This 1984 VW GTi is a largely original example that has undergone some basic refreshes to make it a pleasant daily driver. Said to have a tick over 100,000 original miles, the MK1 was put into storage in 1997 after one-female ownership, then acquired by a small used car dealer afterwards. The current seller specializes in reviving VW’s iconic hot hatch, and while this one has received a fresh single-stage paint job, it’s not over-restored and remains pleasingly stock. Find it here on eBay with a $12,995 Buy-It-Now.
The first-generation GTI is easily identifiable by its unique cloth upholstery on the thickly-bolstered sport bucket seats. The seats front and rear look phenomenal and the dash appears uncracked. The seller notes that he has tackled some basic cosmetic maintenance items in the cabin, including a new headliner due to the original sagging, a replacement shift boot and new rear hatch struts. He further notes, “All the gauges, dome, glovebox and hatch lights work as they should. The radio is new as are the speakers – front and rear.” Nice to see the door map pockets aren’t sagging too much, either.
Some may cringe at the repaint, but many highly-preserved cars have received at least one repaint in their lives. The seller explains the motivation, stating “Because of the faded and thinning paint, the car was disassembled and painted single stage black urethane which has not even been waxed yet. The bumpers were bead-blasted and powder coated satin black as original. The wheels were all reconditioned and new tires mounted. Parts of the exterior rubber trim were replaced, and the car was pin-striped as in the original.” The paint does look great and the refinished “snowflake” wheels are just what the doctor ordered.
A number of mechanical repairs have taken place as well, including a new fuel tank, fuel pump and filter; timing belt and water pump replacement; new alternator and radiator, along with fresh shifter bushings and more. The non-op A/C was removed and all of the hardware for a non-A/C car was installed (original components included with the sale). The carpets look very clean, and the standard three-gauge console cluster and golf ball shift knob are must-haves in an MK1 GTi. If you can get past the repaint, this looks like a well-preserved specimen of the 1980s most recognized hot hatch.
I have LOVED these since day 1 and is a top 3 bucket list car-too bad I can’t afford it-guess it will remain in the bucket for now.
Prefer the euro spec front end these “rabbit” us spec front ends arn’t as aesthetically pleasing
Why why why did the ac not stay in the car and get repaired. Thumbs down.
Really can’t put in the non a/c box into an a/c car. The hole is larger. Not to mention the fresh air vent hole. Should have just fixed the a/c and been done with it. Also, ‘84 GTIs got the 120 mph speedometer. (My 9/83 built 1984 has the 120 mph cluster.) This is a 10/83 car and should have had it. Clean car but the price is optimistic. Sunroof / A/C cars can command the asking on this.
They removed the factory a/c from a black car in southern Florida? Must intend to sell it north. A mk1 GTI is on my bucket list, but a/c is a must down here.
Nice, but prefer the MKI Scirocco. Just as fun, better looking.
That car has a lot of character. Not being an “in-the-weeds” car guy, can someone explain what “painted single stage” means?
Shoot the paint and send it home.
There’s no clear coat.
VW enthusiasts will not pay anywhere close to this ask. Maybe 6k. That said nice example though a shame about the A/C.
I worked for a VW dealer for 10 years in this era and in fact June 1984 was my last time there, after nearly 10 years. It was time to move on as they say.
The GTI was one of my favorite cars to drive of any we sold. Probably about 1982, I had a Black GTI demo, (seems like most of them were black or silver) I was on the way to work earlier than normal and forgot that there was a school zone ahead. I got caught doing 40+ in said school zone. My citation was $180, which seemed like a lot for someone who’d not had a ticket in several years. Turns out it wasn’t and I got away cheaply.
But it was still fun.
As others have commented , why in the he(( would you remove an A/C system that was so simple to fix . Nice GTI but it’s a winter car now .
This was my first car. Exactly the same. Black with the same blue and red interior. Loved that car. Traded it in for a Celica GTS. If I knew then…
Never cared for these, with any badge. Take the a/c out in Florida??? Excuse me?? Too expensive, anyway.
I don’t get why anyone would complain about the repaint… If the old paint was faded and looked bad, a respray is in order. Paint is there, after all, to protect the metal from rusting and to look good. Now no A/C? Unless you live in Upper New England (or equally north places across the lower 48), then that’s a no-go for this car in my book. But, man, does that interior bring back memories! Best friend in High School had a black 84 just like this.