
Mars Red paintwork, Red and black striped cloth upholstery, 14-inch Pirelli P-slot alloy wheels, 1.8-litre engine, 5-speed manual transmission, Sports seats, Sports steering wheel, Sliding sunroof, Golf ball gear knob, Centre console with oil temperature gauge, Digital clock, Sony CD player, Twin front lamps, Red grille trim, GTI badges, Large front spoiler, Wheel arch trims, Side stripes, Rear window with black surround, KW coil-over suspension, Cigar lighter, Ash tray, Lockable glove compartment, Floor mats, VW heritage certificate, Original sales brochure.
The Mars Red paintwork on this late model Mk1 GTI presents to a great standard having been fully refreshed a few years ago. The whole body has just been machine-polished, and the quality of the finish is excellent with a deep shine to every panel. The contrasting black stripes, wheel arch trims, front spoiler, and bumpers also remain in excellent condition with few defects to report, and the twin-lamp grille is perfect. All the lights are original Hella units and all present in perfect undamaged condition. 14-inch Pirelli P-slot alloy wheels wrapped in matching Pirelli tyres are the final flourish.
A perfect complement to the exterior hue, the striped cloth upholstery is a lovely original touch. Other than a small amount of wear on the passenger side, both front sports seats look and feel great with no sagging issues or bolster damage; the rear bench is perfect and appears to have seen little use. The original GTI steering wheel and golf ball gear knob are also well preserved and, other than a later-style CD player, everything retains a nice period finish with just the right level of patina. In the footwells are tailored Wolfsburg-embroidered overmats, and up-top the black leatherette headlining is unmarked.
Under the bonnet it’s clean and tidy, not overly dressed to a concours standard but in very nice original condition. The 1.8-litre engine starts first turn of the key and idles quietly up to temperature; it’s a free-revving little number and it pulls really well on test. The gearbox is also very smooth with no synchromesh issues, and the clutch operates perfectly having been replaced less than 200 miles ago. For the new keeper’s peace of mind, the car has just been fully inspected and serviced by our trusted local classic car workshop.
This lovely Mars Red Mk1 GTI was built in January 1983. The accompanying history file includes the original blue VAG document pouch with all owners’ manuals, original 1983 sales brochures, a VW heritage certificate confirming the car’s factory build specification, a raft of maintenance invoices and MOT certificates, correspondence from the DVLA detailing each of the car’s former keepers, and the current V5C showing 11 former keepers.