Just bought an 81 rabbit convertible

[hylomatt]

I just bought an 81 rabbit convertible this weekend. She's nice, garage kept, old but not worn out. I've been an air-cooled guy since I was in high-school but I really wanted a rabbit for some reason. I'll be getting to know all the ins and outs soon, what with the manuals I purchased beforehand. And the guys in the water-cooled section for that matter.

If anyone would like to offer an sage advice for a water-cooled newbie, I'm listening. Or just offer an opinion of what you think of her.

[oprn]

It's junk, give me a call and I will dispose of it properly for you!

Seriously though that is a nice find. I had an '81 turbo diesel that just would not die. The interior was pretty junky (looked better but fell apart) compared to my '76 (which I still have) and the body finally succumbed to the salt slush.

My understanding was that '81 was the first year for the North American built Rabbits but like the convertible Beetle, the convertible Rabbit still came from the mother land and retained that German quality.

It always makes me chuckle to see AC on a convertible and convertible owners driving around on a nice warm summer day with the top and windows all buttoned up tight! I feel like stopping them and saying "You picked the wrong car Buddy!"

So - put that top down and enjoy or I will for sure hunt you down and take it away!!!

[TDCTDI]

[Butcher]

One of the best things about the A/C is keeping the damp windshield defrosted. Although it never really gets hot where I live, there are plenty of places that 100F+ is the norm. A/C would be ideal, convertible or not.

First thing I would want to do is replace those upper front strut mounts. If you do your own work, check the overall cost of the suspension parts and you will find they are fairly cheap. It may be worth it to replace all the wear items. Meyle and URO parts are cheap for a reason. I would stay away from them.

[oprn]

[kamzcab86]

Congrats and enjoy!

I have to say, though, I've always hated pinstriping like your new toy has. It looks so much better placed just above the side trim... IMHO.

[hylomatt]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Yeah the pinstriping. I don't feel any particular way about it. I just lends to the car feeling older I guess.

@Butcher, yeah I do all of my own work. Did you mean the upper strut bearings (I think they are called), or the struts themselves? I know the struts are new but the front end still feels a tad sloppy to me. I'm going to check the BJs too. Found some nice MOOG joints at Rock Auto, in case I need them. Never used URO, they seem cheap but I've definitely used Meyle plenty of times.

I just brought this home and am so new to this era that I'm still a little scared of what I could accidentally damage. I put gas in it (non-ethanol) and drove it around the yard. Need to get a tag before I can drive it on the road anywhere.

Yeah I can't wait to put the top down and have a nice drive. Love doing that with my Thing so I know this one will be great for that too.

[TDCTDI]

The mk1 cars were pretty flexible, then they lopped the top off. At the very least, make or buy a lower tie bar, the mounting horns for the A-arms is a well known failure point.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[hylomatt]

@TDCTDI Can you link me to what you're talking about? Do you mean upper and lower strut bar supports, like the guys that get into racing them?

Like this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Racing-Front-Lower-...2059136291

[oprn]

I do believe that is what he meant. I can't see how the absence of the roof would weaken that part but many guys that competed with Rabbits did add that lower bar. There was one made for the top of the shock towers too. It kept the shock towers from moving in toward the center of the car.

I always intended to build and install both but it was a back burner project and I never really had a problem with it even though I ran it pretty hard at times. My buddy did though but I kept my shocks in good condition and he didn't.

[TDCTDI]

That particular bar would help but the factory style 16v Scirocco one is triangulated. In fact, if you look closely at the picture, you can see the Scirocco one behind it, making the add-on one redundant.

I made mine out of some 1” square tubing from one of the big box hardware stores.

[oprn]

[TDCTDI]

[hylomatt]

@TDCTDI, how's this one then? https://techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php?main_p...hk0p42h8j5

[TDCTDI]

[hylomatt]

@TDCTDI, sweet, I've ordered it. Thanks for the info.

[kamzcab86]

[oprn]

I'd love to follow the sun too. I wish I had been born rich instead of so darn good looking!