50 years of Polo memories
As part of the Polo’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we asked you to share your Polo memories and tell us what makes our iconic hatchback so special to you. We were inundated with wonderful responses — thank you to everyone who got in touch.
Here are just a few of your stories. Starting with a Polo that marked a different kind of 50th Anniversary.
James’s 50th anniversary
James bought his current Polo in 2016 – the year he and his wife celebrated their golden anniversary. The couple were married in 1966, and they chose a car to mark the milestone. It was a 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Polo featuring the number 66 – a special plate to celebrate their special year.
“We’ve had the car continuously serviced,” James tells us. “And it still looks like new, having completed some 50,000 miles.”
Some relationships are just built to last.
Stephen’s pride and joy
Stephen’s first new car was a blue Polo, bought in 1976, when our famous hatchback was still a relatively new sight on Britain’s roads.
He purchased the car from a small dealership near to where he lived. He and his wife spotted it in a local showroom — and it was love at first sight.
“I was so proud of it. I didn’t go over 50 mph until it had done a thousand miles,” he says.
Jenny’s family favourite
Jenny bought her first Polo in the year her daughter was born. Over time their trusted Polo – known as Polly – soon became part of the family, travelling many untroubled miles for over a decade.
Then, when Jenny’s daughter was old enough to pass her driving test, the family Polo was passed on. It’s still being driven today and, as Jenny points out, the car couldn’t be in better hands:
“Polly is now 24 years old and still going strong. She’s serviced and polished regularly by my daughter, who’s a mechanic”
Geoff’s escape to the lakes
Geoff’s favourite Polo memory is taking a round-trip to picturesque Keswick in the summer of 2023. The weather was glorious, the scenery spectacular and, during the drive home, Geoff took a moment to soak it all in:
“I swam in Derwent Water coming back and enjoyed the sunshine with a cool lemonade sat beside my Polo.”
Much like the Polo itself, it’s the simple things that leave the biggest impression.
John’s lifelong loyalty
In 1992, John bought a red 1991 Polo – and it left a lasting impression on him.
“I didn’t forget that first Volkswagen,” he reflects. “It was solid and reliable.” And though he sold it a year later (for £200 more than he paid) for a company car, he never let the memory go. In fact, he was so impressed, it led to a lifetime of Volkswagen loyalty. He’s since owned Golfs, Passats and a Touareg – all of which have served him with style.
And to think, it all started with a little red Polo.
Alan’s ‘Polo mint’
Five years before he retired, Alan began saving for a car he and his wife could rely on in their later years. After looking at everything on the market, it was the 2016 Polo Match that stood out for them. They ordered their model in white – and, because of the colour, soon gave it a nickname of their own.
“My wife calls it our Polo mint,” Alan says. “We’ve loved it ever since. I occasionally look at newer models but we always come back to our Polo mint."
Lucy’s full house
Lucy’s Polo memory is of a family holiday to Wales. “We travelled in comfort and had a brilliant time whizzing up the M4 and zipping around narrow country lanes,” she reflects.
But the thing that sticks in her memory is how much her little car managed to pack in on the trip. There was Lucy herself. Her teenage son. Her mum and dad. Her Granny. The family dog. Plus, a couple of sets of golf clubs and two huge suitcases. She was amazed:
“Who knew you could fit so much into a Polo?”
Geoffrey’s jaw-dropping journey
Driving through northern Spain in his 2021 Polo Match, Geoffrey clocked something remarkable.
On the 109-mile journey from Burgos to Santander, his trip computer showed an average of 68.1 miles per gallon. “I actually took photos,” he explains. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Proof, if it were needed, that the Polo is every bit as efficient as it is exciting.
Hamad’s little toy
“My first car. I still own it to this day.”
Hamad bought his Polo over 12 years ago. And even though he’s owned many other vehicles since, it’s his first car he treasures the most. “It’s stored in my garage and kept as my little toy,” he says. “Many, many memories with this one, from doing it up to road trips.”
It’s true that your favourite cars stay with you. Literally, in Hamad’s case.
Alistair’s story is just getting started
The timeless Polo is still going strong after 50 years. So many of your best memories are yet to be made.
That’s certainly true for Alistair, who only recently bought his first Polo.
“I am all new to the Volkswagen brand having recently purchased my Polo GTI. I’m loving it so far. It’s a car that just wants to be driven. Smiles per miles.”
We can’t wait to hear where it takes him.
If you have your own Polo memory you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you.
