- Seller: Michael R (Contact)
- Location: Mckenzie Bridge, Oregon
- Mileage: 121,746 Shown
- Chassis #: 1V1MB0178BV208546
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.7-Liter Inline-4 Gasoline
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Volkswagen has built more than a few vehicles that have gone on to develop incredibly dedicated followings, but the Rabbit Pickup might have one of the most passionate communities of VW owners. It’s easy to see why these quirky little trucks are fun to drive, dependable, and super versatile. There were several trim packages offered, and this one received the ultra-cool Sportruck option, which included lots of cosmetic parts taken from the Rabbit S. The seller is the second owner, and they’ve done their best to preserve it in its original condition throughout. It’s ready to drive and is being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction!
The Rabbit Pickup was based on the same A1 platform as the Mk1 Rabbit/Golf and could be optioned with either the 1.7-liter inline-4 gas engine or the 1.6-liter inline-4 diesel. While the Sportruck option included lots of parts that found their way onto the GTI when it finally came to our shores, it didn’t include the GTI’s performance bits, but plenty of owners have upgraded their pickups with GTI parts for some added oomph. This one retains its original 1.7-liter and 5-speed manual transmission, as well as its original paint.
Inside, we find a clean interior that retains all of its unique Sportruck parts, which includes the 3-spoke sport steering wheel, high back bucket seats with vertical seam pattern vinyl upholstery, deluxe full door cards with map pockets, full length armest/door pulls, red door card and dashboard accent trim, dual remote adjustable mirrors, center sport console, golfball shift knob, accordion shift boot, full instrumentation including tachometer, voltmeter, oil temperature, coolant temperature gauges and clock. The seller notes that they replaced the headliner and redyed the armrests, door handle trim, center console, shift boot, and dashboard to ensure everything matches and looks its best. They also had the gauge cluster replaced with a new old stock GTI 115 mph unit that was adjusted to reflect the car’s correct mileage.
Rabbit Pickup owners tend to fall into one of two camps: those who prefer the gas engine and those who love the diesel. Both are good engines, but the gasoline option offers a more spirited driving experience. It’s rated at 74 horsepower and 89 foot-pounds of torque, which might not sound like much, but with a curb weight of 2,200 pounds it’s plenty to be fun. The seller has done a ton of work to make sure this one runs and drives it’s best. We will let them tell you about it in their own words: The engine, transaxle, driveline, and chassis have been gone through front to back. The original 1.7-liter fuel-injected gasoline engine was resealed top to bottom, including the headgasket, with new head bolts. The transaxle was resealed, including a new clutch rod bushing and throw-out bearing. All chassis bushings and bearings were replaced along with struts and rear air shocks. Gti vented brake rotors and pads were installed up front, new wheel cylinders, shoes, and hardware out back. Much more was done as preventative maintenance in preparation for a 10,000-mile cross-country trip to mk1madness 2022 in Mohnton, PA, which it completed without major issue. Please refer to the work order in the photos for a complete list of work performed.
The seller has also given us a detailed breakdown of the paint and body: The original paint presents well, but has numerous paint chips and small scratches, as well as factory-installed orange peel and solvent pop paint defects. There are also some dings and evidence of parking lot scrapes. The worst is the left rear wheel arch. Minimal repair work was performed. The wheel arch has been massaged back to the correct shape, but no body filler or additional metalwork was done. Color-matched touch-up paint was applied. The truck was not optioned with the “sportruck” exterior decal package. Custom period-correct vinyl graphics have been applied. These are based on aftermarket designs available at the time the truck was new, but are not original. They can be safely removed without damaging the paintwork. The original belt line trim is intact. The chrome portions have mostly worn away, and it is pulling away at the ends. This trim did not typically survive more than 10 years on a car, so its condition is better than expected. The optional FEY step bumper was repainted. It has a dent on the right side. These bumpers had rust problems; this one is clear of any rust damage
They also note that the GemTop 460 topper has been with the truck most of its life and has a production date code of June 1982. It could use some new seals, but the side and rear windows function properly, and the rear locks with the original key. The pickup is currently riding on 13-inch aluminum wheels and Michelin 175/70-13 tires. The original steel wheels are with it, but one of the hupcaps is missing.
This Sportruck was sold new at Siegrist Volkswagen in Springfield, Oregon, and retains the original Oregon yellow registration plates and dealer plate frame. The seller has done a ton of work to keep this pickup on the road, and clearly, it’s been enjoyed and loved. It seems like it’s getting hard to find solid survivor Rabbit Pickups like this one, especially with the Sportruck option. If you’d love to be the next owner to enjoy this Rabbit, be sure to bid. And leave any questions you might have in the comment section below.
Bid On This Auction
Bossmanferrari bid $5,000.00 2025-08-18 04:28:44
axeljag bid $3,000.00 2025-08-13 19:35:35
Ghia Guy bid $250.00 2025-08-12 09:02:17
Is that an interference engine?
No
I wonder, with the elimination of fuel economy limits for vehicle manufacturers, if we’ll see a line of these types of “trucks” come to market again? Is there consumer demand for it?
Just kinda rolling through my head, what new FWD hatchback would would make a good trucklet? The Corolla platform seems pretty versatile, I could see this body style fitting on that chassis. The Civic platform is also used for sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and SUVs, but it doesn’t seem like the kinda vehicle Honda has an interest in producing. It makes marketing sense for Dodge to sell another Rampage, am not familiar with their line(s) of small cars though, can’t speculate on the viability of using an existing platform to make a new Rampage.
If I recall correctly Chrysler no longer produces passenger vehicles (cars),
This is the first gasoline “Rabbit pickup” I’ve seen in years, and it looks great! I’m burned out on Volkswagens, though.
This is the cleanest VW pick up I have seen in years!
@Charlie
No sir! It isn’t an interference engine. None of the early 4 cylinders were, except the 1.5 and 1.6 diesel engines.
Since the article mentions a Rabbit S, I think there were more Sportrucks made than Rabbit S cars.
More than likely. The sportrucks out sold them, and were made for three model years as opposed to the Rabbit S’ two
I had a red Sportruck with the big decal on the sides, bought used with a gas engine (can’t stand the smell of diesel) and it had air conditioning! The selling mechanic shop said they could fix the a/c but that took a couple of weeks and a lot of R12 was vented to the air while trying to find leaks. It was a fun drive and I upgraded the exhaust to an IPD option. However, I think it was a 4 speed, maybe an earlier build? It was fun and helped us work through the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and a work-around for broken bridges and freeways until the engine went limp. The practility of a small pickup never left me, and a small p/u is again intriguing. The ev Telo is local, Ford is heading for that market and Bezos, of course. photos my follow if I go through those hard copies in storage.
This is the truck I wish Volkswagen would bring back instead of that truck they are selling under the Ford badge in the USA but the Volkswagen badge everywhere else
How do we find out if this seller has a reserve? Surly it won’t sell for $250
Under the current bid, it says “Reserve not met”. IIRC, the “No Reserve” auctions have that phrase in the webpage title.
On this specimen the phrase from long ago, “the rabbit died” does not apply
I wonder if the front grill is original – it looks kind of non-VW, but maybe it’s the sportruck version. Since he changed out the rims and back bumper and put on aftermarket graphics maybe he swapped the grill too?
The grill and rear bumper are original to this truck
REALLY? I find it hard to understand how/why the back (step) bumper, formed black steel is so different from the front 2-tone hoo-hoo bumper with the black plastic end caps.
Anybody? Bueller? BUELLER?
Nobody “changed out” or “swapped” the grille or bumpers
The grille is the original “egg crate” that came on 81 to 83 VW pickups.
AllRIGHTY then, how’s about you takin’ it to the self-serve car washareeno and puttin’ the ENGINE WASH hot water wand to ‘er?!
Jimmy “They call me JET” Black!