Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: 1981

This site contains Ebay partner affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel LS

Published August 24, 2014 by Nate

$_57 (4)

A Rabbit Diesel is about the lowest rung of autos we write up here, and that’s exactly why I like to draw attention to them. As everyone rushes out to buy their kids and significant others various hybrid commuters and electric Fiat toys, I wish they’d broaden what they consider efficient cars. Having seen roadtrips well above 50 mpg in a Mk4 Jetta diesel, a Mk1 seems like a great, inexpensive way to get around town efficiently. They remind me of simpler times, and I wish more people felt the same way. This little survivor spent much of its life being towed behind an RV and has driven under its own power for just 100k miles. The 200k miles on some of the running gear is negligible in the face of the utility the little diesel could provide for hundreds of thousands of miles to come. All this for a few grand? Now THAT’S efficient.

Click for details: 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel LS on eBay

Read Our Post1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel LS
Comments closed

1981 BMW 528i

Published August 22, 2014 by Nate

$_57 (5)

The Bavaria down the street from me always gets a second look, and the progression to the classic E28 was a smooth one. Bridging the gap was the first generation of Bimmers named 5, and today’s E12 has been putting in some serious work since it was built over 30 years ago. It looks fantastically late-70s/early-80s with gold wheels matching the pinstriping. The grey paint has a few blemishes but overall this car still shows classy and sporty in a way few cars of this era can. Think about what the American car companies were putting out in 1981… and then stop because it’s horrifying. One thing I love about 80s cars is they represent one of the last generations that can be maintained and continue running forever. With the computer invasion, I find it hard to believe that an E60 5er will ever see 300k miles. This 528i, however, has covered those miles gracefully and is ready for someone to help it go another 300k.

Click for details: 1981 BMW 528i on eBay

Read Our Post1981 BMW 528i
3 Comments

Porsches Past: 1981 Porsche 924 GTP

Published August 14, 2014 by Paul

Pablo over at flüssig magazine tipped us off to a rare 924GTP for sale in Germany, a template for what would ultimately become the 944. Sit back and enjoy another history lesson courtesy of our water-cooled Porsche guru.

The ‘P’ stood for prototype…this car was the 944 prototype and secrecy had to be kept for two more weeks; the 924 GTP, chassis 924-006.

Under the hood, the engine was pure Porsche. Their first water-cooled four cylinder engine Typ 944/71 (internal designation Typ 949), derived from half of the 928’s V8 but of completely new design, displacing 2.5 liters (2,479cc). Utilizing dry-sump lubrication and placed into the engine compartment at a 45 degree angle, this large capacity was obtained with huge 100 mm bores and a relatively short 78.9 mm stroke. But there was something a bit different going on above those bores…an all new sixteen valve head coupled with a KKK K28 exhaust driven turbocharger breathing in through an air to air intercooler.

Let’s talk about the cylinder head since it bears special mention here. This was a one-off design by Dipl. Ing. Hans Metzger, and although you might think, “ah, so that’s the one that they used for the 944S!”

And you’d be wrong.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1981 Porsche 924 GTP

Read Our PostPorsches Past: 1981 Porsche 924 GTP
Comments closed

10K Friday Poor-sche Edition: 928S4 v. 944 v. 944 Turbo v. 924 v. 944 S2 v. Boxster v. Boxster S

Published August 1, 2014 by Carter

“Poor Man’s Porsche”; while it’s a moniker usually attached to the 924 series, the reality is these days it applies to everything outside of the 911. The surge in 911 prices has been so great, that it has also pulled other lesser alternatives to the 911 up as well – try to get into a clean 912 and you’ll be surprised by the price. Even the lowly, forgotten 914 is in the mid teens for a really clean example of a flat-4 model up towards $100,000 for original 914-6 models. So does this mean you need 6-figures to be a true Porsche enthusiast? I don’t believe that’s the case – I think there are a plethora of great options at or around $10,000, so I’ve lined up an assortment. Which do you think is most worthy of wearing the crest of Stuttgart?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Porsche 928S4 on eBay

Read Our Post10K Friday Poor-sche Edition: 928S4 v. 944 v. 944 Turbo v. 924 v. 944 S2 v. Boxster v. Boxster S
8 Comments

1979 Volkswagen Scirocco

Published July 27, 2014 by Nate

00505_34Ifls2OXaC_600x450

The original Giugiaro Scirocco is a thing of beauty to this day, with sharp lines that come together distinctively. It’s a shame that most Mk1 Sciroccos are dead or beat within an inch of their life, but today’s is a refreshingly clean and cared-for example. Taken just on looks and the cleanliness of the engine bay, it’s a heck of car. Unfortunately, while the description attempts to be detailed with a photo of (I think?) maintenance and improvements, the seller is not familiar with resolution requirements, leaving quite a few questions to be answered before the steep asking price is paid.

Click for details: 1979 Volkswagen Scirocco on Seattle’s Craigslist

Read Our Post1979 Volkswagen Scirocco
3 Comments