Introducing....

[Rhetoric]

Hello everyone, my name is Chad. I’ve been lurking for a bit now but decided to join up as the folks on this forum look to be top notch. I’ve always been enticed by cars, which led to acquiring a part-time job in high school working at a local business that deals in mostly in race engine building (primarily muscle car stuff), but have also had a chance to tinker with a few older European makes. I can’t pinpoint when I decided to start my search for a MK1 Rabbit, but I had kept my eyes open for a few years. I found ‘my car’ this past August while on a routine Craigslist search. It’s was a 1981 Rabbit Diesel L, 2 Door, 4 speed (GP) and only 68,128 actual miles on the clock.

I was expecting the worst as I went to take a look at the car, as most Craigslist ads are far from reality, but it was quite the opposite. I was informed by the current owner (at the time) that the car had only one previous owner and that he had passed on and left the car for his daughter (who sold it). He pulled out a tiny ringed notepad that had mileage recordings, along with how much fuel was added to calculate the mileage. The entries are somewhat random at times, but I was astonished to see such an item accompanying the vehicle. Nearly everything mechanical/body wise is original to the vehicle. The previous owner swapped in some mint front seats, and I’ve since located a rear seat and parcel shelf. I don’t know too much else about the car’s history, but I know it was purchased by the previous owner in Montana and it has NY State inspection stickers from 1983 and 1984 in the windshield.

I’ve since added the ‘Avus’ wheels (thanks Chad@SCI) and a few other misc. items here and there.

I could discuss more, but I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

From the day I looked at it:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2147/2122588815_5584e64b48.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2122584055_6b9d0bea91.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2123356984_523d284b46.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2122578059_394f6ea1a3.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2122580235_447353db8f.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/2123349774_d61362a029.jpg

As of yesterday:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/2349077932_58a94fdc35.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2348245361_fd055e5b22.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2349077782_78035cd1bc.jpg

More pictures can be seen here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/qubed).
Thanks for looking!

[mattdesmond]

We should just call this the Diesel rabbit club! Welcome and nice car!

[SlimMJS]

she's a beauty! welcome :D

[OptimusGlen]

Welcome. Your Rabbit is HOT. :) nice and clean!!

[vweezly]

Welcome... rad... and I hate you for not having rust :P

Haha. Great car brother!

[Digital K]

man, that thing looks phenomenal :) come see our 4 mk1's here at my place sometime :)

[silver saloon]

nice rabbit!!

[possebmxer]

Welcome nice looking rabbit :thumbup:

[Champ]

Awesome!

[poorscheg60]

That thing is ultra clean, welcome.

[hamradio]

Whoa, very, very, very nice! Welcome! Keep it exactly as is! I love the stripe!

For me, diesel vw=:wub:

When I began reading this thread, I thought it was about the car that the guy I bought my rabbit from owned. I'm kicking myself for not buying it. It was a black '81, diesel, 4sp, red int, very nice, and the waterpump leaked. $1k. I've tried to contact the guy since then, as I'd like to buy it now.

[Rhetoric]

Thanks for the kind comments. I'm planning on keeping it looking as original as possible, with some hints of my own personal style here and there. That and I'm sort of on a very tight budget of nearly nothing right now...

[Digital K]

good plan :)

[hamradio]

you're just in melrose? That's not that far away from me. I thought for sure I was in the only guy in about 50 mi that didn't think rabbits were pieces of shit.

[hamradio]

Wow, you're pretty close to me. I thought I was the only guy in about 50 mi that didn't think rabbits and other old vw's were pieces of shit.

[Rhetoric]

you're just in melrose? That's not that far away from me. I thought for sure I was in the only guy in about 50 mi that didn't think rabbits were pieces of shit.

Yep, I'm currently residing in sMelrose while I take some time off. I know of a couple people who appreciate older Rabbits and the like. The father of my friend from high school has owned an '84 4 Door Diesel Rabbit since new and even had one prior to that. The last time I talked to him the car had over 460,000 miles on the original drivetrain... and counting.

I've gotten numerous compliments on it from some of the most unsuspecting people, and have even been asked if it's been 'restored.' I must be doing something right.

[palmer]

Oh, hi!