Volkswagen celebrates Golf's heritage

As Volkswagen prepares to unveil a major facelift for its current Golf, the German car maker has put together a video celebrating the origins of its best-seller. First launched in 1974, the early versions of the GTI have become hugely desirable in classic circles, with models like a Mk1 Golf GTI Campaign (complete with Pirelli P-slot alloys) fetching strong money.

Today, more than 6.99 million Golfs have been sold – something that Volkswagen’s head of design, Klaus Bischoff, attributes to the car’s tried-and-tested looks. Bischoff said, ‘The main design elements of the Golf Mk1 were the side profile with its upright, solid C-pillar; the distinctive wheel arches; and the horizontal front with the slim grille and downwardly protruding head- lights – present to this very day in every Golf.’

These are stylistic features of the most successful compact car design in the world – and you can be sure you’ll see them when the new car is unveiled in November.