Difference between '79 and '82 1.6 GTI

Wow, its been a while since my last post  :cry:

Does anyone know of any/the main mechanical differences between the various 1.6 GTIs that were produced between 79 and 82?

I'm looking at getting back into Mk1 ownership and entering a classic car racing series. The only classic cars I know about (and love) is the Mk1 but I can only enter a car that is built between 1/1/80 and 31/12/82 providing it is:

"exact same technical specification to cars manufactured before 31st December 1979, and were available as a model during the period 1978 -79"

and

"They are not allowed to include any parts including engines or transmissions that were only available for that car after 31st December 1979"

I know there was a revision in 1980 which was when the rear lights, bumbers, seats, instrument dials etc changed (I reckon I can get away with that). But was there any major, or minor mechanical enhancement on the post 1980 cars before the 1.8 came along?

Thanks,
Gordon.

PS - Its good to be back!

They changed from 4 speed to 5 speed gearbox in August 1979.

Hi,

This is a question on mk1's and therefore it should go in MK1 Chat.  I have now moved it  :wink:

Why do the regs for an 80-82 series call for cars to be of a pre-80 spec? What does "exact same technical specification" mean?

dubboy said

Why do the regs for an 80-82 series call for cars to be of a pre-80 spec? What does "exact same technical specification" mean?

Basically, the series is for pre 1980 cars but they allow pre-1982 cars if they're technically the same.

Gordon do you have an internet link to the race series, the only one I could find from Google doesn't look like yours.

dubboy said

Why do the regs for an 80-82 series call for cars to be of a pre-80 spec?

Well, indeed!

I think the idea is that it is a "classic" race so they want pre-80s cars. And they are happy to concede that this is probably a good example that you could argue that the Mk1 GTI IS a pre-80s car even though it was made up to '83! But they are happy to "give or take" a couple of years as long as you keep to the original pre-80s spec.

dubboy said

What does "exact same technical specification" mean?

Again, good point! The focus being on the word "exact". I suppose as long as the main mechanical and body parts are the same they will be happy.

They changed from 4 speed to 5 speed gearbox in August 1979

I think that's fine as I can claim an '81 five speed would be the same as a November '79 spec as an example. But if they'd changed it after December 79 I'd be struggling.

Well there are a lot of differences but as the major ones were Aug 80, you could prob get away with going for a late 80 spec 1.6. Without checking drawings, etc I can't see how they can police an "exact" spec anyway.

paul_c said

Gordon do you have an internet link to the race series, the only one I could find from Google doesn't look like yours.

http://www.smrc-uk.com…s/SMRCregs_classics10.pdf for the rules

http://www.smrc-uk.com/ for the website in general.

Aye, as long as I keep it to a 1.6 I think I'll be fine.

Thanks. Had a quick look through, the problem is the word "exact". I'd say you'd need to use a car of the same model year, eg in VW terminology 1980 model year ran from Aug 1979 to July 1980. If you used a 1981 model year, introduced in Aug 1980 (the first of the series 2s) they're not "exactly" the same. You'd basically need to contact the organisers and ask the question to them, since its their rules.

Hmmm, that's not so good.

There's not many decent Mk1s about at the best of times never mind a pre-1980, series 1! They were pre-rust proofed as well from memory?

Oh dear, maybe I'll buy a mini!

Speak to the organisers!!! They may be happy enough to let a series 2 in. Its their rules, all I can do is read them and interpret them. Its up to them to say yes or no.

Does anyone know when it changed from a 4 speed to a 5 speed?

I've looked at a few places and it seems that the 5 speed came in during January 1980. That is far from ideal!

If the 5 speed was available at all during 1979 that would be great as it would mean buying a 1.6 1981 5 speed would be allowed.

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=38

Maybe just answered my own question with this link.

Phew! 5-speed was available in '79. At least that means I can use a 5-speed. I really don't think they'll be bothered about the S1 v S2 thing unless there way brake / performance / suspension changes?

As I understand it the changes from S1 to S2 were all purely cosmetic?