Volkswagen Syncro

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
March 2009


One of the lesser known automotive technologies of the '80's was Syncro- Volkswagen's take on Audi's revolutionary Quattro all-wheel drive. It is rare in the states to come across Syncro equipped models (except maybe in Santa Cruz), but one such car that has gained a cult following is the T3 VW Bus. With great traction, incredible versatility, and decent fuel efficiency, it is the original Sportsmobile. Many of the older VW's are being converted to more modern and capable powerplants. Subaru flat-fours seem to be the popular donor since fitting them in the rear compartment is made easier with it's similar horizontally opposed cylinder layout.



I recently had the pleasure of selling an original, one owner 1986 Syncro Bus. While it's performance left something to be desired, driving around town was a lot of fun. A commanding view of the road with comfortable seats and that perilous driving position, placed ahead of the front axle, makes for close maneuvering! Huge plus having double arm rests, too.



They come in many configurations and this model was the 7 seat version with transformable back seat/bed. I can't think of too many 4x4, 4-cylinder cars like it. Resale values remain strong, and even a used up van starts at $5k and usually a good one will bring over $20k. Only the converted, custom, Baja bargers bring the big bucks. There are a few shops out there that specialize in converting these buses, and the Westfalia version with all it's camper accessories, can command six-figure prices. Considering what a decent RV will run you, it's a solid, usable investment and not a bad option when judgment day comes.


Check out this link of Syncro videos.

Lexington Reservoir

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
Feb. 2009



After driving over "the hill" on Highway 17 for many years, I felt obligated to explore the area around Lexington Reservoir in closer detail. What I found was pretty cool.

Aside from a great winding road (Old Santa Cruz Highway) that runs from Lexington south to the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the scenic beauty surrounding the area has always captivated me. Here are some photos from that day-

Unloved would be an understatement. Been there for a very long time and I didn't see an obvious way to get it there. Maybe it washed down the mountain decades ago?


Looking back to HWY 17 from East Lexington. This part usually fills up in late winter.


Remnants of Black Creek Bridge, part of the now ghost town of Alma, Ca. At one time a thriving stagecoach stop, now entirely under water. Only when the water is low enough can this remaining bridge be seen.

The road around the reservoir is challenging and quick as there are few houses or traffic concerns. Beware of sneaky sheriffs who hide behind bushes near the south end. As you climb elevation toward Santa Cruz, you quickly pass through Holy City, an abandoned cult town that is now unrecognizable. The rest of Old Santa Cruz Highway is very smooth, sparsely traveled, and surrounded by large redwoods. One of my favorite quick jaunts- especially when HWY 17 is packed. Enjoy!

24 Hours of LeMons: THUNDERHILL #2

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
Dec. 2008


Team Santa Cruz Driving While Awesome was at it again- taking on Thunderhill Raceway Park in a new car- a BMW E30 325e- after our Porsche 944 had a rough go at Altamont. Our new entry fit the LeMons requirements perfectly. It had been in a garage fire of questionable intensity. It's side view mirror was bubbled and melted and we found a safety pin holding it's damaged distributor cap and rotor together. There were random singed wires dangling from the underbelly and yet when you looked at it just right, it had the look of a race car.

After installing all safety equipment, we painted it neon green and gave it black stitch marks and called it Frankenbeemer. It seemed fitting for such a burned up and used up car. The real question then was- would it LIVE?

At the start of the race, I was ready to go and strapped in but the car was never as eager. After hiccuping around the track just before the race began, I knew something was very wrong. Just as the green flag dropped, the BMW died and I coasted to the bottom of turn 5. Not a good start. After being towed to the pits, we tinkered endlessly. We assumed it was an electrical issue and finally secured a second computer and performed open heart surgery. That seemed to work as the E30 sprang to life and we were all able to get a turn flying around the track.



Only a matter of time before those nasty electronic gremlins rear their ugly head again...and sure enough, we were waiting for a tow and the car was dead. With help from the Autobahn team and their expertise in all things BMW, we were able to get the car running again but only for very short bursts and eventually we decided to give the tow truck driver a break. Our race was over.

Only much later did we find out the issue- a crank sensor had failed. The computer didn't like that, and the rest is history. Our Frankenbeemer had let us down, but not before we all got a few good laps out at Thunderhill. A tough one to swallow, but I hope we'll be back.

Road Trip South

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
Dec. 2008

This is what I love- empty backroads on a crisp, sunny December day. A Tuesday to be exact. Not a soul around and miles of winding asphalt ahead. My destination was a familiar one, but my route very unusual.
Day 1- Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo. Day 2- S.L.O. to L.A...the long way all the way! Excuse the boring road pictures, especially the ones with bugs and splatters as all of these were taken while I was driving.








HWY 25, just south of Hollister, weaves behind Pinnacles State Park. The road here is smooth and very empty. Not many houses this far out of town. I took a right on 198 and crossed west under HWY 101 to San Lucas Rd and raced over the aged concrete to Jolon Road south. Pure out there.

Lunch Break. Quiet spot along Nacimiento Lake. A nice road leads from here into Paso Robles.




Day 2 took me north from SLO momentarily on 101 to Santa Margarita where HWY 58 begins. This sign above says it all.





HWY 58 heading east toward California's Central Valley. Not much out here other than ranches and hunting areas. This road is a true gem and one that not many Californians are aware of. Granted, it takes you nowhere fast, but sometimes it's nice to go fast in the middle of nowhere. Great elevation changes, very nice asphalt quality and again- nobody around.



Slicing through the Carizo Plain, an oddity of California. A remote, flat and open valley contrasting greatly with the buckled hills in the background that were shaped by the San Andreas Fault. Here the dips come fast and often and it's a challenge not to let-off the throttle.


Just past Simmler, racing across the California Valley. Fault looming ahead.



Here you crest the Carrisa Highway (58) near the McKittrick Summit and begin switchbacks all the way to the oil town of Taft. Out in the distance under that valley sludge is Bakersfield. Only real hazards (other than falling off the cliffs) were the big rigs running in my lane.




After Taft and Maricopa, you climb over the back of the coastal mountains near Ventura via the Maricopa Highway. East of Ojai, HWY 33 appears to have been built for driving pleasure. Views from here are amazing- peering down valleys to the ocean and the Channel Islands beyond. An amazing stretch of road and probably emptiest during winter months.



HWY 23 crosses over the mountains from Westlake Village to Malibu. It is very tight, smooth and windy. The elevation changes are not for the timid and driving it quickly should be left for those who have it down (as the landscaping truck that ended up on it's roof in front of me proved perfectly).



HWY 23 looks like it drops off into the ocean...and if you blow it bad enough, it could probably happen. A Lotus Exige passed me and gave a thumbs up. Perfect car for this road, and I'd bet the driver knows it well.

On the way back to Santa Cruz. My trusty steed on one of my favorite roads in Santa Barbara- Painted Cave Road. I was lucky enough to memorize it while living in the area and on a drizzly day, with no one to block my way, I gave it a thorough "going over" complete with a touch of opposite lock. Ah, memories...

Silver State Classic Challenge: Sept. 2008

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
September 2008







Here's a few shots from our second attempt at the Challenge that is The Silver State. We were prepared and the Viper was dialed in after learning a lot from our last trip to Ely.

We averaged a little over 150 mph for over 90 miles on a public two lane road in the middle of Nevada and...survived. I hope you enjoy these pictures but I doubt they'll do it justice!

Tech Inspection. A beautiful 928 S Porsche, also from the bay area and in our class.

When you look up "death trap" in the dictionary...

Built by Jesse James and the Monster Garage, a 2-door Lincoln Continental.
It also ran in the 150 mph class and finished well. Love those NASCAR slicks.

A bunch of cool guys out of Las Vegas (as are many of the cars here) came with this fully prepped Acura NSX. The car awaits it's mile run.

Starting line, first group...the calm before the storm. The adrenaline starts to kick in at about this point and before you know it you are strapped in and counting down.






Finsh line. We made it!! I couldn't manage any pictures during the race. Hard enough to read notes at 175 mph. Just over the horizon is Area 51...

Our trip back to Ely (the long way) took us through such towns as Caliente, Pioche and Pony Springs. Here is the stately train station of Caliente, Nevada. Unsure if it's operational.

Heading north on HWY 93. The mountains in the distance are part of Great Basin National Park, and the highest summit you see is Wheeler Peak which rises to 13,065 feet.

A road trip and a race in the same day! My idea of a great time.





Special thanks to Richard Schriver and crew for making this experience possible!

Pebble 2008

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
Aug 2008



Ah, the "Pebble weekend." That 5 to 6 day journey into a world of automotive hedonism and a higher tax bracket. Living so close, I've been lucky enough to attend many of the shenanigans that go on here, from the expensive Jet Center party to the freebie 'Tour'.
This year we tried to fit it all in one full Saturday. Here are a few pictures to highlight what most consider the mecca of the hobby. Enjoy!



Grand touring on our way down to Carmel from Santa Cruz. Remember, almost nothing stands out along these streets. An ice-blue McLaren F1 passing one way and a black and red Veyron going the other is an indication. Our Italian probably seemed pedestrian that day except to us riding inside.




In my earlier post about the Bentley Drive, (our first stop) we were able to get our fill of torque, but the mini bar was quickly empty. This is the "I need a scotch" edition of the last Arnage. Searching for a chauffeur on craigslist...

Stopped in at The Quail auction tent. I stuck my head in an unrestored $4 million Talbo Lago and ingested the aroma of 70 year old french leather, wood and metal. I know it sounds absurd, but this is my disease. I really enjoyed all the Voisins, too.



On our way through downtown Carmel along Ocean Ave.
This house didn't shout Lamborghini, but the license plate sure did. Other sightings downtown included a Mosler, a few new Maserati Granturismo's (great design), Audi R8's (which are still rare), and of course a few Ferrari's, Lambos, Aston's and Bentley's or FLAB as we will now refer to them.




Even though the driver was afraid to pull out into 35 mph traffic (only 617 horsepower, can't blame him) it's not a bad choice for this particular weekend...I mean, that's what I keep at my Carmel Highlands villa.



We were graciously invited to the Mercedes exhibit at Pebble where the parking lot was slightly dominated by the three pointed star. Can anyone i.d. whats under the cover? I have my hunches. We were shown the F700 concept in detail (I got to watch a 3D movie in the back seat and inspect the sushi refrigerator center console) and a few other AMG treats by a cool German engineer who could talk concepts or 500 SECs. I hope Mercedes makes it back in '09.



Ah, the Maybach 62 Landaulet. The most ridiculously awesome Dubai sled. If any of these features makes it into a more pedestrian Mercedes down the line- sheepishly, I hope it's the real granite interior trim. It looked really cool against the white leather. I guess the sliding roof would be a cool option too, now that I think of it.





One of my favorite new cars of 2009; the SL65 Black Series. Maybe a few years late to the game, Mercedes takes it's Ferrari beating SL, and cranks it up to 11. With a monster twin-turbo V12, carbon fiber everything and a $320k price tag, it's the ultimate Mercedes not named McLaren (and even then, you'd have a good argument).

We cruised to the auction preview at Gooding & Company, camped just above Pebble. This auction was stacked with amazing blue chip's. I liked the Corvette racer, an unrestored Rolls, and a few simple Bugattis. This 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia also caught my eye. Beautiful and it later sold for nearly $2.6 million.



Nothing to see here. I want this trailer behind my RV at all times. Covers most bases, I'd say.



Please note the full size camper van next to this tiny British coupe. I really shouldn't like this behemoth as much as I do. I would love to give it a run down Highway 1.

Here's what I know: it's Corvette powered, hand built, one-off, and the driver sits in the center. Obvious Lamborghini styling influences. What I don't know: why?
Also parked nearby was a Nissan GTR, a CTS-V, and my first look at the new ZR1 Corvette.
The last F50 I saw in public was about a year ago and not far from where I got this shot, that time a very rare black example. Here in it's familiar red, always a treat.

Rumor has it that this thing stalks Rodeo Drive during the week, looking for attention . The ugliest DHC I've encountered. Somewhere a Rolls salesman is punching himself.

"If you build it..."
The next great Caddy will be this CTS Coupe. The high waist line looks a little better in person and it's supposedly ready for production as you see it. We also caught a good look at the CTS wagon off in a dusty parking lot which also looked very close to being ready.
The Hyperion; a Pinifarina-bodied Rolls-Royce. The star of this years concept lawn at Pebble, unveiled just after company chairman Andrea Pininfarina was killed in a tragic road accident. I loved parts of this design, and other pieces...not so much. I'd ditch the cross-eyed headlights and add something to the enigmatic rear. The long hood and two seat layout are fantastic.

We finished the day in Monterey at Russo and Steele and then the RM auction. Exhausted, we retreated to the Mucky Duck for a burger and beer which hit the spot as we read through numerous magazines and programs from the days activities. It's become a week long thing, but this year one day was enough. I hope you enjoyed this peek into the craziness that is Pebble!

Bentley Drive

Words and photos by Warren Madsen
Aug. 2008




During the "Monterey Weekend" I was invited to sample the current models from Bentley at a great location in Carmel Valley, just past the Quail Lodge. We were given our choice of Continental GT and GTC Speed's, Flying Spur Speed's and Arnage T's. But off in the back were the objects of my desire: a black Azure and an unexpected Brooklands Coupe, the ultimate Bentley.

About 10 years ago I was given a ride in an Arnage and it was a big deal. I had grown to love the big classic Bentley's and I fantasized of Sedanca's, Continental T's, Black Labels and Azures. If my dream garage featured a McLaren F1 then my other car was a Sedanca. I had read about the lambs wool rugs, 18 coats of paint, hand stitched steering wheels and power listed audaciously as "adequate." I was told that these full-size, imposing machines were were works of art more so than just a car...and I totally bought it.

I followed the news of the "Baby Bentley" and what became spy shots of the new Continental GT closely and it was sleek and fast, but as much as I tried it never ever made me drop my jaw like the old '90's tanks. Since Volkswagen had taken over Bentley, the GT represented the changing of the guard, and what looked like the demise of the worlds last real Bentley. The Arnage puttered along, basically unchanged, and because of that the Azure convertible hung on by a thread and it was our only hope at a rebirth, someday. Even though the new VW Bentley models would be better in every way (they go, stop and turn better and have all the electric goods you'd expect), something was missing.

In 2003 the old Azure, based on the Continental Coupe was discontinued and slowly sold out and a new Azure with underpinnings from the current Arnage was developed. The classic V8 with twin turbos now (instead of the single unit) was mated to a 6-speed transmission and the massive drop-top made it's debut in 2006. With 450 hp and insane torque (645 lb/ft @ 1800 rpm) the new Azure scurries to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and carries a top speed of 168 mph. Not bad for a nearly 6,000 lb vehicle.

In terms of the exterior, it was as if the designers looked at the classics from the recent past, used their new German wallet and came up with a timeless design that was described as the worlds ultimate convertible. Stately, modern and instantly recognizable, the new Azure was a keeper and had renewed my faith in the company from Crewe.


What's lost in photos is the sheer size and proportions of these full size Bentley's. Standing next to one, you are reminded of the tall, classic American convertibles of a lifetime ago, with overhangs and body lines that go on forever. With the Azure, everything is built around these dimensions. The doors are long and heavy, allowing for access to the wide rear seats. Real American adults can sit back there with room to spare. The front recliners are soft and accommodating and there isn't a chance you'll brush shoulders with your travel companion.

We were the first to head out with the Azure and we had full reign along Carmel Valley Road as the fog tried to burn off that morning. Out of principal we kept the top down and resorted to seat heaters to help warm the flawless swaths of autumn leather while the back seat was unheated and cold at speed. The classic vanilla dials and shiny switchgear, framed by book matched Vavona wood veneers and double stitched leather details, reminded me of the substantial old world feel of the Continentals I grew up loving.

We trundled over the steel Carmel River bridge and merged with the faster road ahead. I pointed the Azure along our intended path, pressed the accelerator to the floor and we made our way toward triple digit speeds. It was painless, sudden and firm- no question about torque. The 6-speed transmission kicked down quickly and the turbos subtly spooled; only a faint woosh could be heard. Steering was light but well connected to the large, bank-vault wheels and the driving position solid, allowing a commanding view out over the long hood and the legendary 'B'.

On my way back to base, I pressed the sport button near the gear selector and kept a brisk pace over the hills of the Coastal Range. Holding decent rpm's in 4th gear (redline is at a silly-low 4100), you can kick down a gear and press hard and the black glossy tank does it's best freight train impression. A guaranteed smile. The Azure lives up to expectations and is as fun to drive as it is rare; I think half of it comes from tricking it's heft and size. It's no secret though, that I'm not really a convertible person myself. I'm more into coupes and my eye is on the new Brooklands next.

Ahh, yes. The Brooklands. Bentley's latest, limited production super-coupe. The car you drive from London to Monaco on a caviar-induced whim, and enjoy every second. You basically take an Azure, add a sleek roof instead of the bowed cloth-top, and use all the performance gear that'll fit. New 20" wheels hide impressive ceramic-composite brakes (actually, the largest in the world) that off-set the "adequate" power bump from the Arnage and Azure. Now we're dealing with 550 hp and 774 lb/ft of torque...god damn.

Only 550 will be built (this one priced at $391,465) and as rare as it is to merely see one, driving one is a true event. You won't find the level of technology in this Bentley as in, say, a CL65 Mercedes, but what the Brooklands looses in the nerd department it more than makes up with pure style.

This is my favorite interior of any car without a doubt. With it's rich smelling Burnt Oak hides, contrasting chrome stainless steel details (especially the beveled gear lever- a tiny work of art in it's own right) and the cigar parlor feel, you take this car a lot more seriously than the convertible it's based upon. I don't know quite how to explain it. It's more grown-up and brutal, like the first time you take a shot of 151 or try on a heavy bomber jacket, it's got that certain swagger.

Everything about the experience was a serious step up from the cosseting Azure in terms of performance and feel. We took the same route as earlier and I was continuously planted to the quilted leather over and over as I summoned every ounce of turbo-charged torque. I nearly tripled the speed limit for just a second and it was silly easy. Just stand on the chunky gas pedal and smugly go about your day. I assume an accent helps.

I love the profile, the dimensions and details of this old-world continental barger. The mysterious floating rear glass, long rear overhang and raked roof make it the perfect pillar-less coupe. Can you tell I'm a fan? It checks boxes that the CL or even a 612 Ferrari can't. I won't tell you it's a better car than those, but it is certainly more rare and special, and for the few that can afford such things, sometimes that's all that matters.

With the Brooklands, my dreams of the classic Bentley living on are realized. It's every bit the brutish, stately icon I've missed, minus the faulty wiring, creaking chassis and leaking mineral oil suspension. That I don't mind Volkswagen improving. And I know I keep going back to the CL comparison, but Mercedes has come up with some pretty amazing features like Distronic Cruise Control, Dynamic seats, and night vision to name a few. Although I'd be only slightly jealous when one stops next to me at a red light and I imagine the Mercedes owner would more than share the sentiment. While I would probably have a hard time convincing my accountant (if I had one) that one of these machines is worth twice that of a CL65, I wouldn't feel the same sense of pride in ownership as I would with this rare English coupe. After all, it's more than just a car.



PS. I asked the Bentley folks which car is the most fun to drive and they suggested the Flying Spur Speed. We took a dark blue sedan around the block and it was hollow and predictable, an observation that personifies the new-school Bentley's. I even forgot to take a picture. And it probably didn't help it's case that we had just driven their two best models right before.
Was it quick? No doubt. But give me an S-Class or Quattroporte any day and I'll keep the change.

A very big thank you to Bentley and Steve Pedone, without whom this article woud not have been possible.