Four decades ago, Volkswagen unveiled the first generation Golf GTI. The car was based on the Mk1 compact hatchback and gave enthusiasts driving thrills at an affordable price.
The first models were equipped with a 1.6-liter engine, which allowed them to reach a top speed of 180km/h (112mph). Remember, the year was 1976, so the GTI quickly made a name for itself and, practically, created the hot hatch segment.
Fast forward a few years and the German automaker swapped the 1.6-liter unit for a 1.8-liter one. The latter was more powerful and delivered 112PS (110hp / 82kW) and 140Nm (103lb-ft) of torque to the front wheels. The car would eventually become a favorite among petrol heads, even if the 1.6 is still considered the original GTI.
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The following video shows an original Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1, which is in top-notch condition. We don’t know if it was restored or just properly maintained (the former seems more likely), but the car looks and drives like it just left the factory floor.
As an added bonus, the burble of the engine can be heard whenever the driver lifts his right foot from the accelerator pedal. So, you may want to adjust the volume before checking it out in a spectacular landscape around lake Worthersee in Austria.