Tag Archives: Sarajevo

Typ 148 RHD – Volkswagen Caddy

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Strangely the Volkswagen Caddy is unknown by that name in the USA the country which gave the initial momentum to the model thanks to Volkwagen of America’s in interest in a prototype pick up version of the Golf Mk 1 Hatchback built in Germany.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The Typ 14 or more correctly Typ 147-LHD (Left Hand Drive) was first built at VW’s Westmoreland County, PA plant and sold in the US as the Rabbit Pick Up in 1979, so far as I have been able to determine production at Westmoreland ceased in 1982 and was switched to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina where production of the European Typ 147-LHD and 148 Right Hand Drive variants continued until 1992. Production of Caddy’s continued in South Africa until 2007 alongside Mk 1 Golf’s which them selves were in production up until 2009.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

European Typ 14’s were only ever marketed as Volkswagen Caddy’s where confusion of the name with supersize 5000lb 500 cui V8 US land yachts was less likely.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

The Typ 14 Caddy is not to be confused with later variants, Typ 9K Polo Mk III based Caddy, Typ 9U Škoda Felicia pick-up or Typ Golf Mk 5 based Volkswagen Touran.

Volkswagen Caddy, Spring Performance Car Action Day, Castle Combe

Today’s 1989 Caddy seen last year at the Spring Performance Car Action Day at Castle Combe appears to be powered by the high end 70 hp petrol motor.

Thanks for joining me on this “Typ 148 RHD” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Dust Thy Neighbour – Volkswagen Golf GTi 16V

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In 1983 while I was an intern at the Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg there was great excitement as the announcement of the revamped VW Golf Mk 2 was anticipated.

Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v, Oulton Park

As I arrived the first of the new cars were being assembled in Halle 54 a giant factory space in which the body panels were held together with over 400 spot welds made by an army of robots as was most of the assembly work.

Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v, Oulton Park

The 110hp GTi version of the Golf II was available powered by the same 110hp motor as the face lifted VW Golf GTi I. In 1986 in Europe and 1987 in the USA 16 valve versions of the motor giving 137 hp in Europe and 129 hp in the USA became available.

Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v, Oulton Park

UK advertising for the GTi 16v emphasised the quality of the body, while US advertising emphasised the performance of the car with the strap line “Dust Thy Neighbour“.

Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v, Oulton Park

Today’s featured vehicle is seen at an Oulton Park track day a couple of years ago with non standard rims. It has been estimated that around 6.3 million Golf II’s were manufactured at VW plants in Wolfsburg, Brussels, Sarajevo, New Stanton Pennsylvania, Puebla, Mexico and Uitenhage, South Africa.

Thanks for joining me on this “Dust Thy Neighbour” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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