1981 Volkswagen Rabbit

Hatchback

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Manual

1VWBG0178BV063222

Diesel

81 Rabbit Diesel with coolant-heated Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) conversion. 30 gallon marine grade tank is SVO tank, which is located in the back hatch area. I drove this car for many miles on diesel and SVO, hoping my hubby would get in to SVO cars as a hobby. He is NOT interested, and I don't have the ability to work on an 81 rabbit solo. Car needs water pump installed...I have NEW water pump included with sale. Also included are new hotter glow plugs with appropriate relay to match. Buyer would have to haul home. Car was running ~1 year ago, when we decided to do water pump change, and has been parked in my carport ever since. We just don't have time for it due to job changes : ( I loved this car, so my loss is your gain. I don't want to see the car just sit here! Again, car hasn't been messed with for a year, but was running when parked. Someone with a bit of skill and work, this car will be great again. Never had issue with the SVO on this car...it just needs the kind of care an 81 rabbit would need. Body and interior are GREAT shape, car is missing headliner. Seats, dash, etc are good. NEW INFO: I ran it in winter, just run until it hits 180F and switch over. Options are veggie/veggie loop, diesel/veggie (purge) loop, and diesel/diesel loop. All is controlled by electric toggle switches and turns on an additional electric fuel pump. Veggie oil in hatch area, once warmed, didn't cause me any problems with smell, but I guess that depends on the person. We were working on unattaching some hoses on the switches to get to the water pump, these are easily replaced and we can do it for you...we were attempting to find time for water pump change over but, again, have no time for these things at the moment : ( so car was running when parked, and has sat there since. PLEASE no questions unrelated to car (ie how do I do this conversion on my own car, etc). Questions about car are happily accepted...and you are welcome to come see the car prior to bidding. Car is sold as-is with no warranty. I reserve right to cancel auction if car sells locally. Thanks!On Aug-14-11 at 06:01:37 PDT, seller added the following information: 81 Rabbit Diesel with coolant-heated Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) conversion. 30 gallon marine grade tank is SVO tank, which is located in the back hatch area. I drove this car for many miles on diesel and SVO, hoping my hubby would get in to SVO cars as a hobby. He is NOT interested, and I don't have the ability to work on an 81 rabbit solo. Car needs water pump installed...I have NEW water pump included with sale. Also included are new hotter glow plugs with appropriate relay to match. Buyer would have to haul home. Car was running ~1 year ago, when we decided to do water pump change, and has been parked in my carport ever since. We just don't have time for it due to job changes : ( I loved this car, so my loss is your gain. I don't want to see the car just sit here! Again, car hasn't been messed with for a year, but was running when parked. Someone with a bit of skill and work, this car will be great again. Never had issue with the SVO on this car...it just needs the kind of care an 81 rabbit would need. Body and interior are GREAT shape, car is missing headliner. Seats, dash, etc are good. NEW INFO: I ran it in winter, just run until it hits 180F and switch over. Options are veggie/veggie loop, diesel/veggie (purge) loop, and diesel/diesel loop. All is controlled by electric toggle switches and turns on an additional electric fuel pump. Veggie oil in hatch area, once warmed, didn't cause me any problems with smell, but I guess that depends on the person. We were working on unattaching some hoses on the switches to get to the water pump, these are easily replaced and we can do it for you...we were attempting to find time for water pump change over but, again, have no time for these things at the moment : ( so car was running when parked, and has sat there since. PLEASE no questions unrelated to car (ie how do I do this conversion on my own car, etc). Questions about car are happily accepted...and you are welcome to come see the car prior to bidding. Car is sold as-is with no warranty. I reserve right to cancel auction if car sells locally. Thanks!UPDATE AS RELATED TO QUESTION RECEIVED: There is no damage to the car body...what you see in the rear wheel wells is more or less an original trim piece...like a wheel well accent. There is no paint or metal missing there, and the only rust I'm aware of on the car is a few tiny surface paint spots. Overall, the body and paint of this car are in great condition for the car's age. The hood is white and does not match the tan body. I don't care when pick up occurs, so long as we could find a common time. I work during the week, but hubby could possibly meet on a Monday if his schedule permits. I WOULD LIKE THE CAR MOVED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF AUCTION END. Once you buy the car, I will leave it in my yard, but assume no responsibility if something were to happen to the car. The entire amount of the auction must be paid before you can take the car. The tires are definately usable, and we have a second set of NEW tires and wheels that we may consider selling separately. As far as how much it will take to get her back on the road, the car does turn over when cranked without any issues, but the fuel in the car is a year old, so I cranked/turned it over and this is the extent of what I've done this summer with the car--which is why we are selling it--neither of us has time to go further as the car should have the pump replaced before you mess with it much further, which is why we are selling this SVO diesel rabbit so cheap. It's a cute car in great shape, but I don't want to make any $$ estimate or detail of what she needs, I can only say that the car was running when parked.On Aug-14-11 at 06:56:29 PDT, seller added the following information: UPDATE ON TIRES: 2 are better than the others, and hubby says that to pass our WV inspection, the car would need new tires. They all DO hold air, but he thinks new tires are in order.On Aug-14-11 at 11:48:45 PDT, seller added the following information: UPDATE: RE question about areas of rust under car: The only rust I see is minor. The only rust is directly under the driver's seat, probably 3x1 inch, and doesen't affect the integrity of the seat, which is bolted to a very solid area. All floor pans seem very strong. Car is carpeted, and I don't want to remove it to take photo of top view, but when I push hard on the carpet, all is very strong. I have tried to take photos of the underneath, and metal is covered by undercoating. Floor pans should not need replaced. Shock towers seem intact, and there is no rust inside engine compartment. Will upload addition photos. Car is located in Tunnelton, WV zip code 26444. Most who see this car say that they are amazed at the body/interior condition.