33k-Mile 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI Mk1
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1983
- Make: Volkswagen
- Model: Rabbit GTI
- VIN: 1VWDC0178DV023763
- Mileage: 33,453
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Royal Red
- Seller: Ambassador-Auto
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Lebanon, NJ 08833
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0013811-DT
We are pleased to present this 1983 Volkswagen Mk1 Rabbit GTI finished in Royal Red over a red striped cloth interior. Introduced to the U.S. market for the 1983 model year, the Mk1 Rabbit GTI is based on the iconic first-generation Golf GTI that had been sold in Europe from 1976. This first-year Rabbit GTI was delivered new in June of 1983 and remained under the care of the original owner up until 2005. The last owner kept the car as part of a collection, and upon their purchase invested approximately $8,300 servicing and restoring it back to factory specifications. A fine representation of America’s first GTI, this thoroughly documented Mk1 Rabbit is accompanied by its original bill of sale and is now being offered for auction by its seller out of New Jersey while showing just over 33k miles on the odometer.
This GTI comes finished in Royal Red and features distinct U.S. specification squared front end styling and larger front and rear bumpers compared to its European counterpart. The seller notes that the passenger door and lower cowl area appear to have been refinished at some point and that the paint shows to have been otherwise very well preserved throughout the years. Additional images can be found in the gallery along with paint meter readings and a clean CARFAX report. The headlights were replaced by the prior owner and the factory 14″ snowflake wheels come dressed in Vredestein tires showing date codes from 2020. The matching full-size spare has also been mounted with a new tire.
The cabin is trimmed in red vinyl and striped cloth with a matching dashboard, headliner, carpets, and door panels. The seller describes the interior to be remarkably well kept, with the only imperfection of note being slight wrinkling of the headliner material. Factory features include air conditioning, an AM/FM cassette stereo, a sliding sunroof, opening front vent windows, and a classic golf ball shift knob. The seller confirms that all gauges, lights, and accessories remain fully functional including the air conditioning system which was recently recharged.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated 1.8L inline-four-cylinder engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Compared to the standard Mk1 Rabbit, the GTI featured lightened pistons, larger valves, a higher compression ratio, and a free-flow exhaust as well as other minor improvements. The front wheels were driven by way of a close-ratio 5-speed manual transaxle and the GTI produced up to 90 HP and 105 lb.-ft of torque when new. Under the prior ownership, the car was treated to a comprehensive service at a cost of approximately $8,300 which included new fuel lines and fuel pump mounts, a new rear wheel cylinder, rear wheel bearings, a new battery, all new fluids, rebuilt front and rear brakes, and rebuilt suspension with new struts, springs, mounts, and bushings. A comprehensive collection of service records will accompany the sale dating back to the original purchase.
This sale will include two sets of keys, the original owner's manuals and sales documents, a collection of vintage magazines, a binder of service records, a full-size spare, and a clean title. Marking an important chapter in automotive history, this time capsule of a Rabbit GTI is a true collector’s item.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $28,000
- Auction End: Nov 01, 2021 11:48:30PM UTC
- Number of Offers: 1
Comments (29)
Sold for $28,000
Offer in the amount of $28,000
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $24,750
Bid in the amount of $24,500
Bid in the amount of $24,000
Bid in the amount of $23,750
@garrege probably not a great thing to hi jack someone’s auction with your sale. At least wait until after the auction has ended.
Nice Rabbit GTI; good luck.
Curious to see where this lands.
I'm going to be selling an Inari Silver 1978 Rabbit 2.0L 16V.
Sort of a Golf GTI tribute with euro trim/bumpers.
Bid in the amount of $23,500
Absolutely great car here…. Wow.
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Bid in the amount of $17,500
Fantastic photography here. Benchmark…. Who’d expect a car like this to exist in NJ?
Bid in the amount of $17,000
Bid in the amount of $15,288
@scags911 Tommy, Yes we can work something out. Please private message me through the contact seller button at the top right of the auction. Thanks
Hi. Car is great. I would like to come see it. Are you ok with me coming to look at it on Sunday? I had same GTI in black back in 1995 and now have a 2018. Please let me know.
Thanks
Tommy
@Early944 no problem and my pleasure. The car’s paint is really nice and has a beautiful shine too it.
@Ambassador-Auto That's what I was referring to. Wow - I've seen plenty of reflections on photos but that one completely fooled me. Thanks for the clarification.
@Early944 Thanks for the question. I am not sure what photo or drip you are referring too. Please let me know what photo number. If you are referring to phot number 24, 25, 26 or 27, there is a reflection of the white line in the parking lot in each of those pictures that shows a squiggly vertical. Other than than that, please let me know which photo you are referring too. Thanks
Can you tell me what the "drip mark" is on the rear quarter panel near the bumper? I assume you have tried to polish it out and were unsuccessful? Thanks.
@Ambassador-Auto : I used to Ziebart my cars back in the 70’s. This stuff really works. I once bought a 1987 Cutlass from a friend who had it done based on my suggestion when she bought it. The car was 11 years old and in perfect condition, unheard of for that era car.
@richjs43 Yes, that is what you are seeing. As you know a very common dealer add on of the era.
@Ambassodor-Auto: am I seeing Ziebart rust proofing plugs thru out the car? thanks
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Beauty!
Bid in the amount of $10,033
WOW nice !!!!!