Volkswagen Golf GTi 1.6 MkI

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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.

Bought new in Germany in November 1981 by a member of the British Armed Forces, this particular GTi was first UK registered in September 1983 and has had five owners since, being acquired by the vendor 15 years ago to join his private collection of classic cars.

Shortly after acquisition the car was treated to a thorough restoration which included a full repaint in the original red and an engine rebuild with new piston rings, shell bearings, valve guides etc, plus much other mechanical work to get it into tip top condition. Since then the car has only covered some 5,800 miles and has been used in fine weather only, being kept in a large heated garage when not in use.

In very good order throughout, it is said to drive beautifully with an MOT until October 2016, the only advisories being one worn tyre and slight play in the rear wheel bearings (although as the bearings are virtually new, the vendor questions the validity of this advisory). Supplied with its original handbooks and service book in the original wallet, it also comes with various bills and photographs documenting the restoration, several old MOTs back to 1986 (at 70,504 miles) plus a Haynes workshop manual and a book on the Golf GTi by Ian Wagstaff.