New here! 81 rabbit pickup.

[NickBoudin]

Hey guys, after searching the web I found that this forum has a wealth of information and plenty of knowledgable people on board. I just picked up (last month or so) a 1981 caddy lx. It's got around 175k and a 1.6 with 5spd. It's pretty rotten in places but nothing that scares me. Apparently the gentlemen I bought it from popped a brake like and parked it 10 years ago, only to be moved around his yard occasionally when it was in the way.  As soon as these pictures finish uploading I'll give post them up for you all.

Thanks,
Nick




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[NickBoudin]

The beetle isn't mine it's a buddies but the convertible was last winter project. The truck is in my garage for rust repair now, then I'll dig into the motor a bit. Hope you all enjoy.

Thanks,
Nick


1981 caddy 1.6
1987 cabby 1.8
1993 cabby 1.8

[stewardc]

I am Always ready to watch a Caddy build. Nice find, now go get you some nasty diesel power. 

[NickBoudin]

I am Always ready to watch a Caddy build. Nice find, now go get you some nasty diesel power. 

Are build threads normally posted here, or elsewhere? I've already started rust repair on this thing haha.

[stewardc]

Sure, why not ?

[NickBoudin]

Cool, well here's a few pics.


here's the passenger side, partially cut out and rotten.

and here's the driver side as it sat when I took the fender off.

this is the gti that donated me it's inner fender wings.

and here's the driver side. You can see by the picture that I cut out way more then what was rotten. I took a ton of measurements before I cut away parts of the front clip and I fitted the fender a few times before I actually welded the inner fender in place.

One side done for now, next side will be done soon then onto the floors...

[Rising]

Wahoo! Welcome to the forums! Get to work! We always need another good active build thread going on here.

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[NickBoudin]

Wahoo! Welcome to the forums! Get to work! We always need another good active build thread going on here.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

Thanks, I've been picking away at it every day, not too sure how I'm going to handle the floors yet. I'm trying to get it in decent driving condition in as short of a time as possible. It will get a true rebuild next year. I just don't have the time and resources this winter to do a full restore.

[NickBoudin]

Here's a bit of an update on the pickup for you guys following along.

I've gotten the front inner fender wings all finished up.









All seam sealed and then undercoated.



And here's what I've moved on too..





Got access too the sand blaster at work and cleaned up some smaller parts as well. Here's a little before and after of media blast magic! Lol





It's coming along but is a lot of work.

Thanks for looking,
Nick

[shorttimer]

Bead blasters are a wonderful thing.

[ORCoaster]

True restoration at it's best.  Good going keeping it going.

[stewardc]

Great work so far. It's so great to see another Caddy being restored. Here's a pic of mine for inspiration.

[8v-of-fury!]

Picture whore ^

[stewardc]

Picture whore ^

Any time, any place, at the drop of a hat, for any reason whatsoever. 

[NickBoudin]

Haha thanks for the kind words guys! That blue truck is gorgeous, I can only hope one day mine will look as nice! I've done a lot of work since the last update I'll have to upload pics and post for you all.

Thanks,
Nick