Classics – 1976-1983 Volkswagen Golf GTI MkI
Our Factfile for the first generation of the hot hatch icon – the Golf GTI
By Shahzad Sheikh
It’s the hot hatch icon, the originator, the template, the car that everyone else has been trying to emulate ever since its arrival in 1976. Read our First Drive review of all the all-new MkVII 2014 Golf GTI here.
Only 5000 thousand units were planned when the GTI was first launched 37 years ago – 1.9 million have been sold since then through the various generations!
Styling is the signature ‘folded paper’ design of Giorgetto Giugiaro who penned the MkI Golf. It featured a chin spoiler, black side stripes, extended wheel arches and red highlighted grille.
Inside it had tartan seats and the golf-ball gear knob. Note – it the car was not named after the sport, but in the tradition of VWs, after a wind: ‘Golfstrom’ German for Gulf Stream.
The first GTI had a 1.6-litre engine with K-Jetronic fuel injection (one of the first small cars to get injection at the time). GTI stands for Grand Touring Injection.
Introduced with 1588cc, four-cylinder, 110PS (108bhp) @ 6100rpm, 103lb ft torque @ 5000rpm, weight 810kg, 0-60mph (92kph) in 9.0seconds, top speed of 110mph (177kph).
Transmission was a four-speed, and GTI’s have always been front-wheel drive only.
Over 350,000 of the first generation GTIs were built, but it’s really hard to find a good example to purchase – all the best ones are already tucked away in private collections or museums.
Rust and rattly trim are the biggest issues, the GTI is generally mechanically robust, even at this age. Blue exhaust smoke is indicative of worn valve guides, and engine pressure leaks can cause hot starting problems. Body panels are readily available, though tinted windscreens are harder to source now.
The good news is parts and specialists expertise and knowledge will be easy to find, particularly in Europe.
If you do find an original one, expect to pay between US$8k-10k for the best examples, about $5k for a decent example, and deem anything for around $2000 or less to be a project car that will need some time and effort.
