1978 Volkswagen Passat GLS in Chiang Rai

HAL9000 · December 8, 2021

This is the most desired version of this car, the "facelift" hatchback. GLS is a combination of the TS sport version with the GL luxury version, or at least as was the state of "luxury" trim levels for VW in 1978. I'm not sure of what exactly makes the sport version different. It does have the progressive carburetor. It may have better performing suspension as well.

I am selling this because I had to return to the US suddenly after my father passed away. I left the car with our son to take care of it, and transferred the title to my brother in law. Our son speaks English, so we can make an appointment with him if you are in Thailand. Otherwise, you can direct inquiries to me, and I can coordinate with him to make arrangements to pick up the car and DLT (DMV) paperwork. If you do not live in Thailand, I will also provide an English bill of sale along with the Thai registration/title book and DLT transfer papers. My brother in law will sign the Thai transfer papers. If you are registering the car in another country, they probably will only want the English bill of sale and title, but the procedure may vary in your country. Check with your local DMV before purchasing. One of the German car specialists in town suggested a selling price of 220,000 to 275,000, so I put the price at 220,000. I need to sell the car, so I am willing to entertain lower offers if there is a good reason, and not just taking advantage of me needing to sell the car. You can see a video of the car being driven if you search YouTube for video number FQquGBXG7RA.

Recent work

New tires
New battery
Brake shoes and pads front and rear
New rear brake cylinders
New right front CV joint
Carburetor rebuild
New fuel filter, air filter, oil change, and oil filter
New timing belt, fan belt, and AC belt

Our son says the AC still blows cold and strong

What doesn't work

The clock stopped working after I left Thailand. Maybe a watch repair shop can fix it. Also I asked the kids for an instrument panel picture so I could see how many km they have put on it since I left. It is still the same at 103,990, the same as when I left, and I know they have driven the car some. So I guess the odometer is not working anymore.

I had the undercoating refreshed around 2019. The underside pictures were taken right afterwards. Before I left, I saw that the underside is now dusty like it was before.

In the dashboard picture you can see a horn button just to the right. I don't know why the mechanic installed this because I just installed a fresh ground wire through the steering column before I left.

The car has been well maintained. I have had the car since about 2008. A friend of the family said the previous owner was a doctor based on a permit sticker that used to be on the windshield. I have described the car to the best of my knowledge. I am not responsible for any other faults that I may not be aware of.

This is a vintage car. Buyer must be aware that vintage cars need frequent care. Car is sold as is. No refunds accepted for any additional faults or problems that may occur after receiving the car. If the buyer is concerned about defects I may not have discovered, buyer is responsible to arrange for an inspection prior to purchase. No refunds for item not as described. Buyer is responsible to judge from the photos whether or not the car is satisfactory to needs and expectations.