At $10,000, Does This 1981 VW Imply it’s Rabbit Season?

It’s been mentioned that small hatchbacks killed off conventional little sports activities automobiles. In atonement for that nefarious act, right now’s Good Worth or No Cube Volkswagen Rabbit convertible affords the same expertise. Let’s see whether it is equally well-priced for its age and that have.

Moon-trip mileage didn’t appear to be a problem on yesterday’s 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S. That, and some dings and scratches gave the impression to be the automotive’s solely noteworthy flaws. Pair that cheap presentation with the automotive’s six-speed handbook gearbox and the $3,900 asking worth’s 77 % Good Worth win appear fairly comprehensible.

With simply over 100,000 on the ol’ ticker, right now’s 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit convertible has lower than half the mileage of yesterday’s Toyota, though it’s introduced in equally clear situation.

When Volkswagen launched its first fully-electric manufacturing automotive, the ID.3 a pair years again, the press supplies went at size to elucidate that the numeral within the title carries two meanings. It firstly recognized the automotive in its dimension phase with greater numbers (i.e. the ID.4 and ID.5) being bigger. Secondly, in accordance with VW, it represented the third main chapter within the firm’s historical past. The primary two of these chapters have been marked by the introductions of, respectively, the Kind 1 Beetle and the Mk1 Golf/Rabbit.

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That second chapter began in 1974 with the Golf’s debut in three- and five-door hatchback types. Volkswagen launched the open-top version six years later, as a alternative for the Beetle convertible.

This mannequin was not only a beheaded hatch cobbled collectively into convertible type. As an alternative, every Golf/Rabbit convertible was crafted by specialty builder Karmann at its manufacturing facility in Osnabrück.

The design might be finest identified for its distinctive B-pillar crossbar. It earned the convertible an unlucky sobriquet primarily based on its resemblance to a “basket deal with” and the mannequin’s recognition amongst sorority sisters. We’ll simply go away it at that.

This one, in Cedar Inexperienced over a charcoal and grey material inside, would possibly make a greater title for itself because it seems to be in implausible form for its age. That look didn’t come with out some effort, and the vendor notes within the advert an extended listing of upkeep and restore work that has gone into the automotive alongside the best way. In accordance with the advert, that work was all performed to make the automotive “dependable and contemporary and prepared for something.” It appears to have all been nicely value it because the automotive is now claimed to run “nice.”

Motivation is by means of a 74 horsepower 1.7-liter SOHC 4 and that’s mated to a five-speed stick driving the entrance wheels. That combo doesn’t make the convertible a fast automotive, but it surely’s cheap for its period and needs to be fairly simple to work on too. Additionally, a GTI drivetrain will slot in right here simply positive.

Total, the automotive presents fairly nicely. The paint pops and the manufacturing facility alloys (together with on the spare) seem free from scrapes or gouges. The vendor does word a number of dings within the bodywork and a few scratches within the paint. The handbook high seems to be in fine condition, although and incorporates a massive glass again window for all of your viewing pleasure.

Not one of the aesthetic flaws appear to be something that will maintain a brand new purchaser from having fun with this Rabbit, however as a complete, they take the automotive down a notch from show-car high quality.

Maybe probably the most evident challenge is the massive decubitus within the off-side bolster of the driving force’s seat. These sport buckets are snugglier than skinny denims, however these tall bolsters do are inclined to put on aggressively over the course of years of entry and exits. The remainder of the inside seems to be in glorious form and is as clear as a bean within the footage. And talking of unpolluted, that describes the title too.

Does the great outweigh the unhealthy on this lop-top Rabbit? That positive appears to be the case. Might it profit from some additional tidying up? Yeah, most likely. Particularly that seat which is able to solely worsen with time and use.

Crucial query, nevertheless, is whether or not or not the automotive is value $10,000 in its current state. What do you say? Is that this tidy Rabbit value that a lot because it sits? Or does that worth make you hopping mad?

You determine!

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