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.

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.

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.

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.

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 !