1978 Volkswagen Golf GTI

1978 VW Mk I Series I euro GTI tribute based on a US-Spec Gas Rabbit L Champagne Edition.Second owner since 10/2004; the car was mostly stock when I bought it from the original owner in Long Beach, CA.Complete service history; same mechanic (VW Specialties in Huntington Beach, CA) since 1990.204,000 miles on chassis.35,000 miles since rebuild in 11/2010.Rare factory A/C blows cold (not dealer installed).Original Inari Silver color, windows-out re-spray in 2010 (this was a GTI color offered late in the series).This is the last year when Rabbits were made in Germany (w/ round headlights) before assembly moved to Westmoreland, PA (w/ square headlights). (Diesel cars moved production locations after 1979).Euro headlights.Euro GTI red grill surround.Euro GTI metal bumpers.Euro GTI chin spoiler.Euro side trim.Euro fender flares.Shaved marker lights and hatch badge holes.New window rubber/scrappers from Vintage Rubber.2.0L 16V motor with Bosch CIS ignition from 1987 Scirocco 16V; built in 11/2010 by Ron and Scott Wood of VW Specialties.Ported and polished head with 3-angle valve grind.Euro G-grind cams.2.25" Techtonics exhaust; 16V manifold/downpipe ceramic coated silver; Magna Flow muffler ceramic coated black.Powder coated intake manifold and valve cover. Rebuilt 5-speed transmission.H&R lowering springs.Bilstein Sport shocks with front strut perches lowered 10mm.Autotech sway bars.Autotech lower sub-frame cross bar. Autotech rear strut tower bar.Euro Corrado steelies 15x6 with 195/50 Toyo Proxe R888R (dated 2321); 10mm spacers in the rear. Never ever rubs.Audi Girling G-60 2-piston front calipers with Corrado 11" cross-drilled Zimmerman rotors.Rear disc brake conversion to 16V-spec with 8.9" cross-drilled Zimmerman rotors.Audi Coupe Quattro 25mm master cylinder.16V Scirocco seats with tartan inserts; slider controls properly converted to Rabbit floor (moved from outside to inside).Rear bench seat removed but included in sale, great condition (covered in original green velour), incl. all hardware.2-piece molded black carpet kit from Newton Commercial in Suffolk, England.Original dash (no cracks!)Original dark green headliner. Euro GTI tachometer (instead of original clock).Euro GTI 2-gauge center console; Oil Temp and Oil Pressure.Blaupunkt 2-knob radio.Euro GTI steering wheel and shift knob.Euro GTI door panels.Audi interior door handles (chrome). Original glass except windshield.Battery box relocated to rear.Through our mutual mechanic (Ron Wood at VW Specialties), I met the original owner and bought the car in 10/2004.  It had become his second-car years before and Ron had installed a 2.0L 8V and upgraded the transmission from a 4 to 5-speed. A significant event in the car's history was in 3/2000 when the original owner ran over a metal 4x4 left on the freeway at night.   The incident broke the drivers side front suspension, causing a flat tire which rubbed-off the fender-edge paint and knocked the rocker.  The damage was valued at $1,400 which exceeded the car's value at the time.  Ron repaired the suspension/wheel but the cosmetic damage was not repaired.  The fender-edge and rocker damage were still there when I bought the car in 2004.  Cosmetically, the car and paint were original when I bought it.  See the old picture of the car with that damage (when I was experimenting with the Series II plastic euro bumpers and side trim).In the water-cooled VW scene, Ron and Scott Wood at VW Specialties were fairly well known.  Their client's cars and technical advice were often referenced in the pages of European Car Magazine in the Les-Bidrawn-editor era.  Ron has since retired but I remain in contact with him and the original owner if you'd like to connect with them. The car is very well sorted, completely reliable with 35,000 miles since the rebuild in 11/2010.  We estimate the motor is making about 150hp; it's relatively quick given its light weight.  It pulls strong all the way to redline and the exhaust note sounds great without being too loud.  The suspension is perfectly sporty for a lowered car but not too jarring like other cars with coil-overs.  The brakes are beyond great; they're meant to stop an Audi 200 which is nearly twice as heavy.  The steering is tight/responsive and the car can confidently be thrown around bends, especially with the new R spec tires.I've always liked the clean simple OE lines of the euro Series I cars with the tiny metal bumpers/trim and tartan interior.  It took me over a year to find a German-made Rabbit that wasn't rusty in 2004; I would imagine it's even more difficult now.  I thought about buying a Westmoreland car and converting the fenders/headlights/taillights back to an earlier car but the body panels on those conversions never seem to fit right; not to mention that I like the earlier dashboard.   This car has always been loved, this is not a cobbled-together project on a shoe-string budget, it's very clean, glossy and presents well.  I've owned the car for 17 years and it's time to pass it on to the next garage.I'm located in Newport Beach, CA.  I'm available to show/drive the car.Ebay only permits 24 pictures; see additional pictures at :https://ibb.co/album/QjWmKQPlease call with questions or to make an appt, 714-875-5391.Please call to discuss payment options.  Thanks, Geoff

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