1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L Custom

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Brevard, North Carolina, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Volkswagen
  • Model: Rabbit
  • Type: Hatchback
  • Trim: L Custom
  • Year: 1981
  • Mileage: 151,213
  • VIN: 1VWFG0173BV080382
  • Color: White
  • Engine size: 1.6L
  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Power options: Air Conditioning
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: FWD
  • Interior color: Burgundy
  • Options: CD Player
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Description

For sale is my '81 Rabbit. Runs well but smokes (see below), drives very well. Mileage is not accurate, odometer stopped working at the listed number, according to previous owner. He had the engine rebuilt and injection pump replaced, after which his wife drove it around town. He estimated mileage on the rebuild at about 10,000.
It has been repaired and maintained professionally since I bought it, in need of repair, in 2011. In that time, it has had new injectors, timing belt, water pump, thermostat and housing, engine oil seals, engine / transmission mounts, radiator, all hoses, alternator, battery, starter, glow plugs, control arm bushings, ball joints, strut cartridges, tie rods and bellows, CV axles, rear stub axles, all wheel bearings, rear brake shoes and drums, clutch, shift linkage, and transmission. Has low mileage Firestone tires with a full-size spare. Also has a JVC head unit with CD and USB connectivity.
I am the third owner of this car. I drove the car daily for two years, then sold it to my sister, who drove it for two years and sold it back to me in 2015. Collectively we have put about another 24,000 "around town" miles on it. The car has factory A/C which has never been converted to R-134a, but is intact and has not been molested. Heater temperature cable is separated from control valve, but valve works manually (needs valve, cheap and easy). Body is good, with little rust (mostly on hatchback, negligible elsewhere), a handful of dings, and one crumple above the front wheel on the driver's side. Rear bumper is slightly high on driver's side, probably from use of a bumper jack. Car has never been wrecked. Interior is also good, with seats from a newer Golf showing no damage or wear other than slight discoloration of driver's seat. Carpet is intact and not faded, headliner is torn around hatchback. Dash is cracked.
This was my spare car, recently it has begun smoking at idle. It starts easily, so I assume it is an injection pump issue. I am just not interested in repairing it, since I am relocating and cannot take it with me.
Car includes Yakima roof rack, however, the gear basket and bike tray pictured will not be sold.
Please contact me with any questions.