1983 Volkswagen GTi Callaway walk about with Lance Miller

[rafaelm.]

I had a black 1984 GTI with the red pin striping and blue interior. It was an amazing car at the time. I wish I kept it. It was a tough car, especially for being in the hands of a 20 y/o (me) at the time. I went through a set of brakes and tires twice a year because I was very aggressive with the car to the point that cornering would lift the rear wheel off the ground. Speaking of brakes, the GTI was the only model at the time that had vented front discs which meant having trouble finding pads that fit due to the thickness of the rotor. Yes, it had only 90 hp but you have to keep in mind that this original GTI weighed about 2, 100 pounds and a 2018 weighs about 3, 100 pounds. So the power was matched to the weight of the car. The quirks of that era GTI is that they carried over what they could from the old Bug. Things such as door handles, switches, and that weird way you had to adjust the A/C compressor belt tension by taking apart the hub and switching shims around. Alignment was strange because you could only adjust toe on one side of the car which meant centering the steering wheel meant having to remove it and rotate it over one cog. The 84 also had a short throw gear shifter which current models don't have out of the factory.

[stemtosternms]

Man this brings back memories. I added this kit to an 86 Cabriolet back in the early 90’s. All the bars and Koni shocks. Yokohama A008’s on Momo Quasars. It was a beast... compared to other 4 bangers at the time anyway.

[versalane]

I miss my 84 rabbit. MY favorite car ever!

[xtubalnet]

I'm looking for an original GTI - in Deep South USA.

[SonOfTamriel]

Not the same one that just sold on BaT for $38, 000 USD

[davemcguigan]

Love to know what the performance of this car was, top speed, 1/4 mile, 0-60? Callaway certainly would have had those figures! I had an 84, also white but with the blue interior. I also had air and stereo, no sunroof! It came with Pirelli P6 tires. The 83 had the 85 mph speedometer, by law back then. But by 84 they raised it to 125 or so!