Minneapolis Street Sighting: Volksagen Rabbit Diesel LS

There are some cars that almost speak for a generation; the Volkswagen Beetle did, and I would almost say the same of the Volkswagen Golf as well. Conceived on the same basic idea of cheap transport for a family, the Golf was a success for Volkswagen in many ways-- a hallmark, even. Not only was this new car an instant success because of its price, it was also one of the main success' for the brand in a two key areas for the brand's future both in North America, and the rest of the world. They two successes are two polar opposite extremes of the motoring world-- the raging, brilliantly handling GTI coined the term "hot hatch" in both the US, and more specifically, in motorsports-rich Europe. On the other end of the motoring spectrum was the torque-unrich diesel. Popular in Europe, the Volkswagen Golf diesel got a new name for the US when it was first launched here-- the Rabbit. Like it or leave, the Rabbit introduced the concept of VW and diesel to the US, a combination that would be as much as a staple in America as "hybrid"--almost.












When the rise of fuel prices hit hard in the late 1970s, VW saw huge sales growth across the brand, particularly for their Rabbit hatchback. With the rise of the regular Rabbit, Volkswagen thought America could use a page or two from their European playbook. The "regular" Rabbit was imported, as well as the diesel version. Sadly, due to American ignorance for "new ideas", and the bad reputation that American diesel cars (and early diesel Benzes) got, the diesel Rabbit was a come and go affair. While Mercedes diesels are still somewhat common today, these early Rabbit are far less so.
I spotted this one on Lake Street, close to uptown; at first, when it passed me, I wasn't quite sure if I was indeed seeing things or not. Rabbits of any shape are not common here at all, and the sighting of a diesel just made my day. Up close, this old German is as nice as it is from a distance; there is absolutely no sign of wear, rust or otherwise. Even down to the factory-stock hubcaps, this example is extremely nice.
With either 39, 48, 52, and finally 68 thundering horses, this first popular iteration of VW's diesel is not fast; it's not meant to be, either. What I can't comprehend is how well it does (and probably doesn't) keep up with city traffic, much less traffic on the highway. While it's certainly got collector appeal now, I can't fathom how these ever managed to survive in a world of 300+ cube V8s and 4500 pound cars circling it in all directions. I give immense props to whoever keeps their diesel Rabbit this clean. It's truly a wonderful car, and deserves all the respect it can get.