--- title: "Dealer-Created Single-Color VW Golf Harlequins Made a Rare Car Even Rarer" description: "In the 1990s, a U.S. Volkswagen dealership made eight single-color Mk3 Golf Harlequin conversions and one is for sale." date: "2024-01-07" modified: "2024-01-07" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/dealer-created-single-color-vw-golf-harlequins-made-a-rare-car-even-rarer" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Volkswagen News" tags: - "golf" - "Hatchback" - "Volkswagen" --- # Dealer-Created Single-Color VW Golf Harlequins Made a Rare Car Even Rarer ![]() *Tyler Patton | Facebook Marketplace* In the early 1990s, [Volkswagen]() had one of the most unique and interesting cars on sale in the United States—the Mk3 Golf Harlequin. Under its skin, the VW Harlequin was just a normal Mk3 Golf but its body panels were painted in four different colors, creating a mismatched "[Harlequin]()" look. Volkswagen built 264 Golf Harlequins for the U.S. market and Jim Ellis, who owned two VW dealers in Georgia, made them even more unique by swapping their body panels to make the country's only single-color "Harlequins." However, making them more unique wasn't the intention. Volkswagen Golf Harlequins were painted with a combination of Chagall Blue, Ginster Yellow, Tornado Red, and Pistachio Green. While Harlequins were initially desirable cars among Volkswagen enthusiasts, it's rumored that interest began to wane before Ellis could sell all of his inventory. So he decided to swap the body panels of eight cars to create single-color cars that were more desirable for the average customer. ![]() **Original Volkswagen Golf Harlequin* | *Volkswagen** Ironically, after all eight sold and eventually hit the secondhand market, the single-color cars have since become ultra-rare and highly desirable among VW enthusiasts. So what started out as rare oddballs from the factory were then turned into average looking cars, only to become even rarer and more desirable than they originally were. There's currently a one-color Chagall Blue Golf Harlequin for sale on *[Facebook Marketplace]()* and it's said to be car number 123. The seller states that he took the car to Jim Ellis in Georgia and was told it was the only all-Chagall Blue Harlequin ever made. Like all other Harlequins, the interior has gray cloth seats with a unique color pattern, featuring all four of the Harlequin colors. ![]() ![]() ![]() Look deeper than the Harlequin's colorful skin, though, and you'll find a basic Mk3 Golf's underpinnings. Its 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder still makes only 115 horsepower and its five-speed manual still powers only the front wheels. It isn't quick and it isn't sporty but it's a special, interesting slice of Volkswagen history and that's understandably enough to drive enthusiasts wild. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()