VW Polo. A 'Dauerbrenner'

The first generation Volkswagen Polo was launched in 1975 and 43 years later there are still fresh Polos for sale. That Poloconcept has therefore been a hit.

A simple solution, a difficult market

The first Polo from 1975 was just a more sober version of the Audi 50 as it was on sale since the year before, but with different emblems. In the first years there was only one model available in two versions, the Polo N as an entry-level version and the Polo L as a 'Luxury' version with important updates such as chrome moldings. The new small VW overpowered the Audi in sales because of its pricing. That led to the end of the Audi 50. The Polo was not a direct sales hit, but won the hearts of the customers because of its price and fresh appearance. He became, to this day, a solid pillar in the VW sales program.

The sales successes were not obvious. In the 'small cars' market segment, a lot of dogs have always fought for the same leg / customer. The VW Polo had to compete against competitors such as the Austin Metro and Ford Fiesta, the Fiat Uno, Peugeot 205, Opel Corsa / Vauxhall Nova and Nissan Micra and later the Clio and the Civic. In addition, the Polo of course had the advantage that in its early years many buyers were 'brand-solid' and that the British rivals had already started their swan song. It was after all that the Germans called British Leyland 'British Elend' (= misery)

Shrink due to the crisis

The rise of such small cars, and the success of the Polo, was, of course, due, or due, to the oil crisis that was already being lied to at the beginning of the 1970s. This not only resulted in cars becoming smaller and more fuel-efficient in the USA. This also happened here in 'the Old World'. Only the cars here were from the beginning a lot smaller than the full sized Americans were. So here the 'downsizing' degenerated into really small cars. Just like in the sparse times just after the Second World War.

The first generation of Polos, the Original Polo 'ran' from 1975-1981

The carts were able to rust very well and that is one of the reasons why there are few survivors intact. The Polo II (type 86C) was made between 1981-1990. Of that version, the type 86C 2F was the update. The Polo III, the type 6N, was manufactured between 1994 and 1999. Then the Polos started to grow and become less interesting for us for the time being. For the record: The Polos are now ready for Type VI. And they have become amazingly large cars. 1994 Was also a remarkable year. Because from their introduction in 1975 to 1994 the chassis of the Polos remained virtually unchanged.

Simply: to use

Volkswagen Polos, like most regular utility cars (apart from Volvo and Mercedes), were never made for a cherished old age and eternity plus two weeks. But certainly cars - we deliberately do not say 'cars', because the Polos of this kind were really good things - of this size were often purchased as city cars or second or third cars. After a few years and owners, they usually came into the hands of people without money who wanted to drive for free. They were therefore not concerned with details such as maintenance. After a final MOT, most Polos went 'with their heels over the ditch' to what used to be called 'the demolition'. There they were dismantled according to all kinds of guidelines to be recycled. Perhaps your old Polootje has in the meantime partly come to you as legs under an Ikea table

The 'Steilheck'. A very small estate car

Economical ...