A Sorta New '83 GTi . . .

[LongRanger]

Curt's thread . . . .

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...-New-84-VW-GTi

. . . . reminded me of this car.

As seen at The Ventura Show . . . few years back . . .

Rick

[boxster03]

I had one of those I bought used with 300 miles/ 2 months old in 83. Drove it for 5 yrs 60k miles other than oil change and coolant change it was better than a Honda. Original tires and brakes were 50% plus when I sold it ! Great car.

[CurtEgerer]

I'd love to find an unmolested GTi like that. I had a couple of friends who had them back when they were new. Now I've got a new appreciation for the cars after the rally. The performance was just unbelievable really and we found out why the car is an automotive icon.

[Cal]

I love these cars.....

I bought a new one back in '84 when I was still in college....silver on red. The first thing I did was install massive above bumper Bosch driving lights....7", under bumper fogs, a rear fog light, a front bra, tinted out all the windows and installed an a** kicking blaupunkt stereo that had a zillion watts.....typical stuff a 21 year old would do back in the day. I kept it for two years before selling it to fund a '68L that I was restoring. I ended up selling the car to (of all people) my Mom! She absolutely cherished that car for the 12 years that she owned it.....it was a real Sunday driver / garage queen. She sold the car with less than 60K miles on it for something like $3,500.00....it was 100% original. I kick myself for not buying it back......oh well.

[LongRanger]

I'd bought a 320i a few years before, had heard/read about the GTi . . . so when the car got here, took me a Test Drive.

Dealer was down by the beach --- Redondo/Manhattan/something-or-another. Quiet week-end, sunny day.

Sales Guy pops out, greets me, smiles . . . . 'Test drive? Ooooooooh yeah --- let's GO!!!!'

Felt like we robbed a bank. Sales Guy jumps over the sidewalk/cub leaving, Smokey-and-the-Bandit-style, tears into traffic, howls down a couple 'o blocks --- J-turns into residential side-street ------ then accelerates.

Maniac. (And My Hero.)

Old crowned streets, so we pogo through/over a coupla deeper gutters, tires loading/un-loading, scenery blurring, engine winding. . . . then Sales Guy says ---- 'watch THIS!!!'

I look over --- Sales Guy lets (f*ck!ng) go o' the steering wheel, sticks BOTH his hands through the sunroof ----------- NAILS the brakes. Car stops, like, NOW. I, however, do not --- pitched forward so hard my head almost hit the windshield.

(Been my model for Test Drives, ever since.)

All I could think goin' home was . . . . Shoulda bought a GTi.

Rick

[Mr9146]

I'd bought a 320i a few years before, had heard/read about the GTi . . . so when the car got here, took me a Test Drive.

Dealer was down by the beach --- Redondo/Manhattan/something-or-another. Quiet week-end, sunny day.

Sales Guy pops out, greets me, smiles . . . . 'Test drive? Ooooooooh yeah --- let's GO!!!!'

Felt like we robbed a bank. Sales Guy jumps over the sidewalk/cub leaving, Smokey-and-the-Bandit-style, tears into traffic, howls down a couple 'o blocks --- J-turns into residential side-street ------ then accelerates.

Maniac. (And My Hero.)

Old crowned streets, so we pogo through/over a coupla deeper gutters, tires loading/un-loading, scenery blurring, engine winding. . . . then Sales Guy says ---- 'watch THIS!!!'

I look over --- Sales Guy lets (f*ck!ng) go o' the steering wheel, sticks BOTH his hands through the sunroof ----------- NAILS the brakes. Car stops, like, NOW. I, however, do not --- pitched forward so hard my head almost hit the windshield.

(Been my model for Test Drives, ever since.)

All I could think goin' home was . . . . Shoulda bought a GTi.

Rick

That might just be THE BEST test-drive story I've ever heard ... EVER!