Factory Mistake: Unique VW Golf R Painted Incorrectly

author: FutureCar Staff    

Most new cars these days come with a limited set of colors from the factory, typically blacks, whites, and greys, with occasional red or blue options. However, sometimes a car manages to slip through the cracks and ends up with a color that was not officially offered. This was the case with a 2017 Volkswagen Golf R in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic.

The Golf R in question gained legendary status when it arrived at the dealership lot in November 2016. Lindsey Volkswagen in Dulles, Virginia listed the car for sale, causing quite a stir among car enthusiasts.

The current owner of the Golf R became curious about how their car ended up painted in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic, a color that was not supposed to be available for the Golf R model. Upon contacting Volkswagen, the owner was unable to receive a definitive answer. Volkswagen representatives suggested that the four-digit paint code may have been entered incorrectly or the wrong paint may have been selected due to a system error. The car should have been painted in Limestone Grey instead.

Since the Carbon Steel Grey Metallic paint was available in the factory, the car was simply painted in that color and passed through the production line. Quality inspection did not raise any concerns as the finish was flawless, and inspectors typically do not look for cars painted in colors outside their designated options.

The car's unique color sparked a frenzy, with over 100 callers vying to secure the Golf R when it went on sale. The excitement caught the attention of Megan Closset, the product manager of the Golf GTI and Golf R in America at the time. Closset used the community's reaction to support her case for bringing the Spektrum program to the U.S. market.

As a result, Volkswagen of America now offers the Golf R in a wide selection of colors, including rich teals, ocean blues, searing oranges, and intoxicating greens. This expansion of color options was directly influenced by the accidental production of the Carbon Steel Grey Metallic Golf R.

Volkswagen confirmed that the car in question is the only Golf R ever produced in the Carbon Steel Grey Metallic color. The company issued a special letter of authenticity to the owner, acknowledging its one-of-a-kind status and recognizing its role in bringing the Spektrum offering to the U.S. market.

Although the owner has enjoyed the car, they have decided to sell it. The unique Golf R is currently up for sale on Bring a Trailer, with the auction still ongoing.

If you're looking for a Golf R in a fun color, Volkswagen now offers a wide selection for an additional cost. However, Carbon Steel Grey Metallic is no longer available at Volkswagen. If you still want this color, you can find it at Porsche, where it is offered as a Paint to Sample option.

FutureCar Staff