Debuting in 1984, the second generation replaced the original after a 10 year production run. Styled in-house the car was both larger and heavier than its predecessor. The 8V GTI model was available from launch and the 16V followed a little more than 2 years later. In 1989, both GTI models received the ‘big bumper’ treatment and power steering became standard on the 16V model.
In 1992, the second generation Golf was replaced by the MK3 and the 16V model was absent until 1995.
Delivered new in October 1990 by St. Martins Garage in Guernsey, Channel Islands to its first owner, a mature 60 year old gentleman who kept the car for 27 years before retiring from driving and selling the car to a Jersey based car collector.
The GTI was specified in Atlas Grey and features the BBS Estoril Alloy wheels which were fitted in place of the RA design for a limited time due to a factory shortage of the RA wheel. The day after taking delivery the car was shipped to and registered in Jersey where it remained for 33 years.
The history of the car is impressive to say the least, the original invoice sits in the file and details such as photocopies of cheques paid for routine maintenance are evident. Clearly the car has been loved from day one, the underside is quite remarkable with the absence of surface corrosion from the underside including all suspension components, testimony to the Jersey roads being salt free during the harsher winter months and garaged all its life.
The car has just recently passed its first UK MOT without any advisories and we have fully serviced including replacing the fuel pump housing with a custom made alloy component.
Finding another example with such provenance would be an almost impossible task and the car is now ready to be enjoyed by its next fortunate owner.