- Seller: Matt G
- Location: Monterey, California
- Mileage: 126,864 Shown
- Chassis #: 1V1LG0173BV186856
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.6-Liter Inline-4 Diesel
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual
Known by many in Europe and elsewhere as the Volkswagen Caddy, although not until 1982, this model was known as the Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup in North America. Whatever it’s called, they’re rarely seen in the wild anymore, and sometimes those that are seen have been modified to the Nth degree with personal preferences. This 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup LX Diesel is mostly original and listed exclusively here as a Barn Finds Auction!
There have been many car-based pickups over the decades, but this design has to be one of the most unique. Many of you already know how solid and fun-to-drive a regular VW Rabbit is, so adding the hauling area of a pickup was a genius idea. A fun-to-drive small pickup? The word fun has a different meaning to everyone, but my idea of it is being able to drive a crisp-handling car that corners and brakes well, not to mention being solid with a quality feel. Here’s your baby.
The first-generation “Caddy”, or VW Pickup, was made from 1979 through 1995 here and longer in South Africa. This was it for body styles; there was no four-door sedan pickup. If I had time, I’d whip one out (in an hour or two) in Photoshop just to see how it looked. The seller has absolutely outdone most sellers in providing such great photos, very, very well done! Inside the pickup bed looks nice with a new sprayed-on bedliner. The only thing I notice outside, other than a few normal nicks, is that the tailgate has been repainted. They say it’s wearing its original Lago Blue paint otherwise. Speaking of original, the BMW wheels aren’t original, of course, but the seller is including the original wheels and hub caps with the sale.
There may be a bit of fading here due to the fact that this rock-solid VW pickup was bought in New Mexico and now resides in California. The glorious sun has faded things a bit, but has seemed to otherwise preserve the precious metal bits. The underside looks amazing, as expected. This one has a five-speed manual because it has a diesel under the hood. Otherwise, it would have had a four-speed manual, an automatic wasn’t available in this generation. It also has a new headliner.
The clean engine compartment houses Volkswagen’s 1.6-liter diesel with – are you sitting down? – 52 horsepower, and it has new engine mounts, and is said to get between 40 and 50 mpg. The car is even equipped with air conditioning, although the seller notes that it needs to be recharged, the compressor comes on, but it doesn’t blow cold. If you’ve been looking for a head-turning commuter with some hauling capability, check out the great photos and get your bids in on this 1981 VW Rabbit Pickup LX Diesel!
Bid On This Auction
Jorge718 bid $7,100.00 2025-04-22 10:58:13
JVR bid $7,000.00 2025-04-22 10:43:30
Circle Motors bid $6,900.00 2025-04-22 08:13:34- Jorge718 bid $6,800.00 2025-04-22 07:32:06
- Circle Motors bid $6,700.00 2025-04-22 06:56:17
- Jorge718 bid $6,600.00 2025-04-22 03:19:46
JoNova81 bid $6,500.00 2025-04-21 21:05:58- Circle Motors bid $6,300.00 2025-04-21 19:34:03
- JVR bid $6,200.00 2025-04-21 10:54:02
P_yunk bid $5,900.00 2025-04-21 09:37:51- JVR bid $4,905.00 2025-04-21 06:26:00
- Circle Motors bid $4,701.00 2025-04-19 18:38:04
MartyOpp bid $4,505.00 2025-04-19 17:08:42- Circle Motors bid $4,400.00 2025-04-19 16:30:02
- MartyOpp bid $4,299.00 2025-04-19 15:28:17
- Circle Motors bid $4,100.00 2025-04-19 08:20:38
Kevin4147 bid $4,000.00 2025-04-18 21:12:34- Circle Motors bid $3,400.00 2025-04-18 18:08:21
- MartyOpp bid $3,300.00 2025-04-17 14:03:45
okmko bid $3,200.00 2025-04-16 19:43:26- Kevin4147 bid $2,500.00 2025-04-16 12:04:36
David bid $2,050.00 2025-04-16 08:41:06
John s bid $2,000.00 2025-04-15 15:35:49
That looks like it’s in nice shape. I’m surprised that a 40-year-old diesel is still anywhere in California LOL.
Was thinking this would make a good post-apocalypse vehicle, but can a diesel be push-started? I assumed you’d need the injectors functioning, unless you had some ether to spark it off…
With an engine that small I’d be tempted to try adding a pull-start. :D
If I remember correctly, it’s a mechanical injected diesel (like cummins or early Land Rovers), so it just needs power to the fuel cut-off solenoid and then could be push started. But it may take a long time pushing if the glow plugs aren’t used.
These early VW diesels were bad about the half moon key in crankshaft snout gradually shearing. I had to replace mine and have the crankshaft key slot milled for a new one. Very common issue.
The first car my wife and I bought together was a 1981 Rabbit Diesel two door sedan, light blue just like the one in the ad; ours had a navy blue interior. The reported fuel mileage of 40-50 rings a bell as being correct. Although, driving east from western Canada, a ferocious tail wind pushing us from behind, we recorded 62 miles per gallon. At 225k, we took the bunny in to the dealer to have the injectors serviced. Picking the car up, the tech said, “According to Volkswagen, this engine is still within spec for new. It was a great car, and not as slow as some might think.
Context. In ’78 the Iranian society was in dramatic change mode. The oil markets went into overdrive with some futures selling for the unheard of price of $75-80 bbl. What had been a kind of stable 50-70 cents for regular gas became $1.25. The economic shock caused many to abandon rational thinking and off load their nearly new Olds Cutlass (600,000 sales) to buy whatever Toyota, Datsun, or VW offered with 25mpg or more. The wholesale shock was a killer on used values and most with less than a 25-30% down payment found themselves under water vs. their loan balance. That VW already had an American plant to produce for our market and a vehicle that took advantage of fuel price disparity as well as 40 plus mpg. was a homerun for all bonus paid marketing types. Didn’t hurt the local dealer, either as buyers were confused by a new abbreviation – ADP. Most put $1000 of additional dealer profit as well as various other wildly priced add-ons. The buyer allowed panic over a difference of maybe $50 per week to burden themselves with new monthly payments that included the negative equity of their trade. The only gilding of the lily here was that these actually delivered on their promise. I was only peripherally involved through some of our dealers being duals or triples, but heard reports of as much as 60 miles per from consumers. This was a classic butterfly in history affect as the whole Westmoreland and VW legend unfolded over the next decade or so that just might have presaged the diesel cheat phenomenon. Class dismissed. Great little pickup if you are not in a hurry. It will do 65-70 all day. Always had that great style that lended itself to mild customization with stripes and wheels.
I was 5 in ’79, just learning to read and remember the NO GAS signs in front of gas stations. I also remember the adults around me trading the big boats for much more “car-shaped” and less carsick inducing small cars. I’ve been a fan ever since and faced both the 2008 and 2021 gas price spikes with a gas-sipper already in the driveway, bought when deals could be had on them
David, your comments are spot on. I remember that time in history vividly as it was panic time for getting a vehicle with good mpg.
I’d love it, if it wasn’t an entire country away from me. Like most good deals here on the BF. Someone’s going to get a really nice little truck.
2k , wow that is a steal. Useful and cheap. 50 mpg was totally obtainable. Im amazed to see one to well kept.
I bought one new in 1981…..just like this one! It really got 50 mpg. I paid about 10k for it!
10k was a lot of money in 1981. I bought a nicely appointed mustang for 7500 in ‘81.
My ’81 Camaro stickered for $7,229.
Neighbor of mine had one of these, he loved it but complained that if you put too much of a load in the bed the front end got light (FWD remember) and traction was greatly reduced. I had a Rabbit diesel commuter at the same time (60+ miles a day – always 45 or so MPG) that had A/C. What I remember most was that flipping the switch to turn on the A/C felt like someone had thrown an anchor out the back.
I did the nearly impossible in a diesel Rabbit – got pulled over for speeding. After a quick chat with the officer, we agreed his radar was probably aimed at the car next to me as the diesel couldn’t go that fast. I offered to swap cars to test the Rabbit’s top speed, but he declined. We both had a good chuckle. It was my lucky day.
Rabbits were a blast to drive . One of my favourite rides in a long list of vehicles.
Historically the Rabbit was the “Bug’s Bunny “!
What’s wrong with this car? Being that old, everything can’t be perfect, so please tell us what’s wrong. After a casual glimpse of the photos, I noticed that the right side of the rear bumper is pushed in; both the transaxle and the sump are showing leaks; and rusty seat rails? In a car that spent its entire life in the desert? My only guess about how that happened is that its window gaskets rotted out in the sun and the floor got wet from rain — for a pretty long time before the gaskets were replaced.
The seat rails are not rusty. That is grease, probably from the factory. It’s red. I have a close-up photo I will try to add.
Photos of the seat rails have been added to the photo gallery.
This is the truck I wish Volkswagen would build today The Amarok not available in the US market under the Volkswagen badge I suppose I can just go buy a Ford ranger and change the emblems but it still wouldn’t be this useful little truck this will be one to watch and see if it clears the reserve price.
What a beautiful Radwood entry! Great little truck, sporting a cassette deck, and rocking Dire Straights on the Monterey Peninsula. That’s a great day in my book!
Thank you. I agree. A good day indeed.
I want to watch this auction as I have a diesel Rabbit pickup like this only in a tan color. The first time I sat it it I felt instantly at home. Seat, shifter, pedal placement were what I experienced with my several VW Sciroccos. The best fuel economy I have experienced has been 45mpg. But then I have NEVER been able to keep the right foot under control. Yes, it handles and rides well. But it still feels heavy to me. (I used to a Scirocco, lowered and equipped with Bilstein shocks and wider wheels.) The BMW bottle cap wheels look ok. Mine is also rust free as that happens when a vehicle has been in Nevada it’s whole life. My interior is a little beat up from the sun. But not terrible.
Another west coast vehicle that I would bid on but won’t because it’s on the west coast. Finding one in comparable condition here in the middle Atlantic states would be hard to do. I am interested if bidding will crack the reserve. So I will watch. GLWTS.
My rabbit pickup was white, a more appropriate color for a rabbit perhaps. My custom plate was “HARERIG” These little diesel engines were designed for refrigerated trailers in Mexico as I recall, and are very durable. The tailgates were easily, and often stolen so that may be what happened here. The dealer even kept a few in stock. This will be a great little truck for someone and I think the high bid will surprise folks. What do you think it will sell for?
We bought a used Westmoreland pickup, red with “Sportruck” on the sides, but gas powered! The a/c was not working but the repair shop handling the sale put a new evaporator in it and chased down the other leaks. One fine day as we pulled in to the Dumbarton toll plaza “something happened!” It released a plume of black smoke. We U-turned and drove carefully to the nearest retailer, put 3 quarts of oil in it and drove it home with no apparent ill effects! Maybe a ring broke and then self-healed? We never figured tha out but still miss the utility and fun driving.
What a great workhorse! These will go forever if you take care of them. People everywhere would love to see ( and buy) small trucks like this again. The car manufacturers could not be bothered by the demand because they are happy selling $80K over-priced hogs. I am a small building contractor and I no longer use a pickup truck. They have become virtually useless for most of the trade mostly because of their size. I for one, would like to keep that $1200 truck payment in my own pocket! PS. I recognized the BMW wheels right away and I like them on this truck!!
John S, You are correct. Mechanical fuel pump. Although I have seen several with electric pickup pumps. I have seen some internet links on this because the weak link in the fuel system is the “suction side ” of the mechanical pump. And supposedly supplying fuel to the pump makes it live longer. (From what I have heard and read.)
These areno ball of fire and acceleration seems lackadaisical at times.But once up to speed it has enough torque to usually keep up to highway speeds. I hear that the 4 speed units kind of top out at 75, but really prefer 65 mph. I run mine 75-80mph most of the time as I am out in the boonies where traffic is extremely light.
I mentioned in the post about the Mopar version of this recently – a few weeks ago I saw one of these VW diesels on I20 west of Atlanta. He was tooling along, keeping up with traffic.
What really stood out was the smallness of this vehicle amongst the super tall trucks and SUVs.
I owned the same truck, it was a fun to drive, “like a go cart” it got 43 mpg but was hard to start in the winter, and couldn’t get out of its own way. The best thing about it was when someone would get impatient behind me, I’d floor it and it wouldn’t go one mph faster , but would make them disappear in a cloud of black smoke ! Good times . . .
I bought a black on black 1980 Rabbit pickup from a dealer in the early 80’s but mine was the gas version without AC. Although diesel versions are rare try finding a gas powered one, as they seem to be more rare. I don’t recall these being called “caddies” back then in California, yet that’s what people are calling these today.
Whoever painted the tailgate took the time to paint the letters on it. Some paint shops fail to do that. The diesel pickups that I do occasionally see for sale today are not as clean as this one.
I’d like to buy another one but I’m sure it would be too cramped for me these days!
I’m the owner and I painted the tailgate. The paint had all fallen off. I don’t know why but I’ve seen others like that. Maybe it’s the diesel exhaust or the additive. I carefully sandblasted, metal-prepped, epoxy primed, and topcoated with polyurethane. I bought the letters online and applied them. I’d also like to add that the bed liner was done at a rhino-lining dealer.
I just watched the video. As a VW Diesel Mechanic in the 1970’s-1990’s, I can observe the timing belt is way too loose. There is a belt tension tool, but it should be tight enough you can barely twist it about 45 degrees max. They do whine, but jumping a tooth or two will destroy the engine. And it needs a factory belt cover to keep debris from getting into the drive & throwing the belt. Nice Time Capsule!
The maintenance manual says you should be able to twist the belt 90 degrees. That’s how I tensioned it. I have the tool and it will go with the car. And, I agree about the cover. I haven’t tracked one down. It didn’t come with its cover.
As I mentioned before about adding a fuel lift pump before the actual mechanical fuel pump. I just looked at the pictures again and see that a lift pump has also been added to this one.
I’ll be offering up the twin of this one 8n a few weeks. (Tan in color with fiberglass camper shell) I hope the bidding is as robust for mine as it is for this one.
Great. Please let us know all its shortcomings. It’s disheartening to see obvious problems that aren’t mentioned — makes me wonder what else is wrong with it!
Continued:
It starts easily. This is the first diesel I’ve owned. It vibrates at idle. The mechanic here said it’s normal. When you bring in throttle it smooths out. It shifts fine except I think a linkage kit may be in order. Going from 4th to 5th I have to be deliberate, doesn’t naturally fall into place. It drives straight, brakes straight. It’s quite smooth on the highway. Motor just pulls along. The 5-speed keeps the rpm low at 65. Under the hood, it’s missing its timing belt cover, the R12 a/c could be converted and/or charged, I’ve not diagnosed it, only verified that the compressor engages when the switch is on. Regarding the body, painting it would be nice, or if you like original paint you could touch it up. There’s surface rust under the antenna, a small spot at the bottom of the rear window rubber, and paint missing in drivers door handle well. Something I am amazed by is straightness of the body. When I replaced the windshield it had a Kirtland AFB sticker on it. I imagined someone parking it on the base daily perhaps in a place where it couldn’t get dinged. So, it’s a solid car that has been taken care of. But, it’s old. There will be things to fix or improve. But that’s what draws me to old cars. That’s the person that this car is for. Be it, restore, modify, or drive and enjoy.
Will do Fred.
I will go through all things I feel could be fixed. Rear bumper right side bent in, taillights could be polished, mudflaps replaced, rear window trim piece replaced or replace rubber with no-trim rubber, rubber seals around driver and passenger windows are ok but old, vent wings (I fixed by taping off and sandblasting hardware mount points and JB Welded) could be converted to Cabriolet wings, original paint is ok but a paint-job would be nice, small surface rust spots. Interior: window roll-up handles plastic is gone, rear view mirror has black splotches around edge, a/c doesn’t blow cold- haven’t tried to charge it, ashtray cover replaced with abs plastic and installed 12v outlet, carpet needs steam cleaned. Things I did: new windshield with no-trim rubber, new wipers, replaced all motor mounts, replaced injection pump distributor o-ring, new tires on BMW E30 wheels, painted tailgate (paint had come off), professional Rhino-Lining bed, lubed everything I could.
Sounds like it is in decent condition for a 44 year old vehicle.
Couldn’t ask for more, Matt. Great effort at representing the little rig.
Thank you. I’d like to add that I can store the car for the buyer as long as he or she needs. I have a large building and it can stay there until pick up. Also I’m available to meet a shipper or drive the car to LA or any San Francisco Bay Area airport.
I fixed the rear bumper. Bracket was bent on right side rear bumper. Also want to mention, under the hood, the brake master appears wet. That is Corrosion X that I brushed on it. It is cast iron and it needs rust preventative on it. It is not leaking as the wetness would suggest. Also, today I found that the internal bracket for the passenger door stop is broken. The door swings fine and stops as it should. But that will need fixed/replaced. I’m trying to add pix.
Thanks, Matt!
Wow! The memories. In the early eighties, my girlfriends father had one of these that he actually let us borrow to take a trip from Upstate NY to Florida in. We were halfway through PA when the gas gauge finally moved off of full. We drove to Florida, Daytona, Orlando, Sanibel Island, back to Daytona, and back home on about $80.00 of fuel for the whole trip! I couldn’t believe my own eyes. I’m thinking I could fly to Cali and drive it back with the plane ticket probably being the biggest expense of the trip. (minus the trucks purchase price of course). Now where to find a cap to fit it. I know they existed back in the day.
Yes, my diesel Caddy (no rust) will be listed here in 8 weeks or so. (currently building a house and the title is packed away where I can’t get to it right now) It has a fiberglass shell in good condition.