Date of 16v introduction to UK?

[rossbarry1]

Hi,

Just picked myself up an early mk2 16v. the guy I've bought it from says this "This was built to special order in Germany for the owner of Whitehouse VW franchise who is a very dear friend of mine, as a present for his massive sales of the mk2 Gti 8v.. It was the first 16v imported into the UK in 1986 as a demo car for the dealerships, he used the car to market the imminent release of the 16v for 7 months and then when he received the stock he loved it that much he registered the car to himself in March 1997 and kept it in his own collection for 12 years until I talked him out of it and purchased it myself in 1999.. The car is a one off genuine VW 16v built car and was based on a French shell so didn't have all the wheel arches or side mouldings, but built with full 16v spec RHD, Vw motorsport 16v head with VW motorsport cams and VW Motorsport 4 Branch fitted at factory and rolling roaded years ago with 149 Bhp, central locking electric Windows etc! It is a small window, small bumper edition 1 type 19 Gti 16v."

Bold statement to be honest and I cant find much information online to back it up even though the guy seems genuine. Does anyone have any information on when the 16v came to the UK? I have seen differing reports online stating 1986 and 1987. The vin number says 1987 and the car was registered in March 87. Vin no- WVWZZZ19ZH596182.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Ross

[lemski]

Vw heritage reckon its 86 for the 16v.
Only real way is to see if theres a 86 16v for sale.
If you have the reciepts that would surely confirm a few things though.

[th3_f15t]

It could well have been ordered and begun build in 1986, but wouldn't of been delivered and registered till 1987. It's one of those grey areas.

[Thom89]

You can contact VW Heritage in Germany, and for a fee, they can list you all the production details for you VIN number, and issue a certificate.
Anyone got the link needed?

Thom

[jv]

http://automuseum.volkswagen.de/en/certificates-and-data-sheets.html ?

[Rhgbristol]

October 1986 - remember seeing it in the main dealer in Bristol - White Tree Garage as it was known then.

The 'VW Motoring' magazine (originally known as 'Safer Motoring') did an article on it a few months previously if I remember.

Had to wait until February 1991 before affording one though !

The one I bought in 1991 was three years old, owned by a local Bristol GP from new and had just been traded in.

Reg no. E 840  KHW  - no record of this now (tax or MOT history) on DVLA website