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Is the mishmashed Biagini Passo a step too far?

Chris Teague

Chris Teague

The Biagini Passo had a very short lived run in Europe during the early 90s.

What exactly is a step too far in the automotive world? Some may say the 1933 Dymaxion or the Ford Gyron.

The car sits at the intersection of obscene fun and the Volkswagen Golf. It’s both a crossover and a cabriolet, like the fabled Murano, but it’s rugged with styling that is reminiscent of a Volkswagen Thing. Basically, it’s a lot.

The story goes that the ACM model was inspired by the Meyers Manx, among other sunshine-ready models. Thomas Crown would not be caught dead in this, however.

Underneath, the car is almost all VW. It has a slightly modified body of the VW Golf I Cabrio that was meshed together with the technology of a Golf II Country via a unique subframe. The front and rear are completely different than the Volkswagen Golf, with bits borrowed from other automakers giving the car wannabe Suzuki X-90 vibes.

Its headlights are from a first-generation Fiat Panda while the taillights come from a 1983 Opel Kadett D sedan. Its side turn signals are sourced from a 1983 Fiat Ritmo.

ACM designers removed the luggage hatch and replaced it with a large flap that opens downward. The PVC rear window can be folded up separately from the rest of the convertible top, which was sourced from a Golf I Cabrio. The dashboard is also from that Golf model.

With the top down, the model can seat five. It has a bull bar up front and raised ride height over the traditional stance of the Golf.

It’s powered by a 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine.

The Passos was not popular nor long lasting. Very few were sold (some sources say less than 300 while others say less than 100) and poor corrosion protection meant that most headed to a scrap heap long ago.

Biagini Passo

Biagini Passo

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

Biagini Passo

Biagini Passo

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

Biagini Passo

Biagini Passo

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

Biagini Passo

Biagini Passo

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

Biagini Passo

Biagini Passo

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

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