Wow! Is this the world’s best Volkswagen Golf GTI?

Quite a claim, but…

Saying anything is the best example of its kind is a big statement – but this diminutive hot hatch might just live up to its hype.

A super-early Volkswagen Golf GTI, it is seemingly a perfectly preserved example of this pint-sized automotive icon.

And if you didn’t think it could get any better, you’d be wrong, because it’s for sale!

Fabric fantastic

That’s right, you could be nestling yourself on these period-perfect and, of course, original, tartan seats, now a much-loved classic design.

This 1979 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.6 Mk1 Series 1 has been a treasured possession all its life – and we’ve a feeling that won’t change any time soon.

Loved for life

This sassy little three-door was sold new on 1 September 1979 to a gentleman who loved it so much he held onto it until he passed away, in 1990.

Each of its five keepers has clearly been enamoured. One even made it part of his collection of early Mk1s, taking it by trailer to and from shows so it could be shared, but not used or abused.

Stuck on you

There can surely be fewer details that prove how close to being factory-fresh this Mk1 VW Golf GTI is.

Look closely and you’ll see that this is its running-in sticker, still affixed to its windscreen.

In case you’re wondering, the car also retains its original dealer sticker for Kennings Shrewsbury Motors.

A tick in the box

Any VW fans will also recognise this classic ‘golf ball’ detail, in this case sitting atop the lever that works a four-speed manual gearbox.

And that is a crucial detail, because the four-speed Golf GTI was sold in the UK for just three months, before a five-speed replaced it, meaning this gearbox adds to this example’s rarity.

How low can you go?

You’ll have guessed by now that such a carefully kept example won’t have seen too much of the enthusiastic use that many hot hatches would have been subjected to.

And you’d be right – this GTI is yet to hit the 17,000-mile mark.

As seen on screen

What’s more, this isn’t ‘just’ a much-loved, low-mile, early example of a sought-after classic car, it’s also a former TV star.

Back in May 1995 it featured in The Car’s The Star and then returned to the small screen in Clarkson’s Car Years in June 2000.

It’s all in the detail

Of course, you could dig around this car for a long time and find yet more early, original features that make it stand out.

There’s its correct, three-spoke ‘Wolfsburg’ steering wheel, for one thing. It also has no sunroof, no rear fog light, no radio, no aerial and no passenger-door wing mirror, all of which chime with this being a very early Mk1 Golf.

Boot-iful

Having been lightly used for 40-plus years, this VW has never had to deal with the mundanities of everyday life, unlike many similar models.

So even its boot – an area of a car we’re not often moved to remark upon – is unscuffed and as pristine as the day it departed Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen factory.

Bring back any memories?

You can see that original dealer sticker right there – and charming early Volkswagen script on this GTI’s bootlid.

This really is a very evocative little car, we’re sure you will agree.

Role model?

As an exciting bonus, the next owner of this ’79 VW Golf GTI will also get this.

It is a boxed, brand-new, limited-edition Corgi Vanguards Classics 1:43 scale model of this very Golf, not something you get every time you buy a classic.

Place your bets

So if this apparently ‘museum’-quality Mk1 VW Golf GTI appeals to you, and you have the £31-42,000 it is estimated to sell for, what do you do?

It is being sold on online auction site The Market between 19-25 March – click here for details.

And if you’re bidding, good luck!