Readers' Photos # 70: Mk1 VW Golf
The Mk1 Volkswagen Golf was a total game-changer when it was released in the mid-1970s. For VW, it was a huge departure from their roots, abandoning a long-history of exclusively air-cooled, rear-engined vehicles for a water-cooled, front engined format with front wheel drive. Many would argue that the sports version of the Golf - the GTi - also marked the birth of the "hot hatch," although Peugeot 205 GTi fans might argue that the Pug is the rightful heir to that accolade. I won't enter into that argument but do observe that the Golf was first, and by several years, leaving Francophillic car fans to contest that the latter wins because it was hotter. (Again, something I'll leave well alone!) I suspect the owner of the example shown here wouldn't be offended if I observed that it was more survivor car than pampered classic but it is pretty straight and tidy, with its GT stripes perhaps alluding to its sportier GTi siblings. Other than those str...