VW Mk1 Citi Golf - 1987 'Phase 1' South African Import to UK
Discussion
Thought I'd put a bit of a running update on the Citi seeing as it is taking all the attention away from my ratty Herald at the moment.
This is my 1987 E reg mk1 body Golf which was imported from South Africa in 2017 from memory, it is the first phase of the Golf continuation that the South Africans got (and continued to get until 2009!).
Mine is a blue and white model, they also did a red/white and a yellow/white version, no other colours. Lots has been written about these so I'll stop waffling.
This one is auto, I suspect the only auto Citi in the UK. There aren't many around generally, my friend and I (who also has a Citi) estimate around 15 are in the country but hard to be sure. If you hear of any on the road do shout, I'm keeping a list like the nerd I am).
Might get a bit of a bashing for getting an auto, and my original plan was to do a manual swap (not hugely challenging to do) but I've fallen in love with the auto box. The car is being used almost daily, so it's a lovely run around, easy to drive and it's very smooth considering how old it is. I've got the Triumph for when I was to change gears myself. It was going to be a track car for me originally, but that has long since gone out of the window and I use it to buzz around locally and as a second car.
1600cc with a nice japanese carb, I got it littered with issues off ebay and have been working through them one by one. It runs well and has an MOT so that's the main thing.
Bought it in March 2023 and my wife told me I had to sell a car to make room, so my mk2 Scirocco was sold - very sad as it was a lovely car but there was nothing to work on with it and I like a project.
A friend had a red Mk1 Citi Golf in the UK as his first car in the late 90s, it was incredibly rare then but I didn't appreciate just how rare. He now owns another one and I've always admired it, so when this blue boy came up on ebay I had to have it.
Key thing is no rust! Well, not much anyway - the underside is immaculate, the arches look great, all the main worrying points are beautiful. The only rust is on the body in a couple of places where it has been hit with something.
Some more pics of how it arrived to me. I'll post later on the modifications I've made so far...
This is my 1987 E reg mk1 body Golf which was imported from South Africa in 2017 from memory, it is the first phase of the Golf continuation that the South Africans got (and continued to get until 2009!).
Mine is a blue and white model, they also did a red/white and a yellow/white version, no other colours. Lots has been written about these so I'll stop waffling.
This one is auto, I suspect the only auto Citi in the UK. There aren't many around generally, my friend and I (who also has a Citi) estimate around 15 are in the country but hard to be sure. If you hear of any on the road do shout, I'm keeping a list like the nerd I am).
Might get a bit of a bashing for getting an auto, and my original plan was to do a manual swap (not hugely challenging to do) but I've fallen in love with the auto box. The car is being used almost daily, so it's a lovely run around, easy to drive and it's very smooth considering how old it is. I've got the Triumph for when I was to change gears myself. It was going to be a track car for me originally, but that has long since gone out of the window and I use it to buzz around locally and as a second car.
1600cc with a nice japanese carb, I got it littered with issues off ebay and have been working through them one by one. It runs well and has an MOT so that's the main thing.
Bought it in March 2023 and my wife told me I had to sell a car to make room, so my mk2 Scirocco was sold - very sad as it was a lovely car but there was nothing to work on with it and I like a project.
A friend had a red Mk1 Citi Golf in the UK as his first car in the late 90s, it was incredibly rare then but I didn't appreciate just how rare. He now owns another one and I've always admired it, so when this blue boy came up on ebay I had to have it.
Key thing is no rust! Well, not much anyway - the underside is immaculate, the arches look great, all the main worrying points are beautiful. The only rust is on the body in a couple of places where it has been hit with something.
Some more pics of how it arrived to me. I'll post later on the modifications I've made so far...
Scoobydrew95 said:
Looks great! Are there any differences from being a SA spec car to the UK ones? What did the Citi offer over a normal Golf?
My mum had a mk2 Golf driver with the 2 speed automatic. Surprisingly peppy considering. Had a fantastic smell about it as well.
Love a mk2 Driver! My mum had a mk2 Golf driver with the 2 speed automatic. Surprisingly peppy considering. Had a fantastic smell about it as well.
My Citi has aftermarket air conditioning added which of course doesn't work (yet, it's on the list!). Apart from that, they are just a more basic version of the euro spec cars. Mine has no intermittent wiper, no rear screen heater and no radio. I've added a wiper relay so I now have intermittent.
They also have different front wings (closer to the mk2 than a mk1) and a unique grille just for the Citi. You can swap the wings over to euro spec and then fit a euro grille. Might need to do that as my grille is all types of cracked...
The citi also seems to have a big ol' sump guard plate thing that I've not seen on other mk1s but I might have got this wrong. Plus the suspension is higher on the citi as standard vs euro. Bad SA roads potentially why they added a sump guard and stilts. I'm sure there is more but I can't think of any!
Back in the late 80's I had a Citi Golf Sport in this very same colour.
Mine had the 1.8 engine, but with carburettor. There was also an injected version, known as a Citi Golf Cti.
I fitted a Weber carb (36DCD7) to mine, which resulted in a vast improvement in performance.
I don't remember any sump guard, so that's likely a non factory mod to yours.
The cooling system was uprated to cope with the SA climate.
There were no rear fog lights (although the lenses and fittings were there) and a common mod was to make the fog lamps additional brake lights.
Additionally, (and as you have found) the car was never supplied with a heated rear window, not required due to the warm climate.
Air conditioning (if fitted to the car from new) would have been an aftermarket offering. I'm 99% certain that it wasn't a factory option.
Radios were not a factory option either (for most SA cars at the time), and were always an aftermarket fitment.
I don't recall if my Golf had an intermittent wiper option - but I'm fairly certain it did.
It did have a rear wash / wipe option, and there was a separate water reservoir in the boot, on the right hand side IIRC.
These cars were typically very well rust proofed at the factory, as during the 70's and early 80's, vehicles built by VWSA had a terrible reputation for rust, and some time during the mid 80's (I think when the MK II Golf was introduced) they upped their game with rust proofing, which also carried over to the Citi Golf and other VAG products of the time.
Mine had the 1.8 engine, but with carburettor. There was also an injected version, known as a Citi Golf Cti.
I fitted a Weber carb (36DCD7) to mine, which resulted in a vast improvement in performance.
I don't remember any sump guard, so that's likely a non factory mod to yours.
The cooling system was uprated to cope with the SA climate.
There were no rear fog lights (although the lenses and fittings were there) and a common mod was to make the fog lamps additional brake lights.
Additionally, (and as you have found) the car was never supplied with a heated rear window, not required due to the warm climate.
Air conditioning (if fitted to the car from new) would have been an aftermarket offering. I'm 99% certain that it wasn't a factory option.
Radios were not a factory option either (for most SA cars at the time), and were always an aftermarket fitment.
I don't recall if my Golf had an intermittent wiper option - but I'm fairly certain it did.
It did have a rear wash / wipe option, and there was a separate water reservoir in the boot, on the right hand side IIRC.
These cars were typically very well rust proofed at the factory, as during the 70's and early 80's, vehicles built by VWSA had a terrible reputation for rust, and some time during the mid 80's (I think when the MK II Golf was introduced) they upped their game with rust proofing, which also carried over to the Citi Golf and other VAG products of the time.
TonyRPH said:
Back in the late 80's I had a Citi Golf Sport in this very same colour.
Mine had the 1.8 engine, but with carburettor. There was also an injected version, known as a Citi Golf Cti.
I fitted a Weber carb (36DCD7) to mine, which resulted in a vast improvement in performance.
I don't remember any sump guard, so that's likely a non factory mod to yours.
The cooling system was uprated to cope with the SA climate.
There were no rear fog lights (although the lenses and fittings were there) and a common mod was to make the fog lamps additional brake lights.
Additionally, (and as you have found) the car was never supplied with a heated rear window, not required due to the warm climate.
Air conditioning (if fitted to the car from new) would have been an aftermarket offering. I'm 99% certain that it wasn't a factory option.
Radios were not a factory option either (for most SA cars at the time), and were always an aftermarket fitment.
I don't recall if my Golf had an intermittent wiper option - but I'm fairly certain it did.
It did have a rear wash / wipe option, and there was a separate water reservoir in the boot, on the right hand side IIRC.
These cars were typically very well rust proofed at the factory, as during the 70's and early 80's, vehicles built by VWSA had a terrible reputation for rust, and some time during the mid 80's (I think when the MK II Golf was introduced) they upped their game with rust proofing, which also carried over to the Citi Golf and other VAG products of the time.
Really useful thanks for the info! Lots I didn't know there. I do have a weber sat in the garage that was going to go onto the scirocco. Maybe a worthwhile upgrade once the current carb inevitably starts being cheeky. Mine had the 1.8 engine, but with carburettor. There was also an injected version, known as a Citi Golf Cti.
I fitted a Weber carb (36DCD7) to mine, which resulted in a vast improvement in performance.
I don't remember any sump guard, so that's likely a non factory mod to yours.
The cooling system was uprated to cope with the SA climate.
There were no rear fog lights (although the lenses and fittings were there) and a common mod was to make the fog lamps additional brake lights.
Additionally, (and as you have found) the car was never supplied with a heated rear window, not required due to the warm climate.
Air conditioning (if fitted to the car from new) would have been an aftermarket offering. I'm 99% certain that it wasn't a factory option.
Radios were not a factory option either (for most SA cars at the time), and were always an aftermarket fitment.
I don't recall if my Golf had an intermittent wiper option - but I'm fairly certain it did.
It did have a rear wash / wipe option, and there was a separate water reservoir in the boot, on the right hand side IIRC.
These cars were typically very well rust proofed at the factory, as during the 70's and early 80's, vehicles built by VWSA had a terrible reputation for rust, and some time during the mid 80's (I think when the MK II Golf was introduced) they upped their game with rust proofing, which also carried over to the Citi Golf and other VAG products of the time.
First job was to fix the oil leak that was leaving a puddle of oil on the manifold and making comedy smoke on longer journeys.
Then I changed all the fuses for modern ones which fixed a wiper issue I had (they stopped working due to crusty fuse connections).
Then I did some less interesting but satisfying jobs like replacing a crusty fuel line, fixing a dodgy battery terminal and replacing the rear door handle (which are notorious for going wonky). Also put a relay no. 19 in so I have intermittent wipers woohoo!
Now the fun things - suspension. Bought some 2nd hand coilovers from ebay, Raceland, budget but people seem to like them. I had 'stance+' on the scirocco and the quality was good but the ride was very firm.
These raceland jobbie are much softer (helped by the fat tyres), less crashy. It has genuinely improved the ride, probably due to the old shocks being original and wrecked.
They're not what you'd choose if you're doing track days, too soft, but good my cruiser mk1.
All fitted, did it with a friend in an afternoon. It's low but gets over speed bumps no issue. I love inpractically low cars. Also no tyre rubbing, result! A good reason to keep it on small wheels, I can keep the nicer ride.
Took it to an ace cafe meet too.
Then I changed all the fuses for modern ones which fixed a wiper issue I had (they stopped working due to crusty fuse connections).
Then I did some less interesting but satisfying jobs like replacing a crusty fuel line, fixing a dodgy battery terminal and replacing the rear door handle (which are notorious for going wonky). Also put a relay no. 19 in so I have intermittent wipers woohoo!
Now the fun things - suspension. Bought some 2nd hand coilovers from ebay, Raceland, budget but people seem to like them. I had 'stance+' on the scirocco and the quality was good but the ride was very firm.
These raceland jobbie are much softer (helped by the fat tyres), less crashy. It has genuinely improved the ride, probably due to the old shocks being original and wrecked.
They're not what you'd choose if you're doing track days, too soft, but good my cruiser mk1.
All fitted, did it with a friend in an afternoon. It's low but gets over speed bumps no issue. I love inpractically low cars. Also no tyre rubbing, result! A good reason to keep it on small wheels, I can keep the nicer ride.
Took it to an ace cafe meet too.
Edited by jiggawhat2k on Wednesday 4th October 10:13
jiggawhat2k said:
I think you're right, and the earlier (but not the version I have) had a polo dash and steering wheel I believe.
All the early Citi Golf models had the dash from the original Golf MK1 (the MK1 we had in SA at least) - the dash you have.The Cti model was identical to the MK 1 Golf GTi, with the three additional gauges in the centre console.
I think the later Citi Golfs had a different layout (may have been the Polo dash I'm not sure - but I have seen them with a different dash layout).
I had a MK1 C (project shell) and MK2 GTI 8V around 2007, I then moved to New Zealand and very nearly bought a Citi Golf over there, think it was about 2 years old, it had a Skoda Fabia dash in it cant remember what engine.
I then nearly bought a Citi in the UK around 2014, same colour scheme as this.
I then nearly bought a Citi in the UK around 2014, same colour scheme as this.
I had one of these in 1993/4. Company car but they wouldn't approve the CTi version so settled for the CitiSport 1.8 which was essentially a GTI with a carb. Never even knew that they did a auto version. Must be very very rare even in South Africa
Air con was asthmatic, but other than that a cracking little car. They were produced alongside subsequent Golf editions for many years as a low cost model.
I always have a little giggle when reading about 'rust free' SA cars. If you lived in one of the many coastal areas rust was a frequent visitor to the older cars. Worth checking where in SA the car is from, beware of Cape Town/Durban etc. Johannesburg is good.
Air con was asthmatic, but other than that a cracking little car. They were produced alongside subsequent Golf editions for many years as a low cost model.
I always have a little giggle when reading about 'rust free' SA cars. If you lived in one of the many coastal areas rust was a frequent visitor to the older cars. Worth checking where in SA the car is from, beware of Cape Town/Durban etc. Johannesburg is good.
This has brought back some memories, I grew up in SA in the early to mid-nineties and my mother had one of these, a base model in light blue. We moved from Germany where she had a MK2 Golf and this was the natural replacement.
I can clearly remember being driven around in it, it moved with us from Jo'burg to Cape Town. Being into cars from an early age I managed to keep the old Transvaal number plates when it was re-registered in Cape Town, I still have them buried in the loft somewhere!
I can clearly remember being driven around in it, it moved with us from Jo'burg to Cape Town. Being into cars from an early age I managed to keep the old Transvaal number plates when it was re-registered in Cape Town, I still have them buried in the loft somewhere!
the-norseman said:
I had a MK1 C (project shell) and MK2 GTI 8V around 2007, I then moved to New Zealand and very nearly bought a Citi Golf over there, think it was about 2 years old, it had a Skoda Fabia dash in it cant remember what engine.
I then nearly bought a Citi in the UK around 2014, same colour scheme as this.
Interesting didn't know there were citis in new Zealand! I then nearly bought a Citi in the UK around 2014, same colour scheme as this.
MarcelM6 said:
I had one of these in 1993/4. Company car but they wouldn't approve the CTi version so settled for the CitiSport 1.8 which was essentially a GTI with a carb. Never even knew that they did a auto version. Must be very very rare even in South Africa
Air con was asthmatic, but other than that a cracking little car. They were produced alongside subsequent Golf editions for many years as a low cost model.
I always have a little giggle when reading about 'rust free' SA cars. If you lived in one of the many coastal areas rust was a frequent visitor to the older cars. Worth checking where in SA the car is from, beware of Cape Town/Durban etc. Johannesburg is good.
Auto was produced for a, couple of years in SA before being stopped so it is a rare old thing.Air con was asthmatic, but other than that a cracking little car. They were produced alongside subsequent Golf editions for many years as a low cost model.
I always have a little giggle when reading about 'rust free' SA cars. If you lived in one of the many coastal areas rust was a frequent visitor to the older cars. Worth checking where in SA the car is from, beware of Cape Town/Durban etc. Johannesburg is good.
I'm not sure where the car spent the majority of its life but I've been underneath and it's gloriously tidy luckily. There is a Port Alfred sticker on the reason screen so maybe I'll find some hidden gremlins over time.
CB 987 said:
This has brought back some memories, I grew up in SA in the early to mid-nineties and my mother had one of these, a base model in light blue. We moved from Germany where she had a MK2 Golf and this was the natural replacement.
I can clearly remember being driven around in it, it moved with us from Jo'burg to Cape Town. Being into cars from an early age I managed to keep the old Transvaal number plates when it was re-registered in Cape Town, I still have them buried in the loft somewhere!
Love it! Met some South African guys at ace cafe and they had stories of their time with a citi too. Seems like if you've been or lived in South Africa then you've had some interaction with a citi golf. I can clearly remember being driven around in it, it moved with us from Jo'burg to Cape Town. Being into cars from an early age I managed to keep the old Transvaal number plates when it was re-registered in Cape Town, I still have them buried in the loft somewhere!
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