“Once again Volkswagen brings a breath of fresh air to the automotive world.”
For 1985, the Volkswagen changed the name of its Rabbit-based convertible in the United States from Rabbit Convertible to Cabriolet. One reason for the Cabriolet rename was likely its base price—at $11,595 (about $28,400 in today’s dollars) around 66% higher than the Golf hatchback coupe’s base price. Another driver was that the Cabriolet retained the Mk1 Rabbit as it’s basis, instead of joining the Mk2 hatchback coupes and sedans, new for 1985 in the United States. All Cabriolets were built by Karmann Coachworks, with most components supplied by Volkswagen—and all had a Karmann badge placed forward of both doors.
The Cabriolet’s standard powertrain was the JH 95 bhp 1.8 liter/109 ci inline four with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection paired with a five-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission was available. 0-60 times with the five-speed were in the 12 to 13 second range in the approximately 2,275-pound Cabriolet.
Volkswagen’s Cabriolet brochure boasted that it was “perhaps the most efficient way to drive from one place to another with the wind in your hair.” This statement was likely correct in 1985; with the five-speed manual, fuel economy ratings by mid-eighties standards were 24 city/29 highway (21/26 by 2020 standards). With a 13.8-gallon fuel tank, a Cabriolet owner could expect a range of between 290 and 330 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
Standard exterior equipment for the Cabriolet included an insulated three-layer convertible top with a heated glass rear window, a boot for the top, tinted glass, and remote-controlled mirrors. Mechanical equipment included front-wheel-drive, a sport suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, power vented front disc/rear drum brakes, and 175/70SR13 tires (a size still readily available) on 13-inch wheels. Inside, reclining front bucket seats, full instrumentation, and an electronic AM/FM stereo cassette with four speakers were included.
Options were relatively few: metallic paint, white sidewall tires, 13-inch light-alloy wheels, power steering, cruise control, air conditioning, and cloth sports seats. The Triple White Bestseller package included Alpine White paint, a white convertible top, and white seats. Later in the model year, the usual Wolfsburg Edition promotion was available, with 14-inch alloy wheels, leather sports seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The mid-priced four-seat convertible market for 1985—all in the $10,500 to $13,500 range—was suddenly rather crowded. In addition to the Volkswagen, potential convertible buyers could choose from the AMC Renault Alliance, the Chevrolet Cavalier/Pontiac Sunbird J-cars, the Chrysler LeBaron/Dodge 600 K-cars, the Ford Mustang/Mercury Capri Fox-bodies, and the Toyota Celica. Despite this various and varied competition, Volkswagen sold an impressive 12,637 Cabriolets in 1985.
There is definite collector interest in the Cabriolets, and there’s also a lot of information on Cabby Info. Cabriolets frequently show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds and on eBay Motors. As I write this post, there’s an Alpine White 1987 Cabriolet with a white top, white bucket seats, a five-speed manual, and 94,000 miles for sale on Hemmings, for $6,995 firm.
Make mine Flash Silver Metallic, please.
Another Volkswagen I have written about is the 1983 Rabbit GTI hatchback coupe. I’ll have to get to the Jetta, the Scirocco, and the Vanagon at some point.
Eighties Cars 