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Thread: Volkswagen Golf (I-17) 1974–1983

  1. #1
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    Volkswagen Golf (I-17) 1974–1983

    Volkswagen Golf Mark I

    In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, hatchback replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle.

    The first Golf (VW internal designation Typ 17) began production in 1974, although it was marketed in the United States and Canada from 1975 to 1984 as the Volkswagen Rabbit and in Mexico as the Volkswagen Caribe. It was a water-cooled, front wheel drive design in a hatchback body style. It featured firmly sprung and damped, independent Macpherson strut front suspension and semi-independent Twist-beam rear suspension, that gave crisp handling and good roadholding, without being too uncomfortable. The Golf was Brazilan Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1976 and Irish Semperit Irish Car of the Year for 1978 and British What Car? magazine's Car of the Year for 1981. The Golf name is derived from the German word for Gulf Stream — and the period in its history when VW named vehicles after prominent winds, including also the Passat (after the German word for Trade wind), Jetta (after the Jet stream), Bora (after Bora) and Scirocco (after Sirocco). "Golf" is also a sport, a theme that is shared with the Volkswagen Polo, which was named after the Polar wind. Much was made of the pun in advertising and special editions (Golf Match, Driver, "Join the Golf Club",etc.) and the 'golf ball' gearchange knob on the early Golf GTI. The Caddy was also a play on the golf theme.

    The Golf was designed by Italian automobile architect / designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, of the ItalDesign design studio. Giugiaro had also designed the Alfasud and the Lotus Esprit Mk1.

    The car changed little before being replaced (in Europe) by the Mark 2 version in 1984. However, air conditioning became available as an option on the domestic market in August 1975. The possibility to retrofit the installation, together with a larger battery, was offered to existing owners.

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    Last edited by Duell; 02-06-2013 at 02:09 PM.
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  2. #2
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    Volkswagen Golf Mark I #2
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    I'm going to eat breakfast. And then I'm going to change the world.

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    ####3
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    ####4
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    ####5
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    And, most important of all, the pickup.
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    does anyone have any high res pictures of the Abt version? I can't find the low-res pic i have, but it's a nice car and was wondering if anyone could please help me. Love the Golf in general, from Mk1 to Mk5, i have to say i like them all, except the GTi versions of 3 + 4, but the VR6 and R32 versions were very, very nice.

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    There's an original Rabbit GTI, I think it's the same year as the orange one, that parks out at a construction site that i walk by. It's midnight blue, with the 4 lamp grille, and silver Ronal R-10 Turbo wheels, and a silver roll cage and no back seats. It's is soo damn cool, that I just want to put it in my pocket and take it home.
    Edit: Here are the pics.
    r10.jpg
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    Last edited by KonaGreen; 02-20-2007 at 06:54 PM.
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    dont call it the rabbit! i hate that

    the golf mark I gti has a very classic shape and look. I dont think any other golf has or will ever achieve it. Ever since, they've become less radical. Apart from the latest model but thats a completely different look.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cotterik View Post
    dont call it the rabbit! i hate that
    but thats what it is... they say rabbit GTI on the back. sorry, but its true.
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  11. #11
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    [QUOTE=Cotterik;694120]dont call it the rabbit! i hate that [QUOTE]

    But why do you hate it's name. It is the VW Rabbit.......at least to us Canadians it is.
    It was never a Golf here till the Mk 2 was introduced. A Mk 1 is a Rabbit and my 1981 Mk 1 pickup is a Rabbit Pickup, NOT a Caddy.

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    yeah, but a rabbit is such a rubbish name for the golf

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cotterik View Post
    yeah, but a rabbit is such a rubbish name for the golf
    IIRC some of the early GTIs were imported as Rabits here.
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cotterik View Post
    yeah, but a rabbit is such a rubbish name for the golf

    I just always thought that Golf was such a bland uninteresting name where Rabbit has some personality.

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    yeah, i suppose in that sense you're right

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