VOLKSWAGEN are celebrating the Golf’s 50th anniversary.

The first Golf came off the line at Wolfsburg on March 29, 1974.

It is the most successful Volkswagen to date. More than 37 million examples have been produced, comfortably ahead of the Beetle’s 21.5 million units.

In excess of 20 million Golfs have come out of Wolfsburg, with the rest made at other German factories and plants in Belgium, Brazil, China, Malaysia, Mexico, Slovakia and South Africa.

The Golf was completely different from the Beetle. Instead of an air-cooled engine at the rear, the new hatchback had drive to the front wheels and was cooled by water.

Its introduction did not mean the end of the Beetle. The original model was made in Germany until 1978, with production in Mexico lasting until 2003. Mexican production of the ‘new’ Beetle, which was front-drive, ended in 2019.

In 1974, Volkswagen said: “The Golf offers maximum space and safety. It is uncompromisingly geared towards practicality.

“The low beltline gives drivers a clear overview, and the sloping bonnet ensures that the road right in front of the vehicle is visible. The rear window extends well done, making reversing much easier.”

Volkswagen brought out the legendary Golf GTI hot hatchback in 1976 and the same year saw the introduction of the first diesel Golf.

The Golf is now in its eighth generation.