CLASSIC CAR ROADTRIP. Long Haul Cruise in a VW Squareback with a Miata Inside.

Driving my 1967 Volkswagen body-swapped with a 1990 Mazda Miata from Kansas City to Albuquerque, New Mexico. What could go wrong?
Thank you everyone for watching and making this channel possible. Remember that this just is just a (deranged) hobby of mine and everything I do is simply because I want to have fun, not because I'm trying to make any money off it. Find me on Instagram (at)mannydantyla

[@spenzerbenz]

I feel so connected to this journey! This build was a huge inspiration for my own chassis swap, and Nick started following my build, and we ended up meeting and talking cars- including my love for diesels and your Frankenwagen. I convinced him to try out a diesel, and he bought this old 300td- which was my first diesel as well. He somehow got ahold of you and convinced you to trade. Although he had both a Miata and a squareback that I was trying to convince him to make his own. Oh well, it all worked out. Glad everyone is happy and fun to watch the journey.

[@knightofnoise]

I feel like EV swapping the Mercury makes more sense, since it doesn't currently run/drive. Plus the Mercedes has a nearly indestructible engine, so it seems best to just leave it as-is.

[@bryandickerson5365]

First of all - whatever happened to your Portland move? I’m so bummed - I’ve always dreamed of a Miata wagon and woulda bought the Frankenwagon in a heartbeat! But..I also love Falcon/Comet wagons so yeah, build the ELECTRIC COMET! Then drop a MB OM648 turbo-diesel in the Mercedes for 35mpg and 370ft pds of torque - woohoo. The other cool thing about the Comet is that you can bolt in modern suspension, steering and brakes from companies like Total Cost Involved. Then you’ll be stylin’ with EV power AND carvin’ the canyons!

[@jamieforrester7108]

Sad to see the frakenwagon go but I totally get the need to move on from projects to make space for new ones. I don't get how some of the big channels can be knocking out 3 or 4 project cars a year and never selling. Their yards must look like junkyards...

[@nitcat1]

Sad to let it go, but there’s a new project. It looks like the leaf chassis is about 2.5” shorter, but you’ve already shown you can stretch a chassis 🙂. I’m looking forward to this build.

[@nickmassey9104]

Cool video .the Mercury would be cool as an ev ,the Mercedes-Benz wagon would be a great parts hauler . Bit of love on the wheels and service great wagons. Loving the home made organ sound track well done Danny

[@davidjustice5805]

I know this is an older video says 7 months ago first time I've seen it I just want to say I love these kind of videos people taking a long road trips in classic cars and trucks the only thing I own is classic cars and trucks my favorite everyday driver is a 1982 Datsun 720 king cab 4-wheel drive pickup truck

[@AtipicWorks]

Sad tot see it go but I totally get it. Cool things waiting to happen:D

[@S42069]

Glow plug relay problem is common and should only be a problem when it’s cold outside.

[@chrishenniker5944]

I thought it was good enough for a slot on Jay Leno’s Garage, just for the simple reason that there’s no other car like it in the world. It’s a modern day hot rod that exemplifies American hot rodding at its best.

[@myleftthumb2294]

Nice job. I had a fuel-injected '68 Squareback in college. You have completely defeated the purpose of the Type III which had full cargo space in the back and a trunk up front. I'm thinking a Subaru boxer engine in its original location might have been the better way to go.

[@blackterminal]

Thanks for sharing.

[@santosh911]

The whole concept of chassis swappping makes total sense to me. I can imagine the reliability, refinement and convenience of a modern miata with the classic looks and practicality of the vw estate. Sorry to see it go..😢

[@AW_DIY_garage]

I thought I recognized my home state in your videos. I am near Leavenworth KS. And drive through Lawrence twice a week. Congratulations on the new car. Looking forward to seeing your progress on the next project

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

Just the drive over the country is worth it

[@bjnz4328]

As a resident of Middle Earth (NZ) I loved the reference to Lord Of The Rings.

[@richsmith6952]

I get it. When it’s time, it’s time! Can’t wait to see the Buick project.

[@ChaChiVooDoo]

You did a smart trade. A frankenwagen for one of the greatest cars of all time. If you're a true car guy and appreciate more than good looks, or noise or horsepower you'll come to really appreciate this Mercedes diesel as slow and lumbering as it is. When this video came across my feed I was hoping it was more about the Benz and less about corner carving etc but maybe you'll do a more in depth one or more about it as you adjust to its brilliance and its quirkiness and sluggishness

[@ManyFishGames]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Man I wanted that square. I like the merc but the square is a rarer sight. New owner hit me up =)

[@nnowakowski07]

Proud new owner here !👋🏼 This is my 10th “Miata” and I couldn’t be happier. As far as I’m concerned it’s a keeper for a very long time and I have no intentions of selling. I’m a big wagon addict and Miata enthusiast so it’s the perfect blend for me. I’m looking forward to putting my own touches on it in the days and years to come!

[@drewcipher896]

There's alot of downsides to diesel cars, but god they sound so good.

[@S42069]

The benefit of that Benz is you can always make your own fuel, no electronics needed. It might not be a bad idea to have both electric and mechanical diesel.

[@TheToolmanTim]

I made the same trip last year at the same time. That is one desolate drive through western Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. I've never driven a stretch of road with a higher Semi truck to car ratio. I'd estimate 6:1. You're either very brave or foolish to make that trip in the Frankenwagen.

[@ThisOldJalopy]

Yeah when I got to Tucumcari it was nothing but semi trucks, it felt like I had traveled to some alternate universe where semi trucks ruled the world, like the movie Maximum Overdrive. Also my brain was tired after driving 12 hours lol. I was on US-54/64 through Dalhert TX (probably 100 cows for every 1 person in this place) and I could have taken US-56 and US-412, but I knew from experience that that road was very bumpy and rough, and would be miserable in the frankenwagon.

[@bobwilliamson5574]

How did Texas panhandle get its name ?

[@JasonWelchMusic]

😢... Bye Frankenwagon....😢

[@SixPackDan]

300TD non turbo? TD is turbo diesel, did they take it off?

[@ThisOldJalopy]

MB naming conventions are really stupid but as far as I can tell, all wagons were called 300TD whether they had turbo or not

[@peterplouf2836]

I would have tossed the Franken Wagon on BAT and let the bidders decide what it is worth,

[@ThisOldJalopy]

I definitely thought about doing that! Maybe I should have, but I didn't want to deal with all the questions that would swirl around registration. Plus I wanted to do the road trip!

[@peterplouf2836]

@@ThisOldJalopy Good news for me is that I still look back at the Molvo every time I park it. Going for year 4 of driving; never going to be "done".

[@ThisOldJalopy]

@@peterplouf2836 thanks for all your help along the way! Yeah I just wasn't enjoying the car anymore, and now someone is out there enjoying it and making memories

[@bobalex6323]

Please, keep the Mercedes as it is.

[@davidjustice5805]

Piss on electric cars

[@davidjustice5805]

Why would you want to turn in classic car into electric electric cars suck

[@davidjustice5805]

If you're going to turn a classic car into an electric car I got to unsubscribe from your channel

[@CopperVader]

😂😂😂 snowflakes are here