Cars of our Mastodon-Friends

Cars of our Mastodon-friends

Welcome!

On this page, you'll find pictures and information about our Mastodon friends' cars. If you'd like to see pictures of your car here—and maybe include some information about it—just send us an email.

@vwdasher@weird.autos

Mastodon-Profile - Australia

1979 VW Passat rebadged as a Dasher

VW Australia had shut down its assembly line here in Melbourne, Australia, in 1977. So this a RHD factory built facelift B1, last of the first generation Passats, from Germany, Originally Diamond Silver Metallic, was painted British Racing Green by a friend of the previous owner. Had had a major crash so as part of the repairs we repainted Frank in Mars Red, a VW colour. Bought in December 2008 off Ebay for $511. Has a 1.6l engine with a big carburettor, very cruisy to drive. I changed the badges because barely anyone recognises him as a Passat (they are an unloved model), and I think it's hilarious that VW USA called them Dashers.

1967 Steyr Puch Haflinger, Harry.

Our first Haflinger, bought in February 2024.

Once was used to move boats in and out of the sea, most of his bodywork had rusted away. So a previous owner made all new pieces. The only original panel is the nose. Hilariously good fun to drive, can climb any kind of terrain. Can haul half a tonne. Only weighs 600kg. 648cc of air cooled goodness.

1974 Steyr Puch Haflinger, Erich or Erik to his friends.

Erich is the younger brother to Harry, and he's a rarity, being a long wheelbase Haflinger. At one stage he worked up at Mount Bulla in the alpine region, and also in the Australian Capitol Territory. Came to us in many pieces, in beige, so he got repainted in Mars Red. VW and Steyr Puch worked together on a lot of projects and shared paint colours. The Haflinger running gear went into many other models, such as the Mercedes G Glass, Golf Country, Transporter Syncro, Audi A8L and the Delta Integrale.

Erich is named after the man who designed the Haflinger, Erich Ledwinka. He got a full restoration, engine rebuilt and all new everything. And was registered for road use in July 2026.

1981 VW Rabbit pickup, Roger.

An accidental purchase in March 2025, discovered that a chap had brought Roger into Australia in the mid nineties from San Francisco. He had intended to convert him to right hand drive and never got around to it, so the ute sat for thirty years, unused. This guy was needing to move out and reduce his collection, so we ended up with him! Full mechanical restoration needed after sitting that long, engine's done under 100,000 miles and runs very nicely. All original, lovely to drive and is very cruisy with a 1.7l motor. These were never sold in Australia as VW Australia closed up shop from around 1982 to 1993. There are some here, as well as Mk1 Caddys, but they are all private imports from the US or Europe.

1979 VW Golf, Red.

Red was bought in 2003 from a hippie commune, where he was very dirty and bedraggled. He's had quite a few engines over the years. Was born a diesel but converted to petrol by a previous owner. Is currently running with a Mk3 16V engine with twin carburettors and is very quick.

1976 VW Golf, Bluey.

Once a quiet, unassuming 2 door blue LS Golf. Stripped to bare metal and completely rebuilt, Bluey is no longer road legal. Does timed sprints at tracks here in Victoria. Class winner a few years running in the under 2l category. Does not like going under 60kph. We do rolling starts so had a 6 speed gearbox built which has 2nd as the lowest gear, no 1st. Golf's are not aerodynamic in design, so when you hit 250kph at Phillip Island the nose lifts and you lose steering. Great fun to drive, no power assist anything so it's like wrestling a gorilla.

@xtaran@chaos.social

Mastodon-Profile - Sitzerland

Citroen 2CV aka "Ente" (1989), Citroen CX (1987)

1989 Citroën 2CV6 Club, most of the time my daily driver since I became 18. Bought in 1992 with 16.000km, stood always in a garage until then but the chassis was already welded on warranty. 🤯 Now somewhere between 350.000km and 400.000km, nearly every part replaced (except shift stick, rear axle and gasoline tank) → 2CV of Theseus 😉

1987 CX 25 TRi Break, was my daily driver in the mid 2000s, stored in a garage since 2007 due to rust issues