VW Caddy 1 (14D)

Der VW Caddy 1 (14D) - Baujahr 1979 bis 2007

VW Caddy 1 (Type 14D) - Year of manufacture 1979 to 2007.


Originally designed as a Rabbit pickup for the USA, the VW Caddy 1 (Type 14D) was Volkswagen's first pickup. It was derived as a two-seater flatbed truck from the VW Rabbit, a VW Golf 1 variant which itself was introduced as a US variant in 1978 and built from 1979 to 1993. Thus the VW Caddy 1 was manufactured in the USA, from 1979 to 1997 on the basis of the first generation Golf.


In Europe, the VW Caddy 1 was first offered in 1983. It was manufactured after the American model, however slightly modified, at TAS (Tvornica Automobila Sarajevo) in Sarajevo almost identical in construction. It was based on the Golf 1 platform Q31/A1, but differed in some details, such as the rear axle. This was designed as a rigid axle, which was equipped with longitudinal leaf springs. A characteristic, which was to accompany the VW Caddy as a commercial vehicle, up to the fifth generation and, in addition to disadvantages as a private car, brought significant advantages as a cargo and commercial vehicle with it. Thus a level loading area was made possible, which is not interrupted by spring domes. This also increased and maximized the permissible axle load.


The shorter doors of the four-door Golf, were used for the cab. This allowed a larger load area, but also reduced the space for the driver. Contrary to the U.S. variant, which had square headlights, the European VW Caddy 1, had the round headlights of the Golf 1.


In Europe, production of the VW Caddy 1 ended in 1992 due to the Bosnian War, whereas in the US it continued to be built for another year, until 1993. In South Africa, the VW Caddy 1 was produced even until 2007 with a modified front, fuel injection engine and right-hand drive.


With regard to the engine, the VW Caddy 1 was equipped with four-cylinder in-line engines (gasoline engine). For the gasoline engines one used 51 kW / 70 HP with 1.5 liters of displacement to 70 kW / 90 HP with 1.8 liters of displacement. For the diesel engine, a distributor injection pump was used with 40 kW / 54 hp and 1.6 liters of displacement.