’t just take our word for it – come and have a look and a listen for yourself. 

We are told there is no smoking from the engine and the gearshift is good to use too with no selection problems or clashing of gears. Bushes in the linkage have been replaced so that any slow shifting is eradicated. This car confirms that proper maintenance and continuing restoration can make an older car a quick and nimble drive even today. But watch out for the 80’s braking – even well maintained, these are not 2019 brakes!

Red is arguably the only credible colour for a MK 1 Golf GTi and this car wears it well. This is the Mars Red that came to dominate the city streets of the 1980s and the finish is very good. It is a combination of original paint and refinished areas but all done well. The bonnet and front wings have been sprayed and the rear arches and boot floor also restored and neatly too by the looks of it. Panel gaps are good, the car has the correct badges throughout, and most importantly, those correct Pirelli wheel trims and newish Pirelli tyres. The sunroof works correctly – no leaks we are told – and it has had new VW wind deflector and lifting arms, so it moves quietly and smoothly. So it is an immediate picture of the age it helped make special.

There are some minor little quibbles here, such as the paint chips around the rear hatch lock area and similar small areas of paint wear inside the hatch and the sliding sunroof frame. But to highlight these things gives a wrong impression. This is a car we like for its honest and presentable qualities. But again we say, come and have a proper look at the car and be impressed - up close and personal!

There’s no point in having one of the fastest cars from the 80’s, with an interior that shows the wear of many years. This one will not disappoint. The current owner has spent wisely on brand new front seat upholstery and a full carpet and sound deadening material installed by a well-known Essex specialist. He has also fitted a period-correct Alpine radio cassette unit and a brand new rear parcel shelf that completes the picture. The Golf Ball gear-knob is there, seals are all re-done for doors and boot, trim details are right, pedal rubbers, bulbs replaced and good attention paid to how the car really ‘feels’ as you use it. The headlining is good too with just one minor mark near the rear.

Although the car has a newer steering wheel at present the original leather bound version comes with the car and is in need of refinishing. The quality of this interior says a lot about the enthusiasm of the previous owners!

The underneath of any classic car is the part rarely seen and yet it is the core of the stability and driveability of any vehicle. This one will confirm that you have a strong and well cared for Golf here. There is no visible rust apart from on the surfaces and the previous owner waxoyled all of the underside chassis areas. Engine and transmission areas are clean and tidy (no oil leaks) and suspension and brakes have had work done and look neat. There is even one area where you can still see the original red paint underneath. This is a solid and well-maintained chassis and floor that is a tribute to responsible owners.

This is a Golf GTi MK1 with all the hallmarks of good owners. From a lady owned company car, to a retired enthusiast policeman and now a genuine classic car fanatic, this car says money has been well spent in all the right places. It has been professionally cared for and not merely ‘tarted up’.

The paperwork to back up the story of the car’s impeccable care is impressive too – evidence of MOTs since 2007 with very few advisories, invoices for spares and numerous specialist jobs done, support the real driveability of this car. We are certainly impressed with how well this car looks and feels.

We have to say we’re excited about this car. We like it. In fact we’re delighted to be able to offer it to a new owner out there. It is exciting to drive but also tight and true to the original spec and purpose of a MK1 Golf GTi – a whole lot of fun! Plus it has all the signs of a proper classic, the right things all done well and no indications of shoddy or reckless ownership – so important with a fast hot hatch like this. 

This is a smart and clever design that still looks outstanding today; it cuts a pretty picture and drives beautifully. Usable immediately, and with only minor things to do if your standards are ‘borderline-OCD’, in our view this could be a very wise buy indeed. With an estimate between £9,000 and £12,000 and a reserve set even lower, it could be an affordable buy-in to some real driving fun.

We always encourage viewings. This Golf GTi is located here at The Market HQ in Abingdon. Just click the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to arrange an appointment. Ahead of that, or at any time during the process, you’re more than welcome to ask any questions or jot down observations in the comments section below. You won’t be shocked to hear that our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section will answer general questions that are frequently asked about how The Market works. 

Also please note that we have a network of trusted suppliers with whom we work regularly and successfully: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.