A1 Golf Cabriolet (Mk1)

Ironically, the return of VW passenger cars to Australia rode on the back of the model that almost buried it here.

The Golf Cabriolet was a Mk1 Golf three-door with a removable roof meticulously built by German coachbuilder Karmann.

Having debuted elsewhere in 1979, Australians had to wait until late 1990.

So by then it was a reliable, durable four-seat convertible with a power-operated hood, central locking, radio/cassette player and an almost invisible boot.

Power came courtesy of a 70kW/142Nm 1.8-litre single-cam four-cylinder fuel-injected engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, with a three-speed auto joining the fold from February ’91.

Small trim and equipment revisions, as well as a modified 66kW/145Nm 1.8-litre engine, heralded the arrival of the ’93 Cabriolet, but otherwise it remained pretty much the same until mid-’94.

The second generation model – based on the third generation Golf since there was never a second generation Golf Cabriolet – arrived in the middle of 1995.