by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 01/25/2017 at 22:31
by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 01/25/2017 at 22:31
Tags: Generation Gap
; VW
; Transporter
STARS: 1
Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.
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We’ve seen plenty of modern minivans recently here on Generation Gap but what about one of the first “mini” vans? While the vehicle in question was never meant to be as family friendly as today’s seven-seaters, it was nevertheless a compact yet supremely practical monospace design which as ballooned into a modern executive shuttle and cargo hauler. Yep, it’s the humble VW Transporter! Do you prefer the earlier air-cooled RR ones or the newer VR6 variants?
The options:
First Generation [1950 - 1967] T1
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Second Generation [1967 - 1979] T2 w/ facelift ( - 2013 T2c)
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Third Generation [1979 - 1992] T3 w/ facelift
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Fourth Generation [1990 - 2003] T4 w/ facelift
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Fifth Generation [2003 - 2016] T5 w/ facelift
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Sixth Generation [2016 - Present] T6
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"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
01/25/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 2
1st gen or GTFO.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
01/25/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 1
I’m partial - my folks had a 77' with the fuel injected 2.0 and 4spd manual, Kombi, no middle seat, folding rear seat. Cold start valve was a POS but otherwise it was a heck of a rig.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/25/2017 at 22:42, STARS: 4
They’re bringing it back!
Apparently any day now.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/25/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 0
Fuel injection—so fancy! Still, sounds like a pretty awesome cruiser, and, depending on where you’re from, it would have been a bit of an esoteric departure from the normal Impalas or Cortinas on the school run!
"InFierority Complex" (lanciere)
01/25/2017 at 22:46, STARS: 2
Does this count as a VW van?
Nah, just get a Routan.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/25/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 4
Mopar or no car.
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
01/25/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 1
Based on looks, the 1st gen wins. Based on driving dynamics, the T6 is probably the best.... unless it’s a Race Taxi...
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/25/2017 at 22:50, STARS: 3
Wasserboxer!
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
01/25/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 1
*decade
"vicali" (vicali)
01/25/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 1
Eww, get those front engines out of there...
I like copito- but he’s a Brazilian special..
"El Darto" (el-darto)
01/26/2017 at 02:14, STARS: 1
2nd Gen. Specifically a ‘71. Learned how to drive stick in one.
"McMike" (mcmike)
01/26/2017 at 05:24, STARS: 1
scroll, scroll, scroll, vote for Vanagon
"IanZ - limited-slip indifferential" (ianz-limited)
01/26/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
In hindsight, that facelift with the Hitler ‘stache was probably a mistake.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/26/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 0
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/28/2017 at 01:11, STARS: 0
Holy cow! Yours, I presume? Looks stunning—well-kept and well-used!
"RT" (rt-p)
09/17/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 1
The T2 is the VW van. However if we’re allowed to go for individual models, the T3 is where it’s at, because of the Syncro and Porsche B32
Granted, I think I made a lot of choices I disagree with now in previous generation gaps, so I’ll re-post them here:
MX-5: NA.
Why? Jinba Ittai (see what wiki says about that), the mad M2 project and the fact that it was a reliable take on old British sports cars. Cute too.
LS: UCF10.
It was more OCD than even Mercedes (14 clay models and aero on the suspension). Huge step for the scope of Japanese cars.
RWD Volvo Estate: 700-Series.
The 240 saloon was insane in touring cars, but as far as estates go, the 700-series is roomier. Love the 80s advertisements too.
FWD Volvo Estate: 850.
T5-R, that’s why! Also the door design was genius (read about it on Curbside Classic). 5-cylinders are always good fun.
Caprice: 1966-1970.
Looks like the coolest by far. American car design was out of this world at the time, and you could even get a low slung coupé.
Mustang: 1964-1973.
Why the hell not? This is the textbook example of a Mustang. Few cars look cooler, especially in its late 60s/early 70s heyday.
Supra: A80.
You’ve got the legendary 2JZ underneath, so that’s more than enough reason already. Bubble-era Japan’s last frontier of sports car.
Cima: Y32.
AWD, air suspension and the introduction of a V8 option. Again an example of bubble-era Japan’s excess. Surely, Nissan at their peak.
Peugeot Saloons: 405 Mi16.
Well, the 504 still holds personal value in nostalgia, as does the 505 to a degree. But this is easily the best driver’s car here.
Citroën Flagship: DS.
You know why. Modern car tech, 50 years ahead of its time etc. Shoutout to the CX GTi as a close runner-up. The Goddess wins.
Camaro: 1970-1981.
It’s my favourite to look at, as far as early models go. Later models appeared in European touring car races to make up for it.
Regal: 1978-1987.
It spawned the Grand National/GNX, my favourite American car of the 80s. Being a turbo and RWD outlier helps too.
Prelude: 1991-1996.
Because V-TEC kicked in, yo. Yet another example of designs from bubble-era Japan taking fruition. Honda know their engines.
Legacy: 2003-2008.
The Legacy at its peak. You had the Outback from the 2nd gen, the flat-6 engines from the 3rd - and now an STI model.
Sonderklasse: W/C126.
It’s exactly what Mercedes-Benz stands for. Very subtle - even in engines, but engineered to perfection. Also, love the SEC.
7-Series: E38.
Basically the zenith of 90s BMW design. Not aggressive, but menacing. Could be had with a V12 and looks mad in black too.
El Camino: 1968-1972.
SS Models. Also this era was arguably ‘peak muscle car’, so you had a lot of performance to contend with. And stripes.
Explorer: 1991-1994.
Arguably one of the most influential vehicles to go on sale in the US, still capable off-road, and dinosaur-proof.
4Runner: N120/130.
I mean, why get an Explorer when you could get this? Apocalypse-proof Hilux quality with true off-road prowess. Graphics too.
Celica: A20/A30.
It’s no GT-Four, but the looks of the liftback more than make up for it. The FR layout might also provide extra enjoyment.
Spider: Series 1.
The rear end makes for a case alone. One of Pininfarina’s best works, love the bumpers and headlight covers too. Lovely details.
Quattroporte: V.
It’s the best looking and most competent to drive, although I do have a soft spot for the QP III, so consider it a close second.
Classic Riviera: 1963-1965.
Look at it, it could pass off as a European design - only more flamboyant and intimidating. Striking, but not aggressive. Just cool.
Modern Riviera: 1986-1993.
No- that’s not a joke answer. Remember the T-Type. Also, remember the digital dashboards. They even sort-of fixed the styling later.
Classic Corolla: E80.
Again, I’m well aware it’s a FWD eco-box. But family went through two, and they were tough and fun. The AE86 also owes it a favour.
Modern Corolla: E100.
The JDM engine options were ridiculous, that’s why. Also Toyota durability was at its peak, making it a fine appliance otherwise.
Small Saab: 99.
TURBO. That’s all I really need to say about this one. Pioneering modern technology, and looking awesome in the process.
Sonett: III.
It’s probably the most 70s car ever, but with its quirky underpinnings, and bright colours - it still looks cool today.
Classic Suburban: C/K.
One of the first Suburbans to look like a Suburban. It’s huge, boxy and has a V8 - what more could you want from its recipe?
Modern Suburban: 1973-1991.
YOU PASSED THE TEST LIKE ALL THE REST. Easily the textbook Suburban, even boxier and with acres of V8 grunt inside.
Sonata: LF.
It’s built to highest standard out of all previous Sonatas, so that helps a bunch. Nothing interesting, but progress was made.
5-Series: E39.
Perfect proportions for a modern saloon car. Narrowly beating the E28 and V10 E60 for being a better real-world choice.
3-Series: E30.
The E30 is one of my favourite cars, period, so this wasn’t all that hard for me. Signature looks, and the first M3 to boot.
Seville: 1980-1985.
None of these cars are going to be any good to drive, so I might as well choose the one with the most visual spectacle.
Taurus: 1986-1991.
It gave America a fighting chance as far as saloons went. Futuristic enough for Robocop, and sporting a SHO version.
Classic Maxima: J30.
It’s the four door sports car. In all seriousness, there was some serious attention to detail, even if it looked basic.
Modern Maxima: A33.
Actually quite flawed as a design, but it looks the least offensive out of the other new Maximas. Engines were nice too.
80: B2.
It gave birth to Quattro, so that’s already enough reason why. The B4 was probably better, but this was the ‘cool’ 80.
A4: B5.
The RS4 Avant is already enough reason. I would’ve gone for the B8 instead, but it didn’t have an RS trim now, sadly.
Monte Carlo: 1981-1988.
SS. This generation was still RWD, and has less goofy proportions. The black and red two-tone is a guilty please of mine.
Mopar Minivans: 1984-1990.
It was either this or the second gen, but the Turbo + 5-speed combo on this, along with its historical significance wins.
US Odyssey: 1999-2004.
Virtually the only decent US minivan on the market at the time. Now with sliding doors, the Odyssey was defined in this gen.
Quest: RE52.
Despite my grudge (it moved the Elgrand to FWD), it still shares Elgrand parts either way - so it can’t be all that bad now.
Espace: I.
It brought the idea of a modern minivan to Europe, and was available in Quadra trim. Even looks cool in a retro-futuristic way.
Phew, that too waaay too long to type. Now you know though, so there’s that.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
09/18/2017 at 00:01, STARS: 1
Holy crap, you were busy as hell today! Amazing, just awesome! It’ll probably take me just as long to finish reading it as it took you to type it, but I really enjoy reading your little blurbs and from what I’ve seen so far, I totally concur with all your points!
With that said, this makes me miss doing Generation Gap but with being in Uni and all I just don’t really have time for it—if you want, you could pick it back up or we could alternate—maybe not weekly postings, but whenever!
"RT" (rt-p)
09/18/2017 at 05:09, STARS: 1
Ikr… this is what happens when you finally get a day of free time to waste on Oppo (I need more : <). Thank http://en.wheelsage.org/ for the period-correct photos.
These days I’m doing weekly postings on another site, and that’s already tightening my schedule. Although, whenever I get a burst of free time like this again, I’ll happily post new instalments to Oppo. Could be a few months though.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
09/18/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 1
Nice, sounds good! I’ll see you around!