Car Smells

Today I was working on an MGA, then a 7 clone with a X-flow.

The smell of the As engine reminded me of my Bs engine...but not at all like my TR 4, my BD powered Morgan, or even the aformentioned X-flow...totally not the same smell. But same oils and fuels.

I have also noticed that WV Bugs have a VERY distinct smell.

Has anyone else experienced this? Or is it my imagination?

Leo

My garage had that affect on someone.

He said reminded him of his dad's mini.

Diff oil missed in with fuel.

Really got to stop the FIAT's diff from dripping and replace the Triumph's fuel pump.

;)

Yes! As one gifted/afflicted with an extremely keen sense of smell, I know exactly what you're talking about. The horsehair stuffing in an old BMW lets me know, eyes closed and with just one whiff, that this is exactly what I'm sitting in.

And yes, old VWs do have a distinctive smell--it takes me back immediately to grade school and my neighbor's "second" family car... you remember, the Bugs, Vegas and B210s that came along once families acknowledged that another car was needed, but of course needed to be small and cheap because owning two cars was a little crazy?

Margie

Good, I thought it was just me!

Leo

Whenever I get a whiff of leaded fuel and leather, it takes me back to riding in my dad's 1966 big block Corvette roadster. Corvettes of this era had a certain smell too.

Cadillac leather is unique in smell, I really miss it, but not the car.

Both my first generation Jetta, and my son's much more recent example had a very noticible waxy aroma through their entire lives. My son said this was even mentioned but not explained on some on line VW discussion groups. Does anyone here know the source?

Stu

A couple of years ago I was at the RM Auction in Monterey and they had a Dragonsnake Cobra up for sale. I put my head inside the window and took a deep whiff. It was fantastic! The leather, gas, oil, carpets, all had a unique smell that for me made the car so much more cool than a perfectly restored example. I love the way old cars can trigger memory and imagination with the way they smell.

I always loved the smells at the track. Especially the smell of Castrol R.

When I was a kid in North Philadelphia, there was this gas station around the corner from the Cadillac dealership (Providence Cadillac) where the Hires root beer was always cold (Hey, I was 5!), the mechanics were always covered in grease, Rock and Roll was new, and the place smelled like gas. Leaded high octane gas......

I was at our coffee car meeting and a 2 stroke Saab drove up. I grew up with 2 stroke bikes and the odor memories kicked in full time. Even a hot 2 stroke that is cooling off will take me somewhere.

Cheers Ron

Sounds like its time for