Mk1 Volkswagen VW Diesel Rabbit Pickup 1.6 4 speed One Owner 48k Clean Original

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Description

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pick up Truck - 48,118 original miles 4 speed manual transmission. Purchase from Original owner (11-29-2017)
1.6 diesel engine - has oil in the coolant bottle - starts right up - drives AWESOME. Temp gauge does not work and i am assuming it would need a head gasket job. Wanted to get that out of the way.
4 speed manual transmission - E brake does NOT work feels like it is not hooked up.
Tires are good and hold air but i assume they are VERY old. Right front hub cap does not stay on the rim.
Interior is very clean. Radio turns on but does not want to tune in a station so all you hear is static. There are some aftermarket speakers behind the seats. Carpet is clean. Dash is nice - just one 2-3 inch crack ( pictured )
This is a factory NON-AC truck so very clean simple engine bay with some sort of coolant heater installed.
I replaced the battery and under the battery tray is VERY clean. Strut towers are CLEAN. Rockers are CLEAN. Lower control arm mounts are CLEAN. Front apron seams are CLEAN. I can not find any ROT / RUST on this truck. It has some dents / scratches - the bed of the truck was very well USED and the tail gate is really really bad condition - it is bowed really bad and the mounting point is broken off on the passenger side.
History:
This truck was purchased new 12-15-1980 in Ames Iowa by a small Business over in Iowa. ( I have the original title )
They used the truck in a small Iowa town to move thing, do truck things with it. As mentioned the bed / tailgate has lots of scratches and dents from being used. It always lived inside one of the buildings. The original owner of the Company passed away last year. I had purchased a few other Vw's from his Estate earlier this year. A few weeks ago they called me to come get this truck. It had a note on the dash that said " DO NOT USE " they were suspect of the head gasket being bad.
I picked it up end of November of last year pushed it / winched it on my trailer drove back to Nebraska a few hours. When I got back to my Car lot I checked fluids tossed a jump box on it and it started IMMEDIATELY. Like it was driven in the morning of that same day. I was surprised and happy. I happen to have a complete ALH 1.9 TDI swap and was going to swap this truck but that all changed when it actually ran. ( TDI SWAP IS NOT INCLUDED )
Next day - in the day light I went out and replaced the battery and then realized there was oil in the over fill bottle. I fired it up and drove it around by my shop on a quick errand. The gas gauge works - but the temp gauge never moved.. Probably why it " over heated " and needs a head gasket.
I own a small car dealership and typically only sell old Vw & VW parts. As mentioned above i was totally planning on just dropping this engine and transmission and doing TDI swap - then once i started poking around the truck it is SO nice and SO original that i think it better suited to stay the way it is for someone else to enjoy.
Issues:
Head gasket is probably bad. Missing front left black bumper cap. Headlight switch knob is missing. Radio turns on but only plays static. Right front Passenger hubcap does not like to stay on the rim. The tail gate is pretty rough and beat up. The bed of the truck is well used. There are two big HOOK in the bed to hold stuff down ( ran out of room in the pictures to show picture ) Emergency brake does NOT work. Coolant temp light in gauge cluster does NOT work. Tires are probably really old but have great tread and hold air. Inner black caps are missing from rear bumper. Headliner is replaced with a light grey material not the original red vinyl. Antenna on driver fender - the mass is broken off. There are hooks mounted in the bed as tie downs.
I recently got 3 Log Books - detailing the mileage ( last pictures ) It was last used on a regular basis in 2012.
Starts up and runs well but i would obviously NOT drive it except on and off a trailer with it needing a head gasket.
PLEASE DO NOT WASTE MY TIME ! GET A SHIPPING QUOTE OR MAP OUT HOW FAR NEBRASKA IS FROM WHERE EVER YOU LIVE AND BE SURE YOU HAVE THE MONEY - IMMEDIATELY TO PAY FOR THE TRUCK. THE LAST HIGH BIDDER GAVE ME EXCUSES FOR 3 WEEKS AND I FINALLY GAVE UP!
Sold AS IS - WHERE IS - Lincoln Nebraska 68502
$500 deposit due with in 24 hours. Complete balance is DUE 72 hours after auction ends. Truck need to be picked up 7 days after auction or storage fee's will apply. Please do not waste my time. Personal inspections at our car lot are encouraged.
Truck is listed locally and nationally so auction could end at anytime.
No reserve auction.
The Vehicle Rescue Sale & Service
1520 Pioneers BLVD Lincoln Nebraska 68502
402-770-0069