Volkswagen Golf 1974–1983 car dimensions: 3705 mm long, 1610 mm wide and 1410 mm high. Unladen weight is 750 kg. Braked towing is 800 kg.
The cabin offers simple instrumentation with a basic speedometer and warning lights. Heating and ventilation come standard. Air conditioning is available as an option from 1975. No electronic driver aids appear in the equipment.
Boot space measures 345 litres with seats up. Folding the rear seats expands it to 994 litres for larger loads.
Towing capacity reaches 400 kg unbraked and 800 kg braked. Payload sits at 450 kg. The hatchback layout suits light everyday hauling.
The cabin is compact and functional with a straightforward dashboard holding basic gauges and heater controls. Front seats have firm padding and offer decent support for the era, with recline adjustment. Rear bench folds flat to expand cargo space behind the hatch. Soft carpets appear on higher trims. Heating and fresh-air vents work well. air conditioning was optional later in the run.
Petrol engines return roughly 8-11 L/100 km depending on size and load.
Diesel variants use about 6.5-7.5 L/100 km.
Engine oil change listed at 7500 km intervals.
Dual-circuit brakes with front discs on most versions after early production.
Three-point seat belts standard. headrests standard from 1976.
Fuel use sits in the mid-range for a light front-drive hatch of the period. Smaller 1.1-litre petrol units sip less on steady runs, while larger petrols and the diesels balance thirst against available torque. Tank size is around 45 litres on most cars.
Servicing stays simple. Oil and filter swaps come at regular short intervals. Timing-belt checks matter on the overhead-cam engines. Parts remain widely available and the layout is straightforward for home or workshop work.
Safety kit centres on a rigid passenger cell, dual-circuit hydraulic brakes and three-point belts. Headrests became standard mid-run. Front discs were fitted on higher-powered models from the start and spread later. No official star ratings exist from the period.
Keeping one on the road means watching for rust in sills, floors and wheel arches. Regular underbody protection and dry storage help longevity. Mechanical items last well with basic care.
Length 3705 mm, Width 1610 mm, Height 1410 mm, Wheelbase 2400 mm (Golf 1974–1983)
Sources: manufacturer data, Volkswagen Newsroom vehicle data Golf I profile, autoevolution.com.