As for the first car I remember...
I have vague memories of a VW Mk1 Derby, but probably only from pictures.
The one I actually remember being in was the Mk1 Jetta W reg, we had after the Derby. It was a 1.6 GLS in burgundy and brown interior, and had 5 doors, which was a huge luxury after the 3 door derby.
It looked just like this, but in burgundy and even had these wheels

We had it till about 1985 when it was written off by a bin lorry driving into the back. It was sold to a stunt car company.
After this we had a VW Santana (Passat saloon) with a 5 cylinder engine, I think it was a 1.8. It looked just like this:
