Good morning and welcome to Auto x Rewind (pronounced “Auto Rewind” but that Instagram username was taken so we are rolling with the x). We hope you are as stoked as we are for this official launch.

Our goal is to deliver a newsletter that makes your week a bit better and keeps you up to date on automotive news, history, auctions, engineering, products and everything else that lives on four wheels.

We will be constantly adapting this newsletter to your feedback and building it for our community. Now that you made it through the boring part, should we get things rolling?

Porsche's One-Off Street Legal Race Car: Following a proposal from Porsche and ideas from Roger Penske, The Porsche 963 RSP, a street legal Le Mans car is now living and breathing. It is powered by a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8, 1.35 kWh battery, bellhousing-mounted motor-generator unit and a firing out 680 horsepower. Sheesh.

Volvo is Reinventing the Seat Belt: The Volvo EX60 is set to feature Volvo's new seatbelt technology that adapts to individuals weight, height, body, and how they are seated. Fun fact: Volvo invented the 3-point seatbelt in 1959.

V8s Aren't Going Anywhere: General Motors just invested $888 million into machinery, tools, and factory renovations to help produce the sixth generation of GM's small-block V8s. Starting production in 2027, these will be assembled at the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. 

Known as the first hot hatch (although controversial), the Mk1 GTI set a new standard in compact, fuel efficient cars that were also fun to drive. After the release of the Volkswagen Golf in 1974, Volkswagen employee Anton Konrad had an idea to make a sportier version of the hatchback. Anton worked with seven engineers on a secret project that took the Golf and implemented a significant horsepower jump, tightened suspension, a red grille, tartan seats, and a golf ball shifter. After presenting this to management, the MK1 GTI got approved to be released in a limited production.

In June 1976, the Mk1 GTI was officially released priced at around $5,700 USD (About $31,000 USD today). With an initial plan to produce 5,000 units, this met popular demand and resulted in the production of 461,690 units. Due to popular demand, in 1983 the GTI came to the US as the Volkswagen Rabbit GTI. It featured square headlights, softer suspension, and more weight. Both of these cars were succeeded by the Mk2 GTI in 1985. 

The GTI, across all models, is one of our favourites. To date, Volkswagen has kept many of the characteristics and goals outlined in the Mk1 GTI in all their following generations. The golf ball shifter and plaid seats are still a staple and we can only hope it stays that way. This leaves us with one question, is the GTI the best daily driver?

Mk1 GTI Specs (EU Version)

Weight: 1,786 lbs, 810 kg
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Engine: 1.6L I4 (1976–1982), 1.8L I4 (1982–1983)
Power: 110 hp & 103 lb-ft (1.6L) | 112 hp & ~109 lb-ft (1.8L)
Transmission: 4-speed manual (1976-1978), 5-speed manual (1979-1983)
0–60 mph: ~9.0 sec (1.6L & 1.8L)
Top Speed: 113 mph, 182 km/h

1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: There aren’t many cars that feel like you’re sitting in an airplane cockpit. If you are looking for a vehicle that has more buttons than functions, a big V8, and a… DVD Player? This one is for you. 

1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 4x4: Looking for an alternative to a modern 4 cylinder wagon? You should consider this 5.9-liter OHV V8 wood-panelled Jeep Grand Wagoneer. We are convinced that the cloth interior feels exactly feels like petting a St. Bernard; can someone please confirm this?

1997 Plymouth Prowler w/ Trailer: A Purple Prowler with a matching Purple Prowler Trailer. We don’t make the rules but this might give the GTI a run for its money as the perfect daily driver… 👀

TCR World Tour
Circuit Ricardo Tormo 
📍 Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain
🗓️ June 13th-15th

Copa Truck
Tarumã 
📍 Autódromo Internacional de Tarumã, Viamão, Brazil
🗓️ June 15th

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Keep your tires round,
Auto x Rewind Team