1993 Volkswagen Golf GTi Sportline

And this is the model that did it just that. The Sportline GTI Cabriolet. Just 499 are thought to have been made and along with their more luxurious Rivage cousins, they are the final Mk1-based Golf cabriolets to be produced. Sportlines came in either Black or Flash Red with pretty extensive upgrades over the stock GTI cabriolet – although it’s worth pointing out that since 1988 all Mk1 Cabs had the updated ‘Clipper’ bodykit and since 1991 all hoods were electro-hydraulically operated. Despite the generous level of standard kit (by VW standards), the Sportline went further still. These limited-edition models got blacked-out BBS RA alloy wheels, bespoke dials with orange needles, Recaro seats and a heat-insulating, tinted windscreen.

This Sportline has been comprehensively stripped with some scuffs to the bumpers repaired and just a few areas of surface rust cured before a painstaking rebuild, using only high-quality OE or equivalent parts, sees it in its current gleaming condition. It appears to be utterly stunning with hardly an imperfection anywhere to be found. It’s just as good underneath too, as we’ll get to shortly. There’s not much in the way of history, especially from its early years, though we do have some service stamps and plenty of much more up-to-date paperwork from its recommissioning, before the vendor rescued this car in August 2020 the previous owner of 23 years had the car laid up in a garage since 2015.

Flash Red was certainly the flamboyant choice of Sportline colours and that’s probably why there seems to be more out there in this shade than the slightly understated black. After all, what’s the point of having a convertible if you’re not drawing attention? According to the vendor, this Golf was repainted in January 2021 and with photos (though no invoices to prove it) plus its excellent condition, we’ve little cause to doubt him. The panel fit remains as precise as VW intended (and was famous for) and the paint finish is both bright and even. There’s a highly-reflective shine found throughout and it’s genuinely hard to spot a mark anywhere that’s worth mentioning. Close up, it’s just as good as It looks in these images. In fact, other than the front end riding a little higher than the rear, we couldn’t find fault but with less than 300 miles since its rebuild this should soon settle.

Originally sold by prestigious Sloane Square dealer Scotts, this Sportline still retains that firm’s original plates and rear-window sticker. There are several stamps in the service booklet from this supplying dealership too. The all-important hood appears to be in really good shape and it’s near new appearance is backed up by another invoice for fresh original specification black vinyl in July 2021 . The hood not only looks good but it appears supple and seems to have been expertly fitted over the original headlining with perfect tension. There’s also a good original tonneau cover to conceal it when it’s down.

The Sportline-specific BBS alloys look excellent with the vendor taking the time to track down the original decals and even some black wheel bolt covers. They’re shod in new Continental Premium 5 tyres too with barely 30 miles of use just to deliver the car to us. Attention to detail is further confirmed by the correct and perfectly positioned Sportline decals, which are also new, and the usually tatty grille that looks great. The latter is even complete with its no longer available plastic covers for the grill screw heads – we don’t recall ever seeing these. Further little touches like powder coating the windscreen wiper arms really raises this example above the norm even the steel bumpers and brackets hidden behind the big bumper bodywork have been shot blasted and powder coated.

Sportline models impress still further on the inside with, among other things, uber desirable Recaro pews. Thankfully those fitted to this example are in excellent order and stand up well to close scrutiny. There’s just a very mild sign of wear beginning on the usual driver’s outer bolster and another patch of thinning fabric on the end of the passenger side door card. We’d class the minor wear to the leather on the steering wheel as patina rather than anything more serious, though there is a small crack to the driver’s door card capping plastic, just under the ¾ window.

Despite being a range-topping model, this Sportline is still based on a Mk1 Golf, which means no power steering or ABS.The standard audio equipment has been updated with a smart Sony cassette deck and accompanying component speakers that both remain fitted. There’s a neatly tucked away auxiliary input in the centre console too, allowing for some 21st century practicality. Unless, unlike us, you managed to hold on to your old cassette collection.

The engine bay appears to be in exceptional order having had all of its major components gone through with a fine-toothed comb. The engine’s block was rebored and honed and had new pistons and rings fitted (1mm oversized) along with all new crank bearings and seals and the five-speed transmission was stripped and comprehensively rebuilt. The usually problematic riveted differential on these 020 gearboxes has also received the very sensible and high tensile bolt upgrade. All the fixings and gaskets used throughout have either been replaced, or in the case of the former, blasted and zinc coated. Those that were beyond a refurb were replaced new stainless-steel alternatives. Even parts such as the radiator side shrouds (no longer available) have been remade to the original design but in durable plastic and a new VW scuttle tray plastic guard fitted. The former in plastic and the latter has had its correct plastic ‘window’ for VIN inspection reinstated. The rest of the casings, block and mechanical components have all apparently received a media blasting and we have to admit, they look all the better for it.So fresh from it's rebuild the vendor has even included the Shell Helix oil and Bosch filter ready for when the engine is run-in in the next few hundred miles.    

Lying down for a peek underneath this GTI doesn’t disappoint. The brackets, bushes and major components have all been given the same treatment as those found in the engine bay. That means that everywhere you care to look you’ll find plenty of shiny new fixings, fresh rubber grommets and bushes or a good degree of remaining factory under seal. Volkswagen (or rather Karmann) knew how to protect their products back then. For example, the plastic wheel arch liners (by no means standard in the early 1990s) also remain, although naturally, all have been treated to new bolts and washers. Are you sensing the theme yet?

As mentioned at the top, there’s not a vast amount of documentation pre-restoration. There’s the delivery inspection and the first few service stamps from Scotts with further stamps ceasing post 1996. From then until 2020 we’re left effectively in the dark, but photos that accompany the car show it was found in a slightly sad, laid-up state. The good news is that there’s lots of images showing the car’s condition during its teardown (surprisingly good) and the subsequent stages of its rebuild.

On the topic of its refresh, you can pour through a wide-ranging collection of invoices from VW Heritage for all-new sundries including hoses, clips and badges. There’s also a good paper trail for the larger mechanical parts that were also replaced indeed with the car is a folder packed full of invoices and a USB stick of 100's of digital photo's and notes of every stage of the restoration process.It’s clear to see by combining these invoices with the resto images that few, if any, components of this GTI have remained in original state. Everything appears to have either been replaced or refreshed. Oh, and the only deviation from factory standard specification is the tubular exhaust manifold and its accompanying stainless-steel system. 

Golf GTIs are ten a penny, even the original generation is still well represented on the classic car market. Though the Sportline was, and remains, that bit more special. Its limited-edition nature (rare for Volkswagen back then) set it apart as a collector’s favourite even in the 1990s.

Prices for these run-out GTIs have picked up steeply in the past decade with many a dub fan seeing these as the ‘ultimate’ GTI. To top up the desirability, this car’s seemingly extensive restoration and remarkable condition therefore command an estimate of between £20,000 - £27,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Our opening hours are Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. 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’.