Like its forerunner the Volkswagen Beetle, the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 has turned out to be powerful. In constant production since 1974, the Golf was clearly one of the first widely successful frontwheel drive hatchbacks.

Changing the Beetle was a critical target for Volkswagen's continuing survival. Water cooled, frontengine, rearwheel drive little vehicles started experiencing customer loyalty.
The answer arrived with Car Union. They'd attracted a little following with their technologically innovative Audi front-wheel drive moderate sedans. Volkswagen had got the business in 1964 from DaimlerBenz. Audi's experience in watercooled engines and frontwheel drive will be crucial in creating a fresh generation of Volkswagens. FWD offered more functionality with lighter-weight and much more space in a smaller package. The Audi technology within the Golf would recover for Volkswagen the engineering lead over back drive automobiles that Ferdinand Porsche had bestowed in the first Beetle over its huge conventional peers. The Golf needed to be successful in changing the high quantity Volkswagen sedan. The upmarket Dasher/Passat would be Volkswagen's first front-wheel drive vehicle, and it was comparatively well-received because of its lower volume market. The Golf would embrace an efficient "two box" layout with a steep hatch rather than a proper trunk, which may be afterwards added within the Jetta. The motor could be mounted transversely within the front. Work to the Golf started in 1969, right after Kurt Lotz became head of Volkswagen.

It turned out to be a watercooled, front-wheel drive layout in a hatchback body type. It featured steadfastly sprung and damped, independent Macpherson-strut front suspension and semiindependent Turn - beam rear suspension, that gave excellent roadholding and clear handling, without being too unpleasant. Much was made from the wordplay in marketing and specific editions (Golf Match, Motorist, "Join the Golf Club",etc.) and the 'golf ball' gear-change knob to the first Golf GTI. The Caddy was likewise a play to the golf concept.

The automobile changed little before being replaced (in Europe) from the Mark 2 model in 1984. However, air-conditioning became accessible as an alternative to the national industry in August 1975. The chance to retrofit the setup, jointly with a bigger battery, was provided to present owners.

VW Golf Mk1 GTI