Life as an automotive enthusiast in the beginning of the 21st Century is one that offers a plethora of wonderful choices. Right out of the box, the performance-craving consumer can buy a car for less than $26k that will out perform many of the cars that, in years past, were considered to be the pinnacle of automotive enthusiasm.
On the other hand there are those that look at modern cars and yearn for something more simplistic, remembering a feeling that began to fester deep inside of them from the moment they drove their first go kart, jumped their first bike ramp or kissed their first girl. Remembering the earliest cars that caught an enthusiast's heart, it is natural to wonder whether these very same dream machines can pass the test of time?
Dave Graf, co-owner of New German Affiliate is one such dreamer. Back in 1983 when the original American A1 GTI rolled off the line in Westmoreland, PA, young David, a high school freshman, was dreaming his days away. In that day the first 5.0 liter Mustangs, Plymouth Turbo Lasers and "Cross-fire" V8 Camaros ruled the streets for performance. Dave's heart belonged to German automobiles. There was something different about the way they sounded and performed that stuck in his memory for a long time.
From the time that Dave was capable of twisting the ignition key, he has held title to a variety of very trick vehicles. One of his first of these cars was a 1983 Rabbit GTI that he purchased in 1987and, after performing many of the tricks of the time, sold it to move on to other things. For years Dave regretted selling the little car. Many other project cars have come and gone as he has built up his company, though the Rabbit GTI remained etched on his brain.
Having explored many different cars over the years, Dave has finally chosen to return to his first love. Walking into the back of NGP's shop, one can normally find a bevy of old VW's receiving engine, suspension, or transmission transplants. Sometimes, tucked in the corner, you will find his current project car.
This particular silver 1983 A1 GTI has rolled its way into his garage not once, not twice, but three times in the past two years. The story goes that the original owner of the car wanted a 16-valve conversion with some mild upgrades to the chassis. Dave and the staff at NGP obliged, and off the car went away for a year or so.
A year later the car showed up again, needing basic tune-up work, and while the car was in the shop the then-current owner noticed Dave's own modified A2 Jetta coupe and fell in love. A swap was arranged, and both owners rode off proudly into the sunset with their new machines.
The car had already been modified to some degree, and Dave decided to continue upon this theme. During the initial owners buildup, the car received a standard 2.0 liter 16-valve block with the head from a 1.8-liter version that had been ported, polished and equipped with a pair of Schrick 272-degree cams along and a set of Techtonic high-lift valve springs.
A Techtonics adjustable cam gear was chosen to provide the maximum thrust at all rpms. While NGP had the engine apart a Supersprint stainless steel header, exhaust system and a 50 mm Volkswagen European intake were added. As the car is Motronic equipped, a custom AMS chip was added for fuel and timing management and special injectors were installed to allow the car to receive adequate amounts of fuel at all rpm ranges. All of the original engine mounts were replaced with stiffer diesel rubber mounts to firmly hold the ponies in the corral.
To transmit the power down to the ground, an FK transmission was fitted with custom close ratios to help the rev-happy engine in all situations. The car then received a custom short shift kit and all new bushings to keep the shifts firm and accurate. An NGP street race clutch kit was added with a professionally lightened pressure plate and custom clutch springs designed to keep the clutch firmly held against the pressure plate.
The right shock and spring combination was found with AVO coilovers after many trial and error attempts. Holding the coilovers to the car are titanium bolts and urethane upper strut mounts along with a recently added Kamei polished upper tie bar. Lurking under the chassis are an Autotech hollow front sway bar, Autotech rear sway bar, and urethane control arm bushings.
As far as the brakes are concerned Dave has been experimenting with Wilwood front calipers as well as a Scirocco 16-valve rear beam with 9.5" rotors and calipers. The car currently rides on stock A1 GTI brakes with ATE Rotors and Mintex pads to help slow the car down.
In an effort to maintain the car's original Teutonic style, Schmitt 15x8 Modernline Monoblock wheels were added. These lightweight wheels are wrapped in Yokohama AVS Intermediates in a 195/50R15 width for maximum dry weather traction.
Driving this sub-1,800 pound 180-horsepower car is a real eye-awakening experience after driving the same course with a much heavier modern car. A twist of the ignition key brings the raspy distinctive sound of a very heavily cammed 16-valve motor to life and the exhaust system barks out a fierce note letting everyone behind the car know that it means business. The Sparco seats and Schroth harnesses hold you firmly in place, while the clutch kit is quite stiff and takes quite a push with your left knee to make it travel.
Once underway the car is quite reasonable to drive despite the width of the wheels and lack of power steering. The motor is quite deserving of the driver's attention as it begins its way up the rev scale and makes decent power until it hits a magical sweet spot that exists around 6,500 rpm. At this point it pushes forward as if projected from a cannon; all the way up to 7,800 rpm is where the real power is found.
Dave had initially considered a turbo system for the car but ultimately decided that a normally aspirated motor was the better choice.
Approaching a corner in the Rabbit, one simply has to stab at the brake pedal, grip the wheel hard and turn in, applying power all the way. The car's natural desire to understeer is easily turned into oversteer by either trail braking halfway through or just lifting the throttle and then giving it gas. The feedback through the non-assisted steering is really amazing considering the tiny size of the car and the feeling that you could just reach out and touch all four corners without un-belting your seatbelt.
So how does this A1 GTI stand the test of time and scrutiny as a modern cruising machine? The answer is pretty darned well. This car is something that is not only fun and peaky like a racecar, but also reliable to drive on a day-to-day basis to grocery store or to the track.
The Rabbit's interior is a mixture of new versus old. An original dash has remained, being functional and free of cracks. The original steering wheel was replaced with Momo's Evolution wheel for a more precise feel. Seating was upgraded with the addition of Sparco Supersport models covered in gray and black suede, while the rear seat was removed along with the factory rear belts to reduce weight as much as possible. Custom rear carpets were sized and installed to keep the rear looking neat. Dave opted for a Volkswagen Driver's Edition shift knob in the classic Golf ball shape, but with aluminum mixed in for good measure. An R&A Design aluminum brake handle rests neatly between the Sparcos. Finally, a set of drilled Sparco Pedal covers keep things neat while on the move.
It is on the exterior where the modifications and changes seem most evident. The car sports a Mk1 Cabriolet front fender treatment, core support and Bonrath badgeless grille retrofitted with Hella H4 headlights and 55/100 watt bulbs. Under the grille is an R&A duckbill euro spoiler that helps to move air up to the 16v radiator, keeping things cool under the hood. The rear deck was flushed and filled, removing the wiper and factory badges to lessen unnecessary weight. The car was also fitted with European bumpers, Audi A4 tinted side marker lights, and on the roof is an R&A designs alloy 16v antenna.
1983 Volkswagen GTI 16v
Base Car: Engine: Transmission: Color:
1983 Volkswagen GTI 2.0l 16-valve with 1.8l 16-valve head 5-speed Manual Custom Silver Metallic
Modifications
Engine:
2.0-liter 16-valve bottom end, 1.8-liter 16-valve head (ported and polished), Schrick 272-degree cams, Techtonic high-lift valve springs, Motronic Golf-style fuel injection with AMS fuel management chip, Techtonic adjustable cam gear
Transmission:
5-speed manual FK transmission with custom ratios, NGP racing clutch kit
Exhaust:
Supersprint Header, center pipe, rear muffler
Wheels:
Schmitt Modernline Monoblock 15"x7"
Tires:
Yokohoma AVS Intermediates 195/50 ZR 15
Suspension:
AVO Coilovers, titanium suspension hardware, Autotech hollow front sway bar, Autotech rear sway bar, eurethane bushings, Autotech upper rear tie bar, Kamei polished front upper tie bar
Brakes:
Stock sized ATE rotors, Mintex pads (front), rear brakes (stock)
Additional Mechanical Modifications:
DEI remote keyless entry, remote trunk pop
Exterior:
Mk1 Cabriolet front fender conversion, Cabriolet core support, Bonrath badgeless grille, R&A Designs duckbill front spoiler, flush and filled rear deck, European bumpers, Audi A4 side marker lights, R&A designs roof antenna
Lighting:
Hella H4 conversions on Hella round lighting, A4 smoked side marker lights.
