INFO GUIDE: 1976 - 1983 Volkswagen Golf MK1 GTI

• The majority of cars are based on the 3-door hatch body. A 5-door version sold in Europe for the 1981 model year, built from 12/1981 - 6/1982.
• Flared mudguards with plastic flare edges/extensions.
• Plastic front air dam spoiler. This feature was absent on pre-production/demonstration cars.
• Side decals on lower door / rocker panel (black or silver, depending on car's paint colour).
• Red pinstripe frame around front grille. (Colour is "Mars Red", code: L31B).
• Matt-black decal surrounding rear windscreen (Note: not applied to cars painted black).
• Black window frames.
• Sunroof available from March 1978.
• All non-Campaign MK1 GTIs had single front headlamps (many MK1 cars have been upgraded to quad lamps aftermarket).
• "GTI" badge front LHS grille and "GOLF GTI" badge on rear RHS tailgate.
• Three factory 13" wheel options were available, all fitted with 175/70 HR radial ply tyres:
  • 5.5” X 13" steel wheels with no covers. (Available all years in all markets, painted "VW-Audi Wheel Silver" (Code: L091)).
  • 5.5” X 13" 12-spoke alloy wheels. (Available on the 1.6l GTI from 1979 - 1980).
  • 5.5” X 13" 9-spoke alloy wheels. (Available from 1981 onward on both 1.6 & 1.8l GTIs).
• Two bumper bar designs were available depending on the vehicle's year (examples of each are labelled in the images):
  • Pre-August 1978 = black metal bumpers (non-wrap-around) with plastic corner covers.
  • August 1978 onward = larger plastic (wrap-around) satin black bumpers.
• Two tail light styles were available depending on the vehicle's year (examples of each are labelled in the images):
  • Pre-August 1980 cars had small tail lights.
  • August 1980 onward cars received larger tail lights.
• Bodies built from 1979 onward benefited from improved rust proofing (thicker paint, wax injection cavities / bonded seams).

The trim pattern / colour fitted to a MK1 GTI depends on the year model and the paint colour of the car. The original trim code will also appear on the vehicle's build label / sticker, found in the trunk of the car (see last image). The colours and codes available on the GTI included those listed below, with availability outlined in the table.

• Black-Red tartan (Codes: 12 / EW)
• Black-Silver tartan (Codes: 18 / EY)
• Black-Red stripe (Code: KL)
• Black-Silver stripe (Code: KM)
• Green stripe (Code: KU)
• Smoke Grey (Code: UH) (Rare - not pictured)

Note: Each reference to a year model below refers to a production year, beginning in August of the previous year. (I.e., 1978 refers to August 1977 - July 1978)

The GTI had a major interior revision from August 1980, and this section has been split into pre and post-facelift. Only the most significant interior features / changes have been outlined in this section.

Pre-facelift series 1 features (1976 - July 1980):

• Trim pattern options were as per the table in section 2 of this guide (consisting of black-red or black-silver tartan).
• Glovebox lid added August 1977 (previously an open cavity).
• Speakers in rear parcel shelf added from August 1978.
• Engine temperature warning light standard from August 1978.
• Gear pattern was printed on gear knob from August 1979. 
• Aluminium three spoke wheel with leather wrapped rim and deep black rubber central boss with the "Wolfsburg" logo in the middle.
• Two lower dashboard instruments (temperature and clock).
• Two-point lap rear seatbelts.

Post-facelift series 2 features (August 1980 - 1983):

• Revised dashboard layout introduced.
• Trim pattern options were as per the table in section 2 of this guide (black-red stripe, black-silver stripe, green stripe, smoke grey stripe). Front seats had new square adjustable headrests, and a horizontal seam on the rear of the backrest. Rear seats had a revised (lower) squab design and thinner middle seat.
• Introduction of a new 4-spoke steering wheel.
• New plastic coating applied to door cards and rear side panels.
• The three lower dashboard console instruments (voltage, oil pressure, temperature).
• In September 1982, a MFA trip computer was added.  The lower dashboard console instruments mentioned above were replaced by a blanking plate (instruments were reinstalled by some owners).
• January 1981 saw the introduction of a fuel economy gauge, change-up light and A pillar trims.
• Three-point belts introduced to the rear seats (middle retained 2-point).
• Retention strap added to jack and spare tyre well.

The Golf MK1 GTi was available in the following paint colours. Each colour below has the relevant vehicle production year(s) in which it was available:

Paint code location:

The paint code is located on the body label / sticker (sometimes referred to as the paint label). This is in the boot / trunk area of the car, under the carpets, stuck to the metal. These tend to peel off over time, and are often missing. An example of a label and paint code have been provided in the images. A big thanks to passiongolfgti.com for some of the information here.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1 has two potential chassis prefixes:

1. Chassis number – Pre-August 1980 Golf GTI MK1:

Example: 1763123456

2. Chassis number – August 1980 onward Golf GTI MK1:

Example: WVWZZZ17ZCW123456

Location: The chassis number is located in three positions on the MK1 GTI:

1. Embossed / stamped into the aluminium ID plate (pop riveted to the front crossmember / slam panel in front of the radiator).

2. Stamped into the firewall / bulkhead top, on the front of the wiper cowling panel. The black rain tray will have a window cut out of it where the chassis number displays.

3. Printed on the body label located in the trunk.

The chassis type code is a 6 digit code that is found on the vehicle's build sticker in the trunk / boot area. This type code can assist in determining the exact model of GTI you have, and can be interpreted as follows:

The following chart details relevant chassis "types" for the MK1 Golf GTI (Note: excludes special editions / U.S. models):

Engine number format / prefix:

The MK1 GTI's engine number depends on the vehicle year, and is prefixed by either EG or DX, followed by a 6-digit unique number.

For example: DX 123456

The engine number prefix determines the engine size, and can be confirmed by checking the engine block itself, the vehicle's data plate in the engine bay and data label in the trunk. The engine types based on the prefixes / codes are outlined below. Note, from our research we have noticed that some chassis / data plates on GTIs may only have the code "17" embossed, and will not specify the engine / transmission type.

In addition to those codes, the engine capacity of either 1.8 or 1.6 will be printed on the side of the engine block. Examples of the engine prefix, engine number and various codes on the chassis plate, labels and block have been provided in the images.

Gearbox number:

The gearbox number is located on the under-side of the gearbox housing, near the flange edge where the clutch cover joins the main housing. You will be able to see a raised / flat area, containing the gearbox code (as outlined in the table above), followed by a 5-digit number. See the images for a better description of the location.

• 4-cylinder SOHC engine with Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical multipoint fuel injection.
• The 1.6l engine was known as the "EG" motor. This was a 1588cc engine up to September 1982, with an increased bore of 1781cc from September 1982 through to June 1983, known as the "DX" motor. The 1.6l produced 110 PS, and the 1.8l engine produced 112 PS.
• The EG motor was fitted with several transmission options over time, including:
  • "GE" 4-speed transmission (used until June 1979)
  • "FM" 5-speed transmission (July 1979 - December 1980).
  • "FJ" 5-speed transmission (January 1981 - March 1981).
  • "FK" 5-speed transmission (April 1981 - July 1981)
  • "FD or FH 5-speed transmission (August 1981 - June 1983)
• From July 1983, the 1.8l (1781cc) engine was introduced known as the "DX", which was fitted with:
  • "9A" 5-speed  transmission, or;
  • "7G" 5-speed transmission from July 1982 onward.
• Front disc brakes (239 X 20mm).
• Rear drum brakes (same as standard Golf MK1).
• Stiffer torsion beam suspension than standard Golf, with the GTI also sitting slightly lower.
• 5.5” X 13" wheels (3 variants available as per section 1 of this guide).
• 175/70 HR radial ply tyres were originally fitted.
• Post-1980 cars had inner wing liners, better treated metal and thicker paint.
• All GTIs were fitted with an oil cooler.

The following sources, among input from many owners and enthusiasts, have contributed to the creation of this page. If you have any further information you believe can be added, please let us know by contacting us or commenting below.

• http://www.passiongolfgti.com
• http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk
• http://www.golfgtimk1.com
• http://www.veloce.co.uk
• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/VW_Golf_I
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk1
• http://www.zwischengas.com
• http://www.golf1-ig.de
• https://www.volkswagen-classic.de
• http://www.type17.ch
• http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/vw-golf-mk-i-gti-1-8
• http://www.deutschedoktors.co.uk
• Book: Cservenka, K. and Copping, R. (2009). The Essential Buyer's Guide: Volkswagen Golf GTI. Veloce Publishing.