Even though I feel very fortunate to have two cars I love, every time a Rabbit Pickup drives by I follow it longingly. It was an amazing first car – different, a blast to drive, moderately useful, and completely hilarious. There are quite a few still out there that could be acquired for decent prices, but the diesels and the really clean examples have begun commanding some severe premiums. Today’s example isn’t quite the modded-out tuner machine like a few that I’ve written up here, but it’s not an all-original example either. It sits as a nice in-between, with an attractive, low stance and awesome, plus-sized Snowflake wheels. The only other modifications are a duckbill front spoiler and trimmed bumper mounts, creating a subtly unique look that is more of an exaggeration of the original car rather than a revamp. The real story here is that it’s covered less than 100k miles and shows it, with the white exterior clean and the VERY RED interior in great shape.
Click for details: 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup on eBay
Year: 1980
Model: Rabbit Pickup
Engine: 1.6 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 98,885 mi
Price: $12,990
2-Owner Rabbit Pickup (Caddy). Offered Alpine White exterior with Red interior. Features include air conditioning, wood dash trim, working clock, manual transmission swap, duck bill front spoiler, coil-overs up front with drop plates in the rear, trimmed bumper mounts, 16X8 1552 design snowflake wheels and more. Sold new at York VW with original bill of sale, copy of original title, tons of original service records from new, owners manual, warranty book and two set of keys. This truck is in great shape for a 34 year old vehicle. A true must see.
This truck could be driven and loved as is, or further exaggerated with some quad-rounds and cabrio flares. The real question is the price, which is as high as we’ve seen Rabbit Pickup/Caddys go for. One of the main explanations for the other examples selling in the teens was the sheer cost of the modifications. While this is a gorgeous little truck, it’s just not worth more than $10k, and probably more like $8k. If the seller can come back to earth a little bit, this is exactly the kind of Rabbit Pickup I’d like to return to my garage.
-NR
So nice and clean. I’d change the grill, that’s about it. Hard to find one this nice, rust free and original … anywhere!
Swear to god within the last 48hrs I was thinking – “not enough VW Caddys on this site, I should write in!” Amazing… This one is cool, and def clean, but prob a little out of my price range. And technically, I don’t even know for sure if I fit comfortably in one! Will have to check one out some day…
Also, anyone ever see those $4k conversion kits for newer jettas? Can’t decide how I feel about them. Also, taking a sawzall to a car sounds both fun and a disaster in the making.
Ry – you’re killin it these days. I was about to respond to your comment on the Corrado, I love the idea of the Friday Fail.
I just googled a Caddy conversion – are you talking about Mk4s? Can you share some links? For $4k, I would LOVE a VR6 or 1.8T (OR TDI!!!!) minitruck.
I’m 6’4″ 210, and when I had my Rabbit Pickup I was a svelte (not) 6’3″ 225 high schooler. I wouldn’t say it was roomy, but it wasn’t awful – and it was completely worth it.
Check one out. If you think it’s actually a possibility, buy one. They are a blast.
Those Jetta conversions are pretty cool, I think. Not perfect, but better than the “JTi” that seems to be as far as most can imagine. Big win on the RML snowflakes. Their teardrops are pretty awesome too! Wish they’d make low offset Ronal R8 replicas next, preferably in 4×108….
I think this is the main place @Nate
http://www.smythkitcars.com
I’m extremely apprehensive never having seen one in person or read a review on one…intersting idea though. That AEM place does the same thing for Wranglers but it’s much more expensive than this kit.
And we are about the exact same height & weight, thank you! Now I can bid on a Caddy without worrying about that in the future.
Hey Ry, thanks for the info!
I’m not trying to say the Caddy will be spacious, but you WILL fit… 🙂