This Volkswagen Quantum Syncro is the raddest car you’ve never heard of

It is a scientifically proven fact: wagons are cool. OK, I made up that science, but I doubt many car enthusiasts would disagree with it. Something else we can all agree on is when a wagon is obscure and weird, the cool factor increases by at least 1000 percent. I submit for your consideration this incredibly rad, and extremely funky, 1986 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro Wagon currently up for bid (without reserve) on Bring a Trailer.

So, what in the heck is this thing? Well, in Europe you’d know it better as a B2-series Volkswagen Passat/Santana and Audi 80 (Audi 4000 in North America). It’s the Audi part that makes this car truly interesting. The Quantum borrows Audi’s legendary Quattro AWD system (rebranded as Syncro on the VW), as well as the 2.2-liter Audi five-cylinder engine. Before you get too excited, it is not a turbocharged five-cylinder, so it makes about 118 horsepower. But that shouldn’t matter; Audi’s five-cylinder engine is literally one of the most unique sounding engines ever, and sound always makes up for horsepower.

Finding a Quantum Syncro of any sort is a tall order, and despite this one’s 168,000 miles—and dings and bumps from years of love—it is still pretty clean. Plus, it comes with service records stretching all the way back to the mid-1990s. There aren’t any major modifications to the car, aside from a set of wheels and a Magnaflow muffler.

This thing is beyond cool. Especially when you get into little details like the fact that “Syncro” is spelled out on the back window with the window defogger strips, or the Volkswagen and Audi logos are stamped into the cam cover.

This VW Quantum Syncro Wagon isn’t without it’s flaws, but who cares? As is, it’s certainly going to turn heads at car shows and get-togethers. And with a little time and effort to improve its cosmetics, this wagon could be transformed into one of the nicest Quantums you’ll find anywhere.

With four days still remaining in the auction, bidding has reached $5600. That’s a heck of a lot of value for the cool factor that this car exudes. Regardless of where the final price lands, it’s likely money well spent, considering you’ll be the only person with a Quantum Syncro to show up at your next car event. For many enthusiasts, that distinction is priceless.