1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI Callaway

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Classic Motorsports and Grassroots Motorsports have been the go-to source for classic car and racing news, restoration stories and car video content for sports car owners and fans alike. Both publications have featured project cars series where audiences are treated to how-to restoration videos and guides, customization content, and everything else we dream about in our own garages. Like every good story, this selection of cars from the publisher's personal collection are now ready for their next chapter.

The first-generation 1983–85 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI marked the American debut of the iconic “hot hatch” genre. Distinctive with its black trim, red GTI badge, and sporty alloy wheels, the Rabbit GTI stood out from other compact cars, offering spritely handling and quick acceleration, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. The American version featured a 1.8-liter inline-four engine rated at 90 horsepower. 

If the Rabbit GTI formed an instant cult-like devotion, imagine one that’s turbocharged. The late Reeves Callaway was an instructor at Bob Bondurant’s School of High Performance Driving at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut. The school used BMW 320i sedans, which handled well but lacked serious horsepower. This led Callaway to create a turbocharger setup for the BMW in his garage. A small story in Car and Driver magazine, which implied that Callaway was actually selling these turbo kits, created enough demand that he started producing upgrades for VW, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz cars. His company was founded in 1977 working out of his home’s garage, and long before Callaway Cars began turbocharging the Alfa Romeo GTV6 and C4 Corvette for those manufacturers in the 1980s, early conversions like this 1984 Rabbit GTI Callaway from Classic Motorsports magazine was forging the company’s legend. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Publisher's Collection 

• Mostly original Rabbit GTI with Callaway turbocharger conversion 

• 1.8-liter inline-four with 186 hp Stage II Callaway Turbo kit  

• Five-speed manual transmission 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report 

Features 

• Recent maintenance includes: 

  • Fuel injection system rebuilt 

  • New rear wheel bearings  

  • New fuel pump 

  • New brakes 

  • New shift linkage 

  • New Techtonics exhaust 

  • New fuel tank 

  • Bridgestone tires have about 100 miles on them are about five years old 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint on the doors is blemished 

Included 

• All original parts from the turbo swap are in the trunk 

Ownership History 

About six years ago, Classic Motorsports magazine picked up this 1984 VW Rabbit GTi with mostly original paint, original unmolested interior and the ultimate option, a Stage II (186 horsepower) Callaway Turbo kit. Publisher Emeritus Tim Suddard recalled, “While we wrote about the car some and got it cleaned up and repaired, we once again have moved on to other cars. This ultimate Radwood car has had a rebuilt turbo installed. The fuel injection system has been completely rebuilt. New rear wheel bearings, fuel pump, brakes, shift linkage and other mechanical bits have been repaired as well. We put a new Techtonics exhaust on the car as well as a myriad of other parts. Decades of receipts are in a folder and included with the car. The previous owner had Dick Shine Racing go through the and strengthen the transmission. Suspension appears to be autocross spec, with Bilstein shocks, lowering springs, and a front strut bar has been installed. We only had to fix one small rust spot on the car.” 

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.   

Contact: Cason Vogel   Phone: 904.504.7848   email: cvogel@hagerty.com  

Sales Tax Notice to Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia Bidders: Because this car is located in Florida, Hagerty Marketplace may be required to collect and remit Florida sales tax on your purchase, even if you plan to register it outside of Florida. Unlike most other states, the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia may not provide a full credit against sales taxes paid to Florida. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Florida that are sold to residents of another state.