Volkswagen Golf Mk1

VW Golf I

The Golf I is a car model of Volkswagen Werk AG and came in the spring of 1974 to the market. Together with the 1973 Passat presented led the Gulf the Volkswagen Group from the sales crisis existing at the beginning of the 1970s. The model laid the foundation for the emergence of the compact class, marking the beginning of a new stage in the development of the automobile. Precursor of the Gulf was the VW Beetle, which remained until 1985 in the German VW range.

From spring 1974 to summer of 1983, over six million golf sedans were built, including one million with a diesel engine. In addition, Karmann produced from spring 1979 to summer of 1993 nearly 389,000 convertibles. Derived from the Golf I VW Caddy Pickup was manufactured 200,000 times.

The successor to the hatchback joined the VW produced from the summer of 1983 Golf II.

On December 31, 2008 or 4518 vehicles of the VW internal type were reported model of the 17 in the Federal Motor Vehicle Office in Germany (excluding Golf Cabrio, Type 155)

Model Overview

Tail with narrow taillights, 2nd version with straightened under the license plate rear end plate

VW Golf I (1978-1980); small tail lights, but now plastic bumpers

VW Golf I (1980-1983)

Larger tail lamps from August 1980

VW Golf I Cabriolet (1979-1987) again until May 1987

VW Golf I Cabrio (1987-1993) with "all-round bodykit "

Model history

Development

Under dramatic conditions developed, led the Gulf along with the Passat Volkswagen Group of the crisis. Until the late 1960s, Volkswagen boss Heinrich Nordhoff was set to the beetle and its derived structures with air-cooled rear engines, who accepted the customer less and less.

Nordhoff's successor, Kurt Lotz took the road to a new concept with water-cooled engines and front wheel drive after import brands such as Fiat, Renault, Peugeot and Simca had compact models presented already in the 1960s, with front wheel drive. The preparations for the series production of the Beetle's successor developed by Ferdinand Piëch at Porsche KG EA 266 ( development contract ) with central engine ( the water-cooled engine was mounted longitudinally under the back seat ) stopped the new VW CEO Rudolf Leiding end of 1971. Early as 1969, the EA was 276 built a test vehicle with front wheel drive and an air-cooled boxer engine, which was developed as EA 337 for golf.

The technological and human skills for the Gulf came largely from the Auto Union and NSU: In particular, the developer of NSU ( 1969 Audi NSU Auto Union AG merged) as development chief Hans -Gerd Wenderoth and Werner Holste have with Franz Hauk ( engine developers in car Union in Ingolstadt ) developed the first Gulf.

The new design with front-wheel drive and water cooling faced the Beetle an entirely new concept dar. regard to the value in use provided the golf with the transverse engine the best way to transport the highest benefit to offer with the shortest length of the vehicle. The designer Giorgio Giugiaro was the golf later its distinctive appearance, with whom he started to write one up today continuing success story that helped the Volkswagen plant in an economic boom from the bottom of the rear engine monoculture. He is now regarded as an outstanding example of modern design consistently.

The presented in May 1974 Golf took over the engines from the Audi 50 ( 1.1 l Hubraum/50 PS) and Audi 80 (1.5 L/70 PS). The sale was a great success from day one. The golf was at the time, even with the smallest engine as sporty. Nevertheless, the engines were thrifty, a criterion that is entering the market in the wake of the first oil crisis in 1973/74 had a high importance. Thus, the consumption of the 37 kW motor was in accordance with DIN 70030 6.4 liters per 100 km at 90 km / h and was reduced to the formula D equipment to 5.2 l.

The golf proved from the outset as bestseller; the oil crisis increased the demand for more compact cars as they came exclusively from Italy or France until then. Since that time, the Golf leads the German registration statistics, with a brief interruption by the Mercedes -Benz W123 in 1980.

Facelift

In the summer of 1978, the Golf I was slightly revised. Visible are the vehicles to energy-absorbing plastic bumpers. In addition, the rust protection was greatly improved because early Golf models quickly corroded due to the poor quality recycled steel sheet used at that time.

This was due to a relatively high percentage of copper in the metal, leading to intergranular corrosion. Mid -1970s there was due to worldwide overcapacity ruinous competition in the steel market and led to the steel crisis. Some producers used a high degree of impure recycled steel in the crude steel production for cost reasons. At times of delivered steel scrap was not fractionated: Fused wiring harnesses of car wrecks then led to a high copper content in the produced steel. But shares of nickel, aluminum and chrome littered the steel. This was then very susceptible to corrosion as a consequence.

In August 1980, there was a further revision. The golf received wide tail lamps and a new dashboard. Furthermore, the model program was reorganized: The trim levels were now C, CL and GL. As of June 1982 ( inner fender to protect against stone chips ) has been enhanced corrosion protection again with the installation of the front wheel arch liners. The GTI was now available with five doors.

The idea of the special models Pirelli GTI GX and LX and announced the end of production of the Golf I in Europe: After over 6 million units produced was introduced in August 1983, the successor to VW Golf II.

Golf Diesel

In September 1976, the Golf diesel, then a new concept for Germany, decried the cumbersome, noisy and unrefined diesel engine appeared to be housed in a compact car. Up to the time of the diesel engine for the Golf diesel engines were out at Peugeot uncommon in compact cars. The Golf Diesel ( with an output of 37 kW/50 PS) was around 5 liters consumption per 100 km one of the most fuel-efficient compact cars of the 1970s.

The diesel engine was derived from a well-known Otto - fuselage engine ( EA827 ) from Audi. Against this were the cooling as well as some components such as crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, piston pins, cylinder head and timing belt that must withstand a higher load in the diesel engine, reinforced. The cylinder head was fitted with swirl chambers. At the point of not necessary for diesel the ignition distributor of a vacuum pump for brake booster is placed. The distributor injection pump ( V ESP ) operates over the existing synchronous belt drive of the camshaft. So that the diesel engine was not greater than the 1.5-liter gasoline engine.

The diesel engine initially had a capacity of 1.5 liters with an output of 37 kW (50 PS), then 1.6 liter with 40 kW (54 hp). However, the running behavior (noise, vibrations ), especially the first two diesel engine generations could not satisfy. The turbocharger of the first 70 -horsepower diesel engine then brought about the loss in the exhaust tract more noise comfort.

Golf GTI

Together with the Golf Diesel the first Golf GTI in 1976 was presented. He was equipped with the 110 hp engine of the Audi 80 GTE, internally ventilated disc brakes front and had an additional oil cooler. The front got a stabilizer and on the rear axle a load-dependent brake pressure regulator was mounted. Considering its performance, the GTI was from the beginning a brake booster. The sports steering wheel was provided with three perforated spokes - the deep impact absorber with the horn actuation was soon referred to as " spittoon ". The shift knob was designed as a golf ball. Fender flares made of plastic, a larger front spoiler, tires of size 175/70 HR 13, a red - framed grille and framed with black adhesive foil rear window were more characteristic of the then strongest Golf model.

The Golf GTI offered a powerful engine in an affordable for the broad masses of motorists compact and everyday practicality. Featuring the mechanical injection system K -Jetronic from Bosch, a 1.6 liter engine and 81 kW (110 hp), the Golf GTI brought performance at a curb weight of 810 kg Drive services, which were comparable with those of the then small sports car. The top speed was given as 182 km / h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h 9.2 seconds.

Contrary to the opinion of many VW's marketing people became the first GTI into a bestseller and paved the way for later called "Hot Hatches " - sporty compact car with a relatively high performance. The guy has cult status and was a favorite object of tuning friends. Production started in 1976 with a four-cylinder engine with 1.6 liter displacement and 81 kW (110 hp), which was replaced in 1982 by a 1.8 liter and 82 kW (112 hp). The base price of the first version in 1976 was 13,850 DM; the model with 1.8 - liter engine cost 1983 DM last 20 465 At the end of the golf -I production was the special model " Pirelli " in May 1983 on the market. For 22,800 DM it was in the colors of Mars Red, Lhasagrün Metallic, Alpine White and Helios blue. Green tinted glass, alloy wheels with Pirelli 185/60/HR14 Pirelli P6 tires and body-colored fender flares, bumpers and mirrors were included. The " Pirelli - Golf" was the VW option code W65.

In order not to scare the GTI, the potential customer base for the 'normal' golf, it said in a declaration addressed to the female clientele press release, "Going Even for shopping in walking speed smoothly ".

Other car manufacturers also offered powerful small - and medium-sized cars, including the Opel Kadett GT / E 1975 or the Ford Escort RS from 1973.

Golf GTI: 1,6 l 8V 81 kW ( 110 hp without a catalyst, engine code EC)
Golf GTI: 1,8 l 8V 82 kW ( 112 hp without a catalyst MKB DX)
Golf GTI 16S: 1.6l 16V 100 kW ( 136 hp without a catalyst, MKB EC, limited, edited by Oettinger engine, sales in France only)

The idea to create with the Golf GTI a cheap vehicle for popular sport, was originally an idea of Dipl. -Ing. Alfons Lowenberg, employees of the testing department, the him on 18 March 1973, even before the official launch of the Golf, factory internally within the technical development department, simply suggested only as a " Sport-Golf ". Lion 's suggestion, however, was 10 cm lowering and a " arm-thick " tailpipe too extreme. As a compromise emerged without knowledge of VW 's board in a circle of engineers and marketing staff to the former press officer Anton Konrad, a less flashy design and using the 1.6 liter engine from the Audi 80 GTE with initially 110 hp and its internally ventilated disc brakes in secret first test vehicles of the Golf GTI. Only after the completion of the extensive former Sales Director Dr. Werner P. Schmidt was informed that was the driving characteristics so excited that he approved the development without papery Board documents.

VW Jetta

In August 1979, the notchback version of the Golf, the VW Jetta was unveiled to the public. He turned to conservative buyers and was two - and four-door available. In North America, the Jetta became a huge sales success, but remained in Europe have lagged behind the expected numbers.

Golf Cabrio

The Golf Cabriolet was presented in March 1979 as the successor of the set in early 1980 Beetle convertible. With 388 522 units of the open Gulf to the end of production in August 1993, the hitherto most built convertible in the world. It was produced exclusively by Karmann in Osnabrück, where the vehicle was also developed.

In the spring of 1979, the model came in two engine a cabrio GLS with 1.5 liter displacement and 70 hp and Cabrio GLi with 1.6 liters and 110 hp on the market. In the last model year 1993, the car was offered only with a 1.8 -liter engine with an output of 98 hp and a regulated catalytic converter.

With the facelift in May 1987 were body-colored and heavier designed bumpers in conjunction with fenders and sill extensions ( " all-round bodykit " ) for installation. Starting from 1992, the convertible was available with optional driver's airbag. Cars were available until 1994, when already the Golf III was on the market.

From the first Golf Cabrio total of 13 different special models were launched. The most popular are the Sportline, Etienne Aigner and Genesis models. There were also models: Young line, Toscana, Bel Air, Classic Line, Fashion Line, Christmas, Havana, Acapulco, Coast, Azur and quartet.

Golf GTD

At the launch in March 1982 at the Geneva show the Golf GTD was the most economical production car in the world. This is achieved by an exhaust gas turbocharger, which is available for the diesel model. The appearance is based on the Golf GTI with strafferem chassis. Only from the front counter shows the adjacent picture of the GTD a red-rimmed front grille and interior Recaro sports seats instead of the normal fabric seats mounted. The evolution of the powerful and sporty Golf Diesel was started by the GTD. To increase the power of 40 kW naturally aspirated diesel engine with 1.6 liters of GTD was equipped with a Garrett turbocharger, operates at 0.7 bar boost pressure. This modification of the 827er - suction actuator work the GTD with 51 kW of power at 133 Nm instead of 104 Nm of torque. In total, more than 30 changes to the base engine was needed to make this possible increase in performance (eg increased oil circulation, more powerful oil pump and all the right parts reinforced or higher quality components ). Because of the higher thermal load on the piston crowns these were forcibly cooled by oil jets from the bottom and the motor is equipped with a Öl-/Kühlmittel-Wärmetauscher the flange of the oil filter element.

The turbo engine weighed about 8.5 kg more than the naturally aspirated engine. With all the additional units the weight increased by 18 kg, but the GTD consumed on average less than 6 liters of diesel per 100 km.

VW Caddy

A derived from the Golf Pick -up model was manufactured from 1983 Tvornica Automobila Sarajevo ( TAS) in Sarajevo. Until the destruction of the Yugoslav work in 1992 during the Bosnian war, some 200,000 VW Caddy there were manufactured. The plant in Westmoreland (Pennsylvania, USA) presented in 1978 the nearly identical VW Rabbit Pick -up here.

Export models

After 1976, the millionth Golf was produced in Wolfsburg, they took a new production facility in the U.S. in operation. The Rabbit, the U.S. version of the Gulf was now no longer produced at the Emden plant, but in Westmoreland / Pennsylvania. This means that Volkswagen was independent of exchange rate fluctuations of the U.S. dollar. In addition, the U.S. market promised strong growth after the introduction of limited fleet consumption by U.S. President Carter.

In South Africa, the Golf I was produced until October 2009. Since 1978, he ran in the local Uitenhage plant as VW Citi Golf from the tape. But he has a different dashboard and new engines is still a popular model in the South African market. The Golf I was produced in Wolfsburg, Emden, Brussels, Osnabrück, Sarajevo, Uitenhage / South Africa, Lagos / Nigeria, Stanton / USA and in Puebla / Mexico.

Mexican VW Caribe GT, model 1986

South African VW Golf Citi 2008 model year

Barter for the GDR

In order to reduce the trade deficit of the GDR, wrapped the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s from so-called offsets. As a government major shareholder of the Volkswagen plant presented the state of Lower Saxony the contracting party of the GDR and made for deliveries of goods from the Eastern Bloc to the VW group. Volkswagen moved into the possibility of lower quality steel sheets, which led to significant corrosion of the vehicles made from it later.

In 1977 there was a remarkable trade with the "VE foreign trade transport machinery export and import " in East Berlin. Volkswagen delivered 10,000 golf in the GDR. On January 13, 1978 the first train rolled with 200 cars on the inner German border. In return, the GDR gave presses, machine tools and a projector from Carl Zeiss Jena for the planetarium Wolfsburg, VW gave the city of Wolfsburg on the fortieth anniversary of the city's founding in 1978.

Specifications

Rates and features

Mid-1974 was the base price of the cheapest model with 50 hp 7,995 DM (corresponds to adjusted for inflation in today's money 11,200 euros ); the first Gulf with the 50 -horsepower engine were still equipped with drum brakes on the front axle and bias tires. The basic version also had no rear lights, but was hardly a model as ordered, which is why this variant is extremely rare today. Belted (240 DM) and front disc brakes ( 183 DM) with brake booster (107 DM) were standard on the more powerful Golf S (70 PS for 8720 DM). The 70 -hp Golf was available for 705 DM charge with a three-speed automatic transmission. The L- equipment cost DM 650 more for both engine versions. At first both engines even three-point automatic belts were ( for 57 DM Extra instead of static 3- point seat belts ), front head restraints ( 64 DM ), a heated rear window (107 DM) and H4 halogen headlights (107 DM) at an additional cost available. The Golf GTI cost to launch in July 1976 13850, - DM

A steel crank roof cost DM 423, DM 415 four doors and alloy wheels 5Jx13 with steel-belted tire 175/70 SR 13 were calculated with 326 DM addition. The metallic paint costing 221 DM a rear wiper gave it as an extra in later model years. From 1978, air conditioning was available ( 1700 DM).

Conversions

The Golf I was often tuned and rebuilt. Is of special importance here of a Artz Golf 928. Here the body of the Golf 1 was fitted to a Porsche 928. With up to 300 hp of power was this conversion many years as the "strongest Golf of the world".

ACM presented from 1990 to 1993 based on the Golf I Cabrio about 65 copies of the Biagini Passo ago. The body was slightly modified and connected via a self-made subframe to the chassis of the Golf II Country.

Competing products

Competitors of the VW Golf - and partly technological precursor - in Germany were:

Golf I: Simca 1100 (1967, the first compact five-door hatchback with front wheel drive ), Opel Kadett C, Opel Kadett D, Ford Escort, Fiat 128 (1969) and Fiat Ritmo, Talbot Horizon, Renault 14

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