1989 Golf Clipper Cabriolet (Mk1) Manual

Highlights

• 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with five-speed manual gearbox

• In current ownership for over five years

• Great condition

Overview

Some cars endure because they're strong sellers. Others because they simply refuse to stop making sense. The Mk1 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet manages both. When it arrived in 1979, it delivered everything an open-top car should: style, fun, genuine driving engagement, all wrapped in a package that was as practical as it was desirable. Penned with Giorgetto Giugiaro's crisp, angular design language and hand-finished by Karmann in Osnabruck, this wasn't merely a Golf with the roof removed. It was a proper coach-built convertible that just happened to be accessible.

That combination proved irresistible. So irresistible, in fact, that the Mk1 Cabriolet outlived the hatchback it was derived from, continuing in production well into the Mk2 Golf era. Over a remarkable 13-year run, Volkswagen sold 388,522 of them, comfortably outstripping the beloved Beetle Cabriolet it notionally replaced. And the car didn't stand still during that time. It evolved considerably, reaching its most refined expression with the Clipper specification in 1988. Body-coloured bumpers, sculpted wheelarch extensions, side skirts and an electro-hydraulic roof operation gave the Clipper a level of sophistication that belied its humble roots. It was, and still is, a genuinely desirable open-top car.

This late 1989 example is a Clipper powered by the 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a manual gearbox. The current owner has had it for over five years and tells us that significant money has been spent on it during their tenure so it hasn't been a case of parking it in a garage and hoping for the best.

The result speaks for itself. It presents beautifully inside and out and is said to sound lovely, drive beautifully and work exactly as intended. For anyone looking for a classic convertible that also provides entry to the friendly and extensive classic VW scene, this looks to be a fabulous opportunity.

History and documentation

• First registered 12 December 1989

• In current ownership for over five years

• Part service history accompanied by a collection of receipts reported to date back to 2015

• MOT history reported to be traceable to 2006

• The vendor reports that significant money has been spent on the mechanicals during their ownership

• The vendor tells us that the only structural work carried out is a bulkhead strengthening plate, completed for an MOT

• Two keys 

• Current MOT expires 19 Aug 2026

Interior

• The vendor describes the interior as being in excellent condition with no damage

• Although there is a little creasing to the seat covers, overall it does present very well

• Carpet mats

• A modern face-off CD stereo is fitted in place of the original head unit

• All electrics, gauges and switchgear are reported to be fully functional

• The rear seats have 4 point child harnesses

Exterior

• Finished in a lovely shade of metallic red, the car presents very well

• Beige roof in great condition

• Retains its factory Clipper model designation

• No obvious signs of corrosion

• The vendor describes the smart BBS alloy wheels as excellent

• Tyres are noted by the vendor as being older and may benefit from replacement

• Reported to be clean underneath with no signs of significant damage or corrosion

• Shut lines and panel gaps appear consistent according to the vendor

Mechanical

• 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing approximately 90 bhp

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Front-wheel drive

• The vendor tells us the car drives beautifully and all works as it should

• We're told it sounds lovely and starts, runs and idles without issue

• The vendor reports significant mechanical investment carried out during the current ownership, supported by a collection of receipts

• No mechanical faults or issues reported by the vendor

• Electro-hydraulic roof operation is reported to function correctly

Summary

A very appealing coachbuilt convertible which has clearly stood the test of time and will surely be welcomed with open arms at any classic VW meet. But drop the roof, find a B road, and you'll understand why nearly 400,000 people bought one of these.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Halstead, Essex.