Some Mk1 history tidbits I wasn't aware of...

[Troike]

VW History section:

Hitler .. a man of the people!

"'come by and see us some time" not meant literally" ..

"Alcohol is considered sinful and disease a punishment for evil-doing"

"Americans take cars for granted. Their cars are built for fun, not for comfort"

"kitchen-eating is the basic pattern; a dining room is used for special occasions"

only the Deutsch would go to such great lengths .. this reads more like a guide to space aliens.

[Retro Newb]

Don't know if these have been mentioned yet but...

1) Apparently GLI Coupes were only sold in Canada

2) While North American GTI's may have all been built in the U.S. some GLI's were built in Germany. Mine included.

[VDub2625]

Don't know if these have been mentioned yet but...

1) Apparently GLI Coupes were only sold in Canada

2) While North American GTI's may have all been built in the U.S. some GLI's were built in Germany. Mine included.

All GLIs were built in Germany, because all Jettas were built in Germany. THey didn't start elsewhere until the Mk2 (USA in 1987). It doesn't automatically make a car better however

[VDub2625]

Here's a rather interesting note.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...moreland&hl=en

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper the day they announced the plant closing. Golf and Jetta production was to be consolidated to Germany, which we know didn't happen. Sad story though.

Oh and this article:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...moreland&hl=en
printed the last day VW built cars there (July 15, 1988, ETKA also states it), says the last car (fittingly) was a white 2 door Golf. Apparently they closed the West Virginia stamping plant in 1984-ish. So all Mk2 metal was sourced from Mexico.

(sorry about being so concerned with the Mk2 and the demise of the plant, but I'm into Mk2s, and i figured you guys would be interested in what happened after)

[BMP_3918]

This was a very good read!

[cooljet]

Well done. Keep digging
Capt

[rabbitnothopper]

Here's a rather interesting note.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...moreland&hl=en

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper the day they announced the plant closing. Golf and Jetta production was to be consolidated to Germany, which we know didn't happen. Sad story though.

Oh and this article:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...moreland&hl=en
printed the last day VW built cars there (July 15, 1988, ETKA also states it), says the last car (fittingly) was a white 2 door Golf. Apparently they closed the West Virginia stamping plant in 1984-ish. So all Mk2 metal was sourced from Mexico.

(sorry about being so concerned with the Mk2 and the demise of the plant, but I'm into Mk2s, and i figured you guys would be interested in what happened after)

the google news article is awesome, just wish i could save it........to my computer

6.5% unemployment
$14/hour
$1.5million a WEEK


next line says "9.2% tuition increase"

hmm the 80's sure sounds like a distant 2008

[VDub2625]

I'm not sure if I can say exactly where I got this from yet, but I wanted to post it here. This is a quote from a guy who worked engineering at VW back in the 80s (VWAPG it was called). He saw plenty of test cars, but this one stuck out to him...


"The one special vehicle I always wondered about was the single Rabbit pick-up truck that was turned into a GTi pick-up at VW’s engineering facility in Warren, MI back then. The concept got an immediate thumbs down from Germany so the truck was used as a go-fer and weekend toy by some VW people. I’m not sure what happened to it when they shut down Warren engineering in the late ‘80s. I’ve heard that it “escaped” but can’t say for sure."

[tecnopolis]

..you mean like this one? This is my personal 1983 pickup. it has a 1.7 and a GLi interior.
It is fr sale if you care to make me an offer. I am in Ocala, Florida. Clear title in hand!

[Maggiolone]

^ Not here. Go to the classifieds section. Or just away.



This is for VW history, not selling your hacked rust bucket.

[alex17young]

Your instincts my be on to simething. I know for a fact the the first 2 stretches that where built ended up in Epharta. The owner has since sold both projects. One went to KY and the other is some where around Lancaster . Longhare was started in Chambersburg and since 97 has been in the midwest until last August. Someon else might have attempted the stetch and if you happen to see it again please pay attention the the shape of the quarter window. I f is is one of the other 2 I will be able to identify.
Hope that helps.

Capt

I live in Chambersburg! Where and with who did you build it with? This is an awesome thread!

[buzbomb]

While decompressing from finals this morning, I stumbled across the Chicago Auto Show website's image archive:
http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/show_...y/default.aspx
(thanks Sven7 for the link on MIVE )

Not only is it a wonderful time-waster, but there's some great photos that needed to be in this thread.

Here's the VW booth from 1976:



Here's 1979 - this would have been the first year for the Westmoreland Rabbits:






Why do I find it ironic that the photo with the local politicians & franchise owner is beside the only round-eye Rabbit in the place:



Finally, here's 1983, US debut of the GTI:

[rabitboy99]

I like these too

[vinrabbitnyc]

Hi All.... does anyone know where i can get a TDI to fit into my 1978 VW rabbit... 1.5 litre.....
Also where i can get smootie steelies for the VW? what is the offset?

[DLF-VW]

Hi All.... does anyone know where i can get a TDI to fit into my 1978 VW rabbit... 1.5 litre.....
Also where i can get smootie steelies for the VW? what is the offset?

Pay attention to where you are posting!! This doesn't belong here!!

[gtimk1983]

hi im driving a 1983 gti mk1 with kjetronic fuel injection but its a 5 door!!!!!!!!why cant i find this car on the net and how wil i know if im right about the car??????????plzzzzzzzzz help me

[keeton]

hi im driving a 1983 gti mk1 with kjetronic fuel injection but its a 5 door!!!!!!!!why cant i find this car on the net and how wil i know if im right about the car??????????plzzzzzzzzz help me

It's not a GTI. Also, GTFO. This doesn't belong here.

[richarddhoward]

This thread bad ass! Keep the info coming! And because I can, here is my early Westy



And the other car...Westy? 1981

[Maggiolone]

^ This is like the 5th time your rust buckets have appeared in the MK1 forums at some point this week. At least clean them up and present them in a photogenic way for the "MK1 History" thread.

[vwabbitman]

And my friends say mime looks dirty and un cared for? I better show them those pics.

[richarddhoward]

Haha lol I get overboard with pic posting. And I haven't had time. Been planning my birthday party and working! I will get them here soon!

[Hurt]

Awesoooooooome

[rabbitnothopper]

This is all I have found... Got it from a woman that worked in the Ft Worth plant where they assembled the A/C units for the Rabbit.

awesome

we should post up in the mk1 history and try to find out about this ftworth texas plant
maybe some hidden gems in the area i can go do some scouting for everyone?

[slats]

It was called Volkswagen Products Corporation and even back in the 60s we (Corporate Parts) bought all of the "add on" A/C kits for VWs from them. Yes even for the Beetles and Buses!

[rabbitnothopper]

It was called Volkswagen Products Corporation and even back in the 60s we (Corporate Parts) bought all of the "add on" A/C kits for VWs from them. Yes even for the Beetles and Buses!

found an address

not too far, about 30 miles from my house

anyone want me to roll by and see if they have goodies for me?

120 Intermodal Parkway ft worth texas

[slats]

found an address

not too far, about 30 miles from my house

anyone want me to roll by and see if they have goodies for me?

120 Intermodal Parkway ft worth texas

Sure I'd like to know who/ what is operating there now. Last time I saw it was a business trip in 1982!

[buzbomb]

I found another tidbit in a batch of progress photos Morgan sent recently:

The final picture is of a group of Westmoreland signoff dots that I found in a cabinet. If you look at the OK stickers you can see my MB punch. That was way cool for me to find.

1st, not all of the stickers pictured are quality control dots, there's a starting instructions sticker that was applied to the driver's side sunvisor and a original running Rabbit sticker in there too

Morgan claims these dots were put on the cars as they passed quality control at various points at the factory. Most went on windshields, some went on parts, still others went on the factory paperwork. Almost all were removed during final inspection, but apparently some stayed on the cars.

Here's one applied in the proper spot on the brake booster:

[2000_glss]

Would be a cool place to have an mk1 show.

[Cubster]

It was called Volkswagen Products Corporation and even back in the 60s we (Corporate Parts) bought all of the "add on" A/C kits for VWs from them. Yes even for the Beetles and Buses!

I had the sticker on my '77 that was purchased new from University Volkswagen in Ft. Worth in May 1977. The sticker said "CCCCOOOOOL" in big letters and then the company info and address below. Unfortunately the sticcker was so sun worn it turned to dust before I pulled my head out of my butt to make an effort to preserve it. Company is no longer there...and from what I gathered they do security vehicles and armored vehicles. I still have all of the components minus the huge compressor that was actually the same used on full size Ford's of the era. Brackets were a horrible hack job too.

[rabbitnothopper]

I had the sticker on my '77 that was purchased new from University Volkswagen in Ft. Worth in May 1977. The sticker said "CCCCOOOOOL" in big letters and then the company info and address below. Unfortunately the sticcker was so sun worn it turned to dust before I pulled my head out of my butt to make an effort to preserve it. Company is no longer there...and from what I gathered they do security vehicles and armored vehicles. I still have all of the components minus the huge compressor that was actually the same used on full size Ford's of the era. Brackets were a horrible hack job too.

cubster would know, he lives much closer than i do!

good job and interesting information

thx

[fthaimike]

I had the sticker on my '77 that was purchased new from University Volkswagen in Ft. Worth in May 1977. The sticker said "CCCCOOOOOL" in big letters and then the company info and address below. Unfortunately the sticcker was so sun worn it turned to dust before I pulled my head out of my butt to make an effort to preserve it. Company is no longer there...and from what I gathered they do security vehicles and armored vehicles. I still have all of the components minus the huge compressor that was actually the same used on full size Ford's of the era. Brackets were a horrible hack job too.

http://www.logosdatabase.com/logo/ccccool_81023976

http://www.trademarkia.com/ccccool-81023976.html

http://type2.com/ezmlm-archives/inde...g;msgnum=78787

[Bacardincoke]

GTI Golf / Scirocco press pack from original launch event, Frankfurt 8 - 16 June 1976...

[VDub2625]

You must scan all of those photos at the highest resolution possible.

I want the CIS engine for my phone background, lol.

[Bacardincoke]

You must scan all of those photos at the highest resolution possible.

I want the CIS engine for my phone background, lol.

Will certainly try...

Some GTI Engineering flyers to keep you going until then!

[Bacardincoke]