A convertible version of the Golf was presented to Volkswagen's management by coachbuilder Wilhelm Karmann GmbH as early as 1976, as an evolution of the original Giugiaro hatchback styling.

Unlike the production model, the Karmann concept didn’t have the central rollover hoop that was a prominent design feature of the versions sold to customers but otherwise the clean and sharp styling lent itself well to having the top chopped off.

The production version of the convertible Golf was designated Type 155 and was sold from 1980 to 1994. It had a reinforced body, a transverse roll-over bar, and a high level of trim. 

From stamping to final assembly the Mk1 Cabriolet was built entirely at the Karmann factory. Volkswagen supplied engines, suspension, and interior trim for Karmann to install. The tops, of vinyl or cloth, were heavily insulated, with a heated glass rear window. The top was raised and lowered manually until 1991, when it became electrically operated.

The body of the Cabriolet did not change through the entire production run except for a larger fuel tank. It kept the pre-1980 style of rear lamp clusters. A space saver spare wheel was fitted from the outset, including 1978 pre-production models, unlike the saloon which did not adopt this until 1984. All Cabriolets from 1988-on left the factory fitted with a "Clipper" bodykit that featured smooth body-coloured bumpers, wheel-arch extensions, and side skirts in desperate bid to disguise the fact that it was based on such an old design, remaining in production longer than even the Golf Mk 2.

This one is a very late example – a Sportline – and the last Golf Mk 1 to wear the GTI badge. As such, it has a cult following of its own. 

The Golf has had seven owners in total having been first registered in Essex in 1991. It then went to a keeper in South-East London before being sold to a long-term keeper in Brighton, who appears to have owned the car for several years based on the paperwork supplied with it. 

The car was then acquired in Milton Keynes by the vendor in 2018.

The car has been in the same family for many years. The vendor bought it from his brother-in-law who is a solicitor and he in turn received it from his ex wife as a part of divorce settlement.

The Golf comes with a UK V5C and will be provided with a new MOT.

There’s also a number of bills pertaining to the car’s earlier history and some more recent receipts for general service work, along with some old MOT certificates, a book pack containing the owner’s manual and service book stamped up to the late 1990s and a few other historical documents. Many of these relate to the car’s early history so show a cherished registration – J700 JAN – which was applied to the car for the first decade of its life. 

The Golf is finished in Jet Black and looks terrific, with matching BBS alloy wheels in the classic Golf GTI design. 

There’s no notable damage or deterioration anywhere, though the car has most likely seen some restoration work in its 30-year life, which may explain why the Sport Line graphic is only on one side of the car. It’s very smartly presented, though, with a deep shine and no visible corrosion. 

The fabric roof operates from a switch ahead of the gear lever which can be a fiddle to operate, but it does work and goes up and down as it should. There are no tears to or damage to the roof. It also comes with a tonneau cover and a complete car cover, stored in the boot. 

The cabin features Recaro sports seats unique to the Sportline, with black and red trim to match the two colour schemes the model was available in. They’re in sound condition, though there are a couple of small holes in the fabric on the driver’s seat. 

The dash, carpets and inner roof lining are in good order, while all the dials, switches and gauges appear to operate as they should. 

The door cards match the seat fabric with the same pattern, while a switch panel in front of the gear lever operates the electric windows and power roof. There’s some normal wear to the gear knob, while in-car entertainment comes courtesy of a Sony face-off radio/CD player.

Under the bonnet things will be pretty familiar to anyone who knows their Eighties Volkswagens, as the 1.8-litre fuel-injected engine is the same as that fitted to the Mk1 and Mk2 GTIs.

It fires up and appears to run well, while the owner reports that the car drives well with no evident or obvious problems. 

With spring in the air and summer on the horizon, the market for usable classic soft-tops is really picking up – and this one is exactly that. It’s also a rare example of the Mk 1 GTI that is sought-after in its own right thanks to its rarity.

It’s a desirable and collectable modern classic with quite a bit of early history and an iconic nameplate.