Description

This 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V is a European-market example that is said to have spent time in Switzerland and Portugal before it was acquired by the selling dealer and imported to the US in 2023. Now showing 27k kilometers (~17k miles), the car features a numbered out of 1,000 Silverstone Edition interior plaque, which was reportedly a Switzerland-only variant that included a digital dashboard, unique badging, and Centra 15″ wheels. Power is provided by a 16-valve 1.8-liter inline-four mated to a five-speed manual transaxle and is finished in Tornado red over gray cloth upholstery. Equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes, a manual sunroof, bolstered front seats, power locks, and a Blaupunkt Casablanca SQR 49 cassette stereo. Work in preparation for the sale included a timing belt service, an oil change, and replacement of the brake rotors, radiator, and battery. This Golf GTI is offered by the selling dealer with partial service records, manufacturer’s literature, and a clean Maryland title.

The car is finished in Tornado red and features pinstriping on the grille, bumpers, and bodyside moldings. “GTI 16V Silverstone” graphics adorn the C-pillars, and additional exterior details include quadruple headlights, a front lip spoiler with integrated brake cooling ducts, 16V badging, a manual sunroof, wheel arch flares, an antenna, and a rear wiper. Paint meter readings indicating prior paintwork to the left-front fender and rear valance are provided in the image gallery below.

The 15″ Centra wheels are wrapped in 195/50 Cooper tires that show 2019 date codes, and a space-saver spare is stowed in the cargo area. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes. The front and rear brake rotors were replaced in November 2024.

The seating surfaces are upholstered in gray cloth and black vinyl with plaid inserts. Additional interior details include a padded dashboard, a rear window defroster, a Blaupunkt Casablanca SQR 49 cassette stereo, and power locks. A set of GTI-branded carpeted floor mats is included in the sale.

The four-spoke steering wheel shows wear and frames a factory digital instrument cluster with a bar-style horizontal tachometer and a digital speedometer as well as readouts for coolant temperature and fuel level. VDO auxiliary gauges for oil temperature, voltage, and vacuum pressure are mounted in the center stack. The digital odometer shows 27k kilometers (~17k miles).

The 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-four features Bosch Jetronic fuel injection. Work in November 2024 included replacing the timing belt, intake elbow, radiator, and battery. An oil change was performed in preparation for the sale.

Power is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transaxle.