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Category: Volkswagen

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Afternoon Accessories: Ronal R8 15×6 Wheels

Published January 7, 2014 by Carter

Looking at that project Jetta GLi got me thinking about what wheels I’d love to see on there. In my quick search, I came across a set of wheels from a car that few seem to remember – the Renault Alliance GTA. Looking very similar to the A1 Jetta, the GTA was a two door sedan performance version of the regular Alliance, and wasn’t much of a performer but did look sharp thanks to some spectacular 15″ Ronal R8 alloys that were slightly modified in design specifically for the GTA. Differing from the normal Audi look, they had slight webbing in between the normal spokes. It’s not often you see either the car or the wheels anymore, but today there is a quite reasonably priced set on Ebay:

Year: 1987
Model: R8 (Alliance GTA)
Diameter: 15″
Width: 6″
Bolt Pattern: 4×100
Offset: ET 45
Condition: Used
Tires: Not Included
Price: $174.99 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS: Ronal R8 15×6 wheels on eBay

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Heap of the Week: 1984 Volkswagen Jetta GLi

Published January 7, 2014 by Carter

So few remain around these days that it’s easy to forget that in 1984 Volkswagen introduced the hot 4-door Jetta, the GLi. Like the GTi brethren, these featured an upgraded 1.8 inline-4 mated to a close ratio 5-speed transmission, as well as upgraded brakes and a few external changes to set them apart from the run-of-the-mill Jettas. Not many were produced, and again like the GTi few remain around in good shape; in fact, I can think of only one that I’ve seen in the past decade. Like me, the owner is a high performance driving enthusiast and we’ve been trucking our old Volkswagen/Audi products out to BMW HPDEs for years. Despite neither of us having the fastest car out there, it’s always fun to see his red GLi, hunkered down over very wide semi-slick tires bouncing down the front straight at Lime Rock park. Today’s GLi isn’t quite ready to do that, but offers a glimpse into a rare car that’s quite affordable and should be saved:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Volkswagen Jetta GLi on eBay

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1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet

Published January 2, 2014 by Carter

Okay, call it wishful thinking, but as the “white stuff” descends on New England I think it’s a great opportunity to look at a the perfect winter car – an all-white Volkswagen Cabriolet. By perfect car, of course I mean it’s the perfect car to hide in a snowbank and dream of a warmer climate. Plus, the wheels are affectionately known as “Snowflakes”! In all seriousness, these Cabriolets soldiered on long after their Mk.1 brethren had been replaced by the second generation Golf. It wasn’t necessarily laziness on the part of Volkswagen, but a testament to the lasting appeal of this not-so-cheap but cheery convertible. Of course, if you were “Daddy’s girl” in the 1980s you were probably destined for an automatic version of today’s triple-white “Molly Ringwald” edition Cabriolet, but thankfully this example has an more fun to drive manual:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1999 Volkswagen Cabriolet on eBay

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1985 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro Wagon

Published December 31, 2013 by Paul

My love for obscure cars dictates my leaning towards one of my favorite Volkswagens of all time: the Quantum Syncro Wagon. Known as the Passat, Santana, Corsar and Carat in other markets, the Quantum was the choice for someone seeking German engineering in a mid-sized package on a budget. Curiously, Volkswagen only offered Syncro four-wheel drive in the Quantum Wagon, as it was the bigger seller. This car shared its drivetrain with the Audi 80 and required a completely new floorpan which relocated the gas tank and deleted the spare tire well. Mated exclusively to the 2.2 liter inline-5 engine, this was a very versatile machine popular with those in the snow belt.

Few of these Quantum Syncro Wagons survive in good condition, but they have a rabid following of enthusiasts. Rarely do you see a pre-facelift Quantum Syncro Wagon but here is one for sale in Seattle. A few items need doing but nothing too terrible to put off those handy with a wrench.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro Wagon on Craigslist Seattle

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1975 Volkswagen Rabbit Swallowtail

Published December 30, 2013 by Paul

By the time the late 1960s rolled around, Volkswagen saw the writing on the wall when it came to the Beetle. It was time to plan for its replacement. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Golf (or Rabbit as it came to be known in the US), was one of the first mass produced front engined, front-wheel drive, transverse engined compacts to gain success after the introduction of the trailblazing Mini in 1959. In 1978, Volkswagen began to produce this compact hatchback in the US at the Westmoreland, Pennsylvania manufacturing plant under the Rabbit badge. But before the domestic Rabbits began to roll off the line, the very first Rabbits to appear in the US were distinguished by their curious rear bodywork, with a drooping panel line around the rear tail lamps. These early Rabbits became known as the “swallowtail.”

It’s rare to come across these early Rabbits, but this 1975 model for sale in Florida is one of the earliest we’ve featured here on GCFSB, with a build date of December 1974. For the purist, this is certainly a chance to snag what has to be one the earliest, most well preserved Rabbits on US shores.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1975 Volkswagen Rabbit on eBay

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