Preserving & Protecting a 1983 Volkswagen Golf GTi from Rust & Corrosion

[Opening Scene]
Mark: Hi, and welcome to Driveway Icons.

Today, we’re looking at this incredible GTI — a true king of the driveway icons for many. Joining me is Dan, the proud owner of this fantastic car. We're going to take a closer look, find out what makes it special, and hear Dan's story.

[Cut to Inside the Car]
Mark: Morning, Dan! So, here we are in a 1983 VW Golf GTI — a proper driveway icon.

Dan: Morning! Yeah, this one’s got a bit of history for me.

Mark: So, tell me — why this car?

Dan: Well, my family had a silver Mk1 Golf when I was about eight or nine — not a GTI, unfortunately — but ever since then, I’ve always loved them. I used to buy VW magazines, had posters on my bedroom wall... it’s just been a dream car for me.

Mark: Ah, the classic ‘poster car’ story!

Dan: Exactly — alongside a few Lamborghinis I could never afford!

Mark: I know what you mean. Back when I passed my test in ‘93, these GTIs were already about 10 years old, yet still way out of my price range — and impossible to insure as a young driver!

Dan: Yeah, they were a bit of a unicorn for new drivers back then.

Mark: Performance-wise, these cars were legendary in their day. That's what made them special, right?

Dan: Absolutely. GTI stands for Grand Touring Injection. In German, "injection" starts with an ‘E,’ but VW wanted to stick with the ‘I’ for branding — hence GTI.

Mark: Ah, that makes sense! Is that why the Vauxhall Astra had the ‘GTE’ badge instead?

Dan: Yeah, Opel followed a similar idea with their ‘GTE’.

Mark: I love the little details in this car — when I opened the door earlier, that classic clunk was so satisfying.

Dan: Yeah, they’re solidly built. My old Escort Mk3 never sounded like that!

Mark: That’s the thing — the GTI wasn’t the first hot hatch, but it was the first great one. It redefined the whole category — solid build, front-wheel drive, and genuinely usable.

Dan: Exactly — and this one even has the original stereo! It’s the Cambridge SQM 26, installed by the dealer back in the day. Still got the cassette holders, too.

Mark: Brilliant! That's a lovely touch of nostalgia. So how long have you had this car?

Dan: I bought it in 2003 for just £950.

Mark: Wow, what a steal! Shall we take a look under the bonnet?

Dan: Absolutely — let’s pop it open.

[Cut to Engine Bay]
Mark: So, this engine bay looks fantastic — but I know this isn’t a standard GTI setup, is it?

Dan: No, it’s not. The engine was rebuilt in 1986 by GTI Engineering. Originally, this was an 1800cc engine, but they bored it out to a 2-litre. It’s got an upgraded cam, flywheel, rocker cover — all sorts of tweaks.

Mark: Impressive! And this isn’t the original rocker cover, right?

Dan: No, this one's from Schrick Engineering — helps keep things cooler. It's also got a baffled sump and a few other cooling modifications underneath.

Mark: That’s some serious engineering! I noticed the GTI Engineering badge — that's a nice touch.

Dan: Yeah, that plaque confirms the work was done by GTI Engineering in Silverstone.

Mark: Do you have a name for her?

Dan: Yeah — she’s known as "BJ," after the number plate.

Mark: (Laughs) Bet that raises a few eyebrows at car shows!

Dan: It does! People often ask if it’s a personalised plate, but nope — just part of the car’s history.

Mark: And what about this brake bar here?

Dan: That’s part of the original right-hand drive conversion. The Mk1 Golf was designed as a left-hand drive, so VW had to add this linkage to connect the pedal to the brake servo — clever bit of engineering.

Mark: And you've got a strut brace underneath too, right?

Dan: Yeah, it ties the suspension together for extra stability. I’ve also got a top strut brace to fit soon — still finishing a few bits off.

Mark: The attention to detail is incredible. Those wheels — they’re special too, aren’t they?

Dan: Yeah, they’re Pirelli P-Slot wheels — period-correct and originally supplied by GTI Engineering.

Mark: I love the red accents on the grille — such an iconic GTI feature. Back in the day, if you saw that red trim in your rearview mirror, you knew to move aside — they were quick!

Dan: Exactly! It’s part of what makes these cars so memorable.

Mark: Let’s fire her up — I want to hear that engine.

[Cut to Engine Start]
Mark: (Listening) That sounds amazing! So smooth and crisp — it’s like stepping back in time.

Dan: Yeah, it still brings a smile to my face every time I start it.

[Cut to Underneath the Car]
Mark: So, looking underneath, it’s clear you’ve done a fantastic job preserving this.

Dan: Thanks! I spent a few weeks in my friend’s garage, grinding away rust and cleaning everything up. I expected to find more corrosion, but it’s actually held up really well.

Mark: That’s impressive. Are you thinking of adding some extra protection now?

Dan: Definitely. After all that effort, I want to make sure it’s preserved for years to come.

Mark: Good plan. With Lanoguard, you get a protective coating that’s removable too — so if you ever want to clean it off or reapply, you can. It’s like an overcoat for your car — flexible and non-curing, so it won’t trap moisture.

Dan: That’s what convinced me — I like knowing I can take it off if I need to.

Mark: Absolutely — it’s all about protecting your investment, especially with the time and care you've put in.

[Cut to Final Scene]
Mark: So, Dan, do you take this to many shows?

Dan: Yeah, I do four or five a year. It always sparks conversations — people love reminiscing about friends or family who had one.

Mark: That’s what makes these icons so special — they connect people to memories. And this GTI is a brilliant example.

Dan: Thanks — I just want to keep it on the road, looking good, and rust-free for as long as possible.

Mark: Well, thanks for bringing down this fantastic GTI. It’s a true driveway icon — and with the protection we’ve added, it’s set to stay that way for years to come.

If you’ve got a car with a great story, get in touch — we’d love to feature it and hear more.

Mark & Dan (together): Cheers, guys!

[Music & Outro]