VW Golf Nothelle

Volkswagen altered the course of the automotive industry when it introduced the Golf in 1974. The small, economical, Giugiaro-designed hatchback heralded the arrival of a new generation of cars and became an icon in the years that followed. Fast forward nearly fifty years and the Golf still remains a sales powerhouse, often named alongside the Toyota Corolla and Ford Model T in the list of best selling cars of all time. But one thing it didn’t scream when it hit the markets was ‘racing car’. One man, named Rolf Nothelle, saw that differently.

Nothelle, based a stone’s throw from the French border in southwestern Germany, has been a staple of the Volkswagen tuning scene for decades. Company figurehead Rolf Nothelle saw the potential that the original Golf had in motorsport and took it upon himself to turn it into a racing car. This specific chassis (NT002-9-75) carries immense historical value. With its flared bodywork and bright paintjob, Nothelle created the world’s first racing Golf. He beat Volkswagen itself to the punch significantly, as the now iconic first Golf GTI wasn’t unveiled until 1976. By that time, Nothelle’s Golf was already a race winner. After debuting during a race at Zolder, German driver Bernd Lilier piloted the car to maiden racing victory on the legendary Hockenheimring.

At first, the Golf was homologated powered by a 1,598 cc OHC in-line four-cylinder engine producing 162 bhp at 8,000 rpm. Later, it was homologated again and this time with a more powerful engine: a larger 1.8-liter four-cylinder with dual Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, non-contact ignition and 175 horsepower. Add to that BBS wheels, Uniball suspension, and racing brake system with four-piston front and two-piston rear callipers and you get the recipe for a potent little racing car.

The car was reshelled following a crash that took place somewhere between 1979 and 1980, using a Golf body without rust or damage which was then reinforced for motorsport use to the same specifications as original. Nothelle, acting as an approved FIA manufacturer, performed this job itself to the highest possible standard, accuracy and authenticity. A new restoration followed in 2011, again carried out personally by Rolf Nothelle on behalf of Volkswagen. The car was unveiled to the public at the Techno Classica fair in Essen in 2012.

The car, which was raced by Dutch rally driver Kevin Abbring in recent years, remains in excellent condition and is ready for use, coming with an approved Historic Technical Passport (HTP) CT33. This makes the race ready to be raced in historic Group 2 events. This unique piece of Volkswagen history is currently up for sale and can be supplied with all associated documentation, various spare parts including a replacement motor and gears and other original Group 2 parts. Please feel free to contact us for more information and price.