Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 Series 2 Alpine White

Aware that Peugeot and other manufacturers had started to emulate the Golf GTI, VW constantly updated the MK1 throughout its seven-year life. Larger bumpers and rear lights arrived in 1980, along with a badly needed 5-speed gearbox, and then in September 1982 a larger 1780cc engine. The extra capacity was achieved by raising the bore and stroke but the engine, although related to the previous 1588cc unit, was substantially redesigned, delivered more power lower down the rev range and created the ultimate Golf GTI . It kept the car competitive and enabled its last year on sale, 1983, to be its most successful with 6,148 GTIs sold in the UK and 71,002 worldwide.

Specification

Engine: 1781cc SOHC
Power: 112bhp@5800rpm
Maximum speed: 113mph
0-60mph: 8.3secs

• Scale:  1:43