Original Paint: 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Synchro Wagon

Here's a nifty piece for vintage wagon lovers.

This is a 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Synchro Wagon.

The Quantum was actually the second generation of the VW's Passat "B2" platform. It was called the Passat and Santana worldwide, and Quantum in North America. The B2 was made from 1981-1988. Then we got the B3 and the name Passat. Supposedly 4.5 million units were made worldwide of the various body styles, which included sedan, hatchback and wagon.

This is a wagon. It also has "Synchro", Volkswagen's patented system of all-wheel drive.

It looks terrific, especially in refrigerator white paint, and thanks to the seller's numerous high-resolution photos. Volkswagen had perfected their boxy, ultra-utilitarian cookie-cutter cars at this time and this is no exception. Hard angles, predictable lines, gentle front-fascia. It's extremely conservative and it works brilliantly. When will today's designers realize that less is more, and that cars are ultimately just tools, and we like them more when we think of them that way? The purposeful jackknife look of the '80s, in contrast to today's sloppy potpourri styling, will be looked back on as the second greatest realization in auto design, after the sensuous curves of cars from the '30s, '40s, and '50s.

Mechanically, it has a quirky 5-cylinder engine and manual transmission.

The seller states this is a two-owner car that was always garaged. They list the odometer as showing 161,890 but say it feels newer, wears the original paint, has no rust and has never been hit. The go on to say it has no electrical gremlins. However, they do say the Synchro indicator light is not working, so they do not know if the all-wheel drive is actually functioning or just the light is out. To be honest, it's a bit of a bummer to buy an AWD car and not have the AWD work, it's an essential function and asset of the vehicle. I would definitely investigate that and try to definitively prove if it's working. If it's not working, slash whatever the buyer wanted by a third to half. You're just left with a pleasant but unremarkable wagon without the Synchro.

This is a car that makes most sense to use as a practical daily driver, so everything should work to avoid headaches and annoyances.

The seller also states the climate control is only blowing hot.

Find it here on ebay for sale in Portland, OR.