1990 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2

Highlights

• Desirable 3-door body style
• Comprehensive history, MOT to June 2026
• Unmodified and in factory specification
• Stunning Dark Blue Metallic paintwork
• Original fabric interior in fine condition

Overview

We like big bumpers and we cannot lie. There’s just something about a big bumpered Mk2 GTI that’s right. And when it comes with an original fabric interior and a rare factory paint colour, well… we may need a minute or two.

Beside our harmless interest, there are many reasons to love the Mk2 GTI. The proportions are spot-on, especially in three-door form; handling and general dynamics are excellent and the 1.8-litre fuel-injected four-pot is strong, responding to upgrades really well.

It’s also a rare beast these days. Too many of these delightful machines were sacrificed on the altar of the Max Power era. From dodgy coilovers and ‘stance’ to more egregious violations such as ‘Lambo doors’, neon under-lighting and 28-speaker custom ICE installs with half of Currys in the boot, we’ve seen all manner of horrors visited upon them. And for those that escaped the modifier’s clutches, many ended their life upside down in a hedge with an 18 year old wandering the roadside contemplating how on earth he was going to explain this one to his parents.

Okay, that last one may be a bit specific and personal, but you get the point. These are getting rarer by the day, and finding a nice, solid, and unmodified car is extremely difficult.

But here at PH Towers we pride ourselves on bringing you the very best, rarest, most interesting metal. So we’re delighted to present this deliciously specified, unmodified and uncrashed Mk2 for your consideration. And we recommend you don’t consider for too long, because this peach of a car isn’t going to hang around forever.

With a comprehensive service record and attractive, lightly patinated, original presentation, we reckon this is everything you could want from a Mk2. Perfect as a usable, everyday modern classic, as something special to wheel out for shows and sunny day drives, or as the basis for a full-on, show-stopping, concours level restoration, whatever you want from a GTI, this fits the bill.

Just don’t fit Lambo doors.

History and documentation

• Registered 30 April 1990
• Current owner since 16 July 2022, four former keepers
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 12 June 2026 - no advisories since 2021
• 70,334 miles on the clock (actually 106,395 as the odometer failed at 36,061 in 1995 and was replaced), verified by the service and MOT records
• Mostly serviced by John Bowles VW and VW Wolfe Garage in Kent
• Stamped service book and invoiced with services as follows: delivery service, Oct 1990 @ 9,445, Aug 199191 @ 18,360 Aug 1992 @ 20,609, Aug 1993 @ 26,746 Aug 1994 @ 32,223, Aug 1995 @ 962 (odometer changed), Aug 1996 @ 5,535, Sep 1997 @ 12,788, Aug 2006 @ 50,762, Jan 2009 @ 55,928, May 2010 @ 58,828, May 2011 @ 60,896, Apr 2017 @ 62,192Oct 2020 @ 65,937 (incl. timing belt), Jul 2022 @ 68,079, Nov 2022 @ 68,630
• Large paperwork file comprising invoices and receipts for servicing and maintenance
• Handwritten record of all maintenance and servicing from new to 2002.
• Full document pack
• Two keys plus Toad immobiliser fob (fitted in 2002)
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• Original mid-grey fabric interior with white and red checker pattern
• All the seats are in excellent condition, with the leather inserts on the bolsters of the front seats showing a little creasing, but otherwise no evidence of sagging, tearing or staining we could identify
• Black carpet throughout the cabin is in good order
• The dark grey headlining appears to be secure, undamaged and free from staining
• Manually operated metal sunroof
• Manually operated side windows and door mirrors
• Period Panasonic radio/cassette
• The instruments and switchgear items all look to be intact – with some gentle, natural patination from age and use – with no notable wear or damage
• All the door cards look to be in great condition, with no sagging or tearing
• The dashboard and other internal trim pieces all show well, with no warping, cracking or damage on show
• Unbelievably, it appears to have its original parcel shelf, intact and unsullied by the usual 6x9 holes that everyone hacked into them in the 90s and 00s
• The boot floor has been fitted with a custom rubber liner
• Underneath the boot carpet, there is a spacesaver spare wheel, jack and brace
• The wheel well and boot floor show very well, with no corrosion, damage, water ingress or repairs apparent
• The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin works as it should, with no faults or issues reported

Exterior

• Rare Dark Blue Metallic paintwork
• Overall the paintwork looks to be in very good order, with no notable marks or scuffs, just a few minor blemishes from age as you’d expect
• All the bodywork is straight and clean: we didn’t note any corrosion, dents or misalignment
• As is usual with external plastics from the era, some of the black trim is showing signs of UV-fading, but otherwise appears to be undamaged
• The glass all looks to be original, wearing the period marks and etchings
• All the window rubbers, badges and other elements of external trim show nicely, with nothing missing or notably damaged that we could discern
• Traditional twin slash-cut tailpipe exhaust
• Underneath the car appears to be very clean and straight, with solid, undamaged sills and floor pans, and no corrosion to note
• Period 14-inch BBS cross-spoke alloy wheels, presented in good order with no kerb damage or lacquer peel in evidence
• 185/60 tyres all round – all fitted in November 2022

Mechanical

• 1,781cc 8-valve inline-four, offering 112 bhp
• Front-wheel drive
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Unmodified and in factory specification
• Clean and tidy engine bay, with no signs of leaks or other issues that we could see
• October 2020 @ 65,937 miles: timing belt replacement, new heater matrix and thermostat
• We’re assured that the car starts first time and drives just as it should, with no mechanical faults or known issues

Summary

Once the darling of the tuning scene, now a genuinely collectible and rare car, we’re blown away by how solid and original this Golf GTI is. We love the fact that it’s an 8-valve too.

Many 16-valves have been preserved, while 8-valve machines often got heavily modified in period or used as donors for track cars. It makes this highly original GTI something really quite special. Add to that the clear, comprehensive history, gorgeous (and rare) paintwork and those oh-so 90s BBS cross-spokes, and as far as we’re concerned, this is the perfect usable modern classic.

Marvellously simple and mechanical, well preserved and generally just a delight, we love this GTI. We think you will too.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in West Wickham, London.