Volkswagen Golf 1 Cabrio US (1988)

Kickdown Check

• On-site kickdown assessment completed
• 99 photos
• Video including engine run and test drive
• Paint thickness measurement
• Last service: 09/2025
• Genuine pre-production model (model year 1989), manufactured by Karmann for brochure photography and U.S. homologation; featured in the “1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet Brochure.”
• Odometer reading: 247,964 km

Facts & Specifications

• Year of manufacture: 1988
• First registration: Germany (05/1989) (Germany)
• Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 95 PS (70 kW)
• Transmission: Automatic
• Exterior color: Flash Silver Metallic (LP7Y)
• Interior: gray Pepita checkered fabric
• TÜV valid through 05/2026; TÜV is currently being renewed
• H license plate
• Features:
• US specification
• Genuine pre-production model from the 1989 model year
• Built at Karmann in Osnabrück for brochure photos and U.S. homologation

Condition

Exterior

• The car is painted in Flash Silver Metallic (LP7Y).
• The vehicle has been partially repainted. Paint thickness measurements yielded values between 372 µm and 577 µm.
• Overall, the body is in good condition with slight signs of wear as well as minor scratches and dents.
• One instance of repaired accident damage is known; the plastic bumper trim was torn off
• The underbody is in acceptable condition with superficial surface rust.

Interior

• The car has a light gray fabric interior.
• The interior is in satisfactory condition with age-related signs of wear.
• The interior carpet has yet to be replaced.
• There is a crack in the upper plastic trim of the door panel near the window edge. (Image 60)

Mechanics

• The vehicle is ready to drive immediately and is registered.
• Pending work: steering bearings, air conditioning, interior carpet, and activated carbon filter.
• The transmission seal was replaced in 2023.
• In recent years, extensive work has been performed on the brake system, steering gear, cooling system, drive shafts, and other technical components.
• The engine starts without any problems, idles smoothly and evenly, and shows no unusual noises or misfires.
• When driving, the engine responds cleanly to the throttle and delivers power smoothly
• Last maintenance: 09/2026.

History

Ownership History

• Number of owners: 6
• 05/2020 to present: current owner

Service History

• 2026: Service performed.
• 2024: Coolant hose and battery replaced.
• 2024: Radiator thermostat (two-stage) replaced.
• 2023: Transmission seal replaced.
• 2022: Oil pan gasket, fuel filler neck, paintwork, windshield seal, hood latch, and body seals in the engine compartment replaced.
• 2021: Lock contact plate, oil pressure sensor switch, brake pads and rotors, steering gear, radiator, and both transmission-side drive shafts replaced.

Documents

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (Image 89)
• Vehicle Registration Certificate (Images 90, 93)
• TÜV Report (Images 91, 92)

Summary

For sale is a 1988 VW Golf 1 Cabriolet in Flash Silver Metallic (LP7Y) with an automatic transmission. This vehicle is an exceptional pre-production model from the 1989 model year, which was manufactured directly at Karmann in Osnabrück for brochure photography and U.S. homologation. The very low production number, 003278, indicates that it was produced particularly early as a marketing and test vehicle, giving this Golf Cabriolet significant historical value. The vehicle has an “H” license plate. Extensive maintenance and repair work has been carried out in recent years, including work on the brake system, steering, cooling system, body, and transmission. The body is in good overall condition and has been partially repainted. There is one known instance of repaired accident damage. Some work, including steering bearings, the air conditioning system, the interior carpet, and the activated carbon filter, still needs to be done. For enthusiasts of rare Golf models and collectors, this documented pre-production vehicle, with its extraordinary history, offers an interesting opportunity.