Seems like when I search for topics about GTs, the peak of GT-related interest on clubpolo was maybe between 2007 - 2011, but my feeling is there's not that many being driven anymore with the original 3F - or at least that any performance interest that once existed for the old 8V motor in the UK has dwindled in favour of the AFH, 1.6, 16V; or just later Polos in general.

 

My first car was a CL Coupe 1.3 SPI back in 2003 but even then always wondered what a GT would be like; then I migrated to Peugeot land with a 205XS, 205 1.6 GTI, back to another XS, and briefly back again to a 1.6 GTI. Fast forward to 2015 and I finally have a Polo GT, and I find tumbleweed!

 

I guess modern engines are just significantly more powerful and tune-able for similar resources and effort - I can understand that. If I ever had a ride in a 16V or a G40 maybe my mind would be changed..

I think the first issue is activity on the forum has dropped a lot in the past few years thanks to Facebook. I was under the impression that early Polos had become almost extinct until I got into Facebook. A lot of them are in the hands of the younger generation now which means smartphones and Facebook are the easiest way to be part of a group. But there are still plenty GTs popping up on there.

 

The second issue is I think a lot of the GTs have been converted to G40s (which mine has) or one of the other conversions that get done. Then as a result the GT engine gets sold on and put into a CL or something. So I'd say there will be just as many, if not more GT conversions out there than genuine GTs still running the 3F engine.

16v's are just a better performance base than a gt engine. Chuck an AFH in with some well set up bike carbs and your looking at about 120 bhp for not a lot of cash. You'd struggle to get that from a GT lump without spunking many monies at it.