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770kg seam-welded 1980 Volkswagen Golf Mk1 with 206hp 16v motor

In the relentless pursuit of power-to-weight saving, Frank Wolkers set out his goal to build a sub-700kg Mk1 track car. Here’s how he did it.

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260bhp 1.8-litre KR 16v engined 1982 Volkswagen Golf Mk1

When we first featured this iconic Mk1 Golf way back in 1999, it was like nothing we’d ever seen before. Almost a quarter of a century later, amazingly, the car still remains the GOAT. Here’s why…

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174bhp 1978 Volkswagen Golf VR6 2.8 Mk1

When the owner of high-end trimmers, Carsdream set out to build his vision of the perfect Mk1, we expected it to be the stuff of dreams. It didn’t disappoint…

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1982 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1

After the distinctively cheeky character and idiosyncratic mechanicals of the rear-engined aircooled Volkwagens, getting into the firmly-bolstered plaid-clad drivers’ seat of this Golf GTI MkI feels like a total culture shock. Everything is angular, futuristic, hinting at computerised systems and digital precision, created in the same kind of ultra-rational post-oil-crisis idiom that produced things like the Porsche 928 and W126 Mercedes-Benz S-class. Only in-house stylist Herbert Schäfer’s contribution, the gearknob – Schäfer was a keen golfer – hints at any notion of fun. And yet in the Eighties, the Golf GTI would define driving excitement.

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BBS RF 1.6 Litre 1978 Volkswagen Golf Mk1

While manufacturers are obsessed with making everything electric these days, most enthusiasts seem more set than ever on keeping the gasoline dream alive.

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AGU 1.8T-engined 200bhp 1979 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Mk1

US Navy man, Rafael ‘Ralphie’ Cabrera Jr. is used to directing military aircraft in his role as a Chief Air Traffic Controller. It makes sense that his Mk1 Cabriolet is both ready for inspection and, with 1.8T power, a flying machine…

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Resto-modded 1978 Volkswagen Derby LS Mk1 - rare splits, reworked interior & twin carbs

Taking on an ultra-rare, water-cooled VW as a project can soon turn into a tricky task as Steve Holden found out with this stunning 1978 Mk1 Derby.

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1.8T 20v AGU-engined 330bhp 1983 Volkswagen Golf Driver Mk1

By day Jake Nelson works on military vehicles. It makes sense that his Berg-kitted 330bhp 1.8T powered Mk1 looks as hard as nails. You’d be brave to wage war against this one…

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1.8 20v turbo VF22 1976 Volkswagen Golf N Mk1

Serial Mk1 modifier, Stuart Shellard is back with a bang for his sixth PVW feature. With 1.8T power, Harris trim, air and those gorgeous E30 splits, he’s got the ingredients right once again but haven’t we seen this car somewhere before?

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281bhp 1.8 20v turbo BAM engined 1983 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1

When Youtube star, Dan Chambers, realised his recently purchased Mk1 Golf GTI Campaign wasn’t going to be the quick fix he had hoped for, he embarked on a full nut and bolt restoration with a 20v turbo twist!

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1983 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 with Optional VDO gauges

Here at PVW Towers, we are frequently asked what it takes to make a feature car. There are no hard and fast rules to this. This Gorgeous Mk1 GTI with a select few period mods is proof that sometimes less is more…

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1980 Volkswagen Jetta Mk1 gets 250bhp R32 transplant

Blending classic performance styling with modern muscle, JP van der Horst’s Jetta is a home-brew hot rod with the details to match the best in the business

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300bhp 1.8 20v AWP engined Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Mk1

Small cabriolets often get tarnished with the same, lame image, but Brandon Quail’s Berg-Cup kitted 300bhp 1.8T example is far from your regular rag top!

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