NO RESERVE 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup Diesel 4-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1981
- Make: Volkswagen
- Model: Rabbit Pickup
- VIN: 1V1LG0172BV217014
- Mileage: 62,019mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Forest Green Metallic
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Cowpens, SC 29330
- Lot #: V-0025307
Born from an experiment by Volkswagen of America, the Mk1 Golf-based Rabbit Pickup was released in 1979 and manufactured at the Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant in Pennsylvania up until 1984. This 1981 example features the LX trim package and a 1.6-liter diesel-powered engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. It was acquired by the seller in January 2022 from the original owner's grandson after it had been sitting for several years. Having undergone significant recent service to ensure its roadworthiness, this Rabbit Pickup is now being offered for auction out of South Carolina.
This Rabbit Pickup wears its factory Forest Green Metallic paint color with bright silver moldings and fender lips. It rides on factory 13” steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and new Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires. The LX trim package adds decorative body side moldings, two of which are missing from the sides of the bed. Clearcoat degradation is noted on the roof and hood and some scratches are depicted on the bed. Rust spots are also depicted at the corners of the back window. Additional images are provided in the gallery.
The interior is trimmed in Silver Grey vinyl with matching carpets and woodgrain accents. The original radio and window cranks have been replaced and some cracks are noted in the instrument cluster lens. The seller states the odometer failed during their initial test drive of the truck after service had been completed. A damaged odometer gear was replaced, although the gauge is still inoperable. The factory air conditioning system is functional, although the seller notes it is low on refrigerant and does not currently blow cold.
The 1.6-liter inline-four diesel engine sends up to 52 HP and 71 lb.-ft of torque to the front wheels by way of a 4-speed manual transmission. Upon the seller’s acquisition earlier in 2022, the fuel tank was drained and cleaned while the injectors were replaced along with the injection pump, glow plugs, cylinder head, timing belt, accessory belts, radiator, and battery.
This sale will include the original owner’s manuals and a clean title.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $6,750
- Auction End: Dec 19, 2022 08:20:34PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 19
Comments (35)
Congrats
Great buy
Congratulations! You got a very cool little truck!
Sold for $6,750
Bid in the amount of $6,750
Bid in the amount of $6,500
Bid in the amount of $6,250
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Bid in the amount of $5,750
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $5,250
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Bid in the amount of $4,750
Bid in the amount of $4,500
Bid in the amount of $4,250
Bid in the amount of $4,000
Bid in the amount of $3,750
@Chinscab yes, I’d be comfortable taking it on a road trip.
Is it safe to drive 600 miles?
Bid in the amount of $3,500
Bid in the amount of $3,000
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Yamkaw68 no, the odometer is still inoperative. I clocked I believe it was eight miles on it when it quit and I probably put 20 to 30 miles on it since then just running it around making sure everything was good. Seems like a number of reputable sources will repair it, I didn’t want to pull the cluster and delay the auction though.
Has the odometer been fixed by chance?
@Rrost that’s a tough question to answer. This isn’t a late model common rail diesel which will typically show no soot out of the tailpipe. It shows a normal amount of smoke for an indirect injected, fully mechanical diesel. Under steady throttle cruise virtually no exhaust is visible. Rapid full throttle application of the pedal will produce a big puff of smoke. Normal acceleration will produce a slight bit of smoke. Hope that is helpful.
When you accelerate , how much diesel exhaust do you notice.?
@Jimbo1907 yes, these VW diesels are hard to beat. Truck is a blast to drive, feels like a go cart because of its size.
I had a 1982 Rabbit diesel. (two door) It was a reliable as a hammer, consistently got over 40 mpg, and I wish I still had it. Unfortunately, I already have a truck. This little pickup will make someone very happy.
Bid in the amount of $2,750
Bid in the amount of $2,500
@AndyM No timing belt never broke. I didn't even try to start the engine until it had a new belt on it. Truck had not been run in 5-6 years, so fuel system needed some TLC. As detailed in the notes, tank was drained and flushed but it still didn't run clean. So, I replaced the injectors and the fuel injection pump. With the injection pump out the glow plugs are very accessible, so I decided to change them. #3 snapped off in the head, thus the new cylinder head. I have the original head if you want it. Cylinder walls looked great with cross hatch clearly visible. Great question, thanks for the interest. Happy bidding!
Why was cylinder head replaced? Did belt break? If so other engine damage???
Thanks for the bids!
I can help with delivery in a 3-4 hour radius.
Bid in the amount of $2,250
Bid in the amount of $1,981
Welcome to my auction! These trucks are getting hard to find and this is the cleanest, most original one I’ve ever seen. Send me any questions, I’ll do my best to respond promptly. Thanks for looking!