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Rabbits are swift, agile, and difficult to catch. The same applies to this Volkswagen.
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In the late 1970s, the Rabbit was the top choice among small cars, with hundreds of thousands being sold; however, only a handful remain today.
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This specimen is among the initial batch of German-made cars with circular headlights, and it has undergone numerous delightful enhancements.
Continuing the success of a popular model can be challenging—just consider what happened to Dexys Midnight Runners after “Come On Eileen.” Similarly, this was the situation Volkswagen faced in the 1970s. The sales for Beetles had declined in America, they were being overtaken by Opel back in their German homeland, and there was an urgent demand for a new, contemporary car for the masses. In response to these crises, VW chose to focus on developing the Golf.
Marking its 50th year, the initial Volkswagen Golf stands out as a remarkable tale of automotive triumph. Here in North America, our introduction to this model was through the spirited and economical vehicle known as the VW Rabbit.
This 1978 model being offered for auction on Bring a Trailer
(which, like
Car and Driver
, which is part of Hearst Autos)
This 1978 Rabbit was initially designed for the Canadian market and, significantly, belonged to an earlier batch with rounded headlights manufactured in Germany. Numerous North American Rabbits rolled out from Volkswagen’s Westmoreland assembly facility in Pennsylvania; however, these vehicles generally received less acclaim regarding their build quality compared to those made in Germany. This particular model underwent cleaning after being exposed to maple syrup and later found itself relocated to California.
It’s worth mentioning that this petite Volkswagen isn’t compliant with California’s emission standards (thus cannot be registered there), yet it’s sufficiently aged to bypass emissions testing in many other states. Despite being mostly untouched since production, it boasts several appealing enhancements such as a throttle body sourced from VW specialist Neuspeed, an upgraded free-flowing exhaust system, and a set of powerful brakes manufactured by Wilwood at the front end. The addition of H&R coilovers along with 15-inch steel rims taken from a Corrado finalize the image of a compact vehicle brimming with energy akin to a lively terrier.
The big question many people might be pondering is, “What about a GTI instead?” The first-generation GTI is rightfully celebrated as one of the greatest driving cars ever produced, often mentioned alongside iconic vehicles like the E30 BMW M3, original Mazda MX-5 Miata, and classic Mini Cooper. Here’s why you should consider something else though: prices for the Mk 1 GTIs have been consistently rising over time. American-market versions were known for delivering impressive performance despite having just 96 horsepower under the hood. This particular model comes equipped with a 1.5-liter engine producing an admirable 70 horsepower right out of the box. Additionally, finding such a well-preserved Volkswagen from this era is truly challenging.
This particular Rabbit boasts minor imperfections that make it all the more appealing for pushing aggressively around bends—many enthusiasts discovered their passion for these vehicles precisely this way. Exact mileage remains uncertain, offering an opportunity for new adventures as you rack up additional zeros on the odometer and enjoy every moment of it. The GTI gained legendary status primarily due to how well-rounded the standard model was. With its elegant rounded headlights and sleek enhancements, this example promises to deliver plenty of thrills.
The auction concludes on October 29.
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