The VW Golf Cabriolet, and what it should almost look like ...
"This is what it really looks like," was the headline of Auto Motor und Sport in March 1977. They were referring to the anticipated VW Golf Cabriolet and naturally also provided a photo. This showed the prototype from 1976, as it could be seen at the Techno Classica in 2011 (photo above).
AMS wrote about the photo:
"Despite all the speculation in various car magazines, the planned convertible version of the VW Golf will be a real fresh-air car. True to the model of the Beetle convertible, which is currently in great demand, the open Golf version will also be launched on the market without a roll bar."
Incidentally, the reason given for replacing the Beetle Convertible was not safety concerns, but stricter emissions legislation in the USA. A price was also given, namely less than DM 12,735, and the open Golf was announced for 1979.
The AMS writers were right about the latter, as they were able to show the finished Golf Cabriolet in February 1979. And it did have a bow! And a thickly padded soft top, similar to that of the Beetle. None of this made the car any prettier, but it did make it safer and more practical. However, it was also more expensive, as prices were quoted from DM 17,000 in 1979, a substantial increase on the earlier Beetle Cabriolet.
Nevertheless, the first Golf Cabriolet, which was often called the strawberry basket because of its bow, was a success. The open-top version survived the model change to the Golf II and 389,000 units were produced. Truly impressive. And can still often be seen on the roads today!
