RIP, VW Golf MK1

 Today is a sad day for me.  I found out that the last VW plant to make the Mark 1 Golf, almost unchanged since 1974, has closed its operation, according to AutoBlogGreen.  Yes, they still made them in South Africa until then. The more recently made models were called the CITI Golf, and featured an updated interior and a few other things, but it is mostly as the original.  I'm very partial to that car, as it was my first one (pictured). I got an '81 Rabbit Convertible when I was 16. It was a very well known car in my high school because of its metallic purple paint job, G-force inducing Neuspeed sport suspension, and it's propensity to break down or shed auto parts onto the road while driving.  The model also goes back in my family. In Zimbabwe many of us had ancient MK1's.  We used to take road trips down to South Africa to buy brand new replacement parts from VW dealers. I spent a summer there with my dad completely rebuilding one out of a burned out chassis and a rusted-though-but-driveable one.

I shall miss you, MK1.