Yep, the Germans really liked their vacuum-actuated central locking. Every VW with power locks in the '80s and '90s (up until the '98 New Beetle and Passat) had the tell-tale sound of the vacuum pump in the trunk. So did a number of Audis, and of course, Mercedes. I had a '95 E320 wagon around a year ago and was,…

Yeah, in the W123s, *everything* worked off of vacuum, including the shift strategy of the auto trans. Of course, since diesels don't make vacuum, the automatics required a Rube-Goldbergesque system to mimic the kind of vacuum signal you'd see in a gas-engined car. The vacuum pump itself was straightforward enough,…

The 240D was available in the States with a 4-speed manual, but the 300D, TD, and CD were only available here with the 4-speed auto. Of course, they were readily available in the rest of the world with manual transmissions, but if you find one here, it's either a grey-market import, or converted by a previous owner.

Yes, but the 740 Turbo wagon was. I know, I've got one.

These were available with manual transmissions.

Not to be a dick or anything, but I was able to ID the car in the blurry-ass still photo as 4th-gen Accord (although to me it looks like a coupe, not a sedan) within seconds by looking at the low cowl, the shape of the greenhouse, and the shape and location of the corner marker. Not sure why anyone would try to ID…

Anybody who has done SCCA club racing should not be surprised by this kind of rules silliness.

Trust me, that's not gonna stop the screen from cracking when it lands on the ground facedown. Ask my iPhone 1G and iPhone 3G how I know.

I want this, I really do. But it looks like the touchscreen stands proud of the case, and therefore is completely unprotected?

Think positive, man. Maybe it's from a V-6. Or a Triumph Speed Triple.

The French know comfort and I'm guessing that thing is pretty comfortable!

Me too—Joy Division, A Certain Ratio, Durutti Column, New Order, etc. Always bothered me when people slagged off the Crispies as a Joy Division knockoff. I'd say they both influenced each other and were both better for it.

I know! I thought my 240 wagon was cool (okay, not "cool", but you know what I mean) until I saw this.

I had this one as a kid. Thanks for reminding me!

As long as you're not seriously injured, this one is pretty cool.

Heart-click for you! Live on a Hot August Night/The Plateau Phase is on heavy rotation in my car...

I wouldn't mind converting one of those into a camper.

Years later, Nick Heidfeld returned the favor.

For us lovers of old bricks, it's gotta be this.