1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI
WHO Robin Hogarth WHAT 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI MkII MILES 120,429 PROVENANCE Owned 16 years MODS Alloys HOW MANY LEFT 721 HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED THE CAR?
I have owned my 1988 Golf GTI 16-valve since 2002. It’s a wellspecced three-door (which is rarer than the five-door version) with power steering, central locking, electric windows and sunroof. The colour is pretty rare being Helios Blue metallic – a very ‘Yuppie’ colour at the time. I’ve given it the nickname ‘Blue Tiger’ – the registration
‘F88 GRR’ is cool and gives the tiger ‘growl’. The engine is in really good condition, having passed the emissions test by a long way at the latest MoT and it uses very little oil. I have always avoided driving it until the engine is warmed up properly. It’s always been a non-smoking car so it’s lovely inside.
HOW MUCH HISTORY?
I have 20 years of history for it, which helps confirm the mileage is genuine at just over 120,000.
WHAT’S LEFT TO DO ON IT?
Over the years my mechanic Tony has been brilliant dealing with everything. Along with regular servicing, recent parts that have been fitted include rear shocks, new alternator, heater matrix and a rear silencer. I’ve also had some minor rust repairs to the rear wheel arches done. That’s been the only corrosion. All that’s left to do is a small repair to the driver’s seat and to replace the water temperature gauge. It will also need front tyres soon as they were an MoT advisory.
HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED?
The car is an original and unmodified three-door GTI save for a set of aftermarket Wolfrace fivespoke alloy wheels.