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BethanyGrace
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2014
Posts: 3
Location: Ohio
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 Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:09 pm Post subject: My 83 Rabbit Convertible |
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I recently bought my first classic car, an '83 Rabbit Convertible. When I first saw it, I was drawn to the rare burgundy brown color and the overall clean condition of the car. I am currently in graduate school obtaining my masters in art therapy and counseling. I've always had a passion for art and recently discovered the art in restoring classic cars. I decided to try it out myself! Although my Rabbit is in great shape, I eventually want to give it a paint job, replace the seals on the doors (there is some leakage) and fix some of the upholstery in the interior. For now I am simply enjoying driving it around in the nice summer weather!
I even made my own rabbit to hang from the mirror. If you are interested in your own rabbit to hang from your mirror, I would be happy to make you one! |
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oasis
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002
Posts: 2168
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Nice car! Nice gesture with the mirror art!
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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veedubman72
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2014
Posts: 230
Location: United States
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:43 am Post subject: |
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| welcome! So, that's original? that's rare to see an '83 that nice that's hasn't been previously restored. If that's so, you found a gem. The paint doesn't look that bad. Just have it buffed out and don't repaint it. It's very difficult to get it back close to factory paint Without going through a lot of work and money. You would be surprised what a good buff out will do. |
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BethanyGrace
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2014
Posts: 3
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:13 am Post subject: |
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| thanks veedubman72. I will give that a try first! |
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BethanyGrace
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2014
Posts: 3
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject: Restoration process |
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The previous owner had a subwoofer installed and had left an amplifier in the trunk along with multiple wires running along the interior of the Rabbit. This weekend my boyfriend and I removed the wiring and amplifier and plan to install an era-appropriate Kenwood cassette player in place of the CD player.
He loves trying to figure out another person's brilliant wiring jobs
The pile of wires that we pulled out of the car.
I also polished the metal trim around the car along with the VW badge
The restoration process is coming along nicely! |
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veedubman72
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2014
Posts: 230
Location: United States
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration process |
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| BethanyGrace wrote: |
| an era-appropriate Kenwood cassette player |
Love it! Too bad you couldn't find a factory one. I have a factory cassette deck in my 83 GTI. I'm torn because I want the convenience of all the bells and whistles of the new radios, but there something cool about the original radio. I'm afraid to even use the cassette feature. It might break it.
I don't know if you are already on this, but I would either get the front fender flares or get rid of the back ones. It looks weird with just one set on the car. My preference is flares. |
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