One-of-a-Kind Mystery: Factory Mistake with VW Golf R Color

Most new cars these days come with a limited range of colors from the factory. Typically, you'll find a few options 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 is painted in 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 in November 2016. The color it was painted in, Carbon Steel Grey Metallic, was never officially available for this 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 to find out how it ended up being painted in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic. The color was originally only offered on the Mk 6 and Mk 7 Golf GTI, not the Golf R.

Volkswagen was unable to provide a definitive answer to what happened. Company 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. According to Volkswagen, the car should have been painted in Limestone Grey.

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 identify any issues with the finish, and inspectors typically do not look for cars painted in colors outside their designated options.

The car's unique paint color sparked a frenzy, with over 100 callers competing to purchase the Golf R when it went on sale. Facebook comments went wild over this one-of-a-kind factory misprint. Megan Closset, the product manager of the Golf GTI and Golf R in America at the time, noticed the excitement.

Closset used the massive community reaction to support her case for bringing the Spektrum program to the U.S. market. As a result, the Golf R now offers a selection of 40 additional paint options, including vibrant teals, ocean blues, striking oranges, and captivating greens.

Volkswagen of America now offers a wide range of colors for the Golf R thanks to the accidental production of this unique car. Volkswagen confirmed that this Golf R is the only one produced in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic and issued a special letter of authenticity to the owner, highlighting its one-of-a-kind status and its role in introducing the Spektrum offering to the US.

The current owner of the car has enjoyed it greatly but is now ready to move on. If you're interested in owning this piece of Volkswagen history, it is currently up for sale on Bring a Trailer. At the time of writing, the bidding has reached just over $15,000, with five days remaining in the auction.

Documents confirm the car's special status as a one-off factory error, further adding to its uniqueness and desirability.

Nowadays, if you're looking for a Golf R in a fun color, you can simply pay an additional $2,500 to choose from a wide and exciting selection. 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.