Volkswagen Golf IV 1.6. Old love bought back by Thomas.

Old love never rusts, and neither does love for cars. That certainly applies to Thomas de Roy from Jonkerslân. Regular readers of our magazine and online channels know that he has a deep-seated love for VW, and specifically for the air-cooled models. Thomas's ownership history includes a Golf VR6 and a Golf IV, among others. The latter disappeared into the history books for good due to an accident. However, the lure of the car was too strong to resist, and recently the VW enthusiast bought back an identical model, in the same version and color scheme.

Thomas recounts. “A while ago, the itch started to grow, and I was really looking for a Golf IV in exactly the same trim again. The search began, and I eventually found the car I was looking for on Marktplaats. The VW was located in Groningen, and it soon became apparent that there were other suitors. Ultimately, I was the lucky one, and the old love returned in February of this year. And once again: with virtually the same specifications.”

The Golf arrived, and another veteran left the scene. Naturally, the air-cooled collection remained with the owner, but he did say goodbye to a little car that had faithfully served its purpose: a five-door Peugeot 106. “We had a lot of fun with that one, a great deal, but now it has gone to an acquaintance of mine. And naturally, Volkswagen blood flows just a little faster in my blood; it’s simply deeply ingrained.”

That bloodline thus led to a Golf from a generation that was particularly popular from 1997 into the 2000s. While the business market was teeming with TDI versions, private buyers tended to turn to the petrol variants. Within that range, the 1.6 16V BCB engine joined the ranks in 2001, becoming a power unit with a very different character from the versions with two valves per cylinder. The first owner therefore opted for the sixteen-valve engine with DOHC, variable intake camshaft timing, and direct fuel injection. Internally, VW called this the BCB engine; market-wise, it was an FSI. In the 1.6 configuration, it delivered 77 kW/105 hp, making the Golf 1.6 16V with this engine capable of a factory-specified top speed of just over 190 km/h.

Thomas plans to cherish his car above all, and it will be used occasionally within the family. Consequently, the current mileage of 130.000 kilometers will not increase rapidly; the car is moving more into the realm of a collector's item. The VW looks great and has acceptable equipment. Yes, in principle this is the base model, but it did come equipped with a number of nice extras. Think of electrically operated windows and manual air conditioning. On the exterior, we see special rims that were fitted to this car at the factory. As mentioned: the condition is more than appealing. The interior is spotless; the whole thing looks brand new. Furthermore, the basic bodywork was also in excellent condition. Jarno Bos of PPK Poetsbedrijf in Heerenveen ensured, with a meticulous polishing treatment, that the Golf drove out of the workshop in virtually showroom condition.

It is hard to imagine that this generation of the Golf was presented to the press and public almost thirty years ago, and by now, well-preserved examples of the Golf IV are highly sought after, especially if they are in a condition like Thomas’s car. “The intention is for it to stay this way, as original and neat as possible. That increases the enjoyment we get from this car, and you don’t come across them in this condition very often anymore. I am glad I bought this one, and the fact that it shares many similarities with my previous Golf IV is a nice bonus.” It is clear: this VW is good for many more years, no matter how it is used. What is certain is that it has fallen into good hands: those of a true enthusiast.