Let's hear a little bit about the driver - What's your name and where are you from?
My name is Forest Benner and I’m from Harrisburg Pennsylvania. I now live in the rural country of Middleburg Pennsylvania.
What got you into modifying cars and what kept you in it?
My first vehicle was this Rabbit Pickup. It’s a super simple car to modify. With friends having mk1’s, and all sharing the mk1 passion, it became a weekly ritual to hang out and do something new to our cars. I also raced motocross for several years, so I was used to modding/wrenching on bikes. Friends and meeting new people in the scene kept me into cars. Building this pickup made me want to quit at times, but it’s a passion!
Ok ok ok... Tell us about your ride, what is it?
It’s a 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup. Built to look at AND drive often. Basically a simplistic form of a Rabbit Pickup
Exterior Mods?
Fully shaved bay but the body looks almost factory except body line moldings. Acura/Honda Grand Prix white paint. Small bumper up front and roll pan in the rear. Air ride suspension with Airlift 3P management. Seenit! 4-link rear suspension. Custom box for the air essentials visible through the top of the bed. (One of the biggest challenges). Custom bed wood with clear table top epoxy on top. Wheels are BBS e48 center lock mags(most current setup - not pictured). The most rare and personally most favorite part of the truck.
Interior Mods?
Early Westy dash with iQ3S Racepak cluster. BBS 3 spoke steering wheel with custom horn button to accept 70mm BBS cap. Steering wheel was wrapped by Swift Stitch Upholstery and horn button was made by NBP Finishing. Recaro Trophies wrapped in leather and tweed. Door cards match. Seats, door cards, dash, panels wrapped by Dresslers Upholstery. Pedals are chromed. Steering column is chromed. Fast Bunny Metalwerks hydraulic clutch kit chromed. Custom chromed stalk cover was made to eliminate ignition and turn signal stank. Everything was conveniently relocated under the dash in front of the shifter. The shifter is a CAE Motorsports shifter polished by NBP finishing.
Anything special under the hood?
Engine is a simple 2.0L ABA with slight head work. 276 cam and big valves. Borla ITBs. Drake valve cover - 1 of 4 in existence (thank you Frank Clarici!). Swoops headers. All sorts of custom details to simplify the ABA. All AN nylon braided lines. Fresh Reflections radiator and catch can. O2A trans. It runs Megasquirt Microsquirt stand-alone management. Tons of chromed and polished bits done by NBP finishing, Shore Polishing and Finishing, and 4ever Kustoms.
What are some things you've done to your car that others might not notice?
The fuel door is shaved and the fill is located on the inner bedside. Everything under the car is powder coated white with chromed bolts. The fuel cell is white with polished straps. Every nut and bolt was touched on this truck!
Anything else you'd like to add?
Matt at Eurokraft Performance really made everything work in the end. I took it to him to get 100% wired. He fixed a few issues I had created and ultimately got the truck running. I can enjoy the truck without having to worry about any electrical issues. I’m ready for version 2.0!
Sweet build Cous! Detail work is amazing, love the motor👍
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