Volkswagen Jetta. The first two thousand kilometers

On June 27, 2023, I became the owner of an original 1.6 Volkswagen Jetta 1987. My hobby car was registered on July 3 of that year. The first owner was frugal with options, but did order central door locking and a right exterior mirror. The next two owners were also frugal: with the number of kilometers driven. The Jetta had 82.480 kilometers when purchased, which is a pittance in 36 years. Nearly three and a half months later, the odometer reads 84.500 kilometers.

The Jetta was at the time included in the range of Gerard Kramer Klassiekers in Wolvega. Actually, the choice - especially after a test drive - was quickly made. The Volkswagen was still in the affordable classics category, but that was not the only reason that it clearly attracted my interest. Most Volkswagen Jettas from the eighties have fallen prey to an extensive form of customizing, and are often found in the four-door trim. The only thing the owners changed on my intended classic for 36 years was the installation of a tow bar, a Blaupunkt radio and an interior antenna. And: this Jetta painted in Jade green has not two, but one door on each side.

Moreover, I have a soft spot for the German products of that time, not least because they were manufactured with an immense sense of responsibility. The Japanese and Swedes could do that too. The Jetta is an example of rock-solid construction and clarity, it gives the feeling of 'jump on the back of me'. Everything is still solid, and I noticed that during the test drive I took. I drove away with the Jetta as if I had owned it for three years and I was never used to anything else. And in no time I knew. This Volkswagen will keep the V50 company.

Little needed to be done to the Volkswagen. A new water pump was necessary, the VW received new fluids. And everything else remained as it was. On June 27, I received the keys and soon drove the Jetta for quite some miles. A day of training was good for the first longer ride, in the evening I drove to VW adept Thomas in Jonkerslân, and a day later photographer Bart Spijker and I visited Ron Moës, just below Utrecht. There we made a report with Ron and a sublimely restored Porsche 911 Targa from 1967. The Jetta bridged the distance from Leeuwarden to Lopikerkapel and vice versa effortlessly. “That's all you need,” Ron said several times. And Bart drove the Jetta on the way to photo locations and on the way back north. Not a cent of pain, and good for a consumption of 1 in 16.

The VW has now also been included in the column of the group of friends from Schalsum. We paid tribute to our deceased friend in a column, and it was special to be able to do that. There is no doubt that our parade was of secondary importance to the grief, but the small consolation was that we knew that our deceased friend would have loved it. A few weeks later we visited the Oldtimer Day in Tzummarum, and that was the postponed event debut. Moreover, I sometimes use the Jetta for commuting, and it shows how easily the car keeps up with the traffic, and above all: how comfortably this Joris Goedbloed allows its kilometers to pass by. Not least because of the flexible chassis and well-fitting and supportive furniture. And above all: an eye for ergonomics and correctly drawn proportions in the interior. And if you want to do a big errand or want to carry a lot of luggage: the Jetta is equipped with a huge trunk.

In the meantime, Peter de Roy replaced the timing belt preventively and adjusted the sensitive Pierburg carburetor. Such niceties did the car good, especially the correct adjustment of the carburetor makes the RF engine run even better. Speaking of the engine: it doesn't consume a drop of oil or coolant. That is also a nice thing. There is a V-string attached. Cosmetically, there are few clouds in the sky, but there are a few spots to keep an eye on. And these are easy to fix. That may happen this year, but the storage period is coming. The car is effortless to use on a daily basis (I don't do that in the rain, by the way). But I use it as a transitional car, I want to spare the Jetta the winter influences.

After New Year's Eve the rims will be blasted and powder coated, and I am strongly considering a Dinitrol treatment. And high in the dashboard, in the usual place for VWs of that time, there will soon be a Blaupunkt DAB+ radio, in retro trim. Now a JBL speaker offers solace for the playlist on the phone. Also has its charms, as the Jetta regularly reveals its qualitative charms. An incredibly nice, loyal classic, which retroactively proves why many people chose the qualities of the Volkswagens of the time. I will enjoy this for years to come. And I will keep you informed.

You can read the previously published driving impression of the Jetta (with more photos of the VW). here.

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