• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

1981 VW Rabbit Pickup

As the owner of a VW shop, I've worked on many and owned a few. Cheap to own and operate...had a few gas burners and a couple of diesels....last week an old guy at a wrecking yeard said he had one with a new diesel engine he'd let go for 250....don't need it but it was interesting.
 
They have something of a cult following. Useful little vehicle, a common modification is to drop a tuned GTi mill in there in place of the standard unit, and upgrade to GTi suspension, etc....... They are pretty rare, so you won't see yourself coming down the road.

I love the first-generation Golf (the Rabbit over here). Parts are obtainable, relatively easy to wrench on, and they are pretty cheap. Big VW fan, family currently has five of 'em.
 
We had a '79 Rabbit for about 10 years and it was very reliable. I got rid of it way too soon. My neighbor currently has a pickup and is awaiting a new engine. It has like a million miles on it and is a real work horse.

BTW:
I've got dibs on one of the those license plates if you get it :smile:
V
 
That GTi swap sounds interesting. Throw in a modified cabriolet top and it would be supremely unique.
 
If it were me i'd go for it and as Steve says a bit of a cult following and enough room in the engine bay to drop in a 1.8t or a 2 litre, and like Steve we have 4 in the driveway. The oldest is the wife's '87 cabby(316000km and running strong) and the newest a 05 new beetle and in between a 2001 gti chipped 1.8t,lowered with 18" rims and all leather interior, and a 2001 jetta chipped 1.8t, lowered and 17" rims. All nicer than my 2002 ford windstar, you can tell the kids have all the nice cars
 
jackq said:
last week an old guy at a wrecking yeard said he had one with a new diesel engine he'd let go for 250....don't need it but it was interesting.


Do you have this guys contact info? I have been looking for a diesel VW truck that I can afford and $250 is affordable (even if I have to go 500 miles to get it). :smile:


Please LMK.
 
Back
Top