The VW Polo has been around for 50 years now and has become a true icon in the world of compact cars. What once started as a modest city car has become a beloved classic over the years.
The history: from Audi 50 to Volkswagen Polo
In the late 127s, Volkswagen began to think about a modern front-wheel drive compact car. As air-cooled models – such as the iconic Beetle – lost ground to competitors such as the Fiat 5, Renault XNUMX and Austin Mini, it became clear that a new approach was needed. Thanks to the acquisitions of Auto Union and NSU, which gave Volkswagen valuable expertise in front-wheel drive and water-cooled engines, a new direction was set.
In 1972, Audi began development of a front-wheel drive successor to the NSU Prinz. Led by Ludwig Kraus and featuring innovative design by Marcello Gandini of Bertone, the Audi 50 was created. This 3,49-meter-long hatchback, equipped with a 1.1-liter engine of 50 or 60 hp and disc brakes at the front, was presented at the 1974 Paris Motor Show as a compact premium car.
Volkswagen quickly recognised the potential of this concept and presented the cheaper variant at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1975: the Volkswagen Polo – known internally as Typ 86. With a 0,9-litre engine of 40 hp and a minimally equipped basic version (the Polo N) or a slightly more luxurious version (the Polo L), the VW Polo quickly became a hit with a wide audience. The car was available in striking colours such as Marinogelb, Florida Blau and Korallrot, which perfectly matched the lively appearance of the 70s.
Technical features and evolution in the classic years
The first generation Polo (1975–1981) was praised for its simplicity and reliability. The car was practical and functional, with a no-nonsense approach that was typical of Volkswagen at the time. Some notable technical aspects were:
- Front-wheel drive and water-cooled engine: The VW Polo was one of the first Volkswagen models to benefit from the expertise Volkswagen acquired through the takeovers of NSU and Auto Union.
- Minimalist equipment: The entry-level Polo N was very simply equipped. For example, it lacked a fuel gauge – a simple warning light indicated when the 36-litre fuel tank was almost empty. Luxury items such as carpet, a lockable fuel cap and chrome trim were also absent from the basic version.
- Facelift in 1979: To give the car a more modern look, the Polo was given a facelift in 1979 with thicker bumpers and a redesigned grille. The sedan version – known as the Derby in some markets – was also introduced during the same period, although the hatchback always remained the favourite with the general public.
In the years following its introduction, the VW Polo evolved subtly, while retaining its original character as an affordable and practical city car. Small changes resulted in a better execution of the bodywork and a more efficient engine, but the essence remained unchanged.
refreshing city car
In the German magazine Auto Motor Sport, the VW Polo Typ 86 was presented as a refreshing and efficient city car. Despite its sober, almost minimalist equipment – in which comfort and luxury were deliberately limited to save costs and weight – the car managed to surprise with its light body and ingenious mechanics. The testers were particularly impressed with the agility and precise steering, properties that made the Polo ideal for narrow city streets and heavy traffic.
The 0,9-litre engine, while not powerful by the standards of large sports cars, provided more than adequate performance for everyday driving. The low displacement combined with a robust body ensured reliable operation and low maintenance costs. Although criticised for the lack of modern conveniences – a deliberate choice that emphasised the Polo’s characteristic no-nonsense appearance – this sleek, functional design was praised as a breath of fresh air in an era when unnecessary luxury was often the norm.
In short, according to this driving impression, the first generation Polo represented a clever balance between simplicity, practicality and surprising driving performance. The car was seen as an efficient solution for the urban environment, with an emphasis on reliability and an efficient, direct driving experience.
classic icon
In the 70s and 80s, the Volkswagen Polo was not only popular with young drivers and city dwellers, but also became a permanent fixture in the fleets of many European families. The car was affordable, economical and easy to maintain, features that made it particularly attractive at the time.
Some impressive facts that underline the Polo's status as a classic icon:
- Production and popularity: More than half a million units of the first generation Polo were produced between 1975 and 1981. This success story has made the Polo one of the most recognizable compact cars of its time.
- Variety in trim: While the basic version stood for simplicity, the presence of a more luxurious variant (the VW Polo L) offered buyers the possibility of an extra touch of comfort. The less popular sedan version – called the Derby in some markets – also forms an interesting part of the Polo history.
- Durability and character: Despite some early models suffering from rust problems, there are still many examples to be found that give an authentic picture of the classic 70s and 80s. For classic car enthusiasts, the original Polo remains an interesting collector's item.
Interesting facts and historical moments
- A 'copy-paste' with a twist: Although the original VW Polo was essentially a derivative of the Audi 50, Volkswagen managed to create a model with a few clever adjustments that perfectly matched the wishes of a wider audience. The sober equipment and the striking use of colour immediately gave the Polo its own identity.
- Colourful 70s: The choice of vibrant colours such as Marinogelb, Florida Blau and Coral Red was typical of the 70s and made the Polo a real eye-catcher on the road. These shades reflect the optimistic mood of that time.
- A car for everyone: With a price point that was comparable to other popular compact models in the early years, the Polo managed to appeal to a wide audience. Its practicality in urban environments and reliable performance made the Polo a favourite in many households.
Volkswagen Polo
What started out as a modest, minimalist successor to the Audi 50 has evolved over the years into a true classic icon in the world of compact cars. The VW Polo and Volkswagen Polo proved in the 70s and 80s that simplicity, reliability and practicality can go hand in hand. Despite subtle refinements over time, the essence of the VW Polo – a car that was accessible to everyone – has never been lost.
The Volkswagen Polo is not just a car, but an essential part of automotive history. Its success story, from Audi clone to compact icon, continues to inspire and remind us of an era when simplicity and functionality were key.
(The article continues below the photos.)
My polo (1980) was a 0,9 'mandarin orange'.
A fantastic car (only just noticed it), indestructible and at 100 km/h on the highway a consumption of 1 in 20 was easily possible.
Our (Ibiza 6L) Polo from 2008 is equipped
with Clima, CC, electric windows and mirrors, 6 speakers, airbags, crumple zones, no timing belt, 105 hp engine and LPG.
Rust free after 17 years.
Lovely car but certainly not without faults.
Parts are inexpensive and every garage knows them.
So a lot has changed in 35 years..(1973-2008)
Well, they weren't fast, but they always did it.
The 1.1 was known as an oil slurper, the 1.3 and 0.9 were not.
I drove an Audi 50 ('77 I think) and I quickly put a 1.3 in it.
A set of double carbs from a 1307 were supposed to be installed, but the thing was sold (on gas eventually) before I got that far.
However, I would have put double headlights in it as the Golf GTI.
The lights of a Honda Accord 8 valve were the right size.
120W halogen bulbs in it and a 100A dynamo from an Audi 100.
There was a mountain of light coming out, I could run the extra low beam with the other lights, and 4x 120W high beam also worked.
Another wide beam on the rear bumper with the reversing light for turning in the jet-black polders where this lady was driving and done.
Wonderful car that I drove for 4 or 5 years.
After that I started using diesel…
My first car was a marinogelb Polo from December 1975. Very bare, but with a factory sliding roof! I took over the car when it was 7 years old from a great-aunt in 1982 for 1200 guilders. With rotten front mudguards around the headlights and many more rusty spots, under the skin. But the structural parts were OK. Newly sprayed mudguards on it and lots of polyester and some black tectyl and it could last for years. I drove it around for 4 years, often with 4 friends on the road and 90 km on the highway to save petrol. Poor students, huh. 40 HP is not much, but you could keep up a good pace thanks to good roadholding and full throttle it could do 150 on the counter. I had to get rid of the Polo when the APK ghost was introduced. I had it inspected at Auto Domstad in Utrecht and the list of rejection points/comments was long... with a sincere pain in my heart I took the Polo to Akkie Stomphorst.
Somewhere along the line, something went wrong.
“The car was affordable” I read, that description is hard to find at VW these days.
A VW is already being praised as a premium car.
That red Derby is an LS.
Besides the N (“naked”) there was the L (luxury) and therefore an LS (SuperLuxury)?
Furthermore, a nice piece that unfortunately contains a lot of repetition.
Those Polos were fine cars. The claim that they really delivered sufficient performance for daily driving with that 0,9L engine can be thrown in the bin as far as I'm concerned. Those 40hp versions were simply lethargic in every respect. Not a meager torque and insufficient power. The counterpart from the Ford house was made of the same wood, the 1.0 with 40hp.
The lack of a brake booster in that Polo did allow you to pedal hard, which at least gave you the impression of having to brake out a higher speed. That's true.
The engine concept with forward leaning power source and its 'cross flow' created the conditions in design to be able to tune them. With speeds of up to 8000rpm they could even be driven to 100hp. In the German book 'die kleine heissen Audi's' it was described exactly how to tune them. The interventions on the engine for this were substantial.
In the soberly equipped versions that were marked with an N, not only the fuel gauge was missing, but also the right door light switch that you could, if desired, have installed from the factory for a hefty additional price. While someone with skill and a pull spring could literally have installed it for two bucks. And if I'm not mistaken, even the windscreen washer was missing. At least, that distracts from the Golf N where the right door light switch was missing, as was the windscreen washer. A flap for the glove compartment was also missing there. Such frugality quickly gave the 'Polootjes' and 'Golfjes' the qualification 'bare bones', given their hefty German prices. Too bad, because they were and still are very nice and reliable cars.
Hans and M, our “Polo” fell apart from rust after 3 years, bought new, and, every 500 km. 1 liter of oil added; NADA NOPE warranty; SO; never again a polo or vw or whatever!!
Very recognizable, my brother's Polo that he drove from work in the late 70s was an oil guzzler par excellence, a liter of oil every tank fill. Later my father had the first Passat with the 1.3 engine and oh how surprising, this also turned out to be an oil guzzler from day 1, 1 year warranty but any aftercare or repair from the dealer and Pon, forget it. After the warranty had expired the garage came up with the plan to do something about it, but father had to pay for it himself. Rarely seen the man get so devilishly angry and at the same time the last VW for him and in the family. Incidentally, there were several Passats 1.3 in the circle of friends and family and they had the same problem, so it was certainly not exemplary. Back then that lot in Leusden was already not at home for warranty and now it is still a difficult thing for many. I do not understand the adoration for VW and their self-proclaimed quality, not then and not now.
Correction: Earlier instead of later my father had bought the Passat, 1974, new