Hella Sweet! 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Sportruck

If you causally mention you have a Volkswagen Caddy, a normal person would assume you had some sort of golf sponsorship…but a not-so-normal person will ohh and ahh for they know how special VW’s front-drive water-cooled leisure activity vehicle (LAV…not kidding…that’s an actual marketing term from a later generation Caddy). Today we’ve got a version that’s been covered with giant SPORTRUCK stickers and has hella rally lights — this thing is rad! But the asking price is nuts. Find this 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Sportruck offered for $19750 in Blue River, OR via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

From the seller:

1981 vw Sportruck
condition: excellent
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: fwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 122,000
paint color: red
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: pickup
You are looking at a very special 1981 Volkswagen Sportruck. I am the second owner. The truck lived its entire life in Lane county Oregon. It was sold new at Seigrist Vw in Springfield, 45 miles from its current home. I bought the truck in 2019 with 113k on the odometer. Since then it has had a complete front to back mechanical restoration retaining the original 1.7 liter fuel injected engine and tall ratio 5 speed manual transaxle. Please see the attached work order outlining the work I’ve done. I’m a professional mechanic and have been collecting and rebuilding volkswagens for 25 years. It was a joy to bring this truck back to it’s full potential. You could drive this truck cross country. I did in 2022. Nearly 9000 miles in 4 weeks with no problems.

In addition to the mechanical restoration, much of the interior was restored. All the plastics have been redyed and a custom headliner fitted. I attempted to source parts to repair the driver seat vinyl, but so far I’ve had no luck. The instrument cluster has been rebuilt with a new upgraded ribbon and GTI speedometer. The truck was not optioned with a radio or speakers, and it retains the original delete plate. The only option equipped in addition to the appearance package is delay wipers.

The exterior of the truck retains it’s original Royal red paint. It presents well but has 40 years worth of stone chips and dings including a scrape that has been touched up on the left rear quarter panel / wheel arch.(see photos). I chose not to repair it so the truck would present with no aftermarket body work. The vinyl graphics are reproductions of period aftermarket graphics available to the truck when new, but not original to the truck. They can be safely removed by a professional. The truck is a billboard delete option truck, meaning the original purchaser opted out of the “SPORTRUCK” reflective vinyl graphics.

The GemTop 460 truck cap has been on the truck since it was new and has never been removed. The original decals are in good shape. The paint is scratched on top in several places. The side window screens and felts need to be replaced to be perfect.

Many of these trucks are subject to modifications and retrofit upgrades. I’ve gone to great lengths to make this truck present as originally as possible. While I have made subtle changes and easily reversible upgrades to improve reliability, It still looks like it would have in the 80’s when new. It also performs and drives the way it would’ve then. I can guarantee it is the most original sportruck you will find for sale at this time. There are more perfect examples that exist, but they are not more original.

The wheels equipped in photos are not included in the sale price. I will include oem vw wheels of your choice with good or new tires. I have several to choose from. The equipped wheels in the photos can be negotiated if you have to have them

Please email me with a contact number and I will reach out at my convenience. Responses without contact information will be treated as spam

If you want to see the truck pick it apart in person, feel free. But I’ll need to see some cash before I listen. Don’t send me 30 emails though. That’s just insane.

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See a better way to drive something shporty? tips@dailyturismo.com