79 16v mini build (56k watch out)

[rabbito]

I've been gathering parts for a few months and now its time to put it all together. I bought this 79 off ebay. alpine white with baby blue int. this car came from the factory with no options. No AC, manual brakes and no rear defroster. My plan is to try and keep this build simple and make it a fun weekend car.

when I picked it up in the ghetto of philly

wanted to get it ready for H20(2006) and 3 weeks later this is how it looked.

I then decided I wanted more. I also was not happy with the overall look of the car. I needed something different.

80k mile 1.6 pulled

Matt(littledevil34) and i will be rebuilding this, which will be replacing the 1.6. i will also be using a 4k tranny with a lightened flywheel and eurosport short and weighted shifter(which i got for free in the junk yard).

nice place to put all my parts and a spare 16v. guess the boat is being useful in the winter.

i already have a defrosterless rear window, but you never know when you need a spare for the next project

more parts

more parts: NOS grille, TT exhaust and downpipe w/ new borla. v-maxx coilovers.

unknown wide 80's flares. i only have the flares. the orig kit comes with a front a rear valance. i will be using fiberglass to make a piece to connect the front flares to a large duckbill.

ok, so it was a great day so I put on the rear coilovers,flares and wheels. I also rebuilt the shifter and ran fuel lines from a passat. Matt and I will be rebuilding the engine sometime soon.

before( i also added a rear black panel from a 80 rabbit, polished fox door handles as well as swallowtail side moldings and metal rear emblems) just doing my own thing with this project.

after

since the interior is baby blue, I dont have many options with seats and steering wheels. I got lucky and bought a 13 in baby blue steering wheel, which will match perfect. i will post pics once it gets here. i also am keeping my eye out for some helios recaros. let me know if you see any!

in the next month i will be updating as i go.

Modified by rabbito at 11:26 AM 10-15-2008

[C2 Porcelain Vr]

looks pretty nice.

[IronTrap]

flares look sick, cant wait until its done!

[PoorHouse]

Nice!

Car looks really clean, was it on e-bay awhile ago?

[rabbito]

it was on ebay months ago, but it was not in great shape

sorry for the small pic its all I have

Modified by rabbito at 11:27 AM 10-15-2008

[PoorHouse]

Good progress.

[rabbito]

thanks! just a side note for people searching for rear defrosterless windows. make sure to look at the 79-80. I was lucky and my 79 came with it. Also Matt and I were at a local yard and pulled a defrosterless from a 79 as well. They are stamped with the vw part number, which also states made in the U.S. So keep your eye out for them!

Modified by rabbito at 11:28 AM 10-15-2008

[saosin]

jealousy

[rabbito]

put the front suspension and flares on.

tt exhaust is on

also just got my new control arms w/ poly bushings and ball joints, will be going on tonight. i also picked up my lightened flywheel thanks Randy

this is still empty, but this weekend hopefully the new 16v will be in there.

just a picture of a factory radio delete panel(needs some trim paint).

this weekend will be the rebuild of the engine and hopefully put in the car.

Modified by rabbito at 11:30 AM 10-15-2008

[MadBuny]

Quote, originally posted by rabbito »

thanks! just a side note for people searching for rear defrosterless windows. make sure to look at the 79-80. I was lucky and my 79 came with it. Also Matt and I were at a local yard and pulled a defrosterless from a 79 as well. They are stamped with the vw part number, which also states made in the U.S. So keep your eye out for them!

OR... since it is a flat piece, you can have a glass company cut you one for around 120.00 to 140.00 I just paid 130.00 and had one made as they are getting harder to find.

same color glass as original, and tempered as original.

[9IN3TH1NG5]

[Mr.BBS]

real real nice build

[crazee]

i love this car... very nice

[VWralley]

looks great so far love the gold on white, classic

[rabbito]

thanks everyone. the car will be on all four wheels tonight so ill update it tomorrow with a few more pics. i thought this was a great pic. came across this by accident.
this is my brother and I standing in front of my dads, one of many rabbits. im the one on the right sportin' the general lee shirt.

This picture was taken in 1986. It was a two door silver 1980 diesel w/ bright red interior. lots of childhood memories of that car. I guess thats why I chose the 79 I have today.

Modified by rabbito at 10:46 AM 1-16-2007

[DustyGTI]

My dad had a rabbit when I was too young to remember. lol. Nice work, I'm lovin the gold wheels and white paint.

[duct-tape]

you should drag that 76 out of the bushes and just put something running it it. take it to show in the exact shape it's in.

[rabbito]

Quote, originally posted by duct-tape »

you should drag that 76 out of the bushes and just put something running it it. take it to show in the exact shape it's in.

wish i could, but i would be doing it fred flinstone style. the car is long gone and so are the rest.

here is a thread that is updated everytime we gohttp://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2876543

[H8SV8S]

Clean car!!

[rabbitmania]

Nice!
Those flares look like the ones that were available through the dealership.

Did you clear-coat the door handles? They will tarnish after the first rainfall if you don't. They aren't made of aluminum, they're pot metal.

[fourdoordub]

so far its looking real good man, keep up the good work.

[rabbito]

small update

new control arms are in as well as the front suspension.

early top mount

picked up my lightened flywheel

I also lowered the rear a bit more

I picked up this plate frame off a 79' in the junkyard. here is what it looked like before.

After: Dick Horrigan is a local dealer that doesnt even sell volkswagens anymore.

this is the big weekend coming up. Matt and I will be rebuilding the engine and hopefully putting it in the car.

Modified by rabbito at 11:35 AM 10-15-2008

[IronTrap]

and by "rebuilding" you mean doing a headgasket and timing belt and associated parts right? or am i getting myself into more than i planned... prolly too late now.. haha

[Road Boss]

I really like those fender flares! Where did you get them at?

[rabbito]

Quote, originally posted by Road Boss »

I really like those fender flares! Where did you get them at?

not sure what brand they are. i bought them off of a fellow member and they are some NOS from the 80's that was found in an old shop.

[rabbito]

engine is in!!!!!!!

Modified by rabbito at 11:38 AM 10-15-2008

[Big CADDY]

nice build.

We should get together. Live pretty close to each other. Over by Carlisle.

oh, I want the no defrost glass too.

[IronTrap]

Quote, originally posted by Big CADDY »

nice build. We should get together. Live pretty close to each other. Over by Carlisle. oh, I want the no defrost glass too.

come out to a Reading Barnes and Knobles GTG this summer.. trying to get a lot more Mk1&Mk2 people out to these in the area!

wiring and such begins this weekend. hope to maybe try and start it this weekend if i am feeling productive!!


Modified by littledevil34 at 10:48 AM 1-26-2007

[LynchedGTI]

Wow, you will have a great weekend car there.

[rabbito]

thanks everyone. looking for some helios recaro front seats if anyone has any.

[vw4_life]

Quote, originally posted by rabbito »

thanks everyone. looking for some helios recaro front seats if anyone has any.

good luck wit that one

[rabbito]

Quote, originally posted by vw4_life »

good luck wit that one

i know, i know. im close though. i know where a few sets are just dont want to drive the distance to pick them up

[PoorHouse]

I've got a mint set of gray ones, but they would have to be shipped. Send me an IM if you're interested.

You thinking of recovering the bolsters in baby blue vynal to tie in with the rest of the interior?

[rabbito]

i have a set of gray ones but thanks anyway.
i was looking for the helios because there is a bit of light blue in them to match the inerior. i ll get some soon.

i also will have a bunch of suspension stuff soon as well. pics will come soon!

Modified by rabbito at 12:06 PM 1-29-2007

[vw4_life]

oh alright. Ur ahead of the game