1997 Volkswagen Golf Avantgarde Cabriolet
Single family ownership from new

2024 Buyers Premium: 5% + VAT (subject to minimum of £250 + VAT)

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Registration No: R780 URK
Chassis No: WVWZZZ1EZWK010891
MOT: October 2024
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000

Motor Car Location: Cheshire

• Single family ownership from new
• Warranted low mileage of just c.52,000 miles
• Avantgarde specification
• Offered with a history file including the original stamped service book and previous invoices

As the successor to the long-running Volkswagen Golf Mk1 Karmann Cabriolet (Wolfsburg having decided against the Mk2 as a basis for a soft-top), the Mk3 Golf version was burdened with expectation. Although not as crisply styled as the earlier Giorgio Giugiaro-penned creation, the newcomer did have the advantage of being based on the 1992 European Car of the Year. A thoroughly modern design, its high-strength two-door monocoque bodyshell featured an integral roll-over hoop and driver's / passenger's airbags. Protected from the elements by a 6-layer quick-release hood, the four-seater cabin was suitably cosseting. While drivers had the advantage of both power-assisted steering (complete with an adjustable column) and ABS brakes. Available in S, SE, Avantgarde, and Colour Concept trim levels and with a choice of 1.6 (100bhp), 1.8 (75 / 90bhp), or 2.0 litre (115bhp) engines, the model enjoyed a seven-year production run between 1994 and 2001 (though, later incarnations wore a Mk4 visage). A decently quick car in 2.0 litre form - contemporary road tests spoke of 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds and 119mph - few would bet against the Mk3 Cabriolet going the way of its Mk1 predecessor and becoming a classic.

Displaying just some 52,000 miles from new, the vendor purchased the Karmann-built Cabriolet offered when new, on the 26^th of November 1997 from Evans Halshaw Volkswagen of Watford, with the original bill of sale on file. Specified with the 1984cc straight-four engine and finished in Aqua Blue Pearl Metallic paintwork, it has what VW referred to as ‘Jacquard-Broadway’ cloth upholstery and a Black vinyl soft-top. Originally purchased through the vendor’s business, the car was very quickly put into the vendor’s wife’s name and later passed into the ownership of another lady family member, and thus has been in single family ownership from new (although recorded two former keepers are registered on the V5C).

From what we can see the car is rare in that it retains its original specification, right down to the VW-specified Sony radio cassette player. The interior upholstery shows little of the usual wear and tear found on these and is very fresh for the car’s age. The car possesses a five-speed transmission, electric windows and an electrically operated soft-top roof. The original VW specification wheels are very clean and they wear 4x Pirelli P6000 tyres. The vendor has described the car as ‘very good’ in all areas. Mostly garaged during its 52,000 miles, it has a very good service history, mostly using VW specialist garages. With a current MOT expiry date of 19th October 2024, the Golf has been evidently well looked after. There is a VW ‘invoice history’ print-out February 1997 – November 2005 on file and a VW service book containing 23 stamped entries, 10 of which have been VW dealers. In addition, there are receipts on file that elaborate on the aforementioned stamped entries, and include the following:

• November 2000 Cambelt at 23,192 miles
• November 2002 Smith Knight Fay VW service at 25,659 miles
• November 2006 Alan Day Ltd service at 30,110 miles
• November 2007 Nationwide Autocentre Cambelt at 30,384 miles
• January 2009 Kwikas Volkswagen Specialists Check
• September 2017 Fix VW’s Ltd Oil service 34,509 miles
• September 2018 Check and top-up at 34,624 miles
• November 2020 Cambelt and service Fix VW’s Ltd at 38,397 miles
• September 2021 Oil service Fix VW’s Ltd at 40,086 miles
• September 2022 Service and new rear exhaust box Fix VW’s Ltd at 44,210 miles

The Cabriolet is accompanied by its tonneau cover, the spare key and the original tool kit. There are receipts on file, plus a collection of 13 previous tax discs, MOT paperwork and the current V5C Registration Document. A pleasingly original and unmolested example from single family ownership and with modest mileage.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452