I'm looking for a low cost automatic diesel VW car/truck. Which model is not important. It need not be pretty, but it does need to be mechanically sound. Preferably early 1980's or older.

I plan on doing a conversion on it for using SVO. If anyone has any leads on one in or near Michigan, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Sean
(sean333@email.com)

My search for a cheep deezel resulted in the purchase of my 84 turbo 300 seadn for $1,400. Being a mechanic as well as an engineer I didn't sweat a lot of the stuff most people might go YUCK at.

Here in South Georgia the Rabbit sedan/pickup is considered a collector item (HUH!!) and demands money. I rejected a $2,200 Dasher wagon (not enoug metal left to hold up a paint job and 390,000 miles). Isuzu P'ups are prized by small businessmen due to their indestructability and high fuel mileage and thus are not cheap. Newer US trucks are out (you did say cheap!) That also lets out even the first new Beetles

I saw a 1980 Mercedes Wagon (300 non-turbo) just Saturday (almost as ugly as my earl Scheib gray '84 here in Jax.....asking $900.00. A little more than average rust but still very functional. Lots of early-mid 80's 240 D's for under $2000.00...too slow for me!

Don't let the rumors of high prices on Mercedes parts scare you.....aftermarket and internet suppliers help a lot.

Do a search on ebay for "vw diesel". There are several at auction right now that might work for you.

justin

1981 VW Diesel Pick Up, Runs, NR
Item # 597613199

Item located in: Parts & Accessories:Parts:Car & Truck:Junk/Parts Cars
Currently $197.50 First bid $150.00
Quantity 1 # of bids 7 (bid history)
Time left 3 days, 1 hours + Location south central lower michigan
Country United States
Started Nov-05-01 17:42:58 PST (mail this auction to a friend)
Ends Nov-12-01 17:42:58


Here is a 1981 Volkswagen Pick Up (also known as a Caddy). This truck has a 1.6L Diesel and 4 speed transmission. Truck was being driven every day until the springs in the clutch disk broke. It does run and drive but jerks and shudders a bit. The engine starts right up but does smoke a bit until warm. The strut towers are quite rusty but would probably last a few more years without attention. Also has rust in the floors, mostly along the drivers seat rail. Has blue interior with good head liner. Windshield is cracked across the bottom. Topper has one window broken out of the side. Could be used for parts, or put a clutch in it and drive it as is. Has a full set of GTI 14 inch aluminum wheels with poor tires. Would be best to tow it home. Does not come with a battery but you can borrow one to load it. Check my other auctions for a 1981 Gas Pick Up. Win the bid on both and Ill throw in a bunch of parts. Payment and pickup within 10 days of the end of the auction unless other arrangements are made. Thanks for looking.
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On Nov-06-01 at 14:43:13 PST, seller added the following information:
PS. Truck is located about 20 miles south of Jackson Michigan.


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I hate to break this to you, but you are looking for a needle in a hay stack. To the best of my recollection, they were NOT sold in the USA. They were available in Canada though. You can "build" one easily enough. Here is what you will need. 1)One of the older VW THREE SPEED auto. trannies (the overdrive model will NOT work) gear ratio is wrong. 2)The "special" starter for the auto-diesel tranny. These can be bought in Canada, but not in the US. 3) If I remember right you will also need different drive axles. ( I think the automatic uses 100mm flanges and the standard tranny uses 90mm's)I sold an '87 Jetta with the "right" tranny in it to a guy from Big Rapids last spring. I think all he wanted was the engine. All I wanted to do was get rid of the LAST gas powered vehicle in my driveway! If you want to find a VW diesel, I always find them in the Grand Rapids Press in the "bargain corner". Another option might be one of the "rare" Ford Escorts , some of them had auto's in them. Unless there is a Turbo though, you will NOT be happy with the automatic. I would look at '76-'83 Mercedes vehicles either the 240D or the 300D or 300SD. The 240's will be 4 cylinders and the 300's will be 5 cylinders. Both models came with or without turbos and/or automatics. If I can be any help (repairs or whatever) let me know! I'm NOT that far from you. ( Exit 59 off of I-96) Tom