1994 VW Corrado VR6

Highlights

• Highly original, unmodified example
• Stunning Alpine White bodywork
• Superbly preserved original fabric upholstery
• Verified 87,341 miles, with great service record
• 2.9-litre V6 with 5-speed manual transmission

Overview

Built by Karmann in Osnabrück, powered by one of the VW Group’s most intriguing engines and styled entirely by the 90s, the Corrado VR6 is the perfect way to experience what many regard as Wolfsburg’s greatest era. Following on from the second generation Scirocco, the Corrado shares much of what made that 80s classic so good – handsome styling, great handling and robust construction.

However, it improved on the recipe with a dash of spice by way of new, more potent engines. From a naturally aspirated four-cylinder to the screaming supercharged G60, VW’s everyman sports car now had some oomph and mechanical character to back up that fantastic, wedge-like styling.

The undoubted king of the range was the VR6 though. Offering a meaty 2.9-litres of capacity across six cylinders, the result was great performance that really did extract the best from the excellent chassis. With a narrow 15-degree angle that meant it had a single cylinder head but was less wide than a V6 and shorter than an I6, the VR6 was a truly innovative way to squeeze extra swept capacity into hatchbacks and coupes.

Now, some thirty years later, the VR6 is regarded as a bonafide classic, with unmodified examples in good condition being much sought after. The car we have here isn’t in good condition. It’s not in very good condition. No, it’s in exceptionally good condition. Highly original, presented in unmodified, factory specification and finished in classic Alpine White over a wonderfully ‘of its time’ cloth interior, this is a true collector’s item. We wouldn’t be surprised if this causes quite the stir amongst enthusiasts of the marque, to be honest.

You’ll go a very long way to find another example of this 90s classic in such good order, with so little that isn’t original. We may not believe in unicorns, but if this shot rainbows out of its exhaust, we really wouldn’t be surprised…

History and documentation

• First registered on 31 March 1994
• Four former owners, current owner since September 2021
• Just 87,341 miles, verified by the service and MOT records
• Only around 5,000 miles covered since 2011
• Highly original and unmodified
• Full document pack, with two original keys
• Collection of invoices for servicing and maintenance
• Original service book is fully stamped by VW main dealers up to 2001 (75,437 miles)
• Later services are shown on invoices
• Last full main dealer service at 87,191 miles in May 2022
• Current MOT, with no advisories, expires 10 April 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear (checked August 2024)

Interior

• Original grey fabric upholstery to the seats and door cards features a subtle pinstripe and red, green and blue flecks
• All of the upholstery appears to be in fantastic condition, with no significant wear, no tears and no sagging we could identify – in fact the rear seats look as if they’ve never been used
• Original black carpeting runs through the cabin and looks to be in lovely condition, with no threading or wear we could see
• The headlining looks to be taut and free from damage or staining
• Factory fitted metal sunroof with electric operation
• Electrically operated windows and door mirrors
• Period Sony radio/cassette system, with CD changer located in the boot
• All of the internal trim and plastics look to be in fine fettle, with no cracking, warping or significant wear
• The instruments and switchgear all show very nicely, with no damage and minimal wear
• Overall, the interior presents exceptionally well for a 30 year old car
• The rear parcel shelf is in place and intact, with no damage, warping or holes cut in it
• The vendor reports no faults or issues with any of the cabin equipment
• That handsome coupe styling results in a generous boot space, which is finished with black carpeting which presents in good order
• Under the carpet, the boot floor looks to be immaculate, with original stickers in place and no evidence we could discern or damage, repair or corrosion
• The original spare wheel, jack, tool kit and even the hazard triangle are all present and correct

Exterior

• Finished in classic Alpine White (code L90E), this Corrado is a real head-turner
• All of the bodywork presents very well indeed, panels are well aligned and straight, all the gaps are neat and consistent and we saw no evidence of any damage or corrosion
• All the usual problem areas (door shuts, door bottoms, wheel arches etc) look very clean and straight with no signs of issues
• Similarly, all of the external badging, glass and trim is present and correct, with no issues to note in terms of cracking, warping or damage
• The paintwork itself looks to be remarkably well kept for a 30 year old car, and is believed to be almost entirely original
• We noticed a few very minor blemishes, scuffs and chips – some that have been touched in – but nothing that would concern us or that is worthy of note
• We’re delighted to see that the speed-activated rear spoiler is working just as it should, activated by going over 45mph or by the switch in the cabin
• Taking a look underneath the car, everything is as pristine as you could wish from a car of this age – sills, valances, inner arches and floor pans all look clean and straight with no signs of notable damage or corrosion
• The car is still wearing its original 15-inch, 5-spoke Speedline alloy wheels, which have been refinished and look to be in “as new” condition
• A matched set of Toyo Proxes 205/50 tyres is fitted, and they show hardly any wear being almost new

Mechanical

• 2,861cc narrow-angle DOHC V6
• Factory performance figures: 190bhp, 180lb-ft, 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds
• Front-wheel drive
• 5-speed manual transmission, with longer gearing for effortless cruising at motorway speeds
• Surprisingly quick steering: just 3.1 turns from lock-to-lock
• Anti-lock braking system
• Other than an upgraded aftermarket rear exhaust silencer, the car is mechanically unmodified and presented in factory specification
• Original ride height and OEM suspension offers great handling and a comfortable ride – perfect for the UK’s slightly crumpled B-roads
• A new battery was fitted in 2023
• New front and rear brake calipers, brake pipes, discs and pads were fitted in 2020/21, following MOT advisory notes
• The engine bay looks to be very clean and tidy, with no evidence of leaks or other issues and all the original stickers in place
• We’re assured that the car has no mechanical issues that the vendor is aware of, and that it starts, runs, drives and stops beautifully

Summary

There are lots of retro 80s and 90s cars about at the moment, but few are genuine classics. Even fewer are presented in the kind of condition that makes you start wondering if someone has discovered the secret of time travel.

This is one of those cars. Magnificently well preserved in and out, finished in a timeless specification, unmodified (aside from a tasteful exhaust upgrade) and clearly much loved, it’s a long time since we’ve seen a car from the period that is as desirable as this.

Collectible, gorgeous and the epitome of 90s cool, whether you’re looking to make a gigantic impact at your local ‘cars and coffee’ meet or simply enjoy having a superb example of one of the finest VWs ever made, do not let this pass you by. We think you’ll be waiting a very, very long time to find another example this good…

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Penrith, Cumbria.