Set the Wayback Machine to a time when hot hatchbacks like this 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI put a different spin on performance. This Falls Church, Virginia classic shows some wear after covering 184,000 miles, but it “runs and drives,” according to the seller here on Craigslist. Replacing the iconic original Beetle, the Rabbit (called “Golf” outside North America) resulted from intense design and engineering scrutiny and hit the mark as a fun affordable family car. The GTI model brought more horsepower and other performance-minded tweaks while maintaining excellent economy for its time. This highly original two-owner example needs (at least) some upholstery work, and $6200 makes it yours. Thanks to reader PRA4SNW for the hot tip on this hot hatch.
Credit the seller for including this critical view: the driver’s seat. Showing this key wear indicator gives buyers key information and also establishes your credibility as a seller. If you drive 45 minutes to check out a car and discover the seller cleverly shot 20 pictures while avoiding torn upholstery on the driver’s seat bottom, you know they’re a liar. Demonstrate respect for yourself and others by showing and describing a vehicle’s weak points; you’ll sleep better and have a better story to tell come Judgement Day.
This should be the sweet 1.8L fuel-injected inline four cylinder, the only motor fitted to American GTI and convertible models in 1984, according to factory literature at auto-brochures. The 1.8 made 16 HP more than the top non-GTI 1.6, bringing a full 90 HP to bear on the non traction-controlled front tires. Also, despite being assembled in Pennsylvania, these Rabbits were designed for the autobahn, and can survive driving with your foot on the floor for hours… when such behavior is legal. Try that with your Cavalier.
The high camera angle and what might be a slight wide-angle renders highly unflattering pictures of any boxy hatchback with sporting intentions. Unfortunately the “hot hatch” segment has largely fizzled out in America despite its highly practical utility.
The GTI-specific gauge cluster above the shifter adds some telemetry. Interestingly, the GTI did not get the upshift indicator fitted to less sporting models. My daughters appreciated the upshift indicator on our ’97 Jeep Wrangler when learning to drive manual transmission, even if it was not very load or incline-sensitive. I spent many hours behind the wheel of several first-generation “Mk1” Rabbits, including a couple GTIs. Interestingly, the fastest of the bunch was a non-GTI 1984 GL with EFI and a five speed. Somehow my friend Matt’s white four-door 1.6 got some special factory fairy dust, perhaps the random chance of a perfectly balanced and blueprinted engine, rendering it capable of making GTI owners check their parking brake. The “Thunder Bunny,” as we called it, laid waste to all the weak ’80s V8s in Warren County, perhaps not too surprising considering a V8 Camaro made 190 HP in 1984 and weighed 1000 pounds more than the 90 HP Rabbit. As any drag racer knows, if you want to accelerate twice as fast, you can quadruple the horsepower or halve the weight. Do you have a soft spot for ’80s hatchbacks?
My late friend Matt with the original Thunder Bunny. I believe this was the night we terrorized the campus of The University of Pittsburgh in Bradford, PA. Matt got pulled over twice by Campus Police. A few weeks later he got a letter of Persona Non Grata from the University stating if he set foot on any Pitt campus it would constitute trespassing. Good times. RIP Amigo.
Sweet picture. For some reason almost all my 80’s car photos with me standing in front of the vehicle include my heel up on the bumper like this. Must have been part of that exceptionally awesome era.
I’ve had several of these hot hatch GTIs. But they were not nearly as fast as the GLI variants. Most fun was cornering around on-ramps where you could lift inside rear wheels with ease. These things cornered like nothing else in the 80’s. Very utilitarian too. I drove mine all across the US frequently.
Hello Mr. Wolf – I’d forgotten about the inside wheel pulling up. The first time we experienced three-wheel cornering… it was quite a surprise! Thanks for the memories -Todd
These old GTI’s and Rabbits are just the best!! Many, many great memories of friends in high school that had these that got flogged and beaten every day and was just like a Timex, takes a licking…. Keeps on ticking!!! I sure hope this GTI gets taken care of and restored like it deserves.
One of my friends bought one of these new. At 6’7” it was one of the few cars at the time that had sufficient room for him to sit in. Bonus: it was a hoot to drive and was economical to boot. I could be interested in this and it’s not far from me. But I’m out of space with the present herd.
Sold Quickly.
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Great deal!
Early in my driving years it was a GTI of this vintage that illustrated for me the concept of strong torque steer. Good learning!
My first VW a 78 Scirocco and I loved it. When the local VW dealer got one of these on the lot, probably 85 maybe, I pulled right in, but as a 23 year old I just couldn’t afford it, it was sharp though, black on black with those snowflakes, ah well, I had some great memories in that Scirocco
The Scirocco was a blast to drive! I have not seen one for quite a while.
Had a soft spot for VW hatches then and still have it now. It’s the worlds most practical small car. Back seat up, it hauls four people comfortably. Back seat down, it’ll haul damn near anything. Put a 2L turbo in it and you’ll have more fun than with a corvette. I now have a ‘19 Golf GTI.
me too !!!! I currently have a mk4 [2005] 1.8t 5speed GTI. also a Audi mk1 TT Quattro project car I am collecting parts for.
Great write up! These cars were fun, quick and could driven in any weather. These little cars surprised a lot of drivers in sportier cars with small block V8’s.