Volkswagen of America’s new “Fahrvergnügen†sales campaign in the early 1990s was, while a marketing ploy and a totally made up neologism, underscoring sporty changes at Volkswagen. The more serious 2.0 16V GTI I’ve already covered recently, but the same motor was available in the more fun-to-drive Passat here, too. Then there was the Corrado, which while it only had 8 valves sported a supercharger. You could get that G60 in the Passat in Europe and even Canada, too.
Volkswagen’s popular smaller sedan had a healthy dose of upgrades though, too. In ’89, the Jetta GLI 16V had a special Wolfsburg Edition which had added the deeply bolstered Recaro Trophy seats and BBS RA alloys. These were color-matched to the Helios Blue Metallic paint outside. The seats and BBS wheels would carry over for the 1990 model year, but like the GTI the Jetta received the new 9A 2.0 16V and revised bumper/trim of all the A2s. Brakes were updated to 10.1? and dual tailpipes emerged from the new ‘big bumper’ A2 refresh. Central locking and a cassette player were standard, while you could opt for many power options including windows, mirror, anti-lock brakes, trip computer, cruise control, and of course a sunroof.
Although the package was essentially quite similar to the GTI, I’ve never quite taken to the 2.0 GLI 16V in the same way. But it’s still very nice to see a clean example hit the market:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16V on eBay
Year: 1991
Model: Jetta GLI 16V
VIN: WVWTJ21G9MW229961
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 111,800 mi
Location: Norwalk, Connecticut
Price: Reserve Auction
The opportunity to find an unmodified, all original, 2.0 16V MK2 VW is extremely rare nowadays. Especially one is such good condition.
2.0 16V’s have come on the market sparingly in the last few years, and have become highly sought after. This particular example is arguably one of the best, being that it is in the condition it is in without a restoration.
Original owner purchased this car in December 1990 from Montesi Volkswagen in North Haven, CT. It was always garaged from 91-04. I acquired it in 2004, and it split time between the garage and under a cover ever since.
This car has been in storage for the past several years. It was in need of a few maintenance items/repairs which I will detail below, and was parked and never completed.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
2.0, 16V
111,768 miles
ALL ORIGINAL
2 owner car
5 speed manual
Alpine white
Original gray Recaro seats
Original BBS wheels
Crank moon roof
Original Hedielberg cassette player
Original window sticker
Original 16V Key Fob
All paperwork from dealership since new
12,000 miles on 205/50/15 Falken ZIEX ZE-329 tires
Owned since 2004
ALWAYS garaged or stored under a car cover.New electric fan
New fuel pressure regulator
New Interstate MT-41 battery
New Bosch cap and Rotor
New shift boot
New shift knob (original included)
New antenna / whipNeeds:
Heater core (Included)
CV Joints (Included)
Brakes pads & Rotors (suggested)
Would recommend changing the timing belt as well since it’s about due for a change
Headliner has a history of the rear third sagging. So it will need reattaching.I have all the aforementioned needed parts (heater core, timing belt, CV joints, brake pads and rotors), brand new, in stock and included in the sale. All parts are OEM where applicable, and all parts were purchased from German Auto Parts, formerly known as Adirondack Auto Parts, in Galway, NY.
This is a 32 year old vehicle. It is not new. It has never been restored. Therefore not everything will be perfect like it was new. However, it is in excellent condition and has been nicely preserved.
Glass is all original, and undercarriage does not have any rust.
This car is very special, and should go to a home that will appreciate it for what it is and continue to preserve it.
Communications / questions will be through eBay only.
Payment is cash only. Also, pickup is not available until the first week of June.
What’s to like? The seller sure is right that finding a stock GLI in good condition today is quite hard. It’s not impossible, but they don’t exactly turn up every day. Even with light modifications, equivalent cars often trade in the 20k range, so this auction has a long way to go. Granted, I don’t think this one is the absolute best left out there, but it sure seems like a very good starting point to have one of the cleanest Jetta GLIs left.
-Carter
