Karl Bloss wrote,

I'm wondering if the knowledge acquired in working on our '87 Vanagon
will translate well to the Rabbit, and thus if I should get it from her."

Go for it, Karl.  My brother just bought an 81 Rabbit convertible (w/ an 86
GTI engine).   It is fun to drive, gets twice the gas mileage of our vans,
has lots of similar appearing components, and even has that "ah, ah, aaah"
sound when you turn the ignition key.

BTW, is it an 83 or 84 that you are considering?

Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 73 Super
Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky-Blue Waters)