The original online guide to the Volkswagen Cabriolet & Rabbit Convertible!
Facts & History
Last update:
January 4, 2012
Notes
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Timeline Click here to view the Cabriolet's production timeline.
Factory Photos Click here to see assembly line photos at the Karmann plant, as well as the 1976 prototype of the Cabriolet.
Production Numbers Total built in 1979: 11,795 Total built in 1980: 25,982 Total built in 1990: 37,561 Total built in 1991: 38,953 Total built between January 1979 and April 1993: 388,522
How Many Are Left? Good question. It is virtually impossible to get a definitive number. However,
we can come up with an estimate: In looking over European registration figures for
the past 20 years, there is a trend of an average annual loss of 6%. If we apply
this figure to all production years, 1979-
More information can be found on the Registry page. |
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Myth: The Volkswagen Golf I Cabriolet is just a Golf I hatchback with its roof chopped off. Fact: The Volkswagen Golf I Cabriolet is of uni-
Myth: European Volkswagen Golf Cabriolets had a diesel engine as an option. Fact: Research shows that diesel engines were never a factory option for the Golf
I Cabriolet anywhere in the world. However, there were, reportedly, a handful of
1.6L diesel Golf Cabriolets sent to the UK upon special-
Myth: The Volkswagen Golf I Cabriolet is a Type 1, Type 17, Type 19, etc. Fact: The Golf I Cabriolet is, in fact, a Type 155.
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Monikers A1 is the official Volkswagen chassis designation given to the first generation Golf/Rabbit convertible. All of these convertibles are A1 chassis cars (an A2 chassis convertible was never produced).
Mk1 (pronounced "mark one") is a British moniker meaning "version" (referring to
the car's body style) given to the first generation Golf/Rabbit convertible. All
1979-
Golf I is the European moniker used to distinguish the generations. All 1979-
Names Golf Cabriolet
Rabbit Convertible
Cabriolet
Bottom line for the above: Golf Cabriolet = Cabriolet = Rabbit Convertible = Golf cabrio = Rabbit cabrio.
"Cabriolet" is French for "convertible" and, therefore, "cabrio" is just like saying "'vert". Using "cabrio" (with a lowercase "c") is not incorrect, but those in North America posting on Volkswagen forum sites should be prepared to be badgered by those who are language ignorant due to Volkswagen's ingenious idea of naming the A3 Golf convertible "Cabrio" in the States. When posting about your car on these car forums, always use the year of your car and do not capitalize the "c" and, if necessary, post this picture (or a link to it) of a German dealer brochure to prove that you're correct in using the word. |
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Information taken from the 1980's IIHS crash test document: http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr2604.pdf |
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USA |
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UK | ||
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1980 |
13390 |
1980 |
719 | |
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1981 |
12115 |
1981 |
851 | |
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1982 |
8984 |
1982 |
1035 | |
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1983 |
9613 |
1983 |
1076 | |
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1984 |
11559 |
1984 |
1170 | |
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1985 |
12637 |
1985 |
1054 | |
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1986 |
14275 |
1986 |
1427 | |
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1987 |
13563 |
1987 |
1660 | |
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1988 |
12591 |
1988 |
1763 | |
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1989 |
9891 |
1989 |
2565 | |
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1990 |
7615 |
1990 |
2389 | |
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1991 |
5401 |
1991 |
1730 | |
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1992* |
7031 |
1992 |
1019 | |
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1993* |
3846 |
1993 |
511 | |
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1994* |
3838 |
1994 |
5 | |
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1995 |
2 | |
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Sources: VWoA & "A1_Lover" of VWvortex.com; *from the Catalog of Imported Cars". All sales numbers are for the calendar year not model year; 1980 number includes Beetle Convertible. |
Source: vwgolfmk1.co.uk & VAG UK | |||
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