Volkswagen Golf Rallye 4wd

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The Golf Rallye was VW’s homologation special built to allow the firm to meet the FIA minimum production run for the 1990 World Rally Championship.

Just 5,000 were built at VW’s Belgian plant, all specially adapted to enable the eventual full-house rally version to be as competitive as possible. Based on the MkII Golf, it featured a modified floorpan, stronger doors and a bonded-in windscreen for extra shell-stiffness. Externally it got classic ‘80s boxed wheel-arches, different bumpers, and ‘projector’ rectangular lights and a new grille.

Under the bonnet, a narrow-bore engine brought the capacity down to the required 1,763ccs and it was fitted with a ‘G-Lader’ Supercharger giving a torquey 161bhp. All of them were built with the Synchro 4-wheel drive system and only came in LHD. Performance was very respectable, with a 0-60mph time of 8.6 seconds and a top whack of over 130mph.

The vendor purchased this genuine Rallye in 2001 in basically sound condition when it had covered 187,442 kms (117,000 miles). A dedicated Golf fan, it had always been his intention to have the best Golf Rallye in the country and he set about a thorough restoration - in his words “going to town on it”.

The body was fully stripped and the car professionally repainted in the correct Pearl Blue. A new top-tint windscreen was supplied through South Hereford Garages (VW Specialist Parts suppliers), as were most of the parts used in its restoration. This was then bonded in place and the car built up with a whole host of new parts including a pair of genuine factory Projector headlights.

A set of the correct VW shock absorbers were fitted all round, along with H+R lowering springs, a poly-bush kit, new brake pipes, stainless flexible hoses and new discs and pads. New Borbet 7 ½- and 9-J wheels were shod with new Toyo 205/45/16 and 225/40/16 tyres respectively. The drive shafts were rebuilt and fitted with new gaiters and fresh track-rod ends were also fitted.

The engine was then given a full service and fitted with a Piper 285 camshaft with vernier adjustment, a new cambelt and supercharger belt. All of the bills are on file and total over £5,000.

Shortly after the project was finished, the owner was on his way to the GTi International rally when the car developed a major misfire. Once safely back in his garage, the vendor rather lost heart in the car and his interest has now strayed to other projects. The car has not been running since the misfire episode, and had only covered around 500kms (300 miles) since the engine work was completed. 

This extremely well presented car, which is fitted with the rare electric Recaro seat option, was imported to the UK in 1998 and is declared as manufactured in 1989 on its V5 document. Sold as a non runner, the misfire will need to be investigated and the car given a light recommissioning before it can be used on the road.

As an added bonus, this rare, 'Holy Grail' factory built Homologation Rallye comes with an excellent 'VW' numberplate.