The Volkswagen Golf Harlequin

If there was ever a car that embodies the concept of class-agnostic ubiquity, it would be the Volkswagen Golf Harlequin. Though it didn’t get the same fervor as its Polo Harlequin sibling, this unique Mk III Golf has managed to attract its fair share of devotees over the years.

It’s not hard to see why: This colorful hatchback combines practicality with supercar magnetism, and its livability-to-rarity ratio is quite impressive. Moreover, while a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder may not be the most exciting powerplant around, it’s plenty capable and gets great fuel economy. It also happens to be a very fun handler, which is a plus if you’re constantly being barraged by curious onlookers while driving it.

When the Polo Harlequin hit the market in 1995, Volkswagen was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction. This was enough to inspire the company to test out the idea with a Golf version, which rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, Mexico, for the 1996 model year. The hatchbacks were manufactured normally, but then the body panels were painted a different color — Ginster Yellow, Pistachio Green, Tornado Red, and Chagall Blue — in a specific pattern. They were then rearranged by hand into a completed Golf Harlequin, which was complemented by a gray Joker interior. A total of 264 Golf Harlequins were built, and they were a hit in Europe, where they made for a fun alternative to a standard commuter car.

Unfortunately, the concept didn’t take off as well in America. The 264 Golf Harlequins that were produced quickly lingered on dealer lots, and the few who bought them didn’t seem to embrace the gimmick as much as their European counterparts. Some even felt like they looked “tacky.”

The only reason the Harlequins didn’t meet their potential is because they were so unique, and buyers simply didn’t want to be seen driving a clown car. Despite this, the cars were still a lot of fun to drive, and they’re now worth a pretty penny as collectors’ items.

That’s why it’s so interesting to see a one-color Chagall Blue Golf Harlequin for sale on Facebook Marketplace right now. According to the Harlequin Registry, this is a real deal: It was originally sold at Jim Ellis VW in Georgia, and it’s said to be car number 123 out of the 264 Golf Harlequins that came into the country. There’s no word on how this car got to be for sale now, but we hope it finds a good home. Click here to check out the listing and photos.