ABANDONED Hippie's Mk1 VW Rabbit First Wash in 15 Years! Satisfying Barn Find Restoration

NEO Classics : www.willoughbycars.com
ABANDONED Hippie's Mk1 VW Rabbit First Wash in 15 Years! Satisfying Barn Find Restoration. Today, we tackle the interior & exterior of a 1983 MK1 , that is covered in dirt and debris that hasn't been detailed in 15 years that will require us to pressure wash the entire exterior, followed by a wash, clay bar and then polishing the paint to bring back its shine and a full interior detail. If you find our videos satisfying or motivating make sure you hit subscribe!
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Tires:
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Welcome to the official WD Detailing KZbin channel! We will provide you with all kinds of detailing entertainment and purely satisfying videos! If you want to see some insane transformations of dirty vehicles, barn finds, nasty carpets & seats, or learn a thing or two about detailing along the way, then you've come to the right place! On this channel you will find a variety of content like car detailing, extreme deep cleaning and more! Make sure to subscribe and enable ALL notifications!

[@bryangunter4324]

I had several rabbits during the '80s for personal vehicles. Dad and I flipped cars during my high school days and they were very popular cars. I remember a bright red four-door with white interior, and a bright orange one with brown interior and a sunroof!

[@jodsGradge1968]

I had a couple of these when I was in high school. My little thing was smoke the tires and ran like a raped ape especially for a little four cylinder. Had a lot of fun and them little rabbits. But I really wouldn't mind having one now because the gas mileage was unbelievable. How much are you asking for that one? Love the video car turned out pretty good. Keep up the good work guys.

[@iluvtanjiro7196]

Aww my dad n I also flipped cars we had a rabbit that had a convertible top. My dad n I spent months repainting it candy red, cleaning to top to make it white instead of yellow n putting on white wall tires. My dad had given it to his friend n literally a month later his friend, baby momma, spray painted the whole car a bright ass yellow n Pepto bismol pink. I was pissed when I saw the car that I didn't even want to speak n even offered to beat her azz for free 😂😂😂. I told my dad this is the last time we give this man anything we fixed up lol

[@mattpipes5106]

I want to hug this car… I learned to drive in a 1979 VW diesel and my fondness for that car has forever imprinted itself on my psyche. Even though this is the fuel injected gasoline version I still love it, even though I’m not a fan of the light color interior- which by the way you did an amazing job of cleaning!

[@christophermartinez6623]

Im in my early 20s and I currently own one of these rabbits. I have a 81 Diesel L in that same exact oem colorway you’re working on called “ lago blue “. They are truly amazing pieces of history, very economical and very easy to maintenance. Many forums online as well for help on how to fix something yourself or if you’re looking for missing oem parts you may need. Save the squares people!! Not many left and are only getting harder to find!

[@no_lft_shft]

Share the link of your forums see if anyone is interested in buying it.

[@johncooper6246]

I also had an '81 diesel in beige. Bought it in a town called Richmond Hill, Ontario in 1990 with 200,000 km for $1200. Drove it for another 5 years until picking up an '84 Rabbit GTI. Since then I've owned a '96 Jetta, '02 Jetta, '99 Audi A4 and today drive an '03 Audi A4 Avant. Thanks for sharing, cheers.

[@BaconWhisky]

My name is also Christopher and I too am in my early 20s, however I do not own and never have owned a rabbit. I have always wanted one. It's making me sad as gems like these get older they become more and more difficult to come by

[@BreannaKeiver]

Are 1981 &1984 2door rabbits rare? Do you know?

[@erickhuertas1102]

I love VWs! Put some coil overs, wheels, tint windows, sound system, roof racks new seat covers! Drive it every weekend 👍😉

[@denkitney8865]

Great job guys, realy nice to see these old classics given a new lease of life.👍👍👍 Very enjoyable viewing..... PS. Please, please, please, can you leave the "fun fact captions" up on screen a bit longer, as don't get chance to read them before there gone! Thanks. 👌👌

[@terryl4219]

Nice job on the cleanup! I worked as a mechanic at an import auto shop when these cars were new. There never was a shortage of work, the gas cars wouldn't run when it rained due to the fact that they leaked water into the fuse box and the fuel pump relay would fill and die. On cold days the diesels wouldn't start and they kept the tow trucks busy. The standing joke on Fridays was "it's the weekend and people will try to make long distance trips to the other side of town, we'll be busy Monday morning". They are in reality very good cars if you understand them and I still drive one today.

[@brucebeang2487]

Brings back a lot of memories, My Mom had a 73 Rabbit, and it was the car I learned how to drive !! So Thanks for the cool Video!!!

[@_Julie_Bee]

Awe my first bf had a rabbit. Anyone who was cool had one and listened to Depeche mode at that time 😂 Keep it stock!!!♥️😊

[@DonnaMSchmid]

A Rabbit with "leather" seats? C'mon! They're VINYL seats!

[@joe.olivet]

They know very little about cars. Many of their videos show proof of this.

[@JoeG93]

This was actually the first car I’ve ever wanted! My sister had one of these as her first car and I always liked the style of it. Even the convertible cabriolet was nice too. I never got one but if I did, I’d probably try and swap a VR6 in it if possible. Still, a timeless design. And I love the plush carpet in these cars. It is waaaay better quality than today’s standards in modern vehicles.

[@mattpanecki3366]

I love these! I used to have an 81, and wouldn't mind finding another. Huge aftermarket available on these- pretty easy to turn into a big go-kart. While not too fast, it's still a riot.

[@poplaurentiu4148]

With a turbo on it will be cool, (if not retro-fit with the bigger Golf 3 VR6 engine transplant)..

[@patrickrichmond9896]

RJ and Brent, I had some relatives that might have owned a VW Fox and a school friend who owned a VW Rabbit. I remember the time when the Rabbit was introduced. The first non-Beetle car VW built was the Dasher. But what I loved about the VW and many of the foreign cars was that you could make the wipers stand which that made it easier for detailing. My father owned a VW Beetle that was built in 1965.

[@StacyCatProLLC]

I love the styling of the VW Rabbits. They make for the perfect daily driver when all fixed up and fully restored or restomodded. It's a shame that there's not many left on the road, same with the Honda Civic EG sedans. They were treated like disposable cars back when they were new.

[@bbqguy777]

Phenomenal job! I’d get it running and drive it just the way it is. Glad you all found the hubcaps!

[@mattalki]

My parents bought a 1981 VW Rabbit Diesel brand new when I was a kid. I still have that car. It needs some restoration work, but it's super cool. It was my college car, and I wound up keeping it all these years. It was neat seeing this Rabbit get all spruced up. They're getting pretty rare, especially in decent condition. Most of them have been scrapped or modded to death. Finding a good stock one is hard.

[@daleinarizona1561]

I had friends in Germany that brought their Rabbit over. And when we were waiting for our car to get there, we had 2 families packed in it. They had a son and we had a daughter. The 2 of them sat in the trunk section. Lots of good memories!!!!!! I would leave it as is. Great commuter car.

[@thiccboijohnny8608]

literally my first car, which i drive now but in burgundy and tan interior, a 1983 volkswagen rabbit L 4door. love it like crazy. been tryna find certain parts to make it complete (interior cover next to cigarette lighter, and the parcel L&R shelves that would fit next to the hatch shelf)

[@adamcran9859]

Great job guys I hope you get a buyer and a great offer for the hard work you’ve put in 💙💙

[@NRob0]

I enjoyed this tremendously! You all did a great job!

[@chowie65]

I love this Rabbit.

[@brauchw1175]

Wonderful Job. Glad you brought it back so nicely. That was my car, I put the Cookie Monster fur on myself when I was a teen. Side not I think its an 82. Loved that car did not want to get rid of it but other projects need done. Great video. Hopefully someone else will enjoy it like I did.

[@mlg1783]

Can't say I'm a fan of that boxy 80s vibe. Plus, I'm 6'3" so I'd look bonkers struggling to get in or out of such a tiny car, lol!!! I was born in 83. Bday next month, so shout out there. Great job on the clean up to.

[@kevinasaurus]

My late grandfather had more than one Rabbit/Golf in his life, so they will always remind me of him. I'd love to have one for nostalgia.

[@rudyhollis6540]

Awesome little cars, I've owned a couple VW's; 1984 Silver GTI Rabbit and a 1985 Black Scirocco! Both really quick little cars and handled great!!!!

[@harshabiliangady3211]

Which kind of person would abandon a beauty like that? Probably this was the cutest FW drive in it's time.

[@MYJ61]

I love it! She’d become my daily driver.

[@johnsomers8269]

Absolutely YAY! Yes, some "rad" rims and new carpet would make this a nice antique to take to a car show!

[@craigdarpino6072]

I have an 83 Rabbit. I love the mk1 Rabbits. Wish I had more time to fix mine up.

[@middlelle]

Everyone wanted a rabbit, especially a convertible, when I was in high school in the ‘80’s. This detail reminded me so much of my teenage years. Yes, I would drive this car. I’d try to stay as close to the original as possible, but definitely get new mats.

[@weldorman8495]

I bought a '76 Rabbit new. Loved it. I'd keep one just the same as original, maybe change tires but stay away from anything with a lower profile than 55 or 60. Stiffen up the sway bars and have some fun!

[@MrWill73]

Another great video guys!👍👍👍 Have you ever thought of revisiting some of the cars you have detailed and see if they were restored? I would love to see the success stories that you inspired the owners to restore the car from your cleaning.👍👍👍

[@xelementhx]

It's such a random car to love I know. But my Father drove one as a commuter car for 17 years. Will always love The Mk1 Rabbits!

[@davidashby5135]

This was fun, great job as usual!!🔥💯 Such a cool lil car!!😎

[@TC-Henry]

My `84 Wolfburg was a 2 door. I put wheel well molding and front spoiler from the GTI on it. Had a clock instead or a tachometer, but that was an acceptable trade off to have A/C, power steering and over drive (5th gear). I was in the Army at this time and I shipped it to Italy for my tour. It was the perfect car to have there. Yes, I brought it back to Florida when my tour ended. Such a fun car!

[@nateb7354]

This video did a good job showing how you work well as a team. Keep it coming!

[@gunsnsails]

Totally awesome job on a kick ass little hippie-mobile. I'd totally buy that to turn it into a street sleeper! I got my long-term project ('72 VW Beetle) and my short-term flip (2005 New Beetle) but I'd love to slip away from Beetle and Ghia projects to take a Rabbit to the next level! Keep grindin fellas!!!

[@MrHubb1]

Great job 👏 I would restore the car with mod cons like AC and a nice modern basic stereo. I'd put a more modern VW engine in it with a standard trrans. Some nice factory VW rims and a respray and update the interior to look stock but comfortable.

[@patrickvanhoesen9425]

I love it! Trying to buy one identical to it. Ive owned over 30 rabbits over the years.

[@jmace1957]

My 57 year old Dad bought a mid-life-crisis VW Scirocco S in 1981 - lipstick red. What a great car. He sold it a few years later to my best friend and he drove it for 20 years.

[@tomsloger4073]

Great video guys ! Ihad an 81Jetta years ago, it was a fun little car to drive and got 47 mpg.

[@carmelshustiel7513]

i own this kind of car. golf 1983 brown color (not rabbit). the engine was stronger then what usa have in the rabbit. the bumpers was less aggressive. the inside door pannel were the same - simple. the dashboard was different. in yours car the head gasket or engine head is broken - i can see the iol all over the engine... a lot of memory from the time i was a young child and young driver. wow!!! cool job. i didn't see all the video but already i like the exterior - great job!

[@sneaks01]

Loved my Rabbits! Super simple and reliable!!

[@ryetim32]

Those Rabbit's changed everything

[@131dyana]

The body of that car is in nice shape I have not seen one of these for along time. I remember when they first came to the USA. Too bad the interior is not so well. Thanks for sharing with us. Your work was great.

[@adape0884frank]

I think that this Volkswagen Rabbit looks cool and taking the time to detail it is the best 1st step. I wish I would find this car and after getting the motor running and the deep wash detail I would have it get a paint job in the same color.

[@dang6369]

I'd definitely own a car like this! First mods I'd do to this (or any car I own) would be, new headunit, new speakers and tints.

[@nicholassandy5470]

I DEFINITELY WOULD OWN IT !! I ALREADY DO. I own a 1980 rabbit custom ( early westy ) n I LOVE HER. N so does my kids we have all enjoyed working on her n driving her around

[@jimperrin9291]

That’s a yea! Love that shape, reminds me of my dads ‘79 Plymouth horizon! Stock as possible just get the engine/suspension up too par for daily cruising!

[@jtkent28]

I had an ‘84 diesel rabbit in high school. white, 2 dr, with a 4 spd. everyone knew me by that car. it was slow, loud and shook when it idled. but it got something like 50 mpg and was fun to drive. I’ve had vw’s ever since and just bought a ‘23 gti 40th anniversary edition. but id love to get an mk1 gti for a weekend car.

[@adamhecht1762]

I had an 82 VW Rabbit. Mine was graphite with red interior. I also had a sunroof with it. Yes the engine was lack of power but it played Dukes of Hazzard real well. Plus it moved down the road quickly. I went from a 90 VW Jetta Wolfsburg edition to this.

[@ericzochowski3749]

great little project car

[@gnx250]

YES....I would own it and customize it.....COMPLETELY

[@joefisher7431]

I had many VW Scirocco back in the day. Engines are interchangeable and performance parts easy to find. My favorite was a 1980 S Scirocco we put a 16v 1.8 liter engine in with a 5 speed gearbox from a GTI later model. It really changed the flavor from econobox to speed demon.

[@vincentspencer3699]

Great work guys! If my opinion matters, I would getting it back to running and then start looking into making it into a “ sleeper”….

[@aye3678]

Love the look of this car personally. I especially like the rear with those long and narrow tail lights.

[@matishav.1.849]

I'm literally obsessed with this car

[@ericwhiteside9806]

I would keep it stock and find a Blue hood for it. Its rare to see these mrk1 Rabbit stock, and it's always a treat to see one survived.

[@dominicdevone2684]

I remember seeing these as a kid. Growing up I had a neighbor that had one. His was beige with brown interior. It was diesel and had a very distinctive knocking sound when it ran, cool little car. I like the Beetle and the Karmen Gia,

[@darthmada9574]

I love VW in general but the rabbits are really cool. They're like smaller Golfs. Which is my favorite VW. I'd def add some rims, a candy paint job, lower it, and add some interior mods.

[@Professor1568]

I had the same one with three doors, 55 HP in green. What a good car....

[@31acruz]

Nice video like always. Can I ask you about the garage floor you chose? I am in the middle of deciding what to do with mine and wondered if you experienced any "dirt build up" when it falls in between the ridges? or maybe you found a way to keep that clean that I am not thinking of. Your observations as to how you like that floor would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.!

[@AVC-Works]

Would love to own a MK1 Rabbit 😍Would keep it original btw.. maybe lowered and some BBS rims, but nothing more so it can bring back to original easily

[@allroadsawesome]

Great video. Huge VW fan also

[@jayceec3539]

My mom had her vw rabbit for well over 25 years. My dad worked at the vw dealership in Juneau,AK for many ,many years . With his employee discount he purchased 16 volkwagons, including 2 mint carmen ghias. My grandma bought her 1968 super beetle it was emerald green interior+ jade green exterior.

[@88bitcube50]

You guys did marvelously. Hopefully I get to see you guys do a Datsun 620 truck. By the way can you guys do a video on products that you use to clean the cars and maybe for those who want to do it on a budget?

[@TheDrivers97]

Crazy what a good car wash can do, nice work man, looks awesome afterwards!

[@sneekn5983]

I had a 74 VW four door rabbit with a sun roof and surfboard rack, it was my second car, I miss the 80's lol

[@williamfullman2639]

I had a bunch of rabbits now there hard to find I bought the same model in back of a Chinese restaurant for $173 dollars and pushed it home I never got it to run and never enjoyed it maybe one day but for today this video WILL DO !!!!!!AWESOME WORK GUYS

[@johnnyralph1607]

I love this car, and one day hope to find one of my own. I'd keep it mostly stock, maybe add a few after market stuff. I just got my driver's license, so looking for a good car to start with

[@cierrabush5562]

I got chills when he started cleaning the seat 😅

[@tomd815]

My family owned seemingly every 80s VW because my uncle was a mechanic at a dealership. We had obscure ones, normal ones, and the 2 door version of this car. I would buy it, they always seemed more solid than the other cars of the day, although in the case of these much less comfortable. Fun fact, this was probably one of the last VWs built in the US before the 2012 Passats debuted out of Chattanooga. As for mods, I would just put some proper 80s VW seats, Blaupunkt stereo and the mk1 GTI wheels found on most 80s VW models

[@DSP1968]

Great video! These cars were really very durable and fun in a weird sort of way. I have a lot of experience with a '79 Rabbit L Diesel, which was, uh, quite the unique driving experience. As most of them are long gone, I'd leave this one dead stock.

[@jerniesaylah]

I own a 1987 vw rabbit cabriolet and it’s stock as possible. Fun classic cars.

[@stefanorossi3055]

Ottimo lavoro i ragazzi ci sanno fare saluti da Napoli

[@oleksii_titov]

Great job as always! Keep it up! Greeting from Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@robinboberg]

Way back in the early ‘80’s, we had 3 Rabbits: red one we called ketchup, yellow one we called Mustard and a green one we called Pickle. I drove ketchup, my husband drove mustard and we used pickle as a parts car. I came home after a big rainstorm and decided to get the wiper assembly off the pickle and my husband had beat me to it! I drive a Beetle Convertible today.

[@SherwinR89]

Unbelievably this vehicle continued in production for thirty years as the Citi Golf in South Africa. It was finally discontinued in 2006 when VW South Africa realised it was a death trap

[@YasinVanDoorsen]

My uncle still got his and its still going strong

[@boweynelemans5429]

Awesome cars. Had its brother the MK2. If you're a car guy I'd recommend having one. An excuse to work on it every week as many of them have some maintainance to catch up to, and they're easy to work on

[@danielheartsill4269]

We had one in the 80,s and it was a very good car. Almost no repair and we drove it over 180K miles and it got 50 MPG on the highway. Wish that quality was still around.

[@grayhounddaddy62leake83]

Always liked these little cars. My late brother bought a black 2 door in 1981 and had it for a few years before his family started expanding and he had to get a larger car! But that little Rabbit had decent power, good economy was cute as hell and fun to drive!!! I was a bit sad when he traded it in! If I had this little one, about the only thing I'd do is get new tires and wheels and a new paint job! Other than that, I'd keep it as stock as possible and looking like it did when it was new!

[@eckes13]

the car looks awsome...i would just get the paint corrected/ remove the rust, add new rims, update the headlights (halos, if they make them) and tail lights...but i would keep the engine stock... WD- i keep forgetting to ask, your videos are always great that i get so into the video and the question that i forget to ask my actual question..."what kind of power washer do you use?, i have one already but really like that single handle gun"

[@GGBURGER1]

Excellent job, and a great car!😎

[@michaeltutty1540]

As a point of information, the interior was vinyl, not leather. L, the entry level model, was vinyl or cloth and vinyl interior, and pretty spartan at that. The end result is spectacular, considering where this Pennsylvania built Rabbit started out. The first Rabbit I drove was a German built 78, and it was fun. The second was a Pennsylvania built GL Turbodiesel. It was even more fun

[@retrocar7761]

I really like these, i would keep it nice and original, giving it cosmetic work to tidy up the edges.

[@marissacroucher6112]

That was year I was born love it..wish I had the money to buy it need a car haha...great job guys

[@hansjorgkarcher9504]

Loving this car!! My Moment had one

[@unlimitedfactory4297]

Rabbits are awesome! Although I prefer the 2 door round headlight ones

[@joeysoko8001]

I would paint the hood black to match the fuel cap and the part next to the back wheels, then put black rims on that baby, tint the windows, put new head lamps, change the grill maybe, then send it to me here in Malawi and make it my first ever car lol Just a suggestion from a new subscriber to your channel 😁

[@jimgerock9190]

This Rabbit was made at the Westmoreland PA assembly plant. My parents had an 81 Rabbit diesel L sedan with manual transmission.

[@truthteller8459]

I had a Rabbit 4-door. It was bright orange with earth tone plaid seats. I wish I still had it till this day.

[@stephenvictorbailey4055]

I've had a few European spec rabbits or golf as we call em in England....i love em....their great little cars and I'd love to get another one

[@enriquelopez9124]

That car looks awesome 👌 👏 👍

[@jarrodlewis123]

I had an 84 Rabbit GL four door. It was a great car and carried me all over the country.

[@nnadozie6190]

Definitely a keeper. My aunt and uncle were big VW people. They bought a 60s VW bus (yellow)for themselves. Then a diesel VW truck (not sure what those were called) for their oldest daughter. Next was a 80s Golf(Gulf?) for the 2nd oldest girl. Their son got a VW Rabbit, but I think his was GTI or something like that. Looked different from this one. Always nice to see these in good shape.

[@davestewart9146]

You guys did an amazing job, I’d like to see you detail a boat 👍😁

[@christoffersundin1815]

Rabbit in US. Golf in the rest, and the litte Rabbit/Golf pickup was named Caddy and was produced till early 90's as the Caddy MK1 (almost 10 year more then the Rabbit/Golf MK1 Who become MK2 in late -83) Cool video, can not be a comon spec in the US with manual transmission and no AC.. keep it stock, just let it live and use it when weather is good.

[@jamesjohnson-yy6cb]

Love it 😀 keep it stock. I would love to own it....lol

[@leddygee1896]

My parents had a 1983 VW Pickup, an it had the Diesel engine, camper shell, and it was that same Baby Blue paint. on a long trip, It got well over 50 MPG. It just took 3 times longer to get there...

[@dre4011]

I too love VW's...being born in August of '81, I came home from the hospital as in infant in an '80 Scirocco S......grew up with a '71 Deluxe Bus, '71 Super Beetle, '79 Kombi, '86 Vanagon GL,'87 Vanagon GL (#554), '86 GLI, '97 Jetta GLS, '93 & '94 Jetta GL's..my own '87 GLI's, an '87 Golf GT, a '90 GLI, and an '03 GLS-GT 1.8T............I would throw a set of "Snowflakes" on it with some H&R springs..and then shove a 1.8T or a 2.0T or a VR6 in it...keep the patina...make it SLEEPY....😉👍✌

[@farlo_9355]

Cool Car !