1978 Volkswagen Rabbit - 2 Door - 5 Speed

Description

Selling my 1978 Bahama Blue Rabbit.
I bought this car a couple years ago and put it together with the intent of keeping it a long time.
I had been looking for a "keeper" Rabbit and really wanted Bahama Blue. It is a fantastic color and is very hard to find.
This car came available in Idaho and I bought it and had it shipped here.
It is original paint with great patina. No evidence of accidents or paint work anywhere I can find.
Lots of rock chips, peeling clear on the hood and roof with some surface rust on the roof.
Structurally totally solid. Shock towers, aprons, etc.
The rockers and pinch welds are straight, no deformed from putting the jack in the wrong place, I hate that.
There is a rust hole on the passenger rear wheel opening at the top. It rusted from the back out so something must have been trapped back there.
There is also a small rust hole in the driver side front floor. Toward the rear of the pan near the hump in the center of the car. Really weird place to rust. They usually rust where the floor pan meets the fire wall. This one is great up there. I had the carpet and jute out. Pulled the sound deadener to check everything. All is good except the one spot. I POR15'd anything that was bear metal. I keep the car inside and only drive it when it's nice out so these issues weren't a big deal to me. Just added to the character of the car.
I added the roof rack which is in nice shape. Still has the ZKW sticker on the back. It's nicely faded and matches the car perfectly.
Blue vinyl interior is in really nice shape. Uncut door panels and parcel shelf, all trim in place, working AM radio, nice headliner, seats not ripped up, etc.
It does have an early Scirocco Tach cluster swapped in. Tach, gauges, everything else work fine.
Remote mirror on the driver side works well. Passenger mirror is not remote.
The passenger seat had a small tear in the bottom that was stitched up. Carpet is good but thread bare in the back.
The car was completely stock and original when I got it. Gas 1.5, 4 speed, steelies, suspension, brakes, etc.
I went through the car replaced a bunch of stuff with stock parts and upgraded a few things.
The trans started puking fluid right after it got here. I swapped in a good FF code 5 speed with new clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and fly wheel.
Also rebuilt the shift linkage with a TT short shift kit, full rebuild kit and the KROM build metal shift selector ball.
The shift action is really good and precise. The FF has a overdrive 5th gear that is great for cruising.
Upgraded the front brakes to GTI spec. 9.4" vented rotors, new calipers, pads, lines, etc. Rear are stock drums and were fine.
E brake works properly.
Suspension got all new rubber bushings including no longer available and impossible to find NOS OEM rear beam bushings. Early rebuildable strut bearings. New ball joints and tie rods. Added a Scirocco 16V K bar as well.
I added new KYB struts and shocks with Eurosport Springs. This is a nice combo. Lowered the car slightly and rides really well while still firming up the handling.
With the new bushings and other parts the car is really tight. No clunking or rattles. The only exception to that is the steering column. It will clunk over low speed bumps. Like pulling into the garage or into a parking lot. The column bushing will need to be replaced.
Car is riding on 14x6 Remotec Cups with 185/60's. I love 14's on Rabbits. The sidewall adds some compliance to the ride. The thinner contact patch keeps the steering light.
The wheels are in nice shape and tires have OK tread. The stock steelies with good tires are also included.
The engine got new fluids and a tune up. It starts and runs well. No rocket but it keeps up with traffic and cruises easily on the highway at 75.
Electrical system works fine. All the lights and gauges work. Dome light comes on when you open the door. Radio works and gets good AM reception.
The car is just how I wanted it. I finished it last summer and only drove it a couple times. I've had it out twice this summer.
I like having it but just don't use it. The wife and I were discussing it a few weeks ago. She is a Rabbit fan as well and suggested selling this one and getting a Caddy.
It would be useful to have around and fill my need to have a Rabbit. My first car was a '76 Rabbit back in 1987. I've had a Rabbit or Scirocco almost continuously since then.
Still love the little things.
Walk around videos of the car.
Exterior

Interior

Running

The car is sold as-is with no warranty.

I have a clear MT title in my name.
Buyer is responsible for shipping.
$500 deposit is due within 48 hours of auction end.