Double The Power of a Mk1 GTI! - 1983 VW Rabbit GTI Callaway Stage II Turbo (POV Binaural Audio)

Special Thanks to Bond Group for the opportunity to exercise this rare and original 19k mile 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf) GTI Callaway Stage II Turbo. Find their incredible inventory at www.bondgroupu...
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#RespectTheDrive #GTI #Turbo

[@TedwardDrives]

What's your favorite 80's Tuner car? Huge thanks to Bond Group for tossing the keys to this rare piece of history.

[@gabrielulibarri9950]

Does my 86 toyota Pickup 4x4 turbo count? Lol But seriously, probably the nissan 300zx

[@alexp6409]

Gotta be the CRX for me, but this GTI is pretty sweet.

[@saucyp123]

RX-7 Turbo II!

[@GrumpySalmon]

VW scirocco

[@therealaa24]

VW Golf MK1 GTI or Audi Quattro! :)

[@EDMONDKONA90]

This is why i like Tedward cause he drives anything from classic vehicles too super/hyper cars keep doing what you doing bruh 👍

[@yungboicontigo9278]

Facts

[@gosth81]

Fax

[@rossm8231]

Waking up to a trip down 1980s memory lane in THIS thing makes for a good day.

[@Ashfielder]

I can’t imagine how this would compare to the other hot hatches of its era, must’ve seemed like a rocket to everyone else.

[@yannickg6904]

I remember the articles in "European Car "gushing about the car. Love the Mk1s, still have one as a summer cruiser.

[@christschool]

It was the king hot hatch in its day.

[@robertbcope]

The GTIs definitely had some close gearing back then. It was/is great stuff. Fun, fun cars.

[@rootsmanuva82]

This must’ve been a monster in its day with 200 hp and a curb weight of around 2,100-2,300 lbs. An E21 320i had only 110 hp from an M10 in-line 4 and weighed ~2,600 lbs (I owned one and it was pretty slow... but smooth). A 1983 Mustang GT made 175 hp and weighed around 3,000 lbs. 1983 Porsche 911SC; 172 hp, 2,600 lbs. You get the idea...

[@craigpitre3035]

Ordered my 1983 late in 82,white blue int factory sunroof radio prep. Drove it for ten years my first new car. Loved it wish I never sold it.

[@therealaa24]

That Rabbit looks fabulous! 😂🐇 My dad has a 1982 VW Golf MK1 GTI and how this drives kinda reminds me of how my dads one drives

[@xavierbarron3601]

OMG I have one of these, and is wonderful. You have real gems on your channel, I subscribe.

[@sleep399]

morning coffee and tedward, today will be a good day :)

[@alolanstarboy]

Man I love the boxy utilitarian look of the Rabbit GTI. Probably among my favourite hot hatches.

[@automation7295]

Why does the US model called "Rabbit"? In Europe, this version would be called Volkswagen Golf GTI. Also why doesn't US models of any MK1 Golf have round headlamps like European models do?

[@buzzshavinutts8898]

@@automation7295 because all golfs were called rabbits, in 1983 the cabriolet rabbit had round headlamps, that's it. square headlights were a little more "high tech" looking since after all 1970s cars and trucks mostly had rounds up front

[@SonOfTamriel]

​@@buzzshavinutts8898 all Cabriolet's had round headlights up til 87 or 88 when they went with dual-rounds with the 'Clipper' kit cars. Not the simplest swap to the Rabbit GTI since the fenders need to replaced as well. People do it however.

[@ozziedecouto5340]

I had a 1984 silver with blue interior Rabbit GTI with sunroof and AC as my first car back in 98. Still one of my favorite cars that I've driven to this day. Loved taking on ramps in third gear with my foot to the floor and getting that third wheel off the ground 😆

[@acalthu]

I've seen this on BaT. You need to buy this car. You know you want to. I'm so glad that you're into hot hatches. This is the exact reason why I own my Toyota Starlet GT. Darting through traffic, taking corners without slowing down, that's where the fun is.

[@russellsenior5687]

Good turbo upgrade on starlet

[@flash2615]

I absolutely understand what you mean with enjoying a lot of visibility. I only recently started to go for my truck driver license and the thing i noticed right off the bat is the visibillity you have in those big vehicles. the giant mirrors and the high seating position on the Scania i'm learning it in is unbelievable. it's like a new world opening up.

[@rovingenglishman]

Mine was an 81 black on black with the quad lights. Had a mad winter tour of Scotland in that thing. He’s right, every trip was a race!

[@chiefrockadave7891]

I’m about to by a 83 rabbit from an old lady I’ll be the second owner! She kept it in mint condition

[@828findadventure]

I had this same turbo kit on an 83 Audi coupe 5+5 there was so much power through the front wheels.

[@pablocespedes9585]

From all the types of VWs in history this exact GTI model is the only one I like!

[@chrismichael1161]

I had an 84 gti, black with navy interior. I’ve owned about 20 cars since then and this car was definitely in my top 3. Wish I still had it, one of the most fun cars!

[@bluesguitar1973]

The 1983 VW GTI was literally my first car when I was in college in the early 90s. The headliner came down just like this in my car and drove me nuts. The radio would also play the engine sound thru the speakers which also drove me nuts. It however was a blast to drive. Not very fast but drove well. I did not realize my car would be a classic.

[@edalder2000]

200 HP in a 2000-2100 lb. car? Rocket ship! The car and its bits seem well tuned. The waste gate is barely audible. Most 1970-80's turbos were "Nothing....nothing....Light Speed....Plaid!!" This GTi's turbo seems like someone dropped a V6 in the engine bay. If there wasn't a boost gauge, you would not know that VW had a turbo, except for "the whoosh" of the waste gate. My favorite part is that this GTi appears from the outside to be bone stock. Well done sleepers are the best.

[@TedwardDrives]

My thoughts exactly! I was expecting it to be like a 930 where the boost just hits you like a ton of bricks. I didn't know these could be tuned so well to add power without compromise

[@edalder2000]

@@TedwardDrives I was trying to remember the 930 but couldn't. You are so right!! I saw the price of this GTi and it's amazing that the car was that well tuned for its price.

[@edalder2000]

@@TedwardDrives How is the torque steer?

[@scotty88lp]

My 2018 gti salutes you sir!

[@raylivengood8040]

I remember this being for sale ! Looks great being driven 👍🏻

[@manzelli1981]

I’d be so stressed driving on Rt. 128 with *any* of these cars like he is. Love the sound of this GTI under boost, all the same

[@LucasCbassBR]

This is how Brasil people have fun, with our 80's and 90's VW Gol (equivalent to your Rabbit). We put a turbo on it, and enjoy the city roads!

[@RGMS_]

Sadly these cars are getting expensive as fuck, i wanted to buy a Chevette but geez, its more than 10k for a piece of junk, 20k if you want a drivable one

[@victorjarquin1174]

Sorry but VW Gol isnt equivalent to a Rabbit GTI, VW Gol is too far from the real leyends, sorry again.

[@LucasCbassBR]

@@victorjarquin1174 We have the GTi version too, if you don't know.

[@rudolfschenker]

I want this car so bad. The conversion is like factory quality, what an amazing car. It is probably geared for the factory original slowpoke engine, this turbo needs a 6th gear in the worst way.

[@TedwardDrives]

I expected this thing to drive miserably but it genuinely feels like a factory solution. Absolutely crazy how well Calloway nailed it

[@miaugato93]

put a gearbox from the diesels in it, should help

[@saucyp123]

Love everything about this car. So rad. The interior is a total smokeshow

[@memorimusic420]

That intercooler is hilarious 😂

[@michaelhazelwood5108]

Even though I generally prefer the looks of newer vehicles, you can't deny that the 80's and 90's were when automakers weren't scared to make their cars fun. Great vid Tedward, have a pleasant day.

[@Hchris101]

Live this wheel car to drive in

[@seansuperman]

Finally, the good old GTI! My older brother had a MK2 Golf that I loved, no car has ever meant as much. Would love a new Golf R video when those hit the market. They seem like they will be a lot of fun

[@jimmyblues59m76]

Love this car!!!☺

[@rootsmanuva82]

I’ve “built” so many different variations of this theme with the Mk1 GTI in Forza 7 it’s not even funny 😆. Glad to finally see a real one!

[@rootsmanuva82]

The Shelby Dodge Omni GLHS is another fun one to tinker with from this era. There’s something great about modifying a boxy 80’s compact that’s way more satisfying than driving Bugatti’s and Ferrari’s. Lot’s of power but keeping everything else stock? Instant hooliganism. Less power but with track focused modifications? A time trial weapon. The options are endless whereas the supercars are already optimized and therefore “boring”. And yes I modify my cars in real life too. Forza is great because one: I’m not rich and two: you get tickets in real life or blow up your car.

[@jensen1971x]

Looks like fun. Just the opposite of my '83 Rabbit Diesel. That car was so slow it was dangerous.

[@LogiForce86]

Personally I prefer visibility over modern safety standards on roofs which demand fat pillars to hold the roof up in case of a roll-over. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you but I am not in the business of rolling cars over like your average stuntman but in every day driving you really appreciate the extra situational awareness these older cars and their visibility give you.

[@vostokomega]

Great videos bro, one of the 2 car chanels i follow, keep it up. Can you provide some tips for us that drive stick shift, how to make shifts smoother, not to ruin the clutch fast, etc.

[@oldcrook510]

My mom had a base model 1980 Rabbit - red /red plastic seats - am radio. I remember picking it up as a little kid with her...$6,000.

[@pressrolls]

Everything about your video is awesome....except you repeatedly saying "wastegate". You're hearing the blow-off valve venting (Bypass valve). A wastegate dumps into the exhaust on the other end. You're a car guy dude.

[@maxeluy]

A very very similar engine is like the LS in Brazil, they made big power for drag racing, they call it AP and came factory in many cars like Volkswagen Gol, a very similar car that even had a GTi version.

[@yungboicontigo9278]

When I think of callaway I think of corvettes tbh. Never knew they tuned hot hatch legends!

[@mitchkelleher7972]

I miss velour. I would take it over the over-processed slaughterhouse scrapings they call leather and charge you extra for today.

[@UncleBeefRecords]

I hit the like button while waiting for the opening ad

[@TedwardDrives]

You’re a good one

[@xenoplethoraclips7414]

This video has made me appreciate my current and first car which is a 99 VW polo just a little bit more, obviously it's not a golf but it's just as fun, and surprisingly comfortable, no power steering, barley 100 horsepower but the thing feels as you put it 'like a go cart' these slower older cars are really enjoyable and I'm starting to learn to appreciate what I have instead of dreaming of something big..

[@Speedy636Germany]

You gotta love German classics! Dope car, I just wish it wasn't white. But that's a matter of taste, I guess.

[@todtod6212]

Great sound I do have to say. Reminds me of my friend’s rabbit back in high school, we have it all loaded up with friends and could get it airborn off a certain crest in the road. Just fun

[@nicojager686]

What a little frankenstein💣💨💨 although I prefer the more "cosy" German interior and muscular European exterior cool video and nice way to explore the US from my couch. Great content👌

[@robertrishel3685]

I had a 1985 Scirocco back then...loved that car! It was awesome for an 18 year old kid in the 80’s👍. A turbo would have been really nice!

[@Kid_Ellipsis]

Yeah but you’re still alive in 2021 😝

[@animmania5361]

I'm from Indonesia here It's Night around 0:05

[@TedwardDrives]

I used to go to Jakarta for work! thats the only time I've been below the equator.

[@animmania5361]

oh yeah good bro

[@SwervingLemon]

The Callaway cars had the rising rate fuel pressure regulator off of the Turbo Audi version of the Bosch CIS fuel system bolted to the front of the block. That would boost the fuel pressure automatically in response to manifold pressure changes. No "Tune" to speak of, the venturi metering system and the FPR did all the work with no computer and no feedback loop in the O2 sensor system. Sadly, these old CIS systems are falling prey to ethanol, which allows water to condense on the metering plate in the middle of the fuel distributor and cause corrosion that, in turn, causes random fueling issues. Very big problem, running lean under boost. Had the only Callaway Mk2 Scirocco ever made (to the best of my knowledge). It was a blast.

[@IAT1964]

The Golf I GTi was a landmark vehicle. 1.6 and later 1.8 Lt motor would demolish 3lt and above muscle cars on the track in the 80s. My brother owned one which he got tuned -no turbos, only heads and valves. The car was a beast. A BMW 535i of the same generation had no chance from zero to the Golf top speed. The BMW would only overtake when the golf hit terminal speed. American muscle cars were absolutely demolished in handling.

[@2W3X4YZ5]

Great ride. I’m hearing some kind of noise on the left side of the car when turning right. Exhaust related?

[@TedwardDrives]

That's what I'm thinking. I poked around underneath and all the CV boots were sealed and solid and couldn't find any play.

[@nimmen]

Sounds like a CV joint starting to wear a bit. My first car had the same thing and it lasted for years without the sound getting any worse.

[@nigelnigelakiraakira]

19k miles eh? Mine had 194,000.....in 1992 which, according to the records, is when the odometer broke. It is my daily though and it's never let me down.

[@coolbluelights]

Teens in the early 90s tuned these. My friend's brother had one with 15" speakers and an amp in '93

[@Jgeneraledger23]

I had my bro-in-laws '80 Rabbit gas-powered 2 dr stick to sell. Wish I had used it as a Winter Driver, very spirited and good in snow!

[@_Ezio__Auditore_]

Lol no views, but 4 likes!? I'm quite early to watching my DD's ancestor.

[@dadbodforlife]

I had one of these GTI’s as my first car. It’ll get to the top speed quick but it won’t have a quick top speed.

[@davyd4355]

I had a 1986 Jetta GLI I think it had the same engine without the turbo and it had the same Gearing and the five speed manual transmission actually that was the only thing I did not like about the car cruising at 70 mph the engine was turning like 4000 RPMs it got to be a drag after a while other than that the car was great handled great it was pretty fast for its time I miss it

[@btbd2785]

Callaway should have made an option to add a revised 5 speed manual so it doesn't Rev that high at just 55mph. This would have made this a real cruiser too!!

[@rkn3045]

The gears in that car are stock. Rabbit GTIs had bad gears for road trips. 3500 rpm for 20hrs is no fun.

[@SalaKaland]

I ❤️ GTI Forever! Hungary

[@SonOfTamriel]

In neutral you can start these without the clutch in. Bad habit cause it'll jump forward if you forget to take it out of gear.

[@RJW14]

Okay, the EU one has a better looking nose and we call it the golf 🤣 But man this is one of the few volkswagens I'd actually buy myself. That wheel, that interior, it's so nice.

[@TedwardDrives]

Blame VW. We didnt do anything wrong 😂

[@blkcoupequattro]

Rolling around the town where the shot that was fired was heard around the world..... Concord MA

[@ShaiyanHossain]

i love old school hatches like this! as someone who drives a manual Fit its fun whip around and still not break the 45mph speed limit lol

[@jimw8543]

aS sOmEoNe wHo DriVeS a MaNuAl FiT

[@Taxi-yq6vv]

5:20 Imagine standing there for the stoplight. And seeing this fly by on the left😍

[@clintonsager2233]

Great example of a great car! I was sales manager at Volkswagen Brookline when these came out. Great driving and handling cars. Sold one to my girlfriend at the time in same color combo. White/red as she was a nurse. Your example has the optional vent windows I see. Had experience offering Callaway turbos at Colonie Motors in Schenectady, NY in early eighties mostly on Scirocco S models. Brought cars to a different level. Thinking it was about a $2000 upgrade at the time. Somewhere I have dealer literature on the GTI when they first came out. Good stuff. Cheers!

[@xgtiglix]

Clinton cool background. To clarify, the 1982 model year Scirocco had the hand built (Callaway Turbo and accessories) which was offered at select dealerships in CT, NY and NJ. They were built out at Callaway in Old Lyme, CT. Only a rumored 30 plus serial numbered Mk2 were built. I have #10. Such a fun car to drive on New England roads and compliments nicely with my Stage I kitted GTI and 83 Stage II.

[@alexandermathar7780]

Callaways answer to the Shelby GLH !

[@ryanr3071]

This car was one of the first cars i ever worked on when i began to learn about cars as a kid. My uncle was working on one that had a pair of vice grips holding the alternator bracket in place. Pretty cool seeing one again.

[@Mike-rk8px]

For 10 years I had a 1984 VW GTI and it was the ultimate sleeper car. It looked really cute, and like it would be a boring little car to drive....WRONG! It was an absolutely amazing car at any speed. The handling was mind blowing, the transmission was perfect, the pedals were in the perfect location and had great feel, it had a nice ride, and it had a deceptively large cargo area with the back seat folded down. On top of all of that it was great on gas. Like the Miata, it wasn’t the fastest car around, but it did everything so perfectly you didn’t care. It also always felt like you were going much faster than you actually were.

[@jacksonpereira5898]

Muito bom o conteúdo do video , aqui no Brasil tem muitos amantes de Volkswagen , eu sou um deles!

[@black98rt]

Never knew this existed. Glad at least one is being preserved.

[@yes8032]

Still a great car

[@kurthvonneguth]

Probably my favorite car of all time. Awesome review and thanks for bringing us along!

[@TedwardDrives]

You have excellent taste

[@i_l_b_e_r]

in 1:02 it is so clean that it looks like its from a video game.

[@apizzaparty]

We have a black one at our shop we are restoring. Shame he is missing the callaway boost gauge in this white car!

[@TedwardDrives]

It’s possible they didn’t have the Callaway labeled gauge in 83. I know exactly the one you’re talking about because it was on the 88 corvette that I filmed

[@madjidhamdini8114]

3:07 85mp/h ? hahahaha a big joke ! the ridiculous basic rabbit 1.1 is capable of + 145 km/h (90 mp/h ) ! Funny !

[@rootsmanuva82]

It makes me happy to know I own a modern version of this car, right down to the color. VW didn’t stray far from the original formula: a practical everyday hatchback, understated but handsome styling, Recaro style seats, upright seating position and greenhouse and gobs of turbo torque (ok original didn’t have a turbo but this Callaway did).

[@edmessina8392]

IIRC at some point VW offered a recaro option, may have been in the scirocco.

[@TheStugbit]

That car just needs two round long range headlights in the front!

[@gregagard6228]

Your life is literally a forza horizon game

[@miketeeveedub5779]

I had no idea that Calloway had a turbo Mk1 Golf. I heard of the Calloway Corvette and recently a Camaro, but a VW? Never would've guessed that! Regardless it's awesome! 200Hp in a 2000lb car is a fun ride! I'd love to get a similar kit for my Mk1 Jetta GLI coupe! Probably easier to find a piece of Noah's ark!😄 BTW - I noticed this car's steering was much more responsive to steering inputs than the black Mk1 Golf GTI you tested 2 years ago. That steering rack must be European spec, and not the American spec used on the Westmorland VWs. It steered more like my Wolfsburg-built Jetta's.

[@Snufkin812]

How cool it is to have a small classic German car running in North America! Unlike the '80s, Americans don't seem to want to drive such a small car anymore. It is an economical car, but the red interior material looks very luxurious. Today's car interior colors are only black or beige.

[@rvborgh]

i wish you could have reviewed an MK1 with the twin screw Lysholm kit that i used to make or the MK1 vehicles. The old VW 8v engines force fed with an Autorotor twin screw compressor were just a beast. Imagine the stock 8v torque curve, but everything just shifted upwards by 2 to 2.5 times, in a lightweight MK1 chassis.

[@alexanderfrost9492]

Hello people

[@ervinhernandez3137]

Is the turbo from factory???

[@RuralTowner]

My backup DD is also a GTI. Something of a beater (interior is rough but outside is still good)...an 84 w/ the original 1.6D NA w/ probably close to 500k miles if the worn rings are a measure (odo stopped working @ 300k). Engine is worn out (no funds to go OS pistons//rings so just slapped in some STDs but can still be rather peppy. 45+ mpgs still. Got an 80 Caddy (became the DD but is down for repairs after trans jammed) that will be getting a replacement motor (same as above but hydraulic head) that will likely get a turbo retrofit. Have a proper 1.6TD for a proper project later though.

[@brentboswell1294]

Hey Tedward, you should try a 1986 Mustang SVO or a 1987-1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Ford got 200 HP from the 8 valve turd of an engine that the Ford Lima (Pinto) engine was, with a turbo and intercooler!

[@EddieFly00]

MY DAD HAD ONE OF THESE IN WHITE TOO!! (Just not a Callaway)

[@biosfearmag]

Would love to see how this compares to my MK1 GTI with a 2.0 ABA swap running OBDii.

[@henrytyson4152]

Im building one too just gotta wire it up

[@biosfearmag]

@@henrytyson4152 Nice. It's a great combo. Been running mine for over a decade with no issues. I have a vid of my car in my profile.

[@BreannaKeiver]

Hey love the review of the car. I’m thinking about purchasing two. But just curious cause I cant find the answers. How rare are the 80s two doors?

[@edwardlucero2120]

I had the 1984 GTI. Red, Blue seats. I got mine up to 105, I shut it down real fast. one of the most fun car ever to drive.

[@beach_hike9006]

Turbo 83 GTI that's seriously cool, people laugh at those cars nowadays though. I wouldn't be caught driving one.

[@DJSI3434]

Slightly shorter than normal gearing on this one Normal: (80 = 4300rpm). This : (80 = 4615rpm).

[@andrewnichols1023]

Damn that car is ugly, square lights and horrible bumpers, you Americans really lost out. I’m from Europe and our cars was far nicer.

[@williampearce5932]

I helped my friend install the kit in his 83. Neat kit. Also installed bilstein coil set plus up graded sway bars and shock tower brace It would plow in the corners , but a little monster.

[@beetleboys]

I saw a near identical 83 gti at a nh car show recently only difference was black interior everything else looked the same even wheels, sure it wasnt as fast as this though, very nice cars

[@kw2519]

The trans would have been the super short 4H or similar with the 3.97 FD, iirc

[@russellsenior5687]

American cars never handled any good .they were like a wheel barrow. Little golf good fun but a little bit too small. They even lift inner back wheel on tight corners

[@CJBMAGGOT94]

A lot of people these days take the 5th gear set from a later model TDI because it's a tall gear and replace that. It's easy becasue it's right on the outside of the trans, almost like an add-on. Almost necessary to drive these older VW's at current highway speeds.

[@TedwardDrives]

I read today (after I made the video) that Callaway did change 5th gear to be taller....Apparently this is the high speed version and still turns a bunch of revs on the highway! Too funny

[@CJBMAGGOT94]

@@TedwardDrives It's always bothered me how VW's run such high rpm on the highway. Like 3000+ at 70mph.

[@TedwardDrives]

my first car was a mk3 golf and it was somewhere around 3200rpm at 70. my M3 is the same, but it revs to 8k so its much lower in the powerband at least.

[@CJBMAGGOT94]

@@TedwardDrives Really? My first car was a 96 Jetta. You could see the ground through the floor but man that thing was reliable. Daily that car for 7 years and never left me down.

[@matts.1042]

Just bought a 1984 Mk1 with 55k mi. Soooo tempted to retrofit a Calloway kit.

[@hoffa2586]

Thanks for this video. I’m refreshing the engine on my 84 Callaway Gti right now and watching this brings back the sights and sounds of pure happiness. Now that you have driven a stock Mk1 gti you need to compare it to a European version and see where it sits in the pecking order. Also would like to see you interview Reeves Callaway and get his current thoughts on this car and this program. You should also seek out drives his turbo Alfa’s and BMW’s of the Rad era!