Volkswagen Golf II 1983-1991 (“Volkswagen Golf”, VW Golf II) is the second generation of one of the most popular 3- and 5-door hatchbacks. There were 6,300,987 cars with different configuration came off the assembly line. Golf II was produced not only in Germany but also in France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Japan, and the United States.
Since September 1983, Golf II was built with a Pierburg/Solex carburetor, but in January 1984 the GTI was introduced with an injection engine. The 1.8-liter engine was fitted with mechanical injection systems K-Jetronic (German) and Mono-Jetronic, a relatively simple system with continuous injection (KE-Jetronic and Mono-Jetronic were already using electronics), and developed by VW injection systems Digijet (German) and Digifant (English) for the 1.3 and 1.8 liters respectively.
The three zzz symbols in the Volkswagen Golf II VIN do not indicate the galvanization of the body.
It’s worth noting that different modifications (GTi, G60, Fire and Ice, Carat, and many others) have four headlights on the front grille instead of two. Initially, it was an option that could be ordered by the buyer, later additional headlights were also included in certain configurations. In the American version of the Golf, instead of round headlights, there are two square headlights, or rectangular, as in the model VW Jetta. Every year, designers have made minor cosmetic changes, so, the newer models have wider moldings, plastic covers on the wheel arches, plastic sills, the front grille lines became larger. The most significant restyling of the model was underwent in 1987, and from August 1987 the trucks of 1988 model year began to go on sale. First of all, they differed by a smaller number of horizontal ribs of the grille, one-piece glasses of the front doors, and, accordingly, a different position of exterior mirrors (now installed at the front edge of the doors). At the same time, moldings were installed on pistols instead of glued ones, and the graphic of the nameplates was changed. In addition to external changes, the technical aspects of the truck were seriously upgraded, such as changes in the front suspension and electrical equipment. Since ’90 the sales of VW Golf with voluminous bumpers began. Since 1988 all-wheel-drive versions of Syncro have been produced.
Special mention should be made of the Golf modifications that made it famous as a “hot hatchback”. Since January 1984, a modification GTI with an 8-valve engine with an output of 112 hp was produced. In 1985, the range is extended with the legendary GTI 16V (139 hp), which to this day is considered the best modification of the Golf GTI of all time. Around the same time, there are versions with catalytic converters, their output is 107 and 129 hp respectively. In the late 1980s, VW experimented with mechanical supercharging. As a result, the engine with a supercharger G60 (160 hp) appears under the hood of Golf. Almost at the same time, all-wheel drive version G60 Syncro is produced. And to celebrate the rally victories of VW Golf there is prepared for production a limited edition of 5000 copies of Golf Rally, technically identical to G60 Syncro, but with enlarged wheel arches, new front lighting, grille, and bumpers. Finally, the line closes up with Golf II, prepared by VW Motorsport modification Golf Limited with a 1.8-liter engine rated at 210 hp, supercharged G60, and a 16-valve cylinder head.
Golf Country stands out because it is an independent model, where the body and aggregates of Golf Syncro are mounted on a frame, which gives the car a considerable ground clearance, and, like Syncro, has a viscocoupler in the drive of the rear axle, which provides an automatic connection of the rear wheels with slippage of the front ones. This modification was assembled at the plant of Steyr in Graz (Austria), were also made Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Because of the high price, the model is not in great demand, only a little more than 7000 pcs were produced.
Of course, over the years, the list of standard and optional equipment expanded. So, Golf could be equipped with automatic transmission, steering, air conditioning, alloy wheels, power or manual sliding sunroof, power windows, mirrors, heated mirrors, on-board computer (brand designation MFA), central locking, illuminated make-up mirror, headlight washer, cruise control, fog lights, extra high beam headlights, fully electronic dashboard, seats with side support from VAG Sport or Recaro, the last could be with electric adjustments, seat heating, velour or leather upholstery, of course, different variants of audio system, capacities for small items in the cabin. The variety was supplemented by numerous options for interior trim and body color.
In 1992, the model gave way to the Golf III.