1984 Rabbit GTi -- Possible TD project?

[GregA]

Hola, long time no hear! You may recall me from several years ago, when I restored and turbo-ized a 1983 Rabbit diesel (a car I've since much regretted selling):

http://www.gatm.com/cars/17dt4sale.html

Well, I'm back, for a while anyway. I used to have a 1984 Rabbit GTi, another car that I spent considerable time and money restoring. In 2000 I bought a new Audi S4; since I thought I wasn't going to drive it a lot, and since my Dad expressed interest in the car, I gave it to him:

http://www.gatm.com/cars/gti.html

Most unfortunately, I have learned recently that the car was loaned to a brother-in-law, and he basically destroyed it (see bottom of page above). So, now, I'm giving serious thought to rebuilding it as a Rabbit GTD. Or, I may sell it as-is, where-is (Opelousas, Louisiana)...haven't quite decided.

Thoughts involved in such a project? I know these cars well, just looking for some recent feedback on the availability of turbo-diesel drivetrains...

Thanks!

Greg Amy
Middletown, CT

[VanBoy]

Wow.... that is a nice car.... er... was till "family" got a hold of it.

I'm thinking of "renewing" an old 78 VW Rabbit..... (I have a post of it in this section).

In my neck of the woods, I haven't found much 1.6L TD stuff. One short block on Craigslist listed at $350. Was a runner, but head was cracked and was scrapped. I've only seen a handful of the older VW diesels. Salvage yards, I really haven't gone around to see if they are there or not. (I just got mine last week...)