1981 VW Rabbit Turbo Diesel

[bluehenry688]

I recently looked at a 1981 VW Rabbit Turbo Diesel 4 dr. Its a single owner car that has been off the road for a few years. The engine was swapped with a jetta engine of similiar vintage and the owner said he believes it needs a new/rebuilt turbo. When he picked the car up 5 years ago he said he got it up to 55 but it didnt have any power. As the car sits the roof is caved in with no creases at the moment but a tree branch fell on it. Has a few round rust holes about an inch in in diameter in the door jams otherwise it is pretty clean an complete. The car also comes with an extra set of rims. Sorry didnt have camera along for photos . Just wondering what something in this condition should bring?

[hamradio]

Was it a TD originally? Factory turbodiesel rabbits do carry a premium.

Honestly, without photos, it sounds pretty rough...I'd say ~$500. Who knows if it needs the injection pump rebuilt, if the transmission grinds into a gear, etc. it will probably need new brake stuff from sitting so long, along with various rubber bits, etc.

[sprstu]

sadly its probably worth more in parts than it is as a whole car. Rust and a crashed roof...

[bluehenry688]

I think the roof could be pushed out pretty good. Currently there are no creases. Other than the rust is the door jams that isnt really that bad the body is in really good condition. Yeah the car is originaly a turbo diesel. Its just sad seeing the car continue down the path its on.

[Audiphile]

I recently looked at a 1981 VW Rabbit Turbo Diesel 4 dr. Its a single owner car that has been off the road for a few years. The engine was swapped with a jetta engine of similiar vintage and the owner said he believes it needs a new/rebuilt turbo. When he picked the car up 5 years ago he said he got it up to 55 but it didnt have any power. As the car sits the roof is caved in with no creases at the moment but a tree branch fell on it. Has a few round rust holes about an inch in in diameter in the door jams otherwise it is pretty clean an complete. The car also comes with an extra set of rims. Sorry didnt have camera along for photos . Just wondering what something in this condition should bring?

I so basically he had it maxed out? Im pretty sure the Mk1 diesels didnt have a horsepower rateing, but rather a "hampsterpower" rating.

[sprstu]

It was not a Turbo Diesel from the factory. You said it your self he swapped a Jetta TD motor into it. There were 0 MK1 Rabbit TD sold in the US from 1981. I don't even think Canada had them.

As for the lack of power that could be a bunch of stuff. I could have been timed poorly even. Even an NA 1.6 can go faster than 55mph.

[bluehenry688]

Good one on the hamsterpower rating!!

[Rhetoric]

It was not a Turbo Diesel from the factory. You said it your self he swapped a Jetta TD motor into it. There were 0 MK1 Rabbit TD sold in the US from 1981. I don't even think Canada had them.

As for the lack of power that could be a bunch of stuff. I could have been timed poorly even. Even an NA 1.6 can go faster than 55mph.

Stuart is correct. 1983 is the only year a TD Rabbit hit the US Market. Jettas were '83 and '84 and much, much more plentiful.

IMO, try to find a running, driving, non-damaged diesel Rabbit if you want to get into learning the old diesel stuff. It's much easier to learn from a car that is running as it should, than try to fix someone's mess of a car.

[Digital K]

these arent rare cars. suffering through a project like that isn't going to be any fun.