At the GTI meeting in Reifnitz, the VW disciples pay homage to what was once the strongest one-Golf. Mostly perfectly restored, the original GTI exudes incomparable magic, and not just at Lake Wörthersee. The example parked in the VW Classic depot in Wolfsburg also has legendary status. 115,000 kilometers on the odometer, built in 1978, all original – like the 1.6 liter engine with 81 kW (110 hp). First installed in the Audi 80 GTE, the VW Scirocco GTI/GLI was followed by use in the Golf GTI (Gran Turismo Injection). Also thanks to the paltry 810 kilograms unladen weight mutated the abbreviation GTI to the brand. From 1975 to 1983 (first generation), Volkswagen sold 462,000 units.
The howling of the 4-cylinder
As with the 1600 TL, the same applies to the strongest one-seater Golf: When starting, accelerate hard. The howling reveals: the people of Lower Saxony once did without insulation, somehow the passenger and engine compartments merged into one.
Built in 1978, “my” GTI deserved to be treated with care. A classic vintage car. 3000 tours – the four-cylinder can’t take more. Or is it? At just over 6,000 revs and with a loud howl, the VW crashes into an invisible wall – the rev limiter kicks in abruptly and rock-hard. 9.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h played in a lonely league back then, today this value seems to be standard for a long time. How driving has changed!
Fine red stripes, for example, around the radiator grille, a golf ball as a gear lever, oil temperature gauge, red checkered seat covers, GTI logos here and there – that’s it. The most powerful Golf of its time was considered the master of understatement.
Traveling in a legend – the journey put a lot into perspective, but not everything. GTI is and remains a cult.
Source: Nachrichten
