'82 Golf GTi 16S (Oettinger)

Introduction:

By 1981 the Golf GTi became increasingly under threat as the hot hatch leader from competitors such as the Renault 5 Alpine, the Ford Escort XR3 and Vauxhall Chevette HS. VAG France requested more power from the GTi to stay in front and met the engineers in Wolfsburg to find a solution. The 1.8 engine was still a year away, the 16V even earlier in development and turbo conversions had proved unreliable. VW informed the only solution was from a company called Oettinger who had a 16V engine ready. Official authorisation was given and on 1st October 1981 the newly born GTi 16S (?S? for soupape the French for valve) became available in the VW range, but only in France and Switzerland at a price of 75,000 Francs (around ?7,500). Only between 1200 and 2000 were built during just over a year. The standard GTi was shipped from Wolfsburg to Oettinger who carried out the conversion which consisted of hundreds of specialist parts. The 16S was only available in 2 colours Alpine White and Black Metallic. Black Metallic was unique to this model (not to be confused with Anthracite Metallic found on the standard GTi).

Performance: Top Speed 195km/h (121mph), 0-100km/h: 7.6s

OET 103R retains all of those original specialist parts, unique to the 16S:

Oettinger Engine
- Max Power: 136bhp at 6500rpm, Max Torque: 160Nm at 5500rpm
- Max Engine Speed: 7500rpm, Capacity: 1588cc
- Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
- Description: Double over head cams, 4 valves per cylinder in 240 V, 30mm inlet and 27mm exhaust valves, specific inlet manifold (with equal length runners) and exhaust manifold, 79.5 mm bore x 80mm stroke, Mahle pistons, balanced crankshaft and flywheel, 2-piece oil sump with windage tray, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (note different location of components), specific distributor, alternator pulley, brackets, etc
- Each engine is individually marked on the cylinder head cover, cylinder head and cylinder block which is a modified EG one.

Clutch and Gearbox
- Reinforced clutch to cope with additional power
- Type FP gearbox with reinforced syncros on 2nd, 3rd and 5th gears and 4,17 final drive (for increased performance)

Chassis and Brakes
- ATS 6?x14? alloy wheels with Uniroyal 185/60 R14 tyres
- Oettinger lower strut brace
- Valeo F562 brake pads, Bendix 2000 DOT 5 brake fluid

Body
- Exterior colour Black Metallic (LP9V)
- VIN plate with Type 17 (not 17EG2, etc)
- Production sticker showing option code 733 for 16S model and FP gearbox code
- BBS bodykit (front spoiler, sill and arch extensions) in body colour
- Unique front grille (without red grille trim) to house Cibie spot lamps containing yellow filter
- Additional sound insulation under boot mat

Instruments
- Oettinger instrument cluster containing 240km/h speedometer and 8000rpm rev counter
- Oil pressure gauge in centre console

Badging
- ?GTI 16S? grille badge with white script
- ?Golf GTI 16S? rear badge with white script
- ?16 SOUPAPES? front wing transfers
- ?GTI 16S? badge on steering wheel

OET 103R comes with complete service history (mostly VW) and full file of receipts from VW. I even have the original Type Approval document ? a rarity in itself!

I bought the car last year and carried out the necessary work to get an MOT. The rear brakes were renewed due to seized rear cylinders, the front wiring loom was replaced to solve a few electrical bugs, and a full service carried out including timing belt and tensioner (the timing belt must be changed every 30,000 kms). The injector seals were leaking badly so these have been replaced too. I still need to replace the spark plugs as access is a nightmare. There is only between 1-2mm gap around the plugs to the head. A special tool is available from Oettinger but I will turn down a plug spanner instead. The spark plugs are a bit special - they are Champion racing plugs fitted to only one other production car, a Ferrari F40. The prices from Oettinger are crazy and I imagine from Ferrari too, but walking into a Ferrari dealer to ask for only 4 plugs would have been amusing!

The next job is to flush the tank and injection system. Residue is blocking the fuel pump check valve causing hot start problems and WUR giving too high control pressure and hesitating under load. After that the body will be restored - it should be straight forward as the underneath is mint due to an additional application of underseal.

For now I am enjoying the drive.  A few short journeys down local B roads with the engine at full chat has put a broad smile on my face. There is a nice power urge right up to around 7000rpm.

The GTi 16S is a special car ? the most powerful production Mk1 Golf ever built (with VW Warranty). This model is now extremely rare, especially in Black Metallic (I did not want to settle for the more common white one!) with only a handful remaining.

now theres a  beautiful and rare site, thanks for showing pics, made my morning that has

another fantastic wee write up Rajan. :y:

lucky boy.  :wink:

8)
Very very nice mate.  I would love to drive one.  hint.  lol

Rude 8)

Rich

Fantastic   would love one of those
if only my garage was bigger  
and i had some money  :tlc:

Thanks for showing it off  

chriswizz said

Fantastic   would love one of those
if only my garage was bigger  
and i had some money  :tlc:

Thanks for showing it off  

and if you could find one

very nice  8)
Bert

Very good find there mate. I love the Oettinger engines, they look so good.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but they also did a few MK2 versions, my mates just got hold of one, and don't quote me on this cause he told me last time I saw him out around town we were drunk lol

But I think he has the 2.0l version, around 186bhp with no mods, does that sound about right to you?

I'd much prefer that Mk1 though, very tidy looking car indeed!

lovely car dubboy

ive been looking at the oettinger conversion on a french site for a long time now: www.golf-story.fr.st

and another french site www.passiongolfgti.com

if you look in their shop, they sell the correct spark plugs for 34 euros apparently.

Probably the best mk1 you can have imo

Speechless mate 8O , but like yourself I wouldn?t settle for the common white one and that?s why I don?t have one :roll: , congratulations mate what a stunner :clap: , any chance I could pop over and clean it for you one day?

ding dong!!!!!

Rajan, do you have a special 'Rare MK1 Golf Crystal Ball' or something - where do you find these cars?!!! 8O  

Very nice by the way :wink:

Yes come on mate

where do you find these cars from, that is one very special car you have there.

Amazing   :notworthy:

he uses his time machine to go back n buy them new from the dealer!  :wink:

lovely motor!!

36thCrazyFist said

Very good find there mate. I love the Oettinger engines, they look so good.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but they also did a few MK2 versions, my mates just got hold of one, and don't quote me on this cause he told me last time I saw him out around town we were drunk lol

But I think he has the 2.0l version, around 186bhp with no mods, does that sound about right to you?

I'd much prefer that Mk1 though, very tidy looking car indeed!

The 2000E/16 for the Mk2 produced 170bhp in standard form. Different to the 16S engine though (injectors in inlet manifold, etc)

AntF said

if you look in their shop, they sell the correct spark plugs for 34 euros apparently.

Managed to get 3 sets for ?20 in the end  :dance:

Hairyarse said

Rajan, do you have a special 'Rare MK1 Golf Crystal Ball' or something - where do you find these cars?!!! 8O  

Very nice by the way :wink:

Something like that!  8O

Ah I wasn't too far off then, they're bloody good engines, I'm sure you'll be keeping a hold of that one!

Dubboy that awesome… great work from oettinger…
and respekt for your Mk1 16S….

i want one….

Hi Dubboy,
Really amazing car you've got there, did you import it from France yourself? Keep up the good work, I would love to drive one of these!
Cheers

dojodubber said

Speechless mate 8O , but like yourself I wouldn?t settle for the common white one and that?s why I don?t have one :roll: , congratulations mate what a stunner :clap: , any chance I could pop over and clean it for you one day?

Time to get your cash out

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/…ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem