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Oldest VW diesel found in California
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Back in January when Volkswagen unveiled its new diesel Jetta TDI in Washington D.C., the German automaker began a campaign to find the oldest running diesel VW in the U.S. The search is over, with the eldest VW oil burner being a 1977 Rabbit owned by Clint Wilson in Tehachapi, California. The 1977 Rabbit was the first diesel passenger car sold in the U.S. by Volkswagen, and it appears that Wilson's is still in great shape, something VW no doubt hopes isn't lost on today's prospective diesel customers. The car's age was verified by Volkswagen of America and Family Volkswagen, a VW dealer in Bakersfield, CA. The search is still on for the VW diesel with the highest mileage, but in the meantime, VW has provided Wilson with a Touareg V10 TDI to drive for six months.
[Source: Volkswagen]
PRESS RELEASE:
OLDEST VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL FOUND IN CALIFORNIA
1977 Volkswagen Rabbit Recognized As Oldest Volkswagen Diesel
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced that, as part of its diesel heritage search, it has located the oldest operating Volkswagen diesel vehicle in America, a 1977 Rabbit owned by Clint Wilson of Tehachapi, Calif. The Rabbit's was recently verified by Volkswagen of America and Family Volkswagen, a Bakersfield, Calif. based auto dealer.
"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 Touareg V10 TDI to drive for six-months. In addition to his 1977 Rabbit, Wilson also owns a Beetle that he is hoping to restore in the near future.
Volkswagen is a leader in the U.S. diesel passenger vehicle market with over 815,000 diesel vehicles sold since the 1977 Rabbit, the first U.S. Volkswagen diesel. In addition to the currently available diesel Touareg V10 TDI, Volkswagen has previously announced that the 2009 Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen, which will be available late first quarter of 2008, will feature a clean diesel TDI engine.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SOhp101 4:06PM (8/16/2007)
VW giving you the keys to a Touareg TDI V10 for only 6 months seems nice but it'll be really bittersweet in the end. That's like getting coupons for dinner every night at a steakhouse and then having to eat McDonald's afterwards. Hope he has another car he actually drives regularly.
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Dieter 4:18PM (8/16/2007)
You got that right! Anyone who is able to get 30 years out of a VW ought to have been given a free replacement. After all, I'm sure that much was spent on repair/replacement costs over those 30 years!
1337 5:04PM (8/16/2007)
Dieter,
What could go wrong with a 1970s Rabbit Diesel? It's barely more complex than a go-kart.
why not the LS2/LS7? 4:08PM (8/16/2007)
You've taken a guy out of a 2600 lb and put him into a 5400 lb car. Way to show what you're doing for the enviroment, VW!
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KeithM 4:22PM (8/16/2007)
Ummm... TDI Toureg in California? Anybody care to guess how that works? Does that mean we will have them in Cali for 2008? Did I miss the news?
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dcwf 4:50PM (8/16/2007)
I believe that '08 Touareg diesels cannot be sold in California. The PR says that VW "has provided" a Touareg. Sounds like a loaner to me (I hope so, otherwise poor Mr. Wilson gets screwed with having to pay income taxes for the value of the 6-month experience).
Jim in Tampa 4:28PM (8/16/2007)
My dad's 78 VW Rabbit Diesel rusted away in 15 years with 280,000 miles.
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jb 8:34PM (8/16/2007)
Hopefully they are paying for the diesel also, because I doubt he is going to get the same gas mileage than he does in his rabbit!!
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mdm-adph 4:53PM (8/16/2007)
seriously -- they couldn't have just given him the damn thing? though a new Golf (or Rabbit, whatever they're calling it now) TDI would've been more appropriate.
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1337 5:03PM (8/16/2007)
I'd laugh if Mr. Wilson says, "Why the hell would I want that huge abomination when I can have twice the mileage and four times the fun in my Rabbit?" Also, what kind of PR team lets a valued customer borrow a car for a few months.
If I were Clint Wilson, I would drive the Touareg like I stole it and return the smoldering mess in 6 months with a nearly empty tank of diesel. I like the smaller VW TDIs, especially since Jetta Sportwagen can carry nearly as much stuff as the Touareg for less than half the price.
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sirAQUAMAN64 5:09PM (8/16/2007)
FYI, the 2006MY Touareg V10 TDIs were 50-state compliant due to special admittance (type-thing) given to VW.
The 2007 and facelifted 2008MY are not, even though they have the same engine.
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JC3 5:26PM (8/16/2007)
Wow.Some people can really whine.The guy's getting something for nothing and basically is entitled to nothing.I'd be flippin' grateful as heck.
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Ronald 1:51AM (8/17/2007)
grateful to get a free rent-a-tank for 6 months? WTF is wrong with VW, I would really feel ripped off if i was this guy. Saab just recently GAVE a guy a free Saab 9-5 after he turned 1,000,000 miles in his old Saab. NOW THAT is good PR.
I swear, if this was me, i would take that rent-a-tank, and drive the hell out of it, sell some parts off of it, then return 50% of it. When they ask what happened to it, i'll say it depreciated and i received proper compensation for you taking my ol' rabbit!
Reality Check 5:33PM (8/16/2007)
Six months! That says it all for VW............
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BirdmanSTX 5:50PM (8/16/2007)
"Anyone who is able to get 30 years out of a VW ought to have been given a free replacement."
I didn't see where it said he owned it all 30 years, just that he owned it. Crap, he could have bought it a month ago... so getting anything free for just owning an old vehicle is a plus, even if it's just for 6 months.
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Go5Go 6:01PM (8/16/2007)
It sounds like everybody keeps talking as if this guys is some old fart. Look at the picture.. He doesn't even look like he is thirty years old! The car is in good shape. I don't know how long he has had it, but good up keep to him and its previous owners.
I don't agree on the loaner either. In such a image conscience world, why "loan" out such a vehicle. Almost just as good as driving a oil burning H1 Hummer! ;-)
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geronimo1000 9:57PM (8/16/2007)
I have an '86 Golf Diesel with 346,000 miles on it and it is still rock solid.
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Louis Duran 8:34PM (8/16/2007)
They should have just given him a Jetta TDI or something similar. I agree that he shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth (and he probably isn't) but as far as PR is concerned, this makes VW look cheap.
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vdk 8:39PM (8/16/2007)
Why is a VW/Porsche dealer selling Hyundai's? Weeaakkk....
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Brett 8:54PM (8/16/2007)
Oh crap that dealership is in my town! HAHA! Tehachapi is this little city up in the hills above bakersfield haha! Too funny...
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