Volkswagen Golf GTI MkI 1.6 Rally Car

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Perhaps the iconic hot hatch of the Eighties, the Giugiaro-designed Golf GTi was a milestone in car development, sparking off a supermini craze that spread like wildfire and establishing an aspirational cachet for the VW brand which the German giant trades on to this day.

Launched in 1976 but not available in the UK until 1979, it had superb handling, great performance and was utterly classless. It was also brilliantly marketed (thanks to Lady Di-lookalike, Paula Hamilton) and quickly became every Yuppie’s dream car.

Powered by a 110bhp 1.6-litre fuel-injected engine driving the front wheels, it could sprint to 60 in 9 seconds and hold three figure speeds all day with no fear of anything breaking or falling off. But it really excelled on cross country B roads where its superb handling could be exploited to the full. Throw in the glassy cabin and the minimalist, boxy lines and it was an instant and timeless classic.

Naturally it was also begging to go racing and hotted up versions soon established a fearsome reputation on hillclimbs, race tracks and rally stages across the land. This March 1980 GTi is a case in point: modified for racing and issued with MSA papers in 2004, it competed in the 2005 BTRDA Rally Championship.

The full race engine features high compression pistons; fully lightened and balanced; Group A camshaft and vernier pulley; re-shaped valves; electronic ignition; baffled sump; twin 40 DHLA carbs; Janspeed exhaust manifold; Sachs competition clutch and no rev limiter – so it will pay to keep your cool when the red mist descends!

The standard gearbox has a quick shift and is allied to a Quaife limited slip diff, big pot joints and outer CV joints, while quick-rack steering helps to keep everything pointing in the right direction. The front suspension features Avo 2.25" struts adjustable for rebound, height and camber, polybushed throughout, while at the rear it has Leda 2.25" dampers adjustable for preload, rebound and height, again polybushed throughout, with a strengthened rear beam.

Stopping power is enhanced by grooved brake discs up front with Mintex competition pads, 16v discs and calipers at the rear, Aeroquip hoses throughout, adjustable front-to-rear bias and a hydraulic handbrake. The stripped out interior features a full roll cage, Sparco race seats and Cobra harnesses.

Fully road legal and said to be in excellent running order with a good turn of speed when required, it comes with an MOT until October 2015 and various spares including a set of tyres.