VW Golf (Mk I) GTi 'Pirelli Edition' 1983

Rare, RHD, UK spec, German supplied ‘Pirelli Edition’.

As a last nod to the Mark I Golf GTi, VW offered a ‘Final Edition’ model; in the UK it was marketed as the ‘Campaign’, in France, the ‘Plus’ and in Germany, the ‘Pirelli’.

Alongside the standard GTi features, the ‘Edition’ models had additional specification including:

• Available as a 3-door hatchback only.
• Factory installed sliding sunroof.
• Green tinted glass all round.
• Matt black A pillar trims.
• Four headlamp grille with standard outer lights and inner fog lights (not to be confused with the later, Mk II inner driving lights).
• 14 inch Pirelli alloy wheels (with ‘P’ cut-out shapes and Pirelli logo)

This ‘D’ chassis example was delivered in July 1983 by V.A.G. Albert Turk in Monchengladbach, Germany, to a UK owner/address. Subsequent research describes how owners could order their new, Final Edition GTi directly from Germany, (but in right hand drive), making the purchase tax-free.

The Golf then came to the UK, and was officially registered on 19th August 1983.

Alpine white with black-red stripe interior, it carries the build code ‘W65’ (Pirelli Edition), but has black bumpers and wheel arches, as opposed to the colour-coded German versions.

6 further keepers, the last having owned the Golf since 2010. Accompanied by a large folder of invoices and receipts, cataloguing ongoing care and maintenance throughout its life. 23 MOT certificates plus VW newsletters and brochures, plus the original service book and various keys.

The Golf GTi is iconic throughout the world, the first of the hot-hatch revolution which changed the way people bought cars. It will never not be cool.