First registered on 30th June 1989, F302 NVA is a UK-supplied, five-door Volkswagen Golf GTI finished in Tornado Red and powered by a 1.8-litre eight-valve engine.
As it comes with a comprehensive history file, I’ve been able to put together a detailed picture of its life. The original Volkswagen service book begins before the car was registered and continues through more than three decades of use, with supporting invoices and workshop records taking the documented mileage from just 1,796 miles in 1989 to 76,005 miles in 2025.
The Mk2 Golf GTI
The second-generation Golf GTI arrived in 1984 and built upon the formula established by the original car. It was larger, more refined and more practical than the Mk1, but still had the details that had already become recognisable with the GTI name.
Volkswagen describes the Mk2 GTI as carrying forward the familiar 112PS 1.8-litre engine, red grille surround, black wheelarch extensions and understated performance-car styling. The second-generation car also helped turn details such as the golf-ball gear knob and checked sports seats into recognised GTI trademarks.
Our car’s original vehicle-data label identifies it as a Golf GTI with the PB engine code, an output of 82kW, and an ACD five-speed gearbox. Volkswagen’s period specification for the 1,781cc Golf II GTI lists 82kW, equivalent to 112PS (110bhp), and 150Nm (111 lb-ft ) of torque.
The same label records paint code LY3D, which is Tornado Red, together with interior trim code HZ. Tornado Red became one of the colours most closely associated with the Mk2 GTI and was specifically referenced by Volkswagen alongside the model’s black trim and red grille detailing.
Supplied Through Birch’s Garage
The service book is stamped by Birch’s Garage Ltd of Milton Road, Cambridge, with the pre-delivery inspection dated 23rd June 1989. F302 NVA was registered exactly one week later, on 30th June.
Its first recorded service took place on 2nd October 1989 at 1,796 miles. Later Birch’s Garage stamps show approximately 7,000 miles in July 1990, 17,815 miles in June 1991 and 27,686 miles in March 1992.
By February 1994, the mileage had reached 40,013.
A Period Audio Upgrade
Another document in the history file is an invoice from Dave Wallis Car Audio in Ipswich, dated 12th October 1992. It records the supply and installation of a CR26B cassette stereo and speakers at a cost of £239. It is a small detail, but one that gives a brief insight into the car’s life when it was still relatively new.
Rather than being preserved untouched from day one, this was a GTI that was used and enjoyed, with the sort of audio upgrade many owners would have chosen during the early 1990s.
Maintained By Specialists
A Computa Tune workshop sheet records F302 NVA at 47,740 miles in 1995.
The document is much more detailed than a conventional service stamp, with handwritten readings for the ignition, charging, compression and emissions systems. It also records engine oil, an oil filter and four Bosch spark plugs.
From the mid-1990s onwards, much of the servicing was carried out by Broadlands Services in Ipswich. The service book says:
- 50,225 miles in March 1996
- 55,133 miles in February 1998
- 57,747 miles in June 1999
- 59,099 miles in 2000
- 61,536 miles in 2002
- 62,575 miles in July 2003
- 68,985 miles in June 2005
- 70,000 miles in June 2006
- 71,393 miles in July 2007
- 72,202 miles in July 2008
Daily To Classic
During its first few years, our Golf was used regularly. It covered more than 27,000 miles by 1992 and passed 40,000 miles in 1994. After that, its annual mileage steadily reduced.
By 2008, it had covered 72,202 miles. A Volkswagen dealer stamp records 74,033 miles in May 2012, and an Ipswich Volkswagen invoice from July 2015 shows 75,102 miles. That 2015 visit also included an MOT and brake-fluid change. The workshop also noted corrosion to the rear brake pipes and slight windscreen damage.
A later service-book entry, dated April 2021 at 75,596 miles, includes the handwritten note “Cambelt fitted.”
The car returned to Ipswich Volkswagen again in 2025 at 76,005 miles. The invoice records an oil-change service, MOT, replacement rear brake discs and pads, a rear brake calliper and bleeding of the braking system.
Only 903 miles were added between the 2015 and 2025 Volkswagen invoices, showing just how little the car has been used in recent years.
A Very Original-Looking GTI
Today, F302 NVA still presents much as a Mk2 Golf GTI should.
The Tornado Red bodywork is contrasted by black wheelarch extensions, black side mouldings, slim bumpers and the red-trimmed four-lamp grille. Inside, the car still has its grey checked GTI sports seats, matching door trim, manual window winders, Volkswagen steering wheel and golf-ball-style five-speed gear knob.
Our Golf has a story that covers daily use, a slower later life, and now one that will take it to a new owner very soon. If you like highly original MK2 Golfs with a detailed history file covering most of its life, this one will be a great addition to your garage.
More details on how to win this car here.
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