I would argue that it increased soul, to the point of capitulation into vapidity, and just barely plunged over the crest, but just enough. It was always trying to be a VW Caprice, even in it’s smallest, earliest versions. (And in my universe I include the 411/412 as the first Passats in practice if not by law). But by…

And every time I have some asshole in a SUV tailing the hell out of me right up to a cloverleaf juncture and I don’t slow down I just down shift and see them squealing to keep it upright behind me it makes it all worth it.

Oh yeah, as a confirmed “Wagon Guy”, I’m really pissed they didn’t give us an “American Passat Wagon”, hell if they had raised it three or four inches and called it the “Passat Alltrac” or some shit they’d have sold zillions of them. Sad.

I lurk for months on this site between posts, so first congrats, always enjoyed your replies and enjoy your articles, well done! I had a 83 Quantum GL turbo diesel wagon which is to this day the nicest of the 53 cars I’ve had. In 2015 I went to L.A. in January and got a new Passat TSI as a rental. I wanted to love it,…

Someone might have this covered (have not read all comments) but I’m assuming it’s easy to upgrade the range with a new battery pack. the reason I replied directly to this is that I just performed my second total mechanical restoration of my 94 Accord. If it wasn’t for Autozone’s warranty, which like Craftsman, is a…

Just rewatched “Foul Play” (1978) yesterday so getting a kick. I know it’s not “Bullitt” but there is the ubiquitous “car lands and obviously buckles its frame” shot followed by “hood falls back down revealing a perfect unscathed body” shot. A fun goofy film with lots of car watching opportunities. Kojak, bang bang!

Honestly, for this one, and particularly since it’s not an official NPOND thing, I’d like to keep price out of my consideration of this vehicle. It’s the most honest old vehicle I’ve seen in the last year, and it really begs the question. “Why couldn’t have American companies come up with stuff like this?” This is a…

I had forgotten there was a time when all the cool kids were putting masks on their cars.

Probably “Home Alone 3"

It’s just the old school bottom hinged pedals in the more Rabbit type environment. Those bottom hingers were fun but I think in this case the right format won for a change.

A regular peek at motor mounts would be wise, but the whole unit looks like you could balance the whole thing on a floor jack. My old buses taught me that engine removal can be a feature for ease of repair. Overheating needn’t be an issue if properly developed.

Still waiting for someone to do a Corvair conversion on one of these (or a Vega). What else were those louvers for except for a rear air cooled engine? I still call them “Third Gen Corvairs”

I like the dash design. I miss open, airy car interiors. And there’s something about those green seats, the juxtaposition of a somewhat “off” color into an otherwise conservative color scheme, which was a thing in the late sixties and early seventies.

I had a decision to make two months ago. My current car needed a lot of repair, but I want a second car so there’s always a backup. Pre-virus I would have just bought some semi-decent shitbox, and repair one at my leisure while I drive the other. What I found was people asking way too much, or obvious scams asking way…

Don’t know why, but this thread made me think of this

I listened to many of the remixes, and now I want to hear remixes by;

Not car related, but I just finished the three books of the Abarat series by Clive Barker. I enjoy his books, but this being a young adult series meant less turd snakes and more actual story. Excellent world building.

Rear engine, front trans, rear diff. Run the washer fluid pump as an over engineered but fragile PTO from the trans. Because why wouldn’t you?

Live by the monoculture, die by the monoculture.

I’ve been lurking for years and rarely post, except for the random drunken post fest. I have enjoyed your articles, frequently when I’m done reading them and scroll up to see who wrote that. Best of luck to you!