The MK 1 GTI set the automotive world ablaze when it was launched in the USA in 1983. The car started the “pocket rocket” trend of performance small hatchbacks. The light, agile, and peppy little Rabbit GTIs made excellent daily commuters due to good fuel economy, roomy cabins, and easy maintenance. The GTI also made for a good weekend track toy winning many autocross events for owners across the country due to their incredible handling, and great low-end torque. The cars were built at Volkswagen’s US factory in Westmoreland, PA and were offered in only 4 colors, black, red, white, and silver with either a red or blue velour interior and all had 1.8L gas engines with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Unique features of the GTI included deeply bolstered front seats, center console w/ auxiliary gauges and clock, “golf ball” design shift knob, front air dam, red stripe on grille, and snowflake alloy wheels. Performance was very respectable for its day, top speed was 104 mph, zero-60 mph in 9.7 seconds which was a second faster than a 5.0L V8 powered Trans Am of the day! The GTI has become a 1980s hot hatch legend and is worthy of its classic car status, it remains a very fun analog era car to drive and will ern many smiles and still gathers attention due to their fairly low survival rate, to be able to see one on the roads today is quite a rare occasion.
This 1983 model year GTI was sold new at Tom McGann Volkswagen on June 27, 1983 to a Guy and Dorthy Rodgers of Madison, WI. The car would remain in Wisconsin until 1990 when it was sold to their son Bruce Rodgers and the GTI was moved to Beaverton Oregon. Bruce would keep the car until 2016. The current owner, a VW collector purchased the car in 2020 and a cosmetic refresh was commissioned. The body was sanded and a complete respray in the original Black was performed, a new windshield was fitted along with new body side moldings and door seals. New GTI emblems were sourced and installed along with red pin striping that really compliments the red band on the grill. All the black trim was refinished and the hood had clear PPF film applied after the paint was cured. Inside the car was given a fresh OEM carpet kit from MK 1 Autohaus in the correct Cordovan Red and the headliner was recovered. The dash and door panels are in great shape as are the velour seats. The motor mounts were replaced in December of 2020. The tires have like new tread and are date coded 2017. Note: The odometer is currently non functioning. This is a great driving MK 1 GTI that can be used as a daily driver or taken to shows and just be enjoyed as a weekend toy.

Included with this car are the original owner's manuals, radio manual, window sticker, 3 keys, and warranty/service book. There is also extensive repair invoices from new up to 2003.