Hatch Heaven

Volkswagen celebrates the fact that the Scirocco has broken through the magical sound barrier for a sports car of one million built vehicles in 2013 with the Scirocco Million, painted exclusively in “Deep Black Metallic ”. We are huge fans of this car and can’t understand why the brand has chosen, once again, to ignore the US market. It will be sold exclusively in Germany and China.

Not too many people think Volkswagen when you say Fox, and even less of the two-door wagon, which was produced from 1987 to 1990, a rare vehicle evn back then, it is really a long hatchback, despite the “wagon” title. If you’ve always wanted one, then here is your (possibly only) chance, because this 1988 specimen is available for just $3,800.

Golf Mk1 – 1974 to 1983.
The first full-production Golf rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg in March 1974 and was in Volkswagen dealerships that May. In those showrooms, where for decades the Beetle and thus rear-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive had dominated the scene, a new era had thus dawned: that of the transversely mounted front engine and front-wheel drive. This trend had been heralded a short time earlier by the Scirocco and – as the first Volkswagen front-wheel drive car, based on the K70 taken over from NSU – the Passat, launched in 1973. With the launch of the Golf, the highest volume vehicle category had now also been switched to the new technology.

As the successor to the legendary Beetle, of which over 21.5 million units were made, the Golf Mk1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro had to live up to the great expectations of continuing the success story of what until then was the world’s most successful car. In the spring of 1974, nobody could really be sure that this would indeed be achieved. However, the modern and reliable drive system, the spacious internal layout with a tailgate and fold-down rear seat and ultimately the design as well won over the market to such an extent that production of the one-millionth Golf was already being celebrated in October 1976.

Volkswagen wrote at that time about the new car: “The Golf offers maximum luggage space and safety. It is laid out uncompromisingly for practical use. The low beltline provides clarity, the sloping bonnet allows a clear view of the road right up to just in front of the car and the low rear window makes reversing easy.” And that applies to this day.

Like every Golf thereafter, the first generation too was already a reflection of the progress and automotive trends of its era. Thus, for example, in launching the first Golf GTI (in 1976) Volkswagen heralded the introduction of greater dynamism in this class, while the Golf D (naturally aspirated diesel engine, 1976) and the later Golf GTD (turbodiesel, 1982) marked the breakthrough for diesel cars in the compact segment. In 1979, with the Golf Cabriolet – at times the world’s best-selling open-top car – Volkswagen brought a breath of fresh air into a vehicle category that by that time had long been simply called the ‘Golf class’. 6.72 million units of the first generation Golf, including all derivatives and the Jetta (at that time based on the same body), were sold across every continent of the globe – the Golf had proved itself a worthy successor to the Beetle. (source: Volkswagen)

Here is a quick look at some beautiful Volkswagen MK1 Golfs shot by Josh Holdsworth. We especially like the gold wheels.

vw mk1 golf from Josh Holdsworth on Vimeo.

1987 Volkswagen Scirocco’s 16-valve dual overhead camshaft engine developed 123 hp and reached 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. It had independent torsion beam suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes and a 5-speed close ratio transmission.

The 2012 Volkswagen Up! four-door  is the second body version of the up! and launches in March of 2012. It only has a 75hp three-cylinder petrol engine.

The 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L was a step up from the base model, including its cloth interior. The Rabbit  is one of the most important vehicles ever produced and was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, of the ItalDesign design studio. The first Golf (VW internal designation Typ 17) began production in 1974, and was marketed in the UnitedStates and Canada from 1975 to 1984. Many generations later and it continues to be one of our favorites. (image source: Karmann Ghias)

The GTi has long been one of my top favorite hatchbacks, and this 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk 1 is probably as close as you’re gonna get to an original MK1. It was on display at Volkswagen of America headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan for approximately seven years.  Volkswagen’s recent move to Virginia caused the car to be sold in February of 2011.  The car was sold new in late 1983 and it was kept by the original owner until 2004, when it was purchased by a Volkswagen employee and put on display. (source: eBay)

In 1990, Volkswagen introduced the Corrado. The fastest Volkswagen at the time. A long list of standard features included a supercharged, intercooled G60 engine, four-wheel independent suspension and 4-wheel power disc brakes. A rear deck spoiler that automatically rises at speeds over 45 mph and a sleek, aero shape, crafted by Karmann Coachworks. It reached 0-60 in 7.5 seconds with a top track speed of 140 mph.

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35 is Volkswagen’s way to celebrate the Golf GTI’s 35th anniversary: its coherent design approach combines classic GTI elements with features specially created for the Edition 35, which is not currently planned to come to the US. More details at Cartype.

A heavily re-designed Volkswagen Scirocco “Mark II” variant went on sale in 1982, although it remained on the A1 platform. One unique feature of the Mark II was the location of the rear spoiler midway up the glass on the rear hatch. A mid-cycle update occurred in 1984, which included minor changes over the 1982 model: removal of the outlined “SCIROCCO” script from the rear hatch (below the spoiler), a redesigned air conditioning compressor, and a different brake master cylinder with in-line proportioning valves and a brake light switch mounted to the pedal instead of on the master cylinder. Full story on Cartype.