Boutique Edition: 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet
The Cabriolet was the convertible adaptation of the Volkswagen Golf subcompact. It was built between 1979 and 2002, with the first generation enjoying a 15-year run. The seller has a 1990 Boutique Edition, meaning it was the top trim level for models sold in the U.S. at the time. This example is in good overall condition at 124,000 miles, but it’s had eight owners according to the AutoCheck report provided by the seller. Yet it runs well and may only need a bit of TLC.
Volkswagen built some 600,000 of these little convertibles during its 23-year run. But how many made it to the U.S. during what model year isn’t known. This iteration of the Cabriolet was powered by a 1.8-liter fuel-injected inline-4 (no turbo) with a 5-speed manual transmission. It’s recently been serviced and sports a new water pump, timing belt, and battery – along with fresh fluids and fresh tires. The only thing that seems not to work is the air conditioning, but you could always just drop the top. Oh, and one headlight looks burned out.
We’re told this car has always been garage-kept, but how would you know this across so many owners? We assume that’s why the AutoCheck score is 36 while the average is above 51; there are no reports of accidents or theft. The body and paint seem fine, but the convertible top needs replacing, and the seller has a spare to go with the car (in a different color). The interior is okay except for wear on the driver’s side bucket seat.
If all the photos aren’t enough, the seller includes a link to several videos on the car’s operation. It can be seen in person in De Soto, Missouri, and is available here on eBay. Apparently, no reserve is involved, and bidding has only reached $3,700. Is this s survivor-quality drop-top that you’d like to add to your collection?
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Comments
My wife had a new one of these and my daughter was in High School. She said Mom you just got the “ultimate” tanning machine!
Remember the “karat” 🥕 ✨️ special edition VWs ?
We owned three of these from 1989 through 1998. Fun to drive when my wife and daughter would let me have some wheel time.
Not that it matters…….It’s a Rabbit not a Golf. Golf came later. Ala marketing department. Affectionately called a Cabby.
Funny this would show up today.
As I was driving home from an appointment I saw a white VW Rabbit convertible parked along side a house on Teneya Drive. I was wondering if it was a Wolfsburg edition. Those were cute cars.