Diesel Diamond in the Rough

Is your old VW diesel just a black-sooty, smoke-spewing relic? Here's your chance to grab some notoriety for it.

Today (March 2), Volkswagen of America said that they will begin accepting applications for the oldest and the highest mileage diesel-powered VWs in the United States. This contest has two categories--the first is for the oldest diesel still running on the road with the original engine. The folks at VW expect this to be a Rabbit, since more than 12,000 were sold in '77. The second category is for the vehicle with the highest total accumulated mileage with its original engine. Knowing diesels' reputation for durability, we wouldn't be surprised to see the winner here top half a million miles. Online applications will be accepted until May 31. The winner of each category will be awarded use of a 2007 VW Touareg V10 TDI for 6 months.

But remember ... no matter how old, or how many miles on your diesel, you can start running on biodiesel anytime. And maybe you can turn that high-mileage smoker into a cleaner-burning beast.