1979 Rabbit GTI

[RogueBug]

I just became proud owner of a 1979 Rabbit GTI. Loaded with odd goodies I've never seen before. But all my buddies seem to doubt the authenticity of 1979 GTIs. I discovered that they we're Canada only that year. Anyone else have some knowledge on this subject??

[The Maytag Man]

they exist, and this is the best example around.


http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...nger-16v-build

could we see some pics of yours? details?

[RogueBug]

Mines a barn find, 1 owner, parked since 1994 with 84,000kms on it. All original, Rusty, but everything is there. I'm going to take pics tomorrow night to help document the tear down and buildup.

[The Maytag Man]

awesome!

if you could share those with us in the mk1 thread we would all love to see!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...712-MK1-Mayhem

[RogueBug]

Posted pics in the mk1 Mayhem. But here's a few...

[35i 2000]

that car is so cool! a 79 GTI!

[Thunderbunny!]

[The Maytag Man]

awesome find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aaron22]

what a beaut

[The Maytag Man]

ps, you should probably sell it to me

[BlownWideOpen]

No title??? That's a kneeslapper... shame for a complete car to go out like this.

[the brit]

No title??? That's a kneeslapper... shame for a complete car to go out like this.

It shouldn't die just because of that..

[BlownWideOpen]

Spoke to the owner via PM, said straight up that the car will never ever see the road due to rust. I think he may be going along with the part out.

[BlownWideOpen]

I may still go an check it out for myself though.

[the brit]

Spoke to the owner via PM, said straight up that the car will never ever see the road due to rust. I think he may be going along with the part out.

I PM'd him and did not get a reply

One mans rusty deathtrap can be another mans... repairable rusty deathtrap

[RogueBug]

Good New!! My welder fabricator sold me a floor pan for $40 along with a strut tower for $200 installed. He's also going to box the frame!! She may live after all. Just got to figure out if it's worth it. I was planning to do a full resto/show car but now I may just have a pos rabbit GTI...

[BlownWideOpen]

Good to hear, still interested. Get that ownership.

[mushroom_curry]

That's a lovely automobile.

[TyeGTI]

I owned the same Canadian GTI in the early 90's. I had to take off the road it completely rusted away. Trying to fine another to restore.

[TyeGTI]

[Drehkraft]

I've had an 80 GTI for about 18 years...It hasn't been road worthy for about 8! Too far gone to bother with, but can't bring myself to scrap.

[RogueBug]

UPDATE:
1.5l CIS Engine is siezed. ABA on engine stand has new home.
Needs drivers floor pan. Anybody got a full drivers floor pan?
Needs struts and shocks... Anybody??
I'm not sure about the fuel pumps anybody got info on how much pressure CIS fuel pumps make vs. how much an ABA needs (44 PSI unregulated)??

Hooked up battery... stuff works.. but the battery light stays on all the time. Even with the keys out of the ignition??? Holy Spirit??

[TyeGTI]

all the pics I have of my 79 life span

http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/...eGTI/79%20GTI/

[RogueBug]

Inspiring Pics!!

[RogueBug]

This is for those who thought I could unsieze the 1.5l...



3" of solid rust

[Grasshopper]

Sorry to say but that car is too far gone to be saved. Scrap it and sell me the flairs

[RogueBug]

You wish... like I would have even considered running a CIS 1.5l

[TyeGTI]

Sorry to say but that car is too far gone to be saved. Scrap it and sell me the flairs

Don't scrap it, Buy some Flairs off ebay.

[Grasshopper]

Don't scrap it, Buy some Flairs off ebay.

I've been visiting ebay regularly and I'm not having any luck. I've searched it a zillion different ways.

[The Maytag Man]

I've been visiting ebay regularly and I'm not having any luck. I've searched it a zillion different ways.

hopefully stock fills again one day


http://fifteen52.us/shop-2/#ecwid:ca...roduct=2535879

[chrissev2]

"I just became proud owner of a 1979 Rabbit GTI. Loaded with odd goodies I've never seen before. But all my buddies seem to doubt the authenticity of 1979 GTIs. I discovered that they we're Canada only that year. Anyone else have some knowledge on this subject??"

They were sold in Canada in 1979 and 1980. They were not sold in the US in either of those years, nor were German built GTi's ever sold in the US. The only other years for the MK1 GTi in North America is 1983 and 1984 and these cars were built in Westmoreland, PA. These two years were sold in both Canada and the US and they sold a lot of them.

The 1979-1980 Canadian GTi is a tuned down version of the European model "MK1 Golf GTi" which was sold in Continental Europe from 1976 to 1984. It contains a normal 1.6 fuel injected engine, whereas the European version had the Heron head motor which produced quite a bit more horsepower. The only under-the-hood mods on the Canadian GTi were a dual exhaust and a close ratio 5spd transmission. The engine otherwise was bone stock, exact same as the rabbit. The interior had the plaid seats, some extra gauges and the golf ball 5spd shifter. The exterior had the GTi badges and stripes, a flat black finish around the hatch window and the alloy wheels.

Not many of those cars were sold in Canada. I believe it was around 1000 per year. There are very few left now. Most of the ones I've seen "restored" have actually been modified to the point that they no longer represent what the original car looked like at all, particularly in terms of what can be found under the hood.

Chris

[TyeGTI]

Anyone more history on the Canadian GTI. Right now I'm looking to buy a close to orginal Black 1980. How maney were sold and any why to tell by the vin#.

Someone should start a thread about Canada only models. I can think of a couple but I'm not100% sure.

1979-80 Rabbit GTI
1983-84 Jetta GLI 2 door
1992 Passat G60 Syncro

Please add to this list and start a new thread.

[TyeGTI]

Some pics from a Brochure I bought.

[RogueBug]

That's awesome.

[TyeGTI]

I will scan the whole thing and but better images of it up soon.