Keith's Blog: Is it P1800 time? Or Would a 1995 Audi S6 Trump All?

Passions and opinions run deep in the world of sports cars. To the many, many people who emailed me their suggestions as to whether the next addition to the SCM stable should be an Alfa Berlina, a BMW 2002 tii “roundie” or a Volvo P1800, I thank you.

Just when I thought I had settled on an 1800, a subscriber from Colorado opined that the one-year-only 1995 Audi S6 was better than all three of the older cars combined. Turbocharged, five cylinders, all-wheel drive, locking diff heated rear seats, what more could anyone want? I'm not fluent in modern cars but look forward to reading your blog comments on this one. 

As far as the older cars go, a few sentiments resonated particularly strongly: “The Alfa looks like the tissue box the other cars came in. Nothing beats the sound or the handling, everything else beats the appearance and lack of reliability. You’ve already got two Alfas, get something else."

“You’ll never be happier than when you wind out the tii and scoot away from the competition. Not much of a looker, but comfortable and easy to live with. Best updated with a 5-speed from a 320i. At the end of the day, just one more BMW.”

“Who would ever brag about owning a Swedish car? Drivetrain sourced from a tractor. Goofball looks. Terrific reliability.”

On a simpler note, our 1964 Nova Chevy II 400 is nearly done. We’re fettling it now, which led us to rendezvous with long time SCM subscribers Michael Pierce (also a contributor to SCM), Mark Byrne and Jaime Gesundheit.

On the 80-mile roundtrip to the wineries of Dundee, the Nova behaved itself, with only non-canceling turnsignals and a heater that refused to heat creating any trouble. We’ve got an SS gauge package to install, and some tidying up of the headliner, and then the Nova is ready to rumble!

Happy Turkey Day, everyone. Celebrate by driving an old car on Thursday.