mk1 golf cabriolet

hello, i have a mk1 golf cabrio that was first registered 01/05/1980 it's a gli 1600 with 4 speed box and an old skool dash and steering wheel(wolfsburg)
i have been told that it's a pretty rare car because convertibles did'nt come over to britain until 1982/83.
can anyone out there throw a little light on the subject?
oh forgot to mention it's a german import . :dontknow:

They were sold in 1980 (V/W reg   ) and are rare esp in good condition.

Yours was probably imported by someone in the armed services. :dontknow:

Seen this one on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-MK1-Golf-Cabriolet-Karman-GLI-1980_W0QQitemZ4618282236QQcategoryZ9873QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is it normal to have that massive shelf under the dash on a early dash example? I also see the one on the 'bay has a series 2 style centre consul??
There was an early W reg GLI for sale in norwich before xmas which had the early dash and alloys.
I wouldn't think there are many left of the series1 now