Does the VW feeling exist? Murk is convinced. He has cherished his Jetta for more than 16 years. Previously he also had a Volkswagen Jetta, but after an engine failure he started looking for a replacement. He came across this copy by chance. With only 53.000 kilometers on the odometer, the choice was quickly made. The old car was dismantled and the parts were kept as spares. For him, this classic has a special place in the nostalgic memories of a bygone era. After all, they are hardly seen on the road anymore.
The appeal of the Volkswagen Jetta to Murk is irresistible; the car has a place of honor within the family. Every enthusiast will recognize it: the drive and enthusiasm when you own a beautiful classic.
Before there were children, Murk toured Europe with his wife in the VW Jetta. Their last trip abroad in the Volkswagen Jetta ended in a traffic jam near Bordeaux, with temperatures above 40 degrees. Since then, holidays have been limited to domestic family trips.
The Volkswagen Jetta
Clearly derived from the VW Golf, the VW Jetta has a conventional luggage compartment and is described as a sedan. Enthusiasts also call it a 'Golf with a butt'. At the time, the Jetta was available as a four-door and with both gasoline and diesel engines.
The Sniffer
This Manilla Grüne Jetta started its life in Bochum, Germany. An older couple bought the car in 1979 and drove it less than 2007 km per year until 2000, probably only for the weekly shopping.
At that time, Murk still had to rummage around for parts at scrapyards, as the internet was not yet very active. With the advent of online retailers, finding parts has become much easier. For example, he recently installed a new electric starter set and fitted a 5-speed gearbox from a Scirocco, of course after an overhaul. Small repairs are still necessary, such as the heater that is stuck at the hottest setting. This adds to the charm of driving a classic car.
Conviviality is an asset
Murk shares his passion with a neighbor who owns three American vintage cars. Tinkering together and talking about the fun of old cars is a proven mix. His 44-year-old Volkswagen Jetta partly brings back the longing for times gone by. In his circle of friends, the VW Jetta is a phenomenon. Driving in the summer, preferably barefoot, gives a blissful feeling. In his searches for parts he comes across special finds, such as workshop books and brochures for his Jetta.
No lack of enthusiasm
During our chance encounters we notice it again and again: anyone who puts time and energy into their hobby gets a lot in return. It is a positive 'condition', a hobby in which you can fully indulge. A vital part of this hobby is also a subscription to 'Auto Motor Klassiek', with free articles every day on www.amklassiek.nl and a monthly magazine for all enthusiasts of youngtimers, classics and oldtimers, on two or four wheels, delivered to your doorstep every month. We can't make it any better!
Some additional reading:
I got married in a Jetta Gli year 81. That thing ran so well! What a trunk, even with the built-in gas tank. Unfortunately, due to my young nature at the time, this car ended up crashing into a truck. As crooked as a hoop. What is my surprise; the car was straightened out and was driving around again!
The Golf and Jetta were a good choice in terms of reliability and rust sensitivity, together with Opel. These were also brands that you saw a lot in the 90s. You came across C Kadett more often than D
Don't forget to install yellow gaik plates when you go to the MOT appointment. I've experienced it: immediate disapproval. I rode with yellow plates 1 or 2 days a year 😀
Nice copy. A real time capsule with that color combination.
The Jetta looks neat!
Together with my brother I had an 85' Volkswagen MK1 caddy and an 83' MK1 Golf 3 door 1.1 as a novice driver.
The caddy was an annual welding activity and we completely overhauled the Golf by changing the well-known engine block to 1.8 16v at the time.
The great thing about the Volkswagen MK1 and MK2 is that a lot of it is interchangeable, we have bought plenty of parts from scrapyards and sometimes dismantled a car ourselves and resold the remaining parts.
The caddy was driven for 15 years as a daily means of transport and then sold because it became redundant due to another car.
My brother's golf is still there but has been suspended for a number of years.
Nowadays you don't see many Volkswagen Mk1 and Mk2 anymore, not even on the scrap yard.
It was a wonderful means of transportation for us until someone felt it necessary to hit me in the side. B style was too far in to make anything good of it. Then I bought a newer model, 1800cc with a 3-speed automatic transmission. We also enjoyed driving it until someone thought our front was too nice.
Mooooo!
I have a soft spot for the Golfs and Jettas from those years. I can almost put them together blindfolded. I also entrusted my Golf (a souped-up 1,5D) with a 5-speed gearbox. He rode it great. I really enjoyed that car and have great memories of it.
Hi Moritzzz,
I have a nice Golf 1 series 1 (steel bumpers) 70k km….
Is it also (fairly easy) to place a 5-speed gearbox in this...?
Thanks for possibly. info…;-)
Sincerely,
Onno Borgers
onnoborgers@gmail.com
I had a VR 6 installed in it with a DSG, super, restomod with all the trimmings but invisible