In the MK1 community these days, there are many unspoken and often unwritten sins that we will not do. Certain tasks so heinous that even thinking about doing them would get you shot on sight, or even worst, banished outright from your car forum of choice. Forever doomed you would be to lurk the fringe cliques of your local forum and only show your face at meets if you had “backup.” These things fall on the lines of putting 16″ wheels on a Rabbit, applying any kind of body kit, installing any motor with more than four cylinders, or apparently cleaning up or modding any early square headlight bunny.
We understand that they are the rarest of the rare when it comes to front end setups, but it seems like there have only been a couple memorable examples worth mentioning. One would have thought they would have all been scooped up and put under glass just for the unobtainable factor alone. I guess I am one of the few who actually enjoy the styling of the early Westy Rabbits. Lucky for you and me, Paul Lehman thought this one was definitely worth saving and sharing for the world. This beautiful 1979 Rabbit is still sporting its original Whisper Blue paint job and it is undoubtedly as good looking today as it was the day it rolled off the assembly line in Pennsylvania over 30 years ago.
Paul happens to be a tool and die programmer, working mainly with EDM machines. In April of 2009, he picked up this gem from Josh of the legendary Coopersburg, PA shop Nothing Leaves Stock. Paul explained, “The engine swap was already in the car and built up, but the car overall was a totally different style than [what] I wanted.” He took several steps to clean up and simplify the engine bay. This included filling many of the worthless extra holes that MK1s are plagued to have.
When asked about the theme or style he was going with for the vehicle, Paul retorted that more than anything, he was going after the OEM+ look. To achieve this, he not only left the understated cloth seated interior intact but also opted to restore the original single stage paint rather than doing a respray. Paul even went as far to rewrap all the wires in the original-style cloth tape.
The little mods like that really do make a vehicle stand out among the rest. The subtle little details, so often overlooked, are a way to prove that the owner isn’t modeling his car to win car shows but instead building it to suit himself. This seems to go against the hoard mindset of many in the scene today. Minute details that are neglected by all but the most vigilant eye. It would have been easy to just put in some power Recaro seats, round headlight core support, and a 20v motor with a super shaved/tucked bay, but Paul rejected that so that he could build the car that would have been manufactured today if the Rabbit were still in production.
Although the bay did get a respray, it is very tasteful in it’s simplicity and not too over-the-top when it came to shaving body lines or deleting everything but the motor itself. The bay, aside from the ITB’s, actually looks like something that VW would have produced. I’m honestly glad they didn’t because I definitely wouldn’t appreciate these cars the way I do now.
The dealer installed pin striping is definitely a cool factor that any OG bunny should have. Paul hopes to one day slather on some proper paint but for right now, hes gonna keep rocking the OG job. The rare chrome euro bumpers are a cool, period correct mod to add to any old school as well. Also let it be noted that not every car has to have 100 stickers at a 45° angle to be classy. Sometimes leaving on badges is OK too.
Not many people have the heart to trade off a reliable MK4 .:R32, for a 32 year old econobox, but the Dub Fever can do some pretty crazy things to people. Whatever the reason, we’re glad Paul made the decision because this is honestly one of the most understated Westmoreland Rabbits we have seen in a long time. Originally characterized by its lackluster styling, crude handling, and dismal interior color scheme, this car has definitely been transformed into a head-turner.
Sleepers never die, they just become more subtle.
You have to be really dedicated to listen to the original AM-FM radio while rocking some of the most drab seats we have ever seen. While to most people, this may appear like grandpa’s old grocery getter, it actually has a throaty, torque monster under the hood.
Paul would also like to thank Joe Zeeuw for his help with building the car. “Joe was very helpful with fabrication, cool ideas, tips and just his knowledge about the VW’s. I cant thank him enough for his help.” He also thanks M.I.V.E. (Michigan Volkswagen Enthusiasts) also help with motivation and ideas on the car.
Styling: -Nardi wood steering wheel (borrowed from Brian Block. Thanks Blocker!) -stock blue interior with stock stereo still -empi golf ball shift knob -metal euro bumpers -FK coils -battery relocated to trunk -76 antenna ball -OG pinstriping
Motor: -9a 2.0L 16v -custom ITB set-up -Megasquirt standalone -all new wiring harness wrapped with OEM style cloth tape -match ported 1.8L head -278 cams, hd TT springs -Raceland 16v header -2.5″ exhaust non cat exhaust -ABF alt serp belt setup -sach power clutch, lightened flywheel -USRT shifter kit -early radiator -12″ Mr Gasket fan mounted to a custom shroud -custom catch can made by Joe -removed mat’l & Powder coated valve cover -Stainless hardware throught out the bay
Wheel Specs: BBS RS 001′s 15×7 ET25 Powder coated 1.5″ Radinox lips Federal tires 165/50-15′s