1987 Volkswagen Golf GTi 16V Type 19

On offer here is, indeed, one of those highly desirable Type 19 MKII GTi 16-valve models. Somewhere in the region of 300,000 Type 19 GTi’s were built and only round 10% of these were thought to be 16-valve iterations. This example is a UK specified and supplied model, provided to its first lucky owner by Dovercourt Volkswagen of Battersea in March 1987. The GTi remained under the care of Dovercourt until around 1990 suggesting its first owner change occurred at around that time.

Current owner, Jason, acquired the GTi on 1st June 2025. At that stage the Golf had covered an indicated 106,442 miles. Shortly thereafter the trip counter and odometer stopped working at an indicated 106,551 miles with Jason estimating the mileage in his tenure at just 300 or so.  Due to a change of circumstances this fine and rare example is on offer here today and likely to be of significant interest and appeal to Volkswagen enthusiasts or, indeed, anyone with even a whiff of petroleum in their veins.

Those who know their Type 19s will, likely, immediately notice the key design facets of these early models. The front windows, for example, feature the quarterlights of the MKI that would morph into a single pane in later cars. This area also exhibits door mirrors affixed to the door tops – a Type 19 telltale. Smaller bumpers, lefthand located windscreen wipers and different GTi badging are also differentiators and all clear to see here. What’s more this fine example presents in the perennially popular 16-valve GTi colour of Monza Blue Metallic. 

Our vendor has spent time researching the colour and tells us "forum searches think no more than 15 came to UK in this true Type 19 16v September 86 - August 87 production time and was only available in 16v version. I’m guessing only a handful remain on the road today." Certainly this vibrant and distinctive hue  works particularly well with the red trim accents and the signature matt black rear window surround.

The condition of this, now, 38 year old car is impressive indeed. All panels seem to exude a deep shine, and the panel gaps retain their Wolfsburg, military grade precision and symmetry. Other notable GTi tropes include the smaller, inner driving lamps and the black plastic, very subtle wheel arch extensions. The twin tail pipe, skewed toward the nearside are also immediately recognisable as late 1980’s GTI fare. Despite retaining a recognisable MKI relationship the VW engineers gifted the MKII a drag coefficient of a remarkable 0.34 compared to a 0.45 figure for the earlier car. This delivered benefits in terms of economy and reduced wind noise.

This GTi rolls on an original set of kerb-free Montreal alloy wheels, often known as “bottle tops.” These are 14-inch items finished in bright metallic silver and featuring debossed Volkswagen script to each inner rim. These are fitted with a matching set of Uniroyal Rain Expert tyres in a 185/60 configuration. These are date stamped from 2024.

For this earlier Type 19 car the MKI Golf’s interior was carried over directly to this successor model. That, of course, means a great level of quality and durability is built in and the dark hued conservatism is punctuated with charming GTi details. This example features the so called Rainbow Grey upholstery which consists of subtle horizontal stripes in graduated tones of grey. These present very well indeed with no immediately visible signs of rips, tears or holes. The rear, split fold bench is identically trimmed and at least the equal to the fronts in condition terms.

Carpets, door cards, rear side panels and headlining present in various complementary shades of grey. The headlining is of the padded panel variety and a steel, tilt and slide sunroof is fitted and is in good working order. The signature golf ball gear knob tops the five speed gear lever and the four spoke, four horn push steering wheel is present and correct. The crystal clear VDO supplied instrument cluster features the familiar multifunction trip computer and bank of coloured LED warning telltales.

The well-shaped and commodious boot still features an unmolested, if slightly bowed, parcel shelf and an original unused first aid kit is also present. A tool bundle, spare wheel and tyre are located in a well beneath the carpeted boot floor panel.

The 16 valve GTi featured a 1781cc inline four KR engine with double overhead camshafts and Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection. In original trim this was good for 137bhp at 6,100rpm and 121 Ib-ft of torque at 4,600rpm. This is mated to a close ratio, five speed manual transmission routing power to the front wheels. The KR featured a lightweight iron block with an aluminium cylinder head and quickly became renowned for its rev hungry nature and admirable durability and reliability.

By today’s standards it’s a decent looking unit too. The alloy intake plenum is embossed with a large VW roundel and the “DOHC 16V” script powder coated in turquoise. The slightly Heath Robinson looking fuel distributor and ribbed rubber gubbins of the K-Jetronic system is noted to the bay’s offside edge. The condition looks good and ostensibly original and in keeping with a diligent maintenance regimen. The underside of the GTi looks solid, leak free and deformation free…if a little crusty in places.

The paperwork includes the current V5 Registration Document in the name of the owner. This is accompanied by the current MoT in hard copy which is valid until December 2025. A good number of earlier MoT hard copies are also included. 

The original VAG book pack is present complete with the all-important service booklet. This documents the pre-delivery inspection records and 11 subsequent service stamps. The most recent of these dates from October 2024 at 106,026 miles. A slew of invoices detailing maintenance and repair work undertaken are also on hand. The totals of many of these underscore the significant amounts spent keeping this GTi in the condition in which we find it today. That last service from December 2024 included a timing belt change and new water pump.

Given the stunning and unexpected success of the MKI Golf GTi, there must have been some significant pressure on the MKII successor to not only replicate, but to improve on the legacy created by the earlier car. Luckily it was a gem and a pinnacle for some before the disappointing MKIII blundered along to spoil the party. It wouldn’t be until the MKV GTi of 2004 that Volkswagen truly got its GTi mojo back again. As such, for those wanting a 1980’s Golf GTi, the MKII 16-valve is definitely the one to actively seek out.

This example is a fine representative for the desired MKII 16-valve GTi oeuvre. It boasts a vivid and eye catching livery and is from that deeply revered sub-genre of early Type 19 cars. With a fine overall condition and all those key Type 19 facets still present and correct, this GTi offers thrilling originality combined with diligent maintenance and a well-stocked and instructive paperwork archive. A Type 19 of this calibre has become a rare beast in recent times so definitely an ownership opportunity to be enthusiastically seized.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £13,000 - £17,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.