1990 Volkswagen Golf Mk1 Clipper Cabriolet

Highlights

• Appealing Clipper model includes body-coloured bumpers, arches and side skirts
• Sought-after five-speed manual and optional powered roof
• Great Inka Blue metallic paintwork – resprayed in 2016
• Largely still in its original factory spec
• Dry stored since 2007 with recent recommissioning bills and long MOT

Overview

It’s funny to think that when VW announced the Golf Cabriolet it created a ruckus. People were horrified that the company was ending production of the Beetle Cabriolet in 1980. So much so that they let their money do the talking and VW found itself with a huge influx of orders for the oldtimer ragtop ‘Bug’. According to Anton Konrad, who was the VW PR Director at the time, ‘The Beetle community even came together for a funeral procession in Wolfsburg.’ But rather than get annoyed he did some good PRing: sent them refreshments, which being Germany involved many sausages, and then invited the spokesperson of the Beetle community to have a drive in the new Golf. Well, even he came away impressed.

Of course he did, because the new Golf was a huge improvement. It was quantifiably quieter and quicker, handled better, was more comfortable and, on top of all that, more practical, too. And despite its angular design being the exact opposite of the cuddly, cutesie, curvy Beetle’s, boy was it still a looker. It was the perfect combination when you think about it. Crisp and chiselled Italian design, stretched over German mechanicals for steadfast dependability. And for that last dash of panache, not just a mass-produced model on the Wolfsburg line, but coach built by Karmann. Perhaps that’s why the Mk1 Golf Cabriolet endured.

In the end VW sold 388,522 of them, meaning it outsold the Beetle Cabriolet, and its popularity was still strong even as the hatchback Golf had long-since morphed into the Mk2. The Golf Cabriolet was still developed heavily, mind. Which leads us to this car, the Clipper. It marked a hefty refresh when it arrived in 1988, with itssmart, body-coloured bumpers, wheel-arch extensions, and side skirts. And by now you could spec your humble Golf convertible with an electro-hydraulically powered roof – a rarity outside of much pricier convertibles from the period.

This particular car came with that feature and is a lovely example. Not perfect, sure, but for a car that’s 34-years old with 140,000 miles under its belt, it’s in very good nick – a testament to that German build quality and considered ownership. Crucially, it’s largely original, too, making it the perfect affordable but highly desirable classic – and timed perfectly for you to take advantage of the gorgeous spring sunshine.

History and documentation

• V5 present
• Declared new at first registration on 15th October 1990
• HPI clear
• Long MOT running to 15th April 2025
• In its current ownership since 2007
• Dry-stored for a few years until 2022, when the owner spent around £2000 recommissioning it
• Supplied with its original wallet and handbook
• One key
• Recent receipts (from 2023) detailing recommissioning work including a service, new battery, CV boot, front and rear brake flexi hoses, rear wheel bearing, rear drums, rear shoes and rear brake cylinders
• 140,351 miles showing when pictured

Interior

• The two-tone black and grey interior is a very appealing alternative to all black
• Original sports seats with grey cloth and patterned inserts
• The upholstery is in good condition for the year and mileage. Sure, there’s some typical wear on the driver’s seat bolster and the fabric could do with a good clean, but that’s about it. The rear seats look barely used
• The dashboard and door cards appear to be free from cracking or major distortion
• The steering wheel shows very little sign of the 140k miles of use, and the same is true of the gear knob.
• The headlining is in good condition with no tears or holes
• While it’s in very good nick, there are some easy wins to really smarten up the interior, including re-fitting the carpets, which have come loose around the door apertures, searching eBay for a nearside door mirror adjustment knob, and potentially a new gear-lever gaiter plus tidying the luggage compartment
• Comes with a modern face-off Panasonic MP3/ CD stereo unit with aux input

Exterior

• The car was resprayed in its original shade of Inka Blue metallic in 2016
• Being dry-stored by its present owner, the paintwork still looks in great shape. There are some light scratches (the owner blames the cat) on the bonnet and the odd imperfections here and there, like some gravel rash on the lower rear wheel arch
• The electrically operated blue mohair hood shows no signs of tears or splits and is complete with its tonneau cover
• The original Volkswagen-branded flat-face seven-spoke alloys were refurbished in 2023 (invoice included). Some of the centre caps are missing, though
• Distinctive GTI-style four lights at the front are original Clipper spec and include the two main beam units in the grille
• Other than the clear rear light lenses and side repeaters, the exterior is described as original right down to the Clipper decals and Karmann badges
• Underneath there is a weeping oil leak around the sump (the MOT tester noted this as minor) but otherwise it seems like it’s in good condition for the year

Mechanical

• Highly dependable 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder was rated at 90hp
• Desirable five-speed manual gearbox
• Manual choke
• The owner says the car starts well and now, post the recent plug and HT lead replacement, it’s running smoothly. The standard exhaust system sounds good, too, especially with the roof down
• The only mechanical modifications are some suspension upgrades carried out by the car’s previous owner
• No known faults in terms of the way the car drives
• Yokohama tyres all round, and seemingly all have plenty of tread left
• The engine bay doesn’t appear to have been cleaned recently, which is nice to see. Other than the minor oil leak reported at the last MOT it all looks good under the bonnet, with only minor rust bubbling on the slam panel and surface rust on the brake servo – all pretty standard stuff for any Golf of this vintage

Summary

Could this Mk1 VW Golf Cabriolet be the perfect classic? Tried-and-tested running gear and great parts availability equal ease of maintenance for the DIY mechanic. But also, we’re not talking about a car that’s so old and so simple that you end up with disappointingly wheezy performance and prehistoric dynamics. In fact, this car’s 1.8-litre with 90hp should push it just the right side of peppy, and Mk1 Golf’s are always fun to drive – even more so with a manual ‘box and the roof down on a sunny day. The Mk1 Golf’s always been classed as classless, and it’s no ordinary car. It was a style icon in its day and remains as such now. An appreciating classic, then? Well, there’s little doubting that, especially if you buy a car that’s largely original and been looked after. Rather like this one, then, and with no reserve, what could possibly stop you from bidding?

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