PICK OF THE DAY: Unmolested Volkswagen GTI 20th Anniversary

With its introduction at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1975, the Volkswagen GTI, for all intents and purposes, gave birth to a new automotive segment, thereupon known as Hot Hatch. Today, it remains the one that other marques target and imitate. 2003 marked the 20th anniversary of the GTI’s launch in the US. Coinciding with the Golf MK 4—in many enthusiast’s estimation the finest of the series—the “20th,” along with the Eurpopean-market 25th (337 in the US) and the ultimate MK4, the R32, represents the pinnacle of the GTi. The 20th was not just a cosmetic variation of the standard Mk 4. Indeed it had unique body accents, special badges and a Recaro interior. However in addition to these, it featured a 6-speed gearbox. Only a manual was offered (the superb DSG would not be introduced until the R32 a year later). This. mated with its 180-hp turbocharged motor, gave the car a unique sporting character unlike any GTI that came before it and once again upped the game in the Hot Hatch segment. They were quick, nimble and most of all fun. The motors were also designed to allow for extensive aftermarket performance enhancements. By tuning intake, exhaust, boost, software, etc., more than double the horsepower was possible without significant changes to the stock drivetrain. It was at the time a brilliant piece of marketing (though it was never promoted as such): provide a very good canvas and let the customer dial it in to their liking. Herein also lies the problem. Because they were so easy to modify, modify they did. What remains some 11 years later is a circus of MK 4s that reflect one owner’s tastes without much regard for anyone else’s liking. An unmolested MK 4, much less a 20th, much less a 20th with just over 50K on the clock, is a hot commodity. This one looks particularly cool in its Jazz Blue finish. Find it here at Dean Motor Cars in Houston TX for a very reasonable $10,486.