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Italian GT looks backed up with brutish American V8 power.
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Films:
1990 Volkswagen Mk2 GTI: The People's Sports Car
This just makes me really miss my two GTIs… I owned a Mk 2 and Mk 4. Those two cars were the first of my many cars. I am always trying to find that feeling I had when I first started driving… the GTIs were such a great “first” car, it is hard to recreate that feelings after 205+ years of driving.
What a great video dedicated to all of us who cannot afford or have the resources to acquire all of the other high end and rare cars.
A while back when I read the article on this car I asked Petrolicious for a video on this car. THANK YOU!!
Great car. In great shape.
I think the VW Golf GTi MK2 is the epidomy of the raw feedback and driver evolvement
I love the features of regular folks who have a real, long-term connection with their automobile. I was envious of Europeans having the GTI available. When it finally came to the US I thought I’d eventually get one, but it’s never happened. My only critique of the film is the odd use of sporadic slow motion.
This ad came out right about the time I turned 16. All my friends and I wanted to reenact this commercial with the real thing…
https://youtu.be/3zcm4oS9IaM
I had quite a few of MK2 GTIs and GLIs myself. What people don’t talk about much is the 16v engine. That engine is actually epic, very twin-cam-y engine that rides beautifully on the cam (especially in 1.8 litre version), like 4AG-E, or Alfa’s 105/115. I liked that engine so much that the rest of the cars just came with it, sort of. I guess I got them out of my system now after, eh, 7 or 8 of them, but every time I see one of the road, it makes me smile. (MK2 Golf/Jetta was also one of the easiest cars to boot, too, got couple of mine stolen as well.)
Having owned both 8v and 16v versions of the Mk2 GTI I agree that the 16v version had a more sporty feel. The engine had a very different character to the 8v, and the suspension was also set up slightly lower in the 16v cars. The 8v had its merits though as it delivered more power at low revs and therefore was an even easier car to drive fast – especially in city traffic!
Ah, the GTI. I recall the first generation in the late seventies really started something that still flourishes.
I always thought I might own one but it just never happened. About a month ago I decided now or never and swapped my Mustang GT for a new Mark 7 Golf R. It may not have the GTI badge but to me it seems the ultimate development of the original idea.
Thanks for an inspiring video.
