swallow tail

**gotrice** · 14-10-2010, 03:54 PM

Please please please for the love of sanity tell me: 1 - what a swallow tail golf is, eg how it is differnet from a non swallow tail golf, and 2 - what all the fuss is about

**GeorgeMK1** · 14-10-2010, 04:07 PM

Pretty sure swallow tail is aus spec? or has been put together in aus by a bunch of parts or somthing or other, someone will put in the write statement there.

You can tell by the bonnet and also the rear, on a swallow tail, theres a line that continues for a bit under the bottom of the rear lights, and then drops. Have a google images search of a swallowtail mk1 and look at the rear and bonnet, once you know what you're looking for eats easy to spot. I had trouble understanding too haha

**Jarred** · 14-10-2010, 04:24 PM

the swallowtail it's self refers the the small indentations on the rear panel between the tail lights.

fuss: it signifies it's an early model car. There are also other features that 'true' swallowtails got. (the proper ones in germany and the UK, not our cobbled together aus built ones)

is yours like this below? or is the rear panel just flat? (no indents along the bottom line, that is at the same level that the bottom of the number plate is)

PIC:

**Mountainman** · 14-10-2010, 04:56 PM

And what is the difference with the bonnet?
Did all Australian assembled Golfs have swallow tails? Mine was Aust assembled but I really can't remember what it was like - was purchased new in March 1977 but don't remember the build month.

**JoshFair** · 14-10-2010, 05:16 PM

The standard bonnet has two creases that run from the top to just above the opening of the bonnet, and square off with a horizontal crease where the swallowtail bonnets creases just fade out about 75% of the way (no horizontal creases).
Some aus assembled cars that AREN'T swallowtail have swallow tail hoods (like mine) but that is not significant style wise..
Swallowtail has no link with country of assembly it's just the earlier more sort after style.

**Jarred** · 14-10-2010, 05:35 PM

LS's were put together in Aus, iirc they were all 76 build models.

the GLS's were german made, and are 77's onwards. not sure of the exact date of 'change over'