History & Insight

First published in 1987, Rabbit started as a mere newsletter, just 4-pieces of photocopied A4. Today it is a full colour 40+ page magazine. Why Rabbit? It may seem an odd name for a members VW magazine but the answer to the often-asked question is simple. When VW launched the Golf on the unsuspecting American public it went under the name of Rabbit!

Over the years Rabbit magazine has developed in stages under the helmsmanship of different Editors who give up most of their free time to voluntarily produce the magazine for the members. Instrumental in the growth and style of Rabbit was Mick Clements the longest standing Editor (twice) Mick gradually turned what was now about a 40 page black and white magazine containing a high proportion of adverts into something far more professional with show reports, feature cars and other interesting topics. He also brokered a deal whereby the magazine went part colour for the very first time and gradually increased the number of colour pages until the magazine was full colour.

When a sudden change in work commitments meant Mick could no longer carry on a new Editor had to found quickly due to a looming publishing deadline. Carol Richardson stepped into the breach and virtually put together an entire issue within two weeks. A search for a full time Editor for Rabbit yielded results in the form of Mike Moorhead a highly talented individual with an eye for perfection, punctuation and grammar. Mike introduced new ideas and took Rabbit to a new level, however it is no easy task producing a magazine of this standard and after about a year Mike moved on and is now running his business.

Once again, Carol, who was Sub Editor under Mike, took the helm and is still Rabbit Editor today. Under Carol’s guidance Rabbit took on a fresh new look and is now professionally designed by the highly talented Emma Frost and is proof read prior to final design by Malcolm Heymer. Many people contribute to Rabbit on a regular basis the full list would simply be too long to print but most notably Jon Cass, Peter Rosenthal, Drew Wagar, Robin Turner and Karen Andrews feature highly in the frame.

Rabbit Today...

Now based entirely online as a PDF download, the heart of Rabbit today are the feature cars, normally three per issue with a healthy smattering of smaller club car articles in-between plus event reports, rolling road articles, regional news from the 55 Club GTI regions around the country and also letters sent in by the many members. The main aim of the Editor is to provide the membership with a high quality magazine that hasn’t lost its grass roots feel and to ensure the magazine is delivered on time each quarter. The Editor also ensures the magazine caters for all enthusiasts within the VAG group, whether they drive a Golf, Polo, Corrado, Seat or indeed a Skoda or Audi’s all are welcome to appear in Rabbit and within the club as a whole.

From humble beginning on a few pieces of paper to what it is today I am sure you will agree Rabbit has come a very long way, but please remember that without the dedication and devotion of some very talented individuals who have given up their own time throughout the years none of this would have been possible and Rabbit would not be what it is today.

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