50TH BIRTHDAY: GOLF I AND A FORERUNNER

50TH BIRTHDAY: GOLF I AND A FORERUNNER

The Golf, the icon: the most-built Volkswagen celebrates its 50th birthday this year. To kick off the anniversary year, the Golf I and one of its predecessors from 1969 can be experienced at the Bremen Classic Motorshow. The Golf has been moving and inspiring the masses since 1974. And with each generation, the compact car has revolutionized and democratized the automotive world.

At the beginning of the 1970s, everything was suddenly different at Volkswagen: the engine no longer worked in the rear, it was no longer cooled with air and it was no longer a boxer. A new era begins with the first Golf. And the technical change was accompanied by a visual change of concept. "The Golf offers maximum usable space and safety. It is uncompromisingly geared towards practicality," commented the company at the time. And so the year in which Germany became soccer world champions became the year for the future most-built Volkswagen. Just two years later, the first million were sold, and to date over 37 million units have been delivered worldwide.

The Golf was destined to continue its success story. In 1974, however, nobody could have imagined that its success would once again significantly surpass that of the Beetle. Over the years, the Golf became an almost imperceptible part of our society, synonymous with a vehicle class and even an entire generation. And each and every one of us probably has individual experiences with the Golf.

The heart of the Volkswagen brand

When series production of the Golf I started at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg 50 years ago - in March 1974 - this success was far from assured. As the successor to the VW Beetle, it followed in huge footsteps: the iconic Beetle had laid the foundations for Volkswagen's global success. But the new model from Wolfsburg also enjoyed great popularity and quickly became a bestseller.

In the following model generations, it was always the Golf that made affordable mobility possible for everyone at the highest technical level. With technologies such as the regulated catalytic converter, efficient drive systems, but also safety features such as the anti-lock braking system, airbags and the first all-wheel drive in the series. The secret of its success also lies in the fact that the designers transferred the DNA of the first Golf to its successors, thus manifesting the classic design.

Development of a new bestseller

Work on a successor to the VW Beetle had already begun in Wolfsburg at the end of the 1960s. Several studies were created, including the EA (development contract) 276. The EA 276 from 1969 already showed many features of the later successful model, such as front engine with front-wheel drive, hatchback with large tailgate and twist beam axle. Under the hood, however, was still the familiar Beetle boxer with air cooling; the focus was on reliability and low development costs. However, the days of this technology were numbered. The design of the EA 276 was forward-looking, but a different study was developed further for series production. The design of the new model was created by Giorgetto Giugiaro, Italdesign.

Rare exhibition duo at the Bremen Classic Motorshow

To kick off the anniversary year, the VW brand will be presenting the Golf I on the Weser, thus commemorating the start of the automotive revolution in 1974. The trade fair appearance will be complemented by the unique EA 276 concept car - the Golf's predecessor, which was developed in Wolfsburg.The brilliant yellow production Golf and the orange-red concept car will be on display in Hall 5 at Stand D10 from February 2 to 4.

Volkswagen Classic is presenting itself together with the Autostadt Wolfsburg, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimer and Audi Tradition, which are bringing automotive history to life.

The Bremen Classic Motorshow has been opening the classic car show season in Germany for over 20 years.With over 46,000 visitors, it is a permanent fixture in the calendar of events for classic car enthusiasts.