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Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:30 pm

So the other day a friend of mine called and said that her grandpa knew a guy selling a "jetta" for $300 bucks. I was pretty skeptical (how many times have you heard of a friend of a friend selling a car, it NEVER is what they say) but I asked her to get me the info anyway because I have been looking for a winter beater. After about 15 mins she calls back with the info and a few mins later I am on the phone with a very nice VW old timer who is indeed selling a car. Only its not a jetta, its an 84 GTi. The next day me and a buddy went to look at the car and boy was I surprised! This guy had owned the car since 1989 and had almost never driven it. It was in a sort of make shift barn outside his house. Even though it was covered in dust and dirt you could tell that underneath was a perfectly preserved GTi. The red interior was complete and in excellent shape (apart from the headliner which was a little droopy). It has a sunroof, a rear windshield wiper, remote operated mirrors, A/C(which I will promptly put on a shelf). Even the snowflake alloys are in great shape. The parelli tires look like brand new except the 20 years of dry rot. So $300 bucks later its in my drive way. I am going to completely clean the fuel system and throughly go over the engine before I even attempt to drive it. Of course it will need brakes and tires and probably a few unforeseen mechanical fixes as well but I couldn't be happier.
This is it after a little elbow grease:

After a little elbow grease

Sitting next to my 01 cabrio

Interior is nearly perfect

The same old timer has 4 other rabbits in the barn, 2 are pre-76 two door swallow tails, one 4-door swallow tail and one 4 door 77. All of which he is interested in selling. I can tell you where my next pay check is going :lol: .

Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:58 pm

\:D/ Gotta love those kind of backyard deals. Great find! Replace everything rubber, not just in the fuel system. No sense in having a fun ride and you can't stop...

Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:23 pm

Barn find Rabbit GTI... I kinda feel old now.

Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:17 am

Nice!

Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:05 am

WOW!!! $300??!! Nice find!

Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:57 am

$300?? That's crazy ... what an awesome deal ... and you get the bonus of the porno red interior too!! :lol:

cheers
Ed N.

Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:00 pm

That porno red interior in that condition is worth $300 alone. The alignment of the front -- grill, hood, bumper, etc. -- is exceptional. That is a wonderful find. The only barn find I ever come up with in my state is whatever I step in.

Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:13 pm

Nice find.

Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:22 pm

Thanks for all the kind words guys. It has been difficult to not go out and spend some time to get it running in the last few days. I have GOT to focus on some school work! Once finals are over next week I want to hear this thing run.

Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:47 pm

Congratulations! Enjoy your GTI :D

Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:50 pm

I miss my MKI GTI! I would love one of those Swallowtails though :wink:

Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:55 pm

WOW that thing brings back great high school memories....

Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:18 pm

I have quite a bit of experience with getting Rabbits running that have been sitting so take my advice how you choose. My '77 sat for almost 13 years before I gave it a second chance on life.

Do not attempt to start it until you...

Have the fuel tank professionally cleaned or replace it.
Soak your fuel distributor, pump,injectors, and accumulator in parts cleaner for at least a week.
Pour enough ATF on top of the pistons to allow coverage and to work on lubricating the seals/pistons
Removing the cooling system (and if you can replace) and fill block with CLR mix

I've had several A1/Mk1's so I feel your anxiety for wanting to get in and go.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:04 am

So the glass on the side view mirror (passenger side) was all busted up. I work at an import parts store on the weekends and had a little time so I started digging around the warehouse. Check out what I found!

It even comes with 1984 pricing, $16 bucks!

cub wrote: ...Removing the cooling system (and if you can replace) and fill block with CLR mix

I would never have thought of CLR. Thats a pretty good idea. I have no real anxiety to just get in and go. I'm just anxious to start working on it. Besides that last one with the CLR, I have basically the exact same hit list for getting it going. I already have a stock pile of parts for this car (Brand new injectors with seals and a brand new CIS-E fuel distributor still in the bag). A new fuel pump, filters and cleaning the tank are next up on my list.

My dad has a special tool made by OTC that consists of a 1 liter tank that you can pressurize with compressed air. It runs to a pressure gauge and a banjo fitting. I plan to pull the relay for the main/tank pumps, and then connect up this OTC tank to the banjo fitting on the side of the fuel distributor. This way I am running a completely separate/clean fuel system which will allow me to assess the motor before tearing into the original fuel system.

Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:25 am

$300 WOW! :shock:

Looks in fantastic condition.

al.

Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:29 pm

Sweet!

:D

Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:40 am

i had an 84 i bought for 150 including delivery!

cheap watercooleds are the bomb....nice find

Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:45 pm

congrats super nice score, i had a silver 83 gti back in high school in the late 80's, super fun little car flogged that puppy like hans & franz on the autobahn....cant believe how the interior looks :shock: wow, you lucked out