Nathan Avots-SmithJul 14, 2023

Solid start on getting the Quantum into three dimensions. Never would have guessed that the B2 would be the first Passat I’d do.

Passats are actually pretty well represented in 1:55-1:64 scales, though almost exclusively in station wagon form. In my collection, I have at least one example of every generation up to the B6—all wagons. There’s a nice 1:66 Schuco B1 three-door from the ’70s that I don’t have; that’s the only non-wagon I know of.

Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 15, 2023

Quantum is taking shape nicely! The bumpers will be part of the base piece, to make it easier to paint them black, so the overall form of the body is nearly done.

This will be the first VW I release to the public, but it is the second one I’ve done. The prototype print of the first should be arriving tomorrow, and I CANNOT WAIT.

Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 18, 2023

I think the exterior of the Quantum is complete.

I came up with an on-topic dad joke the other day: Getting a job at a VW service department in the ’80s must have been so hard. You had to know Quantum mechanics!

(Eyeroll, rimshot, etc.)

Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 18, 2023
Ooh, this octet is getting close! Quantum body, base, and wheels are done—just an interior away.
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 20, 2023
Holy cow, y’all—feels like I finished a marathon! The ’83 VW Quantum GL5 is done, and with it, my entire collection of eight mid-market sport sedans, as tested by Car and Driver in the July 1983 issue.
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 20, 2023

Some stats from the test…
Lowest base price: Dodge, $9372 (equivalent to $28,249 today)
Lowest price as tested: Datsun, $12,200 ($36,773 today)
Highest base price: Saab, $18,836 ($56,775 today)
Highest price as tested: Volvo, $19,349 ($58,321 today)

Lowest output: Dodge, 94 HP
Highest output: Toyota, 143 HP

Slowest 0-60: VW, 12.0 sec (the Audi, 170 lb. heavier, with the same engine was 1.2 sec faster—better aero, and manual vs. three-speed automatic)
Fastest 0-60: Toyota, 8.7 sec

Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 20, 2023
Car and Driver liked the new Audi best, followed by the Pontiac. They felt that both Swedes were too expensive, and that both Japanese entries had great engines held back by poor chassis tuning. The Dodge suffered for poor material quality and an unpleasant shifter, but won admiration for fortitude after carrying on after hitting a cow head-on. The VW was the wallflower of the group, its Audi inline-five held back by the pokey automatic.
Show threadVictoria Scott
@autonerdery was this the baja trip they took? that story influenced my career and style massively lol
Jul 20, 2023 at 4:32amWeb
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 20, 2023
@victoria yes!!
Show threadVictoria ScottJul 20, 2023
@autonerdery I didn't think they'd hit a cow in any other stories but I wanted to check lol
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithJul 20, 2023
@victoria also the one where they fried the Datsun’s circuit board and abandoned it in Mexico after driving through a flood