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From the Archives: Golf 1 GTi

Car Magazine By:
Monday, April 16th, 2012 10:57 am GMT +2

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The iconic GTi nameplate is often credited with being the progenitor to the entire hot hatch breed. In January of 1983 we published the very first test of the hottest Golf. In our May 2012 issue we showcase the GTI 35, created to celebrate 35 years of VW’s sporting Golfs.

If ever there was a giant-slayer in the local context the Golf 1 GTi was it. This 1,8-litre, fuel-injected pocket rocket made light work of chopping up cars with two more cylinders and much larger engines. 80 kW of power may not seem like a lot by today’s standards but in a small frame and weighing-in at roughly one ton, the original GTi boasted a good power/mass ratio. Coupled with great handling the GTi also proved to be successful on track and in rallying.

GTIs are still popular today. Up to half of all Golf 5 sales were reputed to be GTI-badged and almost the same holds true of Golf 6 models. Original Golf 1 models without any modifications are highly sought after and fetch top dollar whenever they change hands.


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  • JS

    And the great thing about these little beauties? You could race them over the week-end and then use them as your family car during the week. And soo easy to work on. To service. And repair. Parts so reasonable. if only they could make something like this today. Real motoring for real enthusiasts.

  • Tom Meyer

    I was fortunate to have owned one of these GTI’s when they 1st arrived in SA & sold it after 19 years. What an awesome car ! There were no frills like today’s GTI’s & was a drivers car requiring some skill to keep it tame. At one stage it was the only GTI in Ladysmith.

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