A1 Golf (Mk1) Series II

The German-made Golf GLS three and five-door range brought a palpably higher level of quality and refinement to the series, but at the cost of crippling price rises.

By 1978 the hitherto value-branded VW was well into premium brand territory.

Small revisions to the dashboard and trim were the main changes, although mechanically the Golf remained nearly identical to the post-ADR27A Aussie-made models.

More minor trim changes accompanied the arrival of the first small diesel passenger car from March ’78.

A five-door only model, the Golf GLD, was powered by a 37kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel unit.

It debuted prior to the second fuel shortage crisis of 1979, seizing a small following despite its high price.