Join us in celebrating 50 years of an icon

at Giltrap Volkswagen—the home of the Golf

We’re celebrating two remarkable milestones—the launch of the new Golf and 50 years of this iconic model.

Bring your family and friends to explore the new Golf range, including the exhilarating Golf GTI, and witness all generations of the Golf in one place.

Plus, don’t miss the chance to view Sir Colin Giltrap’s historic Mk1 Golf GTI, famously driven by Formula 1 legends Denny Hulme and Stirling Moss. Test drive the latest models, enjoy coffee and snacks, and connect with fellow Kiwi Golf enthusiasts.

We’ll see you there!

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The story of Volkswagen and Giltrap Group is one filled with heritage, achievement, and legendary milestones.

Having been a New Zealand Volkswagen distributor since 1977, Giltrap Group has been proudly guiding Kiwis on their Volkswagen journeys. For many, the VW journey starts with the Golf. It’s the trusted hatchback that Kiwis have embraced for over four decades. The Golf range ticks all the boxes for New Zealand drivers: functional, reliable, economical, and most importantly, fun.

It was this fun factor that led Sir Colin Giltrap, founder of the Giltrap Group, to bring two first-generation Golf GTIs to New Zealand for his buddies to drive in the 1979 Benson & Hedges endurance race at the Pukekohe 500. Formula 1 legends Denny Hulme and Stirling Moss were handed the keys to the red 5-speed GTI with a limited-slip differential (LSD), while Kiwi drivers Jerry Clayton and Rod Coppins took the wheel of the silver 4-speed GTI. Although the race didn’t go as planned, with the two F1 greats finishing second to Clayton and Coppins, the cars and the memories created with friends meant much more to Colin. He later re-purchased the red Golf GTI from the Begg family, who had owned it since the mid-1980s.

Sir Colin Giltrap’s enthusiasm for the Golf’s performance is one of many stories that highlight how this iconic car has become an integral part of life’s memorable journeys. Whether it’s racing legends or everyday drivers, the Golf is more than a mode of transport—it’s a companion for life's experiences.

The Golf has evolved with you, offering a perfect fit for every chapter of your journey, yet never losing the thrill that makes driving one so special. Whether it’s the open-air freedom of the Golf Cabriolet on a summer road trip or the performance-focused city slicker Golf GTI, the Golf is built for how we live and drive. For whatever, whenever, there’s always a Golf for the ride ahead.

To mark 50 years of the Golf and the release of the newly refined model, we’re hosting a Golf Open Day at Giltrap Volkswagen, showcasing iconic models from each generation including the restored red MK1 Golf GTI driven by Denny Hulme and Stirling Moss.

A VW Relic: The Search for New Zealand’s First Golf

Join us on a nationwide quest to locate the first Volkswagen Golf ever brought to New Zealand and bring back to hallowed ground.

If you have any information on the elusive first NZ Golf, please contact us today.