MK1 VW GOLF GTI - **THE** guide to the ORIGINAL GTI!

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IN THIS UNSPONSORED VIDEO I share with you the leading Mk1 Golf GTI expert in the UK's incredible collection of Mk1 Golf GTIs, covering all the key derivatives that were imported to the UK between 1979 and 1983. I wanted this video to do justice to the significant position the Mk1 has in the GTI family tree and thanks to Graham I think we've achieved that in just under 30 mins.
With regards to the audio issues, we've already invested in a higher quality external mic for GoPro since this was filmed, we don't normally use this type of mic but when there are 2 people talking it's an easy way of capturing both and can be of very good quality. Even though this mic had a hefty wind shield on it (which occasionally gets into shot!) it didn't seem to do an awful lot as it was that windy, new Rode Video Mic Compact will hopefully be better!
The Mk1 tee-shirt I am wearing can be bought here (there is a Mk2 design too);
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/10624...
There is a 10% discount for 10 days from 24/9, use code 'VOLKSWIZARD10'
(I am not getting paid for plugging this, just helping out another VW enthusiast small business. I did get the tee shirt I wore free but I'm giving this to Graham)

[@karlepps8793]

Great memory lane video :-) Back in 83 I went into my dealer for a replacement headlight for my Mk 1 Golf 1.3 CL and walked out with the headlight and an order for a Mk 1 Campaign in Diamond Silver, BBS Body Kit and body coloured mirrors. I also had an alarm dealer fitted. In those days you had to get your own radio! In those days of motoring we didn't have speed cameras so I used to have fun - can't do that so much these days. Had an 'incident' in it which required a new body shell and other bits. Had it two toned - Audi Platinum Grey on the lower half and diamond silver on the top half - and it was debadged. Kept the car for 4 years. Tuned by GTI Engineering at Silverstone. Remarkable when you think the new Polo is the same size or slightly bigger. Great fun. :-) Brakes - haha - used to to described as being like an Exocet (Falklands War at the time) as nothing could stop it :-)

[@bodifix-acheiveyourpotenti8247]

I own a gti engineering mk1 now. Awesome engines

[@johneaton25]

Hey Andrew just to add to ur Golf database. Back in 1985 l brought a new GTi for £6k and took it to Turbo Techniques in Northampton who took another £3.5 k off me to convert it to one of 3 converted Golfs they did back then. A red one, a white one and my black one. Reading the stats of its 172bhp by todays standards seems weedy and pathetic but it used to hunt down Porsche 911’s and shame them 😆 The power to rate ratio was it’s secret with no Cat, air-con, wind up windows etc. Downside. To drive it was like a wild rat, It torque steered like a demon, front bushes were destroyed within months along with 2 front tyres every 6 weeks 😆 The car was so stiff with the above and below engine braces that windscreens cracked regularly! But……it was the best sleeper car l ever owned and the controlled understeer b4 breaking away was perfect 🙂…….and NO speed cameras back then 😆

[@robertwilliams-gg1zq]

I had a 1.6 GTI in Mars red as my second car in the 80s, HTR504X. Followed that with a helios blue metallic metallic Campaign A489 EPB. Sold them both t 99k miles. The blue one never used a drop of oil between services. The achilles heel were the brakes on rhd cars as the servo was on the left side of the bulkhead and the bulkhead where the clutch cable went through. Fantastic to see the passion for them remains

[@phantomracer1050]

I owned and ran a Mk1 Golf GTI as my daily driver for 14 years. The best car I've ever owned by far!

[@volkswizard]

Wow impressive!

[@seanduncan8927]

This video is a real treat and a trip down memory lane . I’d forgotten so.many things about the Golf styling touches. I cannot believe I considered buying and XR3i/ Astra GTE instead of one of these classics!👌❤️

[@getnyrb]

I can recall seeing my first Mk1 GTi in 1979. It was in the car park of Bolton Technical College. It was a silver LHD. I have been a dubster ever since ;-)

[@adams7405]

Miss my mk1 GTI MHS423V the first five speeder in the country from Ian Skelly VW. Collected it 1st Jan 1980,really quick and fun to drive,replacing my troublesome alfasud.

[@malchowle5618]

Really enjoyed that, as a 17year old in 1976 that was the car I dreamed of... Had a few gti's to make up for it 😁

[@mark-lh1ur]

i have to admit i loved my mk2 golf 1.6 d E reg 1988 , more than any car ive owned , it did spaceship mileage 290k miles. andrew why did mk2 golfs handle the miles so well? anyway love the mk1 too .

[@adams7405]

German cars were generally very well made back then.My mk2 16v was still taught and tight after 150,000 miles.Had an Astra GTE 16v for a while,great engine and funky digital dash but a bit rattly inside by 90,000.Shame now there isn't much difference between a VW and a Kia , I briefly drove a Proton something or other when my mk2 was being serviced and it was a ghastly thing.

[@drewwagar]

I've had two Mk1 GTIs. An early Black 1.6 5 speed and the later 1.8 Campaign in Mars Red with all the extra bits and bobs. Loved them both, but the 1.6 was a much sweeter revvy and cammy little engine, even if it wasn't quite as quick. Brilliant cars.

[@louishiggins8881]

What a brilliant video, certainly takes me back to my "youth" 😁. I had mk1 1983 1.8 (VEC 342Y) - UK rhd spec, but imported from Germany (remember when personal imports were a thing). It was black but had the red stripe interior (the agent apologised it wasn't full UK spec, actually looked ace) !!! Ran the car for six years until family and company car meant it got sold - what a pity ☹️. Currently drive a mk7 Golf GTi though 😂.

[@Sidmi5utc]

What a great start to a sunday morning ! Coffee in my hand and a trip down memory lane. Brilliant piece Andrew and great we have enthusiasts like Graham to cherish these great cars. The era of these cars reminded me a lot of my dad. Thank you.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Syd. Interesting that you too have had non car related memories awoken by this video. That’s because cars are such a part of your life and just like a member of the family

[@markelder1542]

This waa a very enjoyable Golf history lesson. Well done to Graham for saving these beautiful old GTI's. Lovely machines. 😁👏

[@volkswizard]

Glad you enjoyed it Mark

[@boomerang2]

Around 1991 i had a 1.6 gti X reg in a very interesting dark metallic bronze colour. It was an absolutely fabulous car and i only bought it to replace a silver campaign that was stolen from me after only a few weeks of ownership. Does anyone know where the metallic bronze originated from? I dont ever recall seeing another one and it wasnt a factory option. I certainly should have hung onto it. It had 'gti engineering' mats no less!

[@malcolmscott4150]

Wow such a thoughtful review Andrew and I laughed “I want that one” - takes me back to the hot hatch era at its beginning with my mum whizzing around in her Alfasud Ti of ‘78 with its fizzy 1.2 - we didn’t get a GTI in Australia until late in Mk2 run but our Golfs had the 1.6 engine in all models and the sharp Giugiaro design of the Golf was so enticing compared to our locally assembled 2 litre Mk2 Escorts and a red mk1 Golf if I could find one would be my pick with the smaller rear lights - brilliant episode 👍🤘☝️🥳🤩😎🤓

[@horseathalt7308]

@volkswizard USA checking in...we didnt get the GTI until 1983! I bought a brand new 1984 model the last year of the MKI here in the USA and VW called it the Rabbit GTI here. It was diamond silver and in the use we had a slightly different interior with midnight blue..VW spec'd the. 1.8L here but we only had 90 hp...the rest of the suspension was essentially what you had in Europe and I loved that car... I was still the owner and daily drove it all the way until 1995 when it was stolen. Sadly it was never recovered. I still miss that car today. I hope my old mechanical friend is still out there somewhere still running along some twisty road..I miss you .

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for the stateside perspective, love the Rabbit name👍

[@robindow1061]

Volkswagen UK's original press car, a 1600 4-speed was MKT 512R finished in Mars Red. I know as i drove it when helping Peter Noad test it for Safer Motoring magazine. Ah memories.

[@volkswizard]

Graham knows about that one as we discussed how it had a Kent reg rather than the usual MK/Northampton one. Don't think it's around any more but over to Graham...

[@robindow1061]

@@volkswizard I remember talking to Peter about its interior trimmings. Basic Golf 'N' facia (no glove box lid) but with revcounter. However the carpets were much, much better than the LS, deep pile and heavy. We decided that it was a quick and easy way to loose weight for competition. It was the first LHD i had driven. Think iv'e still got a photo of me 'earolling' it around the Welsh countryside.

[@yellayomper4617]

Hi Robin, It’s Graham off the feature. I’m currently restoring a UK 77 GTI in Mars Red (the only surviving uk 77 we know of) that’s as close to MKT as you’ll find in terms of looks with the optional alloys and the early metal bumpers and yes no glovebox lid! We think MKT ended up being raced. I’ve found some photos of it onwhat looks like an auto test. Alot if the early 76 and 77 cars got raced. I’d be very interested in seeing that photo you may have of MKT.

[@robindow1061]

@@yellayomper4617 Hello Graham, sorry for the delay. I'll have a look for it, it must be somewhere. I think my copy of that issue of safer motoring has long gone though,

[@RickGTI2019]

Amazing video ! Are GTI’s becoming more iconic than the VW Bug ? Loved all three of them. Just difficult to own one in SO. Florida, too hot, and no A/C. Guess I’ll just have to settle for my MK 7.5 DSG. LOL ! Thanks, RickGTI……🇺🇸🌴

[@Musti.1973]

Absolutely great video thank you for sharing with us GTi enthusiasts. I remember seeing my P.E teacher Red GTi on an A reg I loved it. Seeing it opposite my house was a joy to see everyday. It's certainly stood the test of time and how big GTI has come. I love it and always will. Thanks to Andrew and Graham. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊😊😊

[@nsoper19]

What a fantastic car. I feel the spirit of the mk1 gti died with the newer gtis. Mk5 recaptured it for the most part though.

[@Julia-xz7vb]

Manual bonnet strut like the mark 8 😂 ahead of its time…😆

[@volkswizard]

BLOCKED🤣

[@volkswizard]

BLOCKED🤣

[@Julia-xz7vb]

@@volkswizard ok some time I’ll show you a scary picture of me in a mark 1 cabrio at brands hatch

[@bat33.12]

I had a Mk1 1.6 GTi mars red, no sunroof, red stripe interior and the 4 button steering wheel, on a Y plate but it had aquired a set of P slots before I bought it. They were great fun to drive, brisk but not really fast but if you left foot braked in them you could really get the rear moving. It was my first fwd car after years of Mk2 RS escorts and it was the car taught me about left foot braking and fwd handling. Happy days

[@ajmark2031]

Great collection of Mk1's. I owned an x reg 1.6 Golf GTI back in the late 80's when I was 18. Mothers insurance lol! (It had the plastic strips down the A pillar and was a 1.6) There must have been something done to the engine of this car as it felt pretty quick for its time. When you floored it, it used to pull you back in the seat, my mates loved it. As a naive 18 year old I thought all hot hatches from that era were this fast, but I realised sometime after that this was a rapid car. No idea what was done to it before I had it.

[@volkswizard]

Good times 👌

[@williamwaddell1064]

Graham's face was a picture sitting in the passenger seat while Andrew pushed that car through the corners ! This has been my favourite video you have done so far Andrew. I've had a Mk1 Gti, Mk1 GTi convertible and a MK2 GTI plus a couple of Corrados. Love the content on the older VW's. Keep them coming

[@volkswizard]

It’s always nice to make a video with others and Graham was the perfect guest in so many ways 👌

[@jimc7343]

Really good video. I owned a Mk1 series 1 as a 17 year old Enginering apprentice back in 1987. Reg KBD 780V. The chap I sold it to still has the car today! I’ve just bought my second Gti a Mk1 series 2 1983 model. I’m the 3rd owner and loving every minute in the car!

[@markparker7333]

Loved my Lhasa green mk1 and the GTI owners club meets.

[@karlepps8793]

I remember those days - got a little plaque for mine at one of the events at Stoneleigh maybe 84? Two tone Campaign A402 NPP.

[@leedinham5983]

Great video Andrew. Brought back memories of my mk1. Although mine was far from standard. I would love to own a standard one at some point in my life. I also recognised the location in the your video. It was the location used in wheeler dealers trading up where Mike brewer bought a reflex silver mk1 gti. They used that location to do the deal. I was there with the mk1 golf owners club when it was filmed. Like you said going to be hard to top that review. Keep um coming.

[@leedinham5983]

I should also say that is an amazing trio of mk1 golf gti. Graham is a lucky man

[@ZioGiGi]

I still love my 80 MK1 GTI, such a pleasure to drive (when weather permits) when behind the wheel. Never gets old!! More excitement then my daily MK7.5 GTI. Great video love the collection.

[@rovingenglishman]

Original figures were 7.6 for the early 4 speeds and 8.4 for the 5 speed 1600s 👍🏼

[@stevebatt9643]

Great to see the mk.1’s and the official uk expert. Back in 1984, 3 of my mates each had mk.1 gti’s and we’re often in convoy together. I went down the Ford route but eventually saw sense and bought a mk.2 gti 16v big bumper in oak green. Lovely car. Then a further 3 mk.2 gti 16v’s - white, atlas grey and royal blue. Looking forward to your review of the mk.2 although I don’t think there’s an anniversary mk.2 ??

[@beno3404]

I briefly owned a 1.6 Mars red 5 speed DTR515W I wonder if it’s still about, was a great drive, so much fun.

[@DarrenJMHughes]

I'll be honest here, I never really liked the mk1 as I always preferred the newer mk2, but now seeing a few mk1's at Knebworth, I now really like them and can see why owners really enjoy them and crave owning one. Grahams collection of 3 Mk1 GTi 's is so lovely to see and to talk passionately about his three babies is just heart warming. Thank you Andrew for making this video.

[@Ladybirdsin16mm]

Do you know where I can see more of the footage of it being on 5th Gear? I used to have a nice black on in the '90's. Loved that car

[@horatiotimewaster5755]

What a collection of GTIs! Thanks, Graham, for preserving them.

[@volkswizard]

Indeed, more big ups for Graham!

[@danielrussell446]

Very interesting video Andrew graham is a font of knowledge for sure I hadn’t realised so many versions of the mk1 exist I only really remember the large tail lamp versions from growing up three lovely cars he should be proud of

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Daniel, yes the small light cars were lucky to do 15 years due to corrosion and many of the good ones will have been stolen in the mid 90s

[@bomberbolton]

Amazing cars, I had a gun metal grey series 2. Non standard factory paint I believe. Imported from Germany by a squaddie serving over there. Unfortunately I wrote it off on the way to work one day. PBL119X

[@kennymcallister2523]

Another great video had loads of golf gti over the years one I regret selling now was I had an A Registration mk1 gti campaign edition and the local Volkswagen dealer in my hometown fort William the owners wife was head of Audi motorsport at time she actually got the first uk mk1 gti helios blue campaign model also got to see the group b Audi Quattro rally cars in service at the dealership as rac rally came to highlands then seeing michele mouton etc 👍

[@simonking559]

Thanks Andrew...you took me bk to a 17 year old engineering apprentice..a 1.3 golf driver 1980...a tuned 1.6 gti 1982 5 speed 1.6 followed by a 1984 campaign 1.8....thankyou metalbox worcester.great memories👍🤣🏖🤣

[@volkswizard]

That is awesome Simon, great memories!

[@simonking559]

@@volkswizard cheers Andrew....the 1.6 seemed the better car...must of been the windscreen wind deflectors.it was very tuned when bought and done a reliable 130mph which destroyed xr3i and astra gte drivers. Very nostalgic. 👍😂😂😂

[@andym1562]

I had a 1.6 X Reg with those plastic trims on the front pillars

[@volkswizard]

I’m sure Graham will log that fact 😄🤓

[@gbc7344]

I had a T REG (79) black mk1.. not from new but as a 19 year old teenager it was epic my admiration for the gti was born..a bit later a silver mk1 which was absolutely mint until some plank pulled out in front of me on a wet road and wrote it off..and he was uninsured!,.. good job I was fully comp!...I then bought a Lhasa green one..loved those cars tho👍..currently daily a 7.5 GTI 3 door

[@yellayomper4617]

Hi, do you have any photos of the t reg? Thanks Graham

[@gbc7344]

@@yellayomper4617 sorry I don’t have any pictures unfortunately

[@leewilliams8146]

Good video, very interesting. One thing, maybe replace nerd with enthusiast. Nerd sounds rude towards the owner chap.

[@GetInLane]

I thought the same thing!

[@matthewmott8966]

Andrew what can I say you have out done yourself with this , bringing me back to 1989 and running my mk 1 campaign for 6 years, I meet Graham at a classic car show and spoke to him about his campaign and the early 1600 GTI he was restoring, great bloke with so much knowledge on the Mk1 GTI , just Brilliant loved it , Thanks

[@volkswizard]

You are too like Matthew, thanks. Very lucky to get Graham on camera for this and to preserve his knowledge forever 👍

[@Maurice_Moss]

Great video, I've always lusted after one. They're silly money now though 😭 I think the best bet if you want a mk1 and don't want to pay 15k+ is a 205 gti, and they're getting up there aswell.

[@stevenmoran4060]

47 years actually. European debut 1974!

[@volkswizard]

Mk1 was launched in 1974 but GTI was revealed in 1976. Am I missing something?

[@denseljosephs9500]

Upset me watching this I owned 2 mk1 gti,s a mark 1 scirocco storm and 2 mk1 scirocco gls. Fantastic drivers cars. Thanks for the uploads.

[@chrisw3327]

Feedback = fun!

[@rjatn1013]

Great video! I have a white Mk1 Campaign and a new Aston Martin Vantage. Can honestly say this summer I preferred to drive the Mk1. Owned it 10 years and love it more every year!

[@dasautogt]

That was great, thanks Andrew and a big thanks to Graeme!

[@darrellroireau4061]

I have a MK6 that I love but would really enjoy having a MK1! I noticed the back wheel turning on the turn as well. I had no idea they used that technology. Great vid. Liked and subscribed.

[@Cous1nJack]

37 years old tyres. 😳

[@jimmer1976]

Love these 😍 nice to think the golf Gti has been around as long as me… although it has probably aged better 😂

[@whoisgoogle]

The daddy

[@paulmorris1427]

great content my first golf was a mk 2 gti 1985 sold it when I bought my first house wish I had her now .. love the mk 1 great content thanks

[@simonthompson9380]

Lovely trio of cars

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Simon, yes very lucky to get not only 3 Mk1s together but 3 of the best. All thanks to Graham 🤓

[@maverick4177]

Fantastic to see these, i miss my really Early 4 speed series 1 😢 one for Grahams list - COA 330V think it’s vanished now, i have a few paper photos of it somewhere!

[@chrismlarge1]

Great feature Andrew.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Chris 👍

[@rossiterl]

Owner looks nervous on the test drive 😂

[@stewstube70]

Had a 1980 mk1 Scirocco, same instruments and steering wheel as the series 1 GTI.

[@David-xc4us]

Enjoyed that….I’ve always wanted a mk1 GTI….oh and I’ve learnt that I’m the same age as a GTI!

[@philcarroll9896]

Have got two. A mint 1983 1.8 GTI tin top and a 1984 GTI 1.8 Cab. Both used frequently and just added a mk5 Pirelli! All great cars.

[@volkswizard]

A nice selection there Phil👌

[@mpick9404]

Most fun you've had in years? Best vid i'v watched in years. Loved that! So refreshing, those little mk1s compared to modern Golf's 👌🏼 The ultimate mk1 collection surely? 🥰

[@rossiterl]

Wonderful collection and great video

[@Shyted]

I’m looking forward to the MK3. Had two tdi’s and loved them. Almost bought a gti but the deal wasn’t there.

[@vwmk1golf]

Best®

[@strikeeaglemodels1588]

Going back in time with these little gems! ❤️😊 Proper drivers cars 👍

[@claywalsh6817]

His face in the passenger seat is the same face I pulled when my wife ONCE drove my Alfa. Never again!!

[@RodrigoKurmen]

Very nice! Congratulations!

[@jackjunior969]

What a great video

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Jack 👍

[@elbowievaglover7409]

Awesome video!

[@leemace9638]

I’ve never had a Volkswagen but always loved the GTI there’s something about those tartan seats 💺 maybe one day but they have to change the new interior dash not a fan 👍🇦🇺

[@Julia-xz7vb]

My first VW mars red… rust and filler but made me buy 8 more (so far) 🥰 not sure I’d want to do 100mph in that now though….

[@volkswizard]

You know they made a 5 door for Europe too?😂

[@Julia-xz7vb]

@@volkswizard now you are just trying to wind me up 😂 what an awesome video though. Such cool cars - The red one is my fave too, amazing collection!

[@stereojam77]

Nice!

[@user-is5ul7er4t]

Great. Waiting for MK2 series

[@volkswizard]

You and me both! No car sorted for that yet but it will happen and it is my sort of secret specialist area.

[@jamiethompson7329]

Great insight into mk1 gti 👍👍👍

[@volkswizard]

Glad you liked it Jamie!

[@jamiethompson7329]

I used to own a mk1 campaign in the mid 90s Lhasa green slightly tatty but fantastically reliable Wish I had kept but you can’t keep them all

[@jrushen4235]

What a fantastic video. Great camera work and very informative. Thanks very much.

[@jenny80myles]

Can't wait to see what you have planned for the next video in this series.

[@volkswizard]

Mk3 and Mk4 next in theory👍

[@thepub245]

I would rather have the mark 1 over the current model. I wouldn't want to have a collision in a mark 1 though. You can't have it all!

[@robertcoughlan8272]

Great video Andrew, really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next one 👍👍

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Robert 👍

[@glenr901]

Boom!!!.....the best golf GTi MK1 review ever on KZbin so far.... WELL DONE & what car a collection that actually used as they should be and not just museum piece.

[@Kamarlpringle]

Never knew Volkswizard found swimming so fun ;)

[@deanplant1500]

Loved them as 17/18 year old at between £50 to 250 price range now overpriced im personally not paying for nostalgia 😂😂😂

[@MKI4EVA]

Very special vid that one.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks! Must be as the best ones get low view counts but I don't make videos for views so it's OK. Hope Mk3 and Mk4 do better!

[@jaywhitney789]

Great video, beautiful GTI, and once again i love that T-shirt 😎🤙

[@coolbeans5480]

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1062443786/mk1-gti-unisex-softstyle-t-shirt

[@anthonysprinks1253]

HUD828Y - Are you still out there somewhere? I hope so.

[@marcelgosselin7287]

Beautiful cars

[@darrencottrell5541]

Epic content Squire. Thanks to.Graham for sharing his lovely collection. Hope you're keeping well.

[@volkswizard]

Good to hear from you again Darren. Yes Graham is a legend. Not long to Stanford Hall 2022 so must catch up then

[@darrencottrell5541]

@@volkswizard I look forward to it Andrew. A decent meet is long overdue too. All the best.

[@brianlynch5505]

Nice hat trick FG

[@Roadworks_ire]

I know it’s been a week since the video was released, your probably not going to see this but what is the name of the Facebook page graham is running looking for the series 1

[@volkswizard]

I've asked Graham so sit tight..

[@yellayomper4617]

Try searching “series 1 VW Golf GTI Register”

[@Roadworks_ire]

@@volkswizard thanks

[@Roadworks_ire]

@@yellayomper4617 will do

[@ingopaul67]

A sadly departed friend of mine had a silver Mk1 back in the early 90s which ignited my interest in GTIs, eventually I had a rather ratty early Mk2 and then a lovely Mk3 VR6. Still hanker for a Golf GTI now, maybe sometime in the future a Mk6 or 7.

[@zippin1]

Still frustrated my dad sold the Rabbit I learned to drive on.

[@andrewmcivor42]

Very enjoyable video, looking forward to more...& a Mk 1 project car perhaps??!!

[@prawnk1ng]

Great video. Mk2 next please. 🙏

[@volkswizard]

It’s coming but no idea when or which one 👍