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1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup Caddy Pickup 2-Door 1.6L Diesel Rust-Free 48mpg

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Location: Gadsden, Alabama, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Rabbit
Type: Standard Cab Pickup
Trim: Base Standard Cab Pickup 2-Door
Year: 1981
Mileage: 339,000
VIN: 1V1LG0174BV125001
Color: Tan-Gold
Engine size: 1.6L 1588CC 97Cu. In. l4 DIESEL SOHC Naturally Aspirated
Number of cylinders: 4
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: FWD
Interior color: Burgundy
Vehicle Title: Clear

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Description

Selling my beloved Rabbit pickup to move on to another project. It has 339,000 miles on it and hadthe engine rebuilt about 50k miles ago (previous owner). It makes at least as much power as it did when brand new. It has a five-speed Jetta manual transmission that shifts perfectly. I get nearly 50 mpg out of it (the worst I've gotten so far was 42, ypically it's 46-47mpg) and it gets lots of looks. I have a clean Alabama vintage vehicle title in hand.
It's never been in an accident and there is no rust, ot underneath, ot in the strut towers. I spent nearly $1500 on having three small rust spots repaired at a local body shop. I also spent a small fortune on a roll pan (and getting the paint matched) for the rear to replace the ugly rear bumper. It cleans up the rear of the truck REALLY nicely. The front suspension is new springs/shocks and the rear has the axle flipped over the springs. It can be reversed just by buying two new U-Bolts. It's a do-it-in-the-yard-on-Saturday-afternoon kind of easy job. The previous owner had it resprayed in the factory color around a decade ago, he blacked out front center section is a spray-on rubber-like protective coat that 3M makes. It can be peeled off at any time.
The tires are 95%. The front ones have less than 2000 miles on them, he rear ones have around 3000. The wheels are nice Jetta 5-spoke wheels. I'd recommend getting them beadblasted, t'd look very classy.
What needs work: The tailgate is slightly warped so it closes fine but one corner rattles a tiny bit. The blower fan is burned out, o no A/C. Heat and defrost still work fine as long as the vehicle is in motion (forcing air through). I have a spare blower motor that came out of another Rabbit that I'll include. Lastly, he bolt holes where you mount the drivers side support arm for the hood are corroded so there's no support there. You can fix it by tack welding the arm to the hood or putting new bolts on. Either way it still opens fine.
I've been using it as my daily driver to work off and on, hile my turbo diesel Jetta was in the shop off and on and it's 100% reliable for commuting. It starts right up and gets great MPG.
It's registered with Vintage Vehicle plates, hich are NOT included. You'll have to get the plates redone in your name, ven if you're in-state.
I've got a camper shell for it and the mounting clamps that I bought from a guy in Chattanooga and will include that and the foam sealant and fiberglass repair stuff I bought for it.
Other stuff I have for it: replacement black plastic grill for the duct on the front passenger side, pare water pump, nd front duckbill chin spoiler (was $65)

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