May 1974: The world discovered the Volkswagen Golf. A compact hatchback designed for replace Zhuk. A tall order, if ever there was one, as the model is firmly entrenched in the automotive landscape of the time. 50 years and eight generations laterwe can only congratulate the success of Golf, which sold more than 37 million units and which almost unquestionably dominated the European car market from 1983 to 2021! It is logical that the celebration of such an important anniversary will be accompanied by events during 2024. Volkswagen Classic, the department that preserves the brand’s historic cars, will accompany iconic Golf models from the Volkswagen collection at several events throughout the year.

2024, the year of golf!

From January 31 to February 4, 2024, Generations I-VII Golf can be seen at the Rétromobile salon in Paris. Subsequently, from 2 to 4 February 2024, Volkswagen will present the Golf I and the unique concept car EA 276 – the predecessor of the 1969 Golf developed in Wolfsburg – at the exhibition. “Bremen Classic Car Show”. In 2024, to this 50th anniversary, Volkswagen will present the evolution of the eighth generation Golf. In addition to traditional aesthetic changes, this development will receive new driver assistance systems, as well as new engines. And it benefits from an updated infotainment system. Maybe we’ll see the return of physical buttons promised by the brand’s CEO? Until then and until now celebration with great fanfare anniversary year 2024, let’s go back and dig into the past of this legendary model…

South Africa, another country of golf

Did you know that the very first generation Golf was sold… until 2009? After the exceptional durability of the Beetle and T2compact has a very long career in South Africa. Volkswagen, established in the country since 1946, has a large assembly plant there, which began production of the Golf in 1978. Easy to manage, economical to use, easy to repair, his success in the country was instant! South Africans have become so attached to it that its popularity has not weakened for decades.

Renamed Citi Golf in 1984 (the year the Golf II was introduced), it has been updated many times, most notably this year when it received the Golf II grille. From 1984 to 2009, 377,500 copies of the Citi Golf were produced in the country.. Quite a long life, for a model born in 1974! Until the 50th anniversary of the Golf in 2024, we will continue to tell you spicy anecdotes about this legendary model!

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