A replacement for the VW Beetle was on the horizon as early as the mid-1950s. Numerous prototypes were built, though none ever matriculated beyond internally assigned numbers like EA47 or EA97. Each was deemed to fall short of the popularity and economy of the Beetle. But as they say, timing is everything. Two decades later, Volkswagen entered a period of unmatched turbulence. It acquired Audi and NSU in time to be sideswiped by Richard Nixon’s move to end the dollar’s convertibility into gold. The Deutsche Mark skyrocketed in currency markets, crushing VW’s sales in the US. As if things couldn’t get worse, they did: the OPEC oil crisis ushered in previously inconceivable regulations in the US. Amidst this uncertainty, VW hired a new Director, Kurt Lotz. Lotz prioritized a replacement for the Beetle, and finally – given the availability of parts and engineering from the Audi/NSU mergers, and Giorgetto Giugiaro’s design talent – the Golf was introduced in 1974. Known in the US as the Rabbit, the front-wheel drive, two-box hatchback offered a variety of engine options. It was instantly successful. Here on eBay is a 1984 Rabbit GTI, priced at $21,000 or best offer. It’s located in South Burlington, Vermont.
The GTI came along in 1976 overseas and 1983 in the US, shoehorning between the “sports car” and “economy” genres to popularize the “hot hatch”. Finally, we could enjoy running errands! It wasn’t fast – the 1.8-liter, fuel-injected four-cylinder only mustered 90 hp while torque was about 105 lb-ft. But the five-speed manual was fun, and handling was better than most of its contemporaries. This odometer has registered 211,000 miles; whether mechanical maintenance has kept up with the turns on that dial is a question mark. The seller indicates the oil pan, gas tank, timing belt, water pump, exhaust, cv boots, brakes and wheel bearings have been “recently” replaced. The suspension has been modified, and the wheels are not stock.
The interior is described as “really, really good,” but the carpets are clearly worn, and some surfaces are faded. The dash has survived well enough, and the headliner was repaired. I don’t like the gearshift knob, but I do like the groovy seat cloth. Very leftover ’70s. The seller notes that the HVAC system has been disconnected, and the radio does not work. The beauty of the hatchback is the cargo space under the rear glass, but also a cubbyhole in the “trunk”, where a few spare parts are kept.
Giugiaro is reputed to have said the Golf was his most important design ever. We can see his hand in the car’s crisp creases, but rather than being beautiful, the Rabbit presents as practical. The paint here is in decent condition, marred by just a couple of spots of wear. In fact, the overall impression here is slight wear throughout, weighed upon by the high mileage. Meanwhile, sparkling examples like this ’84 drew a high bid of just $15k, while this one failed to sell at $17,500. I think the “best offer” part of our seller’s pricing plan will need to come into play if this one is to find a new home.
A classic “hot hatch”. More than a few racers were caught off guard by one of these at our local SCCA Autocross when they started showing up!
Golf Ball shift knob is correct for the GTI.
Don’t know about the ask though…
White with red interior is my choice on these.
That shift knob has a good feel while you are rowing through the gears on an autocross. No slipping off that one.
I’d really like to have one of these,but I won’t pay the
high prices that they’re asking.I found one with rust in it
not too far from here & offered $200,but passed when the
seller said he wanted $500.
My 2021 Gti has the classic trademark golf ball shifter, love it. As the final year of a manual shifted analog gaged Gti, I had to have it. It is a summer toy only.
Although I find I have a problem with these newer manual shifted hot hatches (228hp 2.0L turbo), I get lost relishing the revs and the pure analog experience grabbing the next gear as the needles in the dash jump up and down. So much fun it got me my first speeding ticket in 14 years last summer. I think I’d be better off in an old one that’s just as fun to drive but not as fast 🤣. Perhaps a nice 8v mk2 again?
I have a ’19 Golf GTI, six speed manual. The fun factor is off the. chart. I once had a ’69 Alfa GTV that came close, but otherwise nothing equal.
My 2nd car was a 1984 GTI, Black with 15″ Eneki 3 piece gold basket weave wheels, weber throttle body and Engle camshaft, tokico suspension, coil overs and huge sway bars. Bought it with 115,000 miles, eventually sold it with 176,000 miles, was amazingly fun to drive. In fact, I ran it in our H.S. drags in CO and it constantly hit 16.8 seconds in the 1/4 mile.
I bought a new 84, and after many other really nice rides, I wish I had it back!
21K is way over the top. I am looking at a 90 this weekend for 6K, that needs interior, body, and paint. The Mechanicals are good. BAT ruined the prices for these and owners still are asking way too much and the GTI just sets.
Too bad, but I may have a new ride!
I have had a few of these GTIs. My first one I picked up in Grand rapids, Michigan… Royal Red, BBS Body kit, Complete Alpine stereo system and also an Alpine security system. Nakamichi amps and speakers and subs. 15X7 BBS RZ wheels. G grind camshaft, euro big downpipe with TT exhaust. It was a total aftermarket 90s GTI. I totaled up all the receipts in the manilla folder that came with it… $17,000 was invested.
Second one I also bought in GR…250 bucks
Third one from Kzoo, MI. 57,xxx miles when purchased. VWoA owns it now.
Always looking for more…
Was in my early 20s during this era… I was the target market… had GTIs and Sciroccos as my dailies… Wonderful cars. As Detroit was still mired in its malaise era, this was one of the few places to go for the driving enthusiast on a budget. Would be fun to revisit that time… but $21k?… No.
@Luckless Pedestrian… You think 21,000 is stiff… This GTI sold for 38 Gs the first time.
The second time is much more…Albeit it is a Callaway GTI https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-volkswagen-rabbit-gti-callaway-turbo-stage-ii/
I bought a new GTI when they came out in ’83… silver with the same blue interior. I changed out that shift knob for a leather one pretty quickly… wish I still had that car.