Volkswagen tracks down the oldest Rabbit diesel in America
Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen
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Last March, to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary selling diesel powered cars in North America, Volkswagen announced a search for the oldest running VW diesel in the United States. Clint Wilson of Tehachapi, CA is the owner of a 1977 Rabbit diesel and his car has been confirmed as being original and the oldest found. Clint will be getting a new Touareg V10 TDI to drive for six months courtesy of Volkswagen of America. Clint's car may be the oldest but it only has 129,000 original miles on it. Next week VWoA will announce the highest mileage diesel that they have found still on the road.
[Source: Volkswagen]
OLDEST VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL FOUND IN CALIFORNIA
1977 Volkswagen Rabbit Recognized As Oldest Volkswagen Diesel
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced that it has located the oldest operating Volkswagen diesel vehicle in America, a 1977 Rabbit owned by Clint Wilson, Tehachapi, Calif. The Rabbit was recently verified by Volkswagen of America and Family Volkswagen of Bakersfield, Calif.
"Diesel engines are noted for their long-term reliability and durability, so we didn't think it would be a problem to find a 1977 Rabbit that was still in great condition, like this one," said Steve Keyes, Volkswagen Public Relations Director. "The entries for the oldest (and the soon to be announced highest mileage search) not only represent cars that were well-built and well-maintained they are also interesting stories from people who are passionate about Volkswagens and diesel."
In recognition of owning the oldest Volkswagen diesel in the U.S., Volkswagen has provided Wilson with a new V10 TDI Touareg to drive for six-months. In addition to his 1977 Rabbit, Wilson also has a Beetle that he is hoping to restore in the near future.
Volkswagen is a leader in the diesel vehicle market with over 815,000 diesel vehicles sold since the 1977 Rabbit, the first Volkswagen diesel, was brought to the United States. In addition to the currently available diesel Touareg V10 TDI, Volkswagen has previously announced that the 2008 Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen will be available with a diesel, TDI engine.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-16-2007 @ 8:16PM
SuperQ said...
Yea, I bet the owner of the oldest Rabbit, a tiny tiny car compared to what was normal in 1977, would want a Touareg pig.
VWoA doesn't seem to have any plans to re-introduce the TDI in the hatchback.
Reply
8-17-2007 @ 3:44AM
Mattias said...
The new common rail engines will be available in 2008. In late 2008 you'll get a Jetta Diesel and an Jetta Sportwagon Diesel in the US.
Reply
8-23-2007 @ 3:31PM
Karkus said...
Way to go Clint! Talk about getting your money's worth.
On the other hand, the prize from VW is a bit lame. Given how much this guy must like his small, high MPG car, why are they making him drive a big honking low MPG SUV? Wouldn't a 2008 Jetta TDI seem more appropriate ? And please give him the car! (instead of loaning it) He deserves it, plus that would give VW way more much needed good publicity.
Reply
8-31-2007 @ 10:15PM
clint said...
well its cool to hear all the comments. yeah the gas isn't as good as my rabbit. but the touareg is a blast to drive. i love it but i would rather have a jetta tdi. its more the size for my family, i want to give thanks to vwoa for such a great chance to drive a car i would have never been able to drive.
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