First model:
1974,. Audi (not VW) presented the 'Audi 50'
It was build at the Wolfsburg site of volkswagen, so from the beginning, it was a VW, but design bij Audi...
Then in 1975 VW came up with the Polo.. same car, diff badges, and available with the same engine and a 900cc 40 horsies basic engine
The VW Derby saw the light in 1977. Originally designed by Audi, it looks like a shrunk Audi 80,. it's a Polo with a Boot.
Big diff: The Derby is available with a strong (60 horsies) 1.3 liter engine, has a boot and curved bumpers.
All three lived happily ever after,.. UNTIL 1979.
VW desided to 'get rid of' the Audi 50, and restyle the other two.
They got a diff frontgrill, large plastic bumpers and square type of dash.
The Derby got square headlights, like the jetta did to.
They stayed until 1981.
End '81 the new Polo 2 arrived.. squareback and derby
in 82 the Coupe joined..
they all had the same front, but diff tails:
steilheck:
Derby (renamed as Classic )
The Derby was badged 'Derby' or 'Polo Classic' and later just 'Polo'. The first 2 years it featured square headlights, but they soon changed for round ones..
see:
and:
and finally Coupe:
in 1990 they were all facelifted: big bumpers, other dash, modded lights, arches but panels stayed the same (windows are interchangeable except the rear-hatch windows)..
Coupe version:
Derby/Classic/2Door version
(only build until 1992)
and the Steilheck:
After 1994, they came up with a new Polo,.. Someone else got to fill that one in..