Engine Artwork Archive - 1979 VW Diesel Rabbit
Engine Studies, 2015
1979 Diesel Rabbit Manual Transmission Engine Animations
These animated GIFS were made the old-fashioned way, using oil paint, graphite, and ink on 4.5 x 8 inch sheets of art paper. I lifted up the hood of my car, sat down on a stool with a drawing board, and drew the parts from observation, 4 - 5 drawings necessary for the GIFS
Antifreeze / Coolant
The antifreeze liquid is a violent greenish yellow. It has a vivid synthetic color because it is a toxic chemical. Antifreeze and coolant are synonymous, one liquid for two functions. It keeps the car from getting frozen in the winter, and also prevents the car from getting overheated in the summer.
Radiator
As you can see, the antifreeze is connected to the radiator. The radiator is made up of many small tubes that run back and forth, back and forth. The antifreeze runs through there, like food being digested in your intestines.
Clutch
The clutch is the third pedal on a manual drive car, over on the left hand side. Pressing the clutch pedal to shift gears is like using a key to open a locked door. When you step on the clutch pedal, you gotta push it all the way down. You'll know if you're doing it wrong, because the engine won't like it, and it will make funky sounds at you. EEEEeeRRRr EEErRRRhHH
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil should be changed every 3 months or every 3,000 miles. A lot of people seem to disagree about the specifics of this rule, however. I used to get my oil changed at Jiffy Lube, but one time, a week after my oil change, the oil filter fell out of the car, and my engine blew! That car was totaled! After that, I found and bought my gorgeous and special '79 Diesel Rabbit! Thanks Jiffy Lube!
Dipstick
The dipstick is a tool that you can use to check on your oil levels. When you first pull out the dipstick, you should wipe it off with a rag or a paper towel. Then you push it back in, and pull it out again. There ought to be oil coating that little textured area. If there's no oil on it, you're in danger! Put some oil in your vehicle.
Throttle
The throttle is your gas pedal. Press on the gas and the car goes vroom! My Rabbit's top speed is only 65 miles per hour. Joke's on you, tailgaters!
Post-Mortem Engines - 2018
R.I.P. The Bean, my first car-love </3 (mine from March 2015 - April 2018)
1979 VW Rabbit (luxury) Diesel, manual trans, converted to 5 speed. Deceptive seafoam green color that some people called blue. Forest green leather interior with forest green carpet, faux wooden dashboard. Two door, no AC, no tachometer, 3 ashtrays, hatchback, surfrack. Glove compartment with mittens in it. No heat.. Seatbelts that only went across torso- no lap belt, “automatic” meaning you can get out of the car without removing seatbelt. Much rust, water leaks in - no driving during rain or with chance of rain. No airbags, analog clock that tick tocks audibly, beautiful sound system with remote control. LOUD engine. Attracts boys. 1st and 3rd gear extremely close together. Can fit a 6ft painting inside. Light enough to push solo. Vin # confusing for insurance agents.
I had to sell my beloved VW Rabbit in April, 2018. She had a lot of rust and the cost of repairs became too heavy of a financial burden for one starving artist fresh out of undergrad. The car was no longer running when I sold it - I asked the buyer (a Rabbit mechanic) if he would give me a down payment, plus a week to make engine drawings before he had it towed away. I call these engine studies Post-Mortem, because for me the car was “dead”, and I was grieving.
Parts / Parked Cars
Throttle - Impromptu Exhibition
