Description
This identification guide for the Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1 includes both the 1.6l and 1.8l versions sold mainly throughout Europe and the UK up until December 1983. This guide does not cover special editions of the GTI such as the Campaign / Trophy Edition, the 16v Oettinger, GTI Cabriolet or export (U.S.) market GTIs. Those vehicles will be covered in separate guides. The Golf GTI is widely recognised as the first ever mass appeal “hot hatch”, and continues to attract the attention of enthusiasts and collectors, with prices steadily rising for good original examples, a trend which is expected to continue. The GTI is based on the standard Golf MK1 chassis, however, many modifications were adapted to improve the vehicle's performance and appeal throughout MK1 GTI production. It is important as a prospective buyer to have an understanding of those differences and features when looking to purchase a genuine vehicle.
This guide provides information in important areas for the MK1 Golf GTI, including characteristics of the body, interior, driveline as well as specific details relating to the engine and chassis number, among others.
Production period: June 1976 – December 1983 (Note: Some early demonstration vehicles were produced prior to June 1976)
Production numbers: Multiple sources quote different figures for overall worldwide production. Passiongolfgti.com confirms a total of 461,690 GTIs were produced (this figure refers to the hard top MK1 cars, and includes all special edition models such as the Campaign, but excludes the Oettinger edition). A breakdown of production figures and additional notes have been provided below, from a variety of sources listed at the base of this guide. The GTI's share of Golf MK1 production is 8% according to Germany's VW Classic website. The same official VW source suggests a total of approximately 450,000 GTIs were produced, which closely supports the figure from passiongolfgti.com.
| Year | Number Produced | Comments |
| August 1976 - July 1977 | 10,366 | |
| August 1977 - July 1978 | 31,746 | Only 22 GTIs were sold in the UK this year (sold as LHD cars) |
| August 1978 - July 1979 | 42,293 | 1500 Cars were sold in the UK in the 1979 year (factory RHD car introduced). |
| August 1979 - July 1980 | 58,252 | |
| August 1980 - July 1981 | 68,599 | |
| August 1981 - July 1982 | 72,394 (1.6l) 70,663 (1.8l) | |
| August 1982 - December 1983 | 107,377 (1.8l) | Including 6,148 UK sales for the 1983 year. |
| TOTAL 1976 - 1983 | 461,690 | Number included 1.6l and 1.8l cars (including Campaign Edition, but excluding the 16 valve Oettinger edition GTI) |
Please contact us if you have any additional production number information you believe would be helpful here, so we can improve the information quality in this table.
Please note, this guide has been written based on a variety of online sources and enthusiast input. You should not rely on this guide to make any purchasing decision and we make no representation that all information is accurate. You should always seek independent professional advice when looking to purchase a unique car. If you have additional information, photographs or corrections you believe need to be made to this page, please contact us by clicking the button at the top of this page, or comment below.