Pretty soon after the launch of the standard Rabbit, a pickup truck was introduced, called the "Caddy"; these thing never sold in the numbers that their more conventional counterparts did. Add to that the typical early Volkswagen rusting issues, and you've got a fairly rare piece here in the rustbelt. Kind of explains why this example came from Oregon doesn't it?
Spotted on a quiet residential street, I've seen this thing around quite a bit, and wasn't sure if I'd ever have the chance to shoot it. Fortunately, about a month after first encountering this rare beast, I took the opportunity to give this little trucklet a thorough walk-around.
Aside from the bent front bumper, and missing centercap, this little Caddy looks pretty good; paint fade is imminent, but I suppose paint fade is better than rust. Fitting with a topper, this little guy looks pretty good--I don't think I've ever seen one with a topper, and now I wonder why; it looks better than a Dodge Rampage with a topper, that's for sure.
The chrome and other time is in good shape, though the US-spec overriders certainly ruin the appeal, but that's to be expected; regs have a habit of ruining styling on imported vehicles. What's funny, is these overriders could pass for those on US-spec Lamborghini Countachs as well. That says something about how screwed-up our regs were.
I didn't get to peer inside, but I would imagine that its the same as the exterior; not overly worn, but not in pristine shape. Wear, but not much tear; I would label this one a "looked after survivor". Obviously not a showpiece by any means, but far from a basketcase.
I've gotta say that this Caddy is one of the nicer ones I've shot, and it definitely makes the inner-Volkswagen geek in me a happy camper. Literally.
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