1983 Volkswagen

I have decided to sell my fantastic '83 Mars Red Mk1 which in summary has just gone through a full nut and bolt restoration with some tasteful OEM+ upgrades added.

A UK car, imported to Ireland in 2009. Can be returned to the original UK Reg (SOJ 60Y) very easily upon re-import.

Model - 3 door tin top (non-sun roof, non campaign)

Spec/Trim option - GTI

Modification? - Yes, 2.0 9a + KR 16v Heads on R1 carbs and but otherwise subtle OEM+ updates

Year of manufacture 1983

Mileage -122K (less than 500 since full nut and bolt resto)

Location - Dublin

Service history - yes, 4 inches worth - see pics

So the car has had a major shell up restoration + build which was finished in August this year. This was carried out by well renowned classic resto experts - KRCR in Co.Down, Northern Ireland (I have a full diary of restoration photos saved on a hard drive to go with the car but check out their website to get a flavour for some of their work) - suffice to say the quality of the work and paintwork finish is absolutely flawless.

I am a classic/retro car fanatic but this is my first Mk1 - although I'm pro-originality, I also really wanted some uprating so have made what I think are the more subtle/natural mods possible on a Mk1 to improve performance and looks.

The car is stored in a heated underground garage and driven occasionally for a nice spin on a dry weekend. However, with a young family and a busy job I simply do not have the time to use it as it was intended.

There is technically nothing to do (although as we all know there's always something needs doing even if it doesn't need it!)

RESTORATION WORK

Included the following:

Car fully stripped back to bare shell….chassis floor, rear arches and front inner wings completely stripped back and then treated with POR15 rust preventative paint and fully wax-oiled.

2x rear wheel arch repair panels,

2x Genuine VW Wings

Genuine VW Bonnet

Tailgate (Second Hand genuine VW)

2x Genuine VW Doors

All new panels professionally fitted and new rear wheel arch repair panels welded in followed by full inside and out respray in its original Mars Red (including engine bay) The car is now 100% rust free and fully protected (likely much better than it was leaving the factory.

Then…mostly new or nearly new items as follows (all receipts included, over £20K's worth) :

2x New short style bumpers

4x Genuine VW wheel arch covers

2x Headlights (uprated)

2x rear light clusters

2x indicators

2x Wing Mirrors

2x Delocked doorhandles

2x door catches

Genuine VW Front Grill

Front spoiler

Side trims

Full new Carpet

Aerial

2x suspension track control arms with new bushes

steering rack gaiters

2x ball joints

2x tie rod ends

2x suspension top mounts

4x eibach 40mm lowering springs and Koni adjustable shock absorbers with new bump stops

anti roll bar bushes front and rear

fuel tank, fuel filler neck

fuel pump, lines and relay

all brake lines replaced + brake flexi hoses fitted

rear brake drum assemblies

rear brake shoes

rear brake cylinders

ignition coil

4x new wheel bearing sets

new rear axle bushes

all new window and door rubbers/seals

Full genuine badge set

water reservoir & water pump

2x oil switches

radiator

new number plate lamps

new tailgate strut

3x wiper arms re-powder-coated matt black

Refurbed Alternator

Filter King fuel regulator and filter fed by a Facet fuel pump

Replaced rotor arm + distributor cap (from Pug 205GTI due to fouling the brake servo, it sits 90 deg) + Cosworth HT leads

ENGINE WORK as follows:

The car came to me with a fully rebuilt 9a 2.0 Passat lump matched with a KR 16v head. In the rebuild the previous owner replaced big end & main bearings but left cylinders alone as they were perfect…I checked and compression is great no probs (the lump only had 113k kms originally on it).

The KR head was fully rebuilt, head ported polished with new guides seats and valve stem seals. Generally as you'd expect new seals, gaskets & bolts were used throughout for the build and it's fitted in the bay on new engine mounts. Now well run in with about 5000 miles completed and fully serviced with new timing belt and tensioner just fitted

The engine runs on Yam R1 Carbs (just recently cleaned and balanced) they sit on a custom inlet manifold which comes from the well known Bogg Brothers who specialise in this particular setup.

They are surprisingly easy to live with…these carbs are not like say more fiddly Webbers in that once set you leave them alone and they just work. On a long run you can get around 30 to the gallon which I don't think is too bad considering…obviously these figures drop a bit when you are in town or if you floor it.

Together the results are really great - it's just the whole package of simplicity, rorty sound from under the bonnet and instant throttle response that anyone who likes to drive wants in a proper light cart like a Mk1 Golf…I have owned and driven all sorts of other cars and nowt comes close for fun factor in my opinion - it's awesome!

The previous owner also gave the gearbox an overhaul (020 box) - all major bits fine but he replaced the clutch bearing, pushrod and seals and it got gaskets and an oil change of course

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:

Storm 4 branch stainless exhaust manifold (heatwrapped) and a full Powerflow stainless steel exhaust system - sounds lovely and not too loud!

Golf Mk2 Lightened Flywheel + Mk2 16V clutch (3k miles was done with the engine work above)

New gear linkage bushes

280mm Front brake disks with G60 Calipers and pagid pads, braided brake lines

4 x eibach 40mm lowering springs and Koni adjustable shock absorbers with new bump stops

Interior -

As you can see from the pictures the interior is not 100% standard but (IMO) tastefully upgraded to what I would class as OEM+ look -

The interior was fully professionally re-trimmed - including the rare period Recaro sports seats (try to find a set of these for sale at less than 1K!), new roof lining. Door cards and dashboard were even fully covered in soft black nappa leather. As was the very rare MK Wolfsburg 3 spoke steering wheel. New original VW golf ball gearknob also fitted. All in all interior is like brand new and a very cool place to be

VDO clocks for Oil Press, Oil Temp and Volts

Very rare (and fully working) vintage Pioneer KEX-25 head unit, integrated speakers (no holes in parcel shelf etc.) & have even added a proper line-in option for iPhone which works really well.

Expensive Clifford Alarm/Immobiliser + Central locking with all books and manuals

Other stuff -

Headlight loom upgrade

Mk3 Golf wiper motor retrofit

Wheels: 4 x Fully refurbished VW BBS RA 7x15 alloys VW 191601025R

Rubber:Uniroyal Rainsport 1 195/45 R15 under 5000 miles)

Other Wheels: 4 x very good condition BBS RS (reps - Calibre brand) will come with car

Service History -

5 inch thick lever arch file with every single receipt from day one

Original VW Service booklet wallet with all of the original manuals and service record

2x Keys

Things I'd planned for 2019

VDO Oil temp clock working but not reading accurately

MFA not working (never did and never really bothered me but it would be interesting)

Rear screen de-mister only partially working now (again never bothered me)

See if there is a way to reduce the usual creaky squeaks off the dashboard that all MK1s seem to have!

Overall -

What I am offering is a fully restored MK1 which is now in what I would class as concours condition inside and out. These cars are getting very rare and, as such, are increasing in value steadily. Whilst I appreciate fully original unrestored cars (find me one!) are arguably more collectable, I believe what I have here is a much more useable and fun GTI - upgraded to the way it should have been done by VW in the first place.

The receipts alone come in at over £25k. Now as anyone knows who does this that's not the point and although I'd love it naturally if someone walked up to me and handed me that sum I'm not expecting to see it.

But I am looking to sell the car and, as such, believe I have priced the car at a very fair price. I will consider offers near to the asking price but I'm also in no major hurry...it it sell it sells, if it doesn't I'm happy to hold tight for another few years.

I'm based in Dublin…I'm aware most members are UK and I'm willing to facilitate a visit or even take a spin on the ferry to Holyhead to deliver (or even a bit further…sure any excuse for a spin)

Thanks for looking!

Richard