The ZONKER is a 16v GTI prototype from VW Sport.  The big difference is that it features All Wheel Drive and an ABS brake system. It was an evaluation vehicle for things to come from VW. It is a one-off, Ferrari yellow, concept vehicle based on a 16v GTI.  This unique concept car was the forerunner to the Rallye Golfs.

Nicknamed Zonker, the two door GTI was built by itself on the assembly line at Volkswagen AG's, advanced Halle 54, production facility in Wolfsburg. Unlike standard U.S. GTI’s , the Zonker is equipped with VW’s permanent four-wheel drive viscous system called Syncro and a VW/Teves anti-lock braking system. 

After assembly, the Zonker was sent to Volkswagen Motorsports’ facility in Hanover, Germany, where it was fitted a high performance, 16-valve engine, complete with U.S. emission including catalytic converter, and a close ratio, five-speed gearbox. VW didn’t stop there. Shortly after the car’s arrival to the states it was taken to Callaway Cars of Old Lyme, Connecticut. There a Garret turbo charger and custom intercooler were added. The 16-valve engine, now developing about 219hp, and Syncro 4WD combination made the Zonker the only vehicle of its kind in the world. I have obtained the documents from Callaway presented to VW Sport on the 16v Turbo DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, 16v Turbo DESIGN PHILOSOPHY, and THE DYNO APPROACH. These documents have a great insight into the development of the Zonker. 

In addition to the installation of the engine and transaxle, VW Motorsports also revised the spring rate and re-valved the struts to lower the vehicle’s ride height by about 1 ½ inches. The Zonker also has BBS one-piece wheels and a BBS front spoiler, rocker panel extensions and a new rear apron. European bumpers and mirror housings have been painted to match the body color. The European quad headlight grill with GTI & Syncro badges round out the list of exterior changes. 

Inside, the one-off GTI shows a 220-kmh speedometer and Callaway boost gauge. The seats are custom leather RECARO's with adjustable thigh bolsters. Leather is also found on the rear seats and headrests, door panels, sport steering wheel and shift knob & boot. Power windows and central locking system are also standard features.

Zonker Time Line

1. Born  ??/1987 at Volkswagen AG's, advanced Halle 54, production facility in Wolfsburg, Germany.

2. 16v Install ??/1987 at  Volkswagen Motorsports’ facility in Hanover, Germany.

3. Arrived in US ??/1987 at ??

4. VW Motorsports Tour ??/1987

   CART race in August of 1988 at Meadowlands, NJ USA. (Submitted by Tom Doblmaier) Hi Guys, Anyhow, I did find a few pictures which I have attached. The first 2 are of, I believe, your car Zonker1 Zonker2. I took them at the Meadowlands in NJ in August of 1988 at a CART race. I was wrong in that the hood scoop was NOT on the car yet. I included another picture taken at the same event of a VW Pace car - that does have the hood scoop (but its a US 16V car - not a syncro). I also included a shot of a GTI VW used to bring to events a couple of years earlier in 1985. Its a full-up race GTI. Roll cage, stripped interior, no dash, etc. In 1985, VW had what they called their "VW Caravan" which was a rolling display of 4 or 5 cars that they would setup at motorsports events. The racing GTI was one. They also had an SCCA Scirocco, a Neuspeed cabrio, and I believe one or 2 other cars. In 1983 and 1984 the Rabbit GTI was a big seller for VW. Then when they introduced the A2 GTI in 1985, it was also very popular, winning Motor Trend's Car of the Year award. VW was capitalizing on this, and continued to do so until around early 1993, when they fell flat on their faces (in the US at least), not making a decent car (VR6 Corrado was great but it was too expensive), until the 95 GTI VR6s came out. Anyhow, good luck and if I find anything else, I'll email it along. Let me know how you make out!  09/04/01

   Carlisle Custom Compact Nationals Spring of 1989 at Carlisle, PA USA (Submitted by Chris Stewart) The Zonker was with "VW Caravan" once again showing off it's stuff at Carlisle. Chris attended the show and had taken these photos. The hood scoop is still NOT on the car yet. With this new information Callaway had not gotten the Zonker yet to add the turbo and hood scoop. Also with the Zonker is a Corrado Pace Car and the Golf Pace Car. 12/30/01

5. Turbo Install ??/1989 at Callaway Cars of Old Lyme, Connecticut.

6. Sold to Private Party ??/1992 Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA.

7. Sold to Me August of 2001 Fairfax, Virginia USA.

8. Rebuild Callaway Turbo  Sept. of 2001 Turbo Auto, Nashville, TN USA (Zonker's Callaway Turbo Rebuild Story)

9. Fabricate Down Pipe Oct. 2001 Turbo Power, Cameron Park, CA USA (Zonker's New Down Pipe Story)

10. Replaced Callaway Boost Gage Dec. 2001 from 0-60 to a Callaway -30 to +30 Boost Gage.

11. Sold to Scott August 2002.