Factory Mistake: Unique VW Golf R Painted Incorrectly

author: FutureCar Staff    

Most new cars these days come with a limited range of colors from the factory. Typically, you'll find a small selection of blacks, whites, and greys, with the occasional red or blue. However, every now and then, a car manages to slip through the cracks and sport a color that wasn't originally 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 in November 2016. This was because the car was painted in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic, a color that was never officially available on the Golf R model. Its listing for sale at Lindsey Volkswagen in Dulles, Virginia caused quite a stir.

The current owner of the car decided to investigate its history and reached out to Volkswagen for answers. They wanted to know how their Golf R ended up with a paint color that was not offered for the model. Volkswagen, however, could not provide a definitive answer. Company representatives suggested that the four-digit paint code may have been entered incorrectly or that the wrong paint was selected due to a system error. The car should have been painted in Limestone Grey, according to Volkswagen.

Since the Carbon Steel Grey Metallic paint was available at the Wolfsburg 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 purchase the Golf R when it went up for sale. Facebook comments went wild over this one-off factory misprint. Megan Closset, the product manager of the Golf GTI and Golf R in America at the time, noticed the excitement and used it to advocate for the introduction of the Spektrum program in the US market. As a result, the Golf R now offers a wide range of additional paint options.

Volkswagen confirmed that the Carbon Steel Grey Metallic Golf R was the only one of its kind produced. The company issued a special letter of authenticity to the owner, acknowledging its one-of-a-kind status and its role in bringing the Spektrum offering to the US. The owner has enjoyed the car, but it is now up for sale on Bring a Trailer.

If you're interested in owning this unique piece of Volkswagen history, the car is currently listed on Bring a Trailer with a bidding price of just over $15,000. The auction has five days remaining, so expect the price to climb. Documents confirm the car's special status as a one-off factory error.

While Volkswagen no longer offers Carbon Steel Grey Metallic as a color option for the Golf R, you can still find it at Porsche as a Paint to Sample color. If you're craving a Golf R in a fun color, Volkswagen now offers a range of exciting options for an additional cost.

FutureCar Staff