Volkswagen Golf Rallye 1989
General description :
Model History
Volkswagen presented the Golf Rallye at the beginning of 1989 as the absolute top model of the series with a basic price of 46,500 DM – almost twice as expensive as a normal Golf GTI at the time. This high price meant that it was never offered for sale in Canada or the USA. To comply with Group A regulations just 5,000 units were produced. All were hand-built in Forest near Brussels in Belgium.
In addition to its boxy arches and restyled front end, the Golf Rallye received one-piece bumpers in body color, a front splitter, and a small roof-edge spoiler at the rear; the taillights were also partially tinted. The Rallye was only available as a three-door model and was usually equipped with a sunroof as standard. Under the bonnet sat a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine from the Golf GTI, which, thanks to the then revolutionary G60 supercharger, produced 160hp – in the rally car it was up to 270hp! Through a five-speed manual gearbox power was transmitted to the permanent Syncro all-wheel drive system and from there to the 15-inch wheels. Compared to the standard Golf, the power steering got a more direct setup and ABS was standard.
Equipment
Blue Pearl paintwork, Black half-leather upholstery, 15-inch alloy wheels, 5-speed manual transmission, Syncro permanent all-wheel drive, Recaro sports seats, Leather-rimmed steering wheel, Leather VW Motorsport gear knob, Leather door panels, Blaupunkt Bremen radio with Bluetooth connectivity, USB charger socket, Sunroof, Front and rear spoilers, G60 insignia, Front fog lights, ABS, Space saver spare wheel, Tools, Original sales brochure.
Exterior
This stunning Rallye presents extremely well. Starting around the front, the lights are free from any cracks or discolouration and the paintwork is nearly without fault other than a couple of small stone chips to the bonnet. If you look closely between the slats in the grille and around the fixings of the lights even the screws and clips are pristine and corrosion-free. Looking along both sides the car has no parking dinks or scratches and even the inner arch lips are without any stone chips. All of the glass is chip and damage-free and all of the rubber seals are in very nice condition. Common weak spots for corrosion such as the scuttle panel and around the rear tailgate are all excellent, and the rear of the car is also free from any scuffs or marks. Finer details such as the badges and rear arch decals are also immaculate. The roof and sunroof show no signs of corrosion with only one noticeable chip on the edge of the passenger side. Looking on the underside the condition is extremely good and it’s clearly evident that a lot of time and money has been spent.
VIEWINGS WELCOME BY APPOINTMENT ONLY /// ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Interior
The cockpit of the Rallye is in fine condition. The dashboard is excellent with no damage or discolouration to any of the plastics, and a lovely addition is the Blaupunkt Bremen stereo with a discrete USB charger socket below the fog light switch. The seats are in great condition with excellent stain-free fabric and some very nicely re-trimmed leather outer bolsters. Other areas such as the door cards, centre console, and handbrake are all free from scratches and marks. The carpets are immaculate, as is the headlining and the rear parcel shelf. The original leather on the steering wheel remains in good order, and the gear knob and leather gaiter are period-correct later additions. The boot area is also very tidy with an immaculate carpet, under which lies the space saver spare wheel, tools, and jack.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
We are all in agreement that this is the best Mk2 Golf we have driven. She pulls like a well-sorted Integrale but feels properly screwed together with her German heritage. It’s clear not only from the way the car drives, but also from how nicely the engine bay and underside present, that a lot of money has been spent to get the car running and driving at it’s very best. Sure to be a real treat for an enthusiastic Sunday morning blast!
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
All of the alloy wheels and centre caps are immaculate and free from any chips or damage to the lacquer. They are shod in a matching set of Uniroyal tyres which only show minimal wear. The previous owner went to great lengths getting the car to drive spot-on and so all the braking and suspension components have been replaced or refreshed, thus presenting in first-rate order.
History File
This stunning Rallye was manufactured in 1989 and was supplied new in Germany. It arrived over here in 2003 and has had a total of 5 UK owners. Reading through the paperwork the most recent service – which included a cambelt, charger belt, coolant, 4-wheel alignment, HT leads, plugs, and filters – was done by JTech Automotive in February 2023. The history file is thick with invoices for parts and other major work including a Stage 2 supercharger service by Jabba Sport in 2019, with rolling road printouts showing the car’s engine power to be in excess of 200hp.In 2018 the car was treated to a full engine rebuild with new valve springs, pistons, crank etc. At the same time the subframes were removed and completely rebuilt with new components. With all these parts removed the underside of the shell was cleaned and re-coated with the correct 3M Body Schutz; the parts where then professionally cleaned and powder coated as necessary. Along with the invoice for this work there are numerous others detailing everything purchased for the job totaling tens of thousands of pounds; there are also invoices for the paintwork that was done to bring the car up to its current fine condition. The German import paperwork is also still present, and the German registration certificate is stamped from 1990-2000. Another nice addition in the history file is the original German Rallye sales brochure.
http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/vw-golf-rallye-for-sale/
1989 Volkswagen Golf Rallye is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Kingsley by 4 Star Classics for £37495.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Volkswagen Model : Golf Model Version : Rallye Engine size : 1.8 Model Year : 1989 Sub type : Pick up Location : Hampshire
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About Volkswagen
The Volkswagen story is indeed an intriguing tale of innovation, resilience, and post-war revival, marked by various models that have become iconic in automotive history.The People's Car (Volkswagen): Initially envisioned by Adolf Hitler in the 1930s as a "people's car" or "Volkswagen" in German, the idea was to create an affordable and practical vehicle for the German people. This concept led to the development of the Volkswagen Beetle (or the Type 1), designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
Post-War Challenges: After World War II, Volkswagen faced significant challenges. The factory was heavily damaged, and the brand's association with the Nazi regime led to a lack of interest in the car in some regions.
British Intervention - The British Army & Ivan Hirst: The British Army took control of the factory in the immediate post-war period. Major Ivan Hirst, a British Army officer, played a crucial role in reviving Volkswagen. He recognized the potential of the Beetle and advocated for its production, convincing the British military to order several thousand cars. This decision helped jumpstart the brand's revival.
Export Success and the Beetle's Global Appeal: The Beetle gained popularity not only in Germany but also globally, becoming an icon of affordable motoring. Its simple, reliable design and unique appearance made it a favorite among consumers worldwide.
Model Evolution: Over the years, Volkswagen introduced various models alongside the Beetle, each contributing to the brand's growth:
Type 2 (VW Bus or Transporter): Introduced in the 1950s, it became an iconic symbol of the hippie movement in the 1960s, loved for its spaciousness and versatility.
Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.): Launched in the mid-1970s, the Golf (or Rabbit in the U.S.) marked a shift towards front-wheel-drive, modern design, and hatchback practicality, becoming a cornerstone of the brand's success.
Passat, Jetta, and Other Models: Volkswagen expanded its lineup with models like the Passat and Jetta, catering to different market segments.
Challenges and Innovations: Despite success, Volkswagen faced challenges, including quality issues in the 1970s. However, the brand continued to innovate and develop new models and technologies.
Rise of the GTI and Global Expansion: The 1980s saw the rise of the iconic Golf GTI, a high-performance version that sparked the hot hatch trend. Volkswagen also expanded its global presence during this period.
The British intervention in reviving Volkswagen after World War II played a pivotal role in the brand's resurgence. While there might have been some tensions or competition among automotive companies in the 1950s and 1960s due to Volkswagen's post-war success, the brand's ability to produce innovative and popular models solidified its place in automotive history.