We probably don't need to introduce the Volkswagen Golf for a long time. Since 1974, when its production began, more than 30 million units have been sold until this year, which is literally a record number. In its class, it is one of the strongest competitors for other car manufacturers, and thanks to its versatility and quality, it is among the first candidates when deciding to buy a new car.
Volkswagen knows very well where to direct future development, the foundations of which were laid in 1974. For now, we are talking about the present and the future, but I will not waste any more of your valuable time and get straight to the point. This year, the second generation Golf is celebrating its beautiful 30 years of existence , and that is why we decided to prepare a small look back at the history of this series and present to you one piece with which we had a personal meeting .
The second generation of the Volkswagen Golf saw the light of day in 1983. The task of defending the success of its predecessor was not an easy one, as the designers managed a very good transition from the structurally different VW Beetle in the first generation. The creators changed the overall design of the car from a rear-mounted engine and rear-axle drive to a front-mounted engine and front-axle drive. The first generation became popular all over the world , and therefore its successor carried a great burden – not to disappoint .
The second generation brought with it many innovations in the field of technology, offered engines and a wide range of offered versions. We can start with the bodywork , which has not changed significantly since Giugiaro's original angular design. It was only modestly modified and modernized depending on the larger dimensions of the car. It grew in length by 170 mm and in width by 55 mm, while the wheel track was widened by 23 mm at the front and a full 50 mm at the rear. The overall dimensions were 3985 mm in length, 1665 mm in width and the height increased to 1415 mm. Larger dimensions meant more space and comfort for the crew and at the same time gave the possibility to produce the Golf II in three-door and five-door versions . Unfortunately, the Cabriolet version did not make it to the second generation, instead the Cabriolet of the first generation was produced until 1991.
The range of individual versions in which the Golf II was produced was really varied and included all possible combinations of engine sizes, drives and body types. If we stay with hatchbacks (a sedan called Jetta was also available), six different engines were available in the first year (1983) of production. Gasoline engines started with a volume of 1.0 l (45 hp), and continued through 1.3 l (55 hp) and 1.6 l (75 hp) produced until 1991, until the more powerful GTI version , which received an engine of 1.8 l (112 hp). Diesel units were also available, both with the same volume of 1.6 l. The atmospheric variant had a power of 54 hp, and its turbocharged colleague had 75 hp.
A year later (1984), only one petrol variant was added, namely 1.8 l with 90 hp. The year 1985 brought with it two novelties, the smaller one was the 1.0 l petrol engine (50 hp) and the more important one was the second GTI version , this time with a weaker 1.8 l engine with 107 horses. A year later (1986), the range of offered engines grew by gasoline engines 1.3 l KAT (55 hp), which already used a catalyst, and also 1.6 l in two power versions, 70 and 72 hp. This was followed by 1.8 l (84 hp) engines and two GTI versions with sixteen valves with outputs of 129 and 139 hp. Further refreshments and innovations came with the year 1987, when the 1.8 l units were modernized and received a catalyst ; including the GTI version, whose output of 107 hp remained unchanged. The 1.8 l (90 hp) engine was installed in the classic Golf with front-wheel drive, but also in the new one with four-wheel drive (Syncro). The year 1988 was marked by four-wheel drive, the 1.8 l engines were boosted to 90 and 98 hp. The fastest version of the GTI up to that time was also born, the G 60 Syncro with 160 horsepower, which was a real rocket at the time.
The innovation in the field of diesel aggregates and one new concept was not forgotten either. In 1989, 1.6 l turbocharged engines with outputs of 60 and 80 hp were introduced. Furthermore, the offer was expanded to include an increased "off-road" version of the Country with a 1.8 l engine and all-wheel drive, manufactured by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. It differed from the classic Golf II CL Syncro in a total of 438 modified parts , which significantly raised its ground clearance and added a few small things that improved its cross-country ability. Now the best for last! In 1990, the most powerful Golf II GTI G 60 comes with only the front axle driven, but with an output of 163 hp. At the end of the same year, the Golf GTI celebrated a significant jubilee in the form of the millionth unit produced . Apart from the first three aggregates, the rest were assembled until the nineties. We got a successor in the form of the third generation Golf in August 1991. It got a little bigger again and came with a number of modern conveniences, but that's another story.
Since this is a very popular car among young drivers, the age of the owner of this piece did not surprise me. This Golf II GTD is already the third in the series and, as the owner himself said, he can't let it go. The car rolled off the production line in 1991 with a 1.6-liter diesel engine with an output of 80 horsepower. However, its performance was slightly increased thanks to the adjustment of the dosage on the fuel pump . The Golfík now also breathes better through an open intake filter and a new exhaust system with a diameter of 60 mm. Performance is tamed by new BREMBO grooved disc brakes at the front. The chassis received new shock absorbers and KONI springs, which sent it about 40 mm closer to the road . BBS aluminum rims are an absolute classic for Golfs, here we find the Mahle model.
The bodywork already shows signs of age, so minor cosmetic rejuvenation is planned. There will certainly be time during the winter. The bodywork as such is in its original condition, so it would be a shame to destroy it with laminate and similar things that are considered a relic today. The interior is just as original, with two sports seats from the five-door version. The interior rejuvenation plan is also ready for this winter. All that remains is to wish the owner good luck and enough funds for the overhaul, so that we can enjoy every well-preserved classic on the road .
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